November Gratitude Stone 30 life tomorrow

Psalm 22:3 God inhabits the praises of His people

Ps. 16:11 You make known to me the path of life: in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Prov. 118:24 The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.

Prov 17:22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

The opportunity of a lifetime is found in a grateful heart; it is the best way to draw close to God!  God actually lives the the place where we praise and thanksgiving ushers us into the very presence of God. Life is hard and is full of things that we don’t expect nor are we prepared to handle them. We cannot predict the future but we can be ready to live fully and be prepared to thrive no matter what happens. How? By living today with joy and gratitude. Why?  Because everything that will happen in my future shapes how I live today. Think about it: If I think I will need to survive after I retire then I need to set aside enough money now in light of that day!  I believe that eternity changes everything. The fact that we live after we die really should
profoundly influence how we live today!

Literally speaking, an Ebenezer is a “stone of help,” or a reminder of God’s Real, Holy Presence and Divine aid. Spiritually and theologically speaking, an Ebenezer can be nearly anything that reminds us of God’s presence and help: the Bible, the communion table, a cross, a picture, a fellow believer, a hymn – those things which serve as reminders of God’s love, God’s Real Presence, and God’s assistance are “Ebenezers.”

Each Thanksgiving I give thanks to God for the wonderful Ebenezers that God has given me in my life and ministry. On the altar of praise and remembrance this year, built with Ebenezer stones include:

• Faithfulness
• Thanks in Everything
• Thanks for everything
• provision
• the Giver of good gifts
• Amazing grace
• lessons from lepers
• today
• blessings
• lament
• prayer
• leap for joy
• Jesus
• as a habit
• fulfilled plans
• yielded hearts
• forgiveness
• God’s love
• community
• trials
• treasures in heaven
• eternal life
• abundant life
• God’s Word
• promises
• acceptance
• mulligans
• protection
• peace
• life

May each and every one of us always be blessed by the grace and peace of Jesus Christ through the Ebenezers that God has placed in our lives!