Month: November 2024

Happy Thanksgiving, Y’all…

/ pastorlynnmalone / Leave a comment

Gratitude is a powerful, transformative attitude that can change the way we experience life. It is more than a polite “thank you” or a seasonal expression of thanks around Thanksgiving dinner; it is a deep, heartfelt acknowledgment of the goodness, grace, and provision of God in all things.

In a world that often encourages comparison, entitlement, and dissatisfaction, gratitude seems to be a rare virtue. And yet, the Bible teaches us that gratitude is not optional for the believer—it is essential. In fact, as we read in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Gratitude is not just a nice gesture, but a command from God, a key part of His will for our lives.

So, why is gratitude so important? How does it impact our relationship with God, with others, and with ourselves? And how can we cultivate an attitude of gratitude, even in challenging circumstances?

God’s Will for Us

The apostle Paul, writing to the church in Thessalonica, reminds us that gratitude is not optional but is the will of God. The will of God in our lives, according to this verse, is not simply that we perform religious duties or follow rules, but that we have a heart of thanksgiving, regardless of our circumstances.

Gratitude is a central part of our spiritual life because it aligns us with God’s heart and helps us acknowledge His goodness. To give thanks is to recognize and celebrate the ways God is at work in our lives, whether in times of abundance or scarcity, joy or sorrow. When we are grateful, we are turning our eyes away from what we lack and focusing on the many ways in which God is present with us, sustaining us, and blessing us.

Paul doesn’t say, “Give thanks for all circumstances,” but “in all circumstances.” There’s a difference. We may not always be thankful for difficult circumstances or suffering—none of us would claim to be grateful for pain, loss, or hardship. But we can still give thanks in those circumstances, trusting that God is with us, that He is faithful, and that He can work even in the darkest moments of our lives.

Gratitude is a response to God’s presence, no matter what life brings our way. It’s an act of faith that says, “I may not understand why things are happening the way they are, but I trust that God is good, and I will thank Him for His constant presence and provision.”

It’s About Perspective

Gratitude has the power to shift our perspective. The apostle Paul knew this well. He wrote to the Philippians from prison, a place of confinement and hardship, yet he spoke often of joy and thankfulness. In Philippians 4:6, he says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Even in a time of suffering, Paul models a posture of thankfulness.

When we focus on gratitude, we shift our attention from the negative, from what’s missing, to what is present. This shift doesn’t deny the reality of our struggles or minimize the pain we might feel, but it helps us to see beyond the immediate challenges and to focus on God’s faithfulness, His provision, and His love. Gratitude helps us to remember that, no matter what is happening around us, God is always good, and He is always at work in our lives.

Remember the Israelites in the wilderness? When they were faced with hunger, they complained and doubted God. But God, in His mercy, provided manna from heaven, daily bread for His people. Instead of responding with gratitude, the Israelites often grumbled and longed for the comforts of Egypt, forgetting the great things God had already done. Their lack of gratitude caused them to forget the goodness of God and to live in a state of discontentment.

How often do we fall into the same pattern? Being a “glass half-empty” guy, I tend to focus on what’s wrong, what’s lacking, and what’s unfair, and I can miss the countless blessings God has already given me.

Gratitude realigns our focus and helps us see the blessings we have, no matter how small or how hidden they may seem in the moment.

It’s About Relationships

One of the most profound impacts of gratitude is on our relationships—both with God and with others. In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Paul writes about the importance of rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks. These are not just individual acts; they are communal expressions of worship and devotion that strengthen the body of Christ.

When we are grateful to God, it deepens our relationship with Him. Gratitude is an expression of trust in God’s character and goodness. It acknowledges that we recognize His work in our lives and that we are dependent on His grace. This kind of gratitude fosters intimacy with God, drawing us closer to Him in love and worship.

Gratitude also strengthens our relationships with others. Think about the power of a simple “thank you.” A word of thanks can build bridges, restore relationships, and create a culture of kindness and appreciation. When we are grateful, we are less likely to take people for granted. We are more inclined to see and affirm the value in others, recognizing the ways in which God has worked through them to bless our lives.

