GRATITUDE

How do you tell if a person is controlled by the Holy Spirit? What would make you think that they are abiding in Christ as a normal daily thing? 

David Jeremiah in his excellent book GOD IN YOU (1998 Multnomah) has a whole chapter on it, and it is good. He says "I believe the strongest evidence for a Spirit-filled life is gratitude. -- The greatest saint is the one who is always thankful." 

1 Thess 5.18 says "In everything give thanks...for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." That is a big order. Most of us give it little weight. Ungratefulness and unthankfulness is very bad news. In Col 3.17 God says "Whatever we do in word or in deed, do all ....giving thanks." 

I can remember a lot of days when grumbling would be the accurate word, not gratefulness. Grumbling, critical, negative, complaining, and unpleasant. Ever have days like that? Those are days we are definitely not being controlled and empowered by the Holy Spirit. When you are filled with the Holy Spirit, you will be grateful, and it will show! You won't have to make-believe, or kid yourself, you will be thankful. It is not an act, it is something the Holy Spirit does in you. It is the most delightful way to live.

You and I can choose to grumble about everything all day long, or we can choose, by faith, to be thankful about everything that God brings to us. A wonderful option! 

So we can choose to be joyful, purposeful, content, and useful to others-today! 

That...is good news!

bh
Blog: http://blog.bertsgoodstuff.com