Learning to be grateful in all seasons.

This is my last “chapter” on this topic, although much more should be written about having an attitude of gratitude and the effects it will have on your life in a postive way. May you keep pursuing these exhortaitons from 1 Thessalonians 5, implementing them into your life as you follow Jesus and trust Him to guide and direct your life.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (New Testament for Everyone by N.T. Wright)… “Always celebrate, never stop praying; in everything be thankful. (This is God’s will for you in the Messiah Jesus.)”

What does it mean to be a fruitful Christian? (From the website, www.gotquestions.org)

“The Bible often uses the metaphor of fruit to describe the produce of our lives. Fruit can be either good or bad (Matthew 7:18; Luke 6:43). Romans 7:5 says, “For when we were in the realm of the flesh . . . we bore fruit for death.” A fruitful Christian will produce better results: “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life” (Proverbs 11:30). Fruit is the direct result of whatever controls our hearts (Matthew 15:19). The fruit of a life not surrendered to Jesus includes “sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery, idolatry and witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage,” and many more evil acts (Galatians 5:19, 20). In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit of God is “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22, 23).

When we have committed ourselves to Christ and live to please Him, the natural result is behavioral choices that look like His. He was clear that true followers of Christ will be recognizable by their fruit: “Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them” (Matthew 7:16–20).

I believe Jesus expects us to change, bearing His likeness to the world and do the things He asks us to do to make this world a better place to live.

Read Luke 17:11-19 and make some observations about the following people in the story.

For me, the “bottom line” of the story is this… Faith arises from unexpected sources. I also think the story from Luke 17 reveals expectations from Jesus when it comes to having a grateful and thankful heart…

1. Be thankful and give God praise!
2. Be Bold in declaring the truth. (Luke 17:15; Mark 16:15: Psalm 105:1, 2)
3. Bear fruit! (John 15:16; Matthew 28:19, 20)
4. Believe in greater things to come. (John 14:12-14)

Jesus offers hope and healing to the least, the lost, the lowly, the left-out, and the left-behind! We must do the same as His disciples!

Get close to Jesus. Let Him change you. Allow Him to help you “bear fruit” so you can pass it out to others!