None of us are equal in terms of finances, material possessions, and physical health. Some have more, some have less. But spiritually speaking, all who are in Christ have been blessed equally. There is no real difference in the measure of spiritual blessing, power, or anointing among believers: all share in the same Lord Jesus, “in Whom is hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col. 2:3).
Scripture tells us that in the last days, perilous times will come as “men will become lovers of their own selves… unthankful” (2 Tim. 3:2). Unthankfulness is a symptom of this modern age. People in more prosperous areas of the world are not particularly thankful for their prosperity. Ironically, they have grown accustomed to thinking that the world (or God) owes them even more – a better job, a free or low-cost education, a nicer home, affordable health care, or an even higher standard of living. This entitlement mentality is unhealthy and leads to chronic discontentment and dissatisfaction.
On the other hand, followers of Jesus recognize that we are entitled to nothing. We also recognize that whatever we do have is the result of God’s blessing: “What do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?” (I Cor. 4:7). It is impossible for a person to be thankful and to be prideful at the same time. Thankfulness to God has the built-in benefit of making a person genuinely meek.
Thankful people are people of prayer. They have needs, and so they make their requests known to God. But even when needs appear to be unmet, and requests seem to go unanswered, they nevertheless give thanks “in all circumstances.” Whether they have much, or whether they have little, they are still able to “rejoice always.” This may sound like something reserved for super-spiritual, special people, but it isn’t. It as an attitude of gratitude that can be learned:
“I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phl. 4:11-13).
If Paul can learn it, then we can learn it, because we have the same Christ Who strengthens us. Being content with what we have, and being thankful for what we have already received, is a first step in the right direction.
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Personally, I’m honest-to-God thankful for the life and writings of men like Chip Brogden; who don’t draw you to themselves; but trust God for your continued spiritual growth and maturity.
Amen brother Chip…….
I am thankful for all things! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day and God bless!
In Jesus Christ we learn to recognize Him as our reality and purpose of life. In Him, we are thankful in any circunstances because we know that the troubles of life are for our transformation In Him. We find courage in Him when we go through hard times. We know that hard times is for our good. Being thankful makes us open to the Lord for Him to do His Will in us. We see the Lord clear and real when when we are thankful. I thank the Lord Jesus for who He is, God in flesh.
Love, Lizette
Chip,
I am rejoicing and am thankful! thankful! thankfulto my Lord Jesus Christ. My brother died this past Monday, November 21st, 2011. Though our family is grieving for the loss of my beloved brother we are joyful in that he left a clear handwritten letter written 2 weeks earlier. The letter stated that he recieved Jesus Christ a His personal Savior and His love for His heavenly Father and that he was washed in the Blood of Jesus. He repented to everyone in the family for any offenses he had done in his life. This was a miracle. He knew he had beat his body over the years and he didn’t have long. He died of an embolism of the heart, but praise Jesus, My brother David is with the Lord in heaven. He was 53 years old. Just to note also…my brother went to be with Jesus on his birthday. He had rejected Christ for many years. We witnessed to him many times, so this was truly a miracle and a witness to his wife (who has not yet recieved Christ) and also daughters. Happy ThanksGiving everyone. NEVER give up on praying for family members to be saved. Remember the parable of the vineyard and the workers who recieved the same wages even though some came in at the end ot the day. Matthew 20:1-16 God is so merciful and His grace is more awesome than we can imagine….
Thea 🙂
I am so thankful for the life I have in Him physically and spiritually. Over the last year since my stroke I have literally had to depend on My Lord Jesus for both physical and spiritual life. I dont believe I have had a negative moment since the day I woke up. Truely in Him we live and move and have our being. We can put our confidence in Him in all our circumstances and situations. Thank you Lord.
I’m thankful for your message.
I am very thankful that God has allowed you brother Chip, to remind me through His word, how blessed we are in Christ Jesus. I pray He continually bless you in all He has given you to do.
Thank you… I have not yet reached this point, but I am beginning to learn to be grateful for what I have already received: to be still alive… grateful for you and for the opportunity to have access to your teachings, your encouragement, and to follow it up to understand it better and better (as well as to understand English better). So. Just, thank God for that…. and also for the good things I don’t see. 🙂