thanks God!

so many times i find my thoughts slipping down the slope of negativity - my carnal mind seems to focus on what is not working, what i don’t have, and what will never be.  no doubt the enemy is behind all of these discouraging thoughts and is relentless in his attempt to steal my joy and dishearten me. he constantly tries to shift my thoughts off of God and on to problems, challenges, circumstances and… well… anything else other than Christ (and the bright future that awaits me).  paul warned to be carnally minded is death!  if i give into these dark / demonic thoughts it literally kills my future and sabotages the plans God has for my life.  2 cor 4:4 reveals that satan is successful at blinding the minds of unbelievers to keep them from seeing God and His amazing light and illuminating truth.  satan tries to blind my mind -  to keep me down, to hold me back, to wreck my life.

recently i have gone back to a truth that somehow escaped me (for a good part of 2009).  it is a simple, but powerful weapon to overcome the enemy and shut his filthy (big) mouth.  the weapon is gratitude!  i have been annihilating the enemy and shutting down his attack by having a heart of thankfulness - just telling God how good He is and how grateful i am for all he does for me.

scripture is clear that my life (the life of a believer) should be characterized by joy, peace, contentment, and gratitude.  even though i encounter difficult trials and situations constantly, i must remember to always thank God and verbalize my love and appreciation for Him.  the bible reveals that He is my rock, my redeemer, my delivered, my healer, my provider, my ever-present ever-loving Father!

so regardless of what problems, challenges or frustrations are trying to overwhelm me and bring me down - i look up and start to thank God for who He is, for what He has done, and (by faith) ask Him to do it again.

“how great is the Lord, how deserving of praise…”  psalm 48:1 (nlt)

“let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things He has done for them.”  psalm 107:8 (nlt)

“you did it (God): you changed wild lament into whirling dance; you ripped off my black mourning band and decked me with wildflowers.  i’m aobut to burst with song; i can’t keep quiet about you.  God, my God, i can’t thank you enough.”  psalm 30:11 (msg)

“i’m ready to worship, so ready.  i thank you, God - you’re so good.  you got me out of every scrape, and i saw my enemies get it.” psalm 54:6 (msg)

“thank you!  everything in me says ‘thank you!’ angels listen as i sing my thanks.  i kneel in worship facing your holy temple and say it again: thank you!  thank you for your love, thank you for your faithfulness; most holy is your name, most holy is your word.  the moment i called out, you stepped in; you made my life large with strength.”  psalm 138:1-3 (msg)

“every day (with its new reasons) will i bless you (affectionately and gratefully praise you),’ yes, i will praise your name forever and ever.”  psalm 145:2 (amp)

look up (right now) and say thanks God!