An Attitude of Gratitude

This past weekend we had the privilege to sit under the teachings of Ken and Michelle Grenfell (from Leesburg, VA) and Mike Graves (from Nanaimo, BC). Both of them brought messages of encouragement - of faith, hope and love - that got straight to the heart.

Both speakers spoke on the underlying issue of guarding your heart. The Bible says, ABOVE ALL ELSE - before you do anything else, the biggest thing you need to do, the most important part of life, keep vigilant and watch over it - GUARD YOUR HEART for this is where LIFE starts!

Ken talked on the dangers of allowing our hearts to become hardened - offended - going astray - unbelieving. The commanded blessing of God cannot come when this happens.

He also walked us through Psalms 106:10-48 where the Israelites quickly forgot what God had done for them (the Red Sea etc), the same can be said of modern day children of God - we are not exempt from it! When we forget what He has done, we try to do it on our own - in our own strength. We stop seeking God's direction.

The Israelites exchanged God's glory for a golden calf. They traded God's ways for their own ways - Faith in the GOD for a god they could see. They began to grumble, complain and find faults with their leaders. They yoked themselves with stuff (which includes people) that went against God and His Word, they tried to justify their actions. They did not cut out what God said to cut out and their value system began to change. Immorality in the camp reached an all time peak. But for His grace and mercy they would have been destroyed.

None of this would have happened if they had not lost their attitude of gratitude!! It's not unforgiveness or offence we have to look out for it's the attitude of our hearts. It's THANKFULNESS!!!! It is a powerful tool. It opens the gates of righteousness. In all things - no matter what... give thanks!!! Never stop remembering what God has done, is doing for us and will do. Make a memorial so that you will never get caught in the same trap the Israelites did and they saw a great big sea open up right in front of their eyes - if they can stumble... what from stopping us from doing the same?! From ungratefulness - to offense - to disobedience - which not only resulted in them wandering in circles in the desert for 40 years but a whole generation never saw the promise land! ABOVE ALL ELSE --- GUARD YOUR HEART!

Mike talked about similar things that stop the flow of God in our lives - unforgiveness and a lack of faith expectancy.

He gave a great example of what unforgiveness/bitterness/offence is like. A beaver dam isn't built in a day! It is one stick at a time over a period of time before the dam blocks the water flow, stops the river and begins to dry up the once beautiful and lushes land. One stick at a time. One offence at a time, once chance to not forgive at a time, one moment of not guarding your heart at a time. Your heart is a filter of purification, the source of life, joy, love... above all else guard your heart. When it's not dealt with - the Spirit of God ceases, the flow is stopped.

The enemy uses these little issues to divide us, that is his plan - read Matthew 12:22-26. A divided house is a weak house. The quicker we recognize it the better. Don't give the devil any more music to dance by!! It begins with YOU - guard YOUR heart!!

His message on faith was awesome too. What activates the power of God? Faith! Faith is the switch and unbelief will turn the switch off faster than you can blink!! Faith is the channel that makes things that are possible for God to be possible for us. Without Faith it IS impossible to please Him. There is no substitute for Faith! Faith is for now and hope is for the future. We need to be fully persuaded that He is able to do what He says in His word He had/will do!! Ultimately.... it is a question of do we trust God?!

It's amazing how his message tied in so well with Ken's, God was the author of this weekend!!