The opposite of gratitude is entitlement. Entitlement says, “I deserve this. I have a right to it.” Gratitude, however, says, “I have received something good that I didn’t earn, and I am thankful.” When we live with a sense of gratitude, we become more humble, more patient, and more generous. We no longer take for granted the things we have, and we are more willing to share with others.

Jesus, of course, is our ultimate example. In the Gospels, we see how Jesus expressed gratitude to His Father, even in moments of distress. When He healed the ten lepers in Luke 17:11-19, only one of them returned to thank Him. Jesus was deeply moved by this man’s gratitude and said, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” The act of thanksgiving not only brought physical healing but also spiritual wholeness.

It’s NOT About Circumstances

Gratitude is never contingent on our circumstances. This is especially true when we face difficult or painful seasons in life. Paul’s command to “give thanks in all circumstances” is not just for the good times but for the hard times as well. In fact, gratitude can be most powerful in times of suffering.

Consider the example of Job. After losing everything—his wealth, his health, his children—Job said, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:21). Job’s words are a profound testament to the power of gratitude in the midst of tragedy. He did not understand why he was suffering, but he chose to acknowledge God’s sovereignty and goodness, even in his pain.

Gratitude in every season of life is a choice, a discipline, and an act of trust. It acknowledges that, while life may not always make sense, God is still good, and He is still worthy of our thanks. When we choose gratitude in hardship, we align ourselves with God’s heart and demonstrate our trust in His faithfulness, even when we cannot see the way forward.

Growing Gratitude

Gratitude, like any virtue, must be cultivated. It does not come naturally, especially when life is difficult or when we feel overwhelmed. But there are practical ways to develop a heart of gratitude:

  1. Practice daily thanksgiving: Start each day by thanking God for the blessings in your life. Even on tough days, there is always something to be thankful for.
  2. Count your blessings: Keep a gratitude journal where you write down the things you’re thankful for. This helps you focus on the positive aspects of life, even during difficult seasons.
  3. Express gratitude to others: Take the time to thank those around you—family, friends, colleagues, and even strangers. Gratitude is contagious and can strengthen your relationships.
  4. Pray with thanksgiving: In your prayers, focus on what God has done for you. Thank Him for His provision, His love, and His faithfulness.

Gratitude is a powerful force that transforms our hearts, our relationships, and our lives. It aligns us with the will of God, shifts our perspective, deepens our relationships with God and others, and helps us to trust God in all circumstances.

As we cultivate an attitude of gratitude, we reflect God’s goodness to the world around us. Let us choose to give thanks in all circumstances, knowing that this is the will of God for us in Christ Jesus.

May our lives be marked by a spirit of thanksgiving, not just when things are going well, but in every season, trusting that God is good, His love endures forever, and His faithfulness never fails.

Happy Thanksgiving, y’all, and until next time (whenever that might be), keep looking up…

Life is About Choices…

/ pastorlynnmalone / 2 Comments

Sometimes a guy just has to choose. No, I’m not talking about this past week’s election, though I certainly could. It is time to move on from that. It’s over and it was somewhat decisive, which are the two things I prayed for. If Donald Trump won, I wanted it to be a clear victory. If Kamala Harris won, likewise I wanted it to be a clear victory. We didn’t need four years of “Russian interference,” or four years of “stolen” elections.

A lot of folks I know gave a big thumbs-up to the election results on Wednesday morning, and an almost equal number of folks I know gave it the thumbs-down. Such is the nature of our divided nation these days, but here is what we followers of Jesus need to remember–we’re not working for a temporal kingdom.

Yes, politics is important and we need to pay attention to it and participate in the process (thankful we live in a country where we can), but it is time for the disciples of Jesus Christ to get down to the real business to which we’re called–building an eternal Kingdom.

Just as a reminder, I recall these words from Jesus’ “Sermon on the Plain” in Luke’s gospel:

27 “But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. 28 Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. 30 Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. 31 Do to others as you would like them to do to you.

32 “If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! 33 And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much! 34 And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return.

35 “Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. 36 You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.

37 “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”

Luke 6: 27 – 38 (NLT)

Friends, it is time for us to choose to be different from the world because this old world is passing away. It is time for us to choose to live by different standards than power, utility and equal exchange. It is time for us to choose to follow Jesus in building an eternal Kingdom and to live the primary Kingdom principle of love. It is time for us to choose to tell the world about Jesus Christ.

