Sunday Words of Encouragement November 10, 2019

Our Sunday School teacher presented a video on the Revelation 12 Woman which many prophesy scholars believe appeared as an astrological sign in September 2017. We had lovely praise and worship to begin the service.

Pastor continued his sermon series, The Blessed Life, noting that the blessings often depends on our perspective. An example is when a young child is not impressed by his grandmother's handmade sweater gift, while his mother views it as treasure.

Perspective is important and sometimes we have to work hard to keep proper perspective and focus on eternity. Pastor asked: “Are we blessed but miss it while we are chasing after other things?” Do we recognize that Good is working?

Just imagine, the God of creation cares for us; He calls us His own. James 1:17-18.
Verse 16 says: “Don’t be deceived…” Satan works tirelessly to convince us that God doesn't care.
James also reminds us to be thankful even when we face trials and that God will give wisdom when we seek it in faith. James 1:2-5.
Being thankful is part of the blessing process – being thankful for the good and bad, even hardship.

THE POINT: Being thankful reveals God's blessing.

Being thankful and perceiving blessing, leads to satisfaction.
The God of the Universe really does see you, He knows you.
We can train ourselves to be thankful… in little and big things.
Choose to be thankful even when the plan is unclear.
We can train ourselves to see God's blessings AND give God credit for things we can be thankful for.
List three things you are thankful for and then add a fourth that is a difficulty that you are thankful for. Choose to be thankful.

Here was my list in the moments he gave us to note our choices: 1. Creation. 2. Family 3. Business.
4. Cancer and recovery and 5. Storm (hurricane Michael) and working to recovery.

I found this song and like how it fits the message.

Verses for Today:
James 1:16-18 (NIV)
16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

Lord- I am so blessed! Help me to remember to be thankful each and every moment, each and every day.