Life as Liturgy: Reflection/Thanksgiving
Bottomline: A grateful heart is a growing heart.
Intro-How good is it to be back? I am reminded that even in the midst of uncertain, disappointment, grief, and a host of other emotions and experiences....God is still faithful and worthy of praise.
We reflect to refine and rejoice.
Those who fail to reflect, fail to be refined and fail to grow.
23 Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
28 Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29
5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.
40 Let us examine our ways and test them,
and let us return to the LORD.
41 Let us lift up our hearts and our hands
to God in heaven
Those who fail to reflect tend to overreact.
God desires honest prayers not perfect prayers
A grateful heart is a growing heart.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the LORD is good.
His unfailing love continues forever,
and his faithfulness continues to each generation.
1 Praise the LORD. o
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.