Practicing Gratefulness

1 Thessalonians 5:16
"...give thanks in all circumstances,..."
Does God really expect us to be thankful in all circumstances? Have you wondered why He asks us to be grateful in all things?
I believe it is because He knows that gratefulness breaks the bondage of critical spirit, ungratefulness, and fear. This verse states such simple words that if practiced will have a major impact on our lives.
Are you going through some hard situations? Is your future unknown because of job uncertainty, a sickness in the family, or financial hardship? The Lord knows our first response is usually to be discoraged, to fear, and to worry. But in His Word, He tells us to give thanks in all circumstances. When we do our eyes turn away from the hard situation and onto a Lord who we know will show us how to battle through and to overcome.

Gratefulness slaps the devil down.

Satan wants us to be bitter toward God. Our thankful spirit will bond us into God. It will foster an intimacy we have never known before the terrible situation came upon us.
Remember friends, the Lord gives us steps for victorious and abundant living! Through His instructions to be grateful, He is indeed setting us free from the ties that want to bind!
This week, let's write down the things for which we are grateful and thank Him for always being there to see us through it all!

Sandra Stanford
Titusville, FL

It's Guest Blogger Day!

Tomorrow is the last Monday of June, and you know what that means-guest blogger day! Join me as we welcome to Encouraging Women my friend, speaker, Sandra Stanford! You will be tremendously blessed as you read what Sandra has to say. I've know this lady for a few years, and I can assure you, you will take something away from her! Welcome, Sandra!

30 Days of Praise Part 4

Jamie Britt
What a beautiful day to praise the Lord together! What words can we think of to praise Him with that begin with the letter D? My word is... defender!

30 Days of Praise Part 3

Join me in celebrating our Lord through the alphabet. Today's letter is C. Our God is Creator! What C word would you use to describe Him?

30 Days of Praise Continued

So sweet friends...what B word could you use to describe our Lord? Let's praise His Name together. My word today...Beckoning.

30 Days of Praise

I got this idea from a friend, and I wanted us all to join the chalenge. For the next 30 days, we will be using the alphabet to find words to describe our Lord. Let's start with A. Can you think of some words to describe our Lord? Awesome, amazing, all-knowing, accepting. I'd love to hear your ideas.

There's Still Hope

"The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I hope in Him!"
Lamentations 3:24

I want you to know that whatever you're going through, there's still hope. You can find hope in the Lord. Your circumstances may not look very hopeful, but if you're a child of the King, you've got somewhere to place your hope. You can place your hope in the one who will never let us down, the one who never fails. Have you felt let down by people, I'm sure we all have. You can put your hope and trust in the God of the universe, a God who never leaves you, never forsakes you. I can promise you that people will let you down, but I can also promise you that God will never let you down. Whatever you're going through in life, remember, there's still hope.

Father, help us to put our total trust and hope in you. Help us know that when we're feeling alone and isolated that you're there with us. Amen.