Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise — the fruit of lips that openly profess His name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:15-16
“The act of being thankful focuses our eyes on what we do have, not what we don’t have. When we’re thankful, we think of the friends and family we do have, not the ones we don’t have. When we’re thankful, we think of the job and opportunities we do have, not the ones we don’t have. When we’re thankful, we think of the house, vehicle, and possessions we do have, not the ones we don’t have. When we’re thankful, we think of the gifts, skills, and passions we do have, not the ones we don’t have.
It’s so easy to set our minds on all the things we don’t have, which causes us to lose perspective of what we do have. Whenever we walk with a posture of gratitude, we can think less about what we don’t have, and more about what we do have. Doing so breeds humility and contentment. I’m grateful for what I have, every bit of it. But it’s those selfish days or moments when I think about what I don’t have that can sour me. Today, I choose gratitude. Tomorrow, I hope to choose gratitude as well. Each day we have a choice. Let’s choose gratitude every day.”
Travis Shelton in “The Daily Meaning” post on 24 November 2022.
This is a great blog. I subscribe as Travis is a trusted friend who inspires me to think Christianly. Check it out here.
Why do you think the author of Hebrews urges readers to “continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise?” After reading this post from Travis I think I understand the answer.
Daily we need to choose gratitude. It helps us keep the right perspective. It breeds “humility and contentment” and reminds us that we are blessed to be a blessing.
No wonder the author of Hebrews connects this attitude of praise and gratitude with not forgetting to do good. When we fail to choose gratitude, our generosity tanks.
Alternatively, when we live contented and grateful lives, our generosity flourishes. With Travis, let’s choose gratitude today, tomorrow, the next day, and the next day…
And if you want to hear more from Travis and me, download COMMUNITY a 30-day devotional we wrote together and released a few months ago. Enjoy and share it freely.