This short video demonstrates why it matters:

@1littlerebel4.0

♬ Love of God – MercyMe

Let’s choose not to be Democrat or Republican. Let’s choose to be Christians. After all, life is about choices.

Speaking of choices, I’m making the choice to step away from blogging for a while. I may return to it someday, but right now, I simply have too many other responsibilities that are demanding my attention, not the least of which is spending my early Sunday mornings preparing to lead worship at Haughton Methodist Church.

So, thanks to all of you who have read my blog over the past many years. It has brought joy to my heart and been a great encouragement when someone would respond to a blog I had written. I hope they have been an encouragement to those who read them.

All I can say now is “I’ll see ya’ on the flip-side!”

Until next time (whenever that might be), keep looking up…

Just Go Vote…

/ pastorlynnmalone / Leave a comment

Yes, this is a post about the election. Yes, it will probably offend a few people. No, I’m not going to tell you who to vote for, which will probably offend at least half of the people who read my blog. If you haven’t made up your mind, you have two days to do so. Just go vote, even if you don’t make up your mind until you enter the voting booth.

Actually, I’m writing this morning to a select number of people who may be reading–those who haven’t voted yet. My wife and I cast our ballots early, which it seems people are doing in record numbers this year. That’s great, but if you haven’t voted, let me remind you that your vote still counts. Go vote! Yes, it’s that important.

It is important that you go vote because we live in the United States of America and voting is a gift that the founders of our nation gave to us to help preserve our republic. Don’t take that gift for granted.

Voting has become so much easier (for better or worse) through the years that there really remains no excuse (save an emergency or illness) for registered voters not to vote.

Here are a few things I might suggest you do before heading to the polls. First, pray. Ask for the Lord’s guidance as you prepare to make this most important decision.

Second, turn off social media. You’ll only end up more confused.

Can I say that I hate the terms “misinformation” and “disinformation?” They seem like made-up words. I rather prefer to call all of that stuff “competing information.” Don’t the folks who want to censor all the “dis” and “mis” information believe the American people are smart enough to sort through the competing information to make an informed decision? I believe we are and I don’t need anyone censoring anything. I LOVE the First Amendment!

Third, remember that the Lord doesn’t love one candidate more than the other, nor does He love the people who vote for one candidate more than He loves people who vote for the other candidate. He loves all His children regardless of which candidate they vote for. Suffice it to say that each (every) candidate has his/her own foibles (just like the people casting their ballots). There is no perfect candidate. Never has been. Never will be.

Please also remember that no single candidate or political party ever won one soul to Christ. That’s our job. It’s called evangelism and we should be engaged in it regardless of who our leader is. People who need Jesus will never find Jesus in a political party. They will find Him in us.

Finally, maintain a biblical perspective. I remind us of Romans 13: 1–

“Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.”

Or, Psalm 47: 7 – 9–

7 For God is the King over all the earth.
    Praise him with a psalm.
8 God reigns above the nations,
    sitting on his holy throne.
9 The rulers of the world have gathered together
    with the people of the God of Abraham.
For all the kings of the earth belong to God.
    He is highly honored everywhere.

The Bible repeatedly reminds us that God is sovereign in the affairs of men. God is God before this election, and God will be God after this election. Neither candidate will change that fact. If you trust the Lord now, you’ll trust Him then.

Don’t, however, use God’s sovereignty to blame Him for the outcome. That’s too easy! Can we, as disciples, acknowledge that the state of our nation is not God’s fault? It would also be too easy to blame one political party over the other, but the reality is that BOTH political parties have contributed to the steady progression away from the Judeo-Christian values upon which our nation was formed.

Let’s face it. It’s OUR fault for not holding our leaders to account to the Judeo-Christian values of our founding. One way we can hold them accountable is by just going to vote.

So, go vote. Vote your values. Vote for the candidate you believe the Lord is leading you to vote for. Regardless of who you vote for, please treat those who may vote differently than you with the respect and love due a fellow human being. That’s what we’re called to do as disciple of Jesus Christ.

So, just go vote. It’s that important.

Until next time, keep looking up…