A pastor friend once asked me this question, "If you were to prescribe just one thing that, if taken to heart, would immediately produce a profound change in the lives of those who practice it, what would that be?" Without hesitating I said "Gratitude!" He responded, "Why gratitude?" I went on to tell him how the Holy Spirit once revealed to me how a heart filled with gratitude for God is the key that unlocks "His gates" mentioned in Psalm 100:4. The verse reads, "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful (be Filled with thanks always!) unto him, and bless His name." (Psalm 100:4)
When our heart is filled with thanks for God, for Who He is more than for what He can do for us, God can most certainly smell it. Where a heart filled with gratitude to God is sweet in His nostrils, the contents of an UN-grateful heart go up before Him as a putrid stench. When God is our passion, so much so that we are continually grateful to Him- for Him, the contents of our heart rises up before His Throne like an invisible smoke, a sweet-smelling fragrance that is Holy, acceptable, and pleasing to Him. It is this sweet-smelling savor, or fragrance, that is the praise mentioned in the same verse. We must always remember, God is the consummate family man, and nothing makes Him happier than when His children love, and want, Him more than they do their own lives, or His "stuff" for that matter. "But seek ye first the kingdom of God (the kingdom that is God), and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33)
I so enjoy watching the lives of truly grateful people. When you are with someone who is exceedingly grateful to God for Who He is, they will also be grateful for those around them. They will have and display a level of uncommon respect for others. They are quick to speak life. They are selfless and always looking for ways to help others in whatever way they can. They see others through God's eyes, always ready and willing to help others recognize and call out the gifts that God has placed in them. They fan the flame in the heart of others to complete the work that God has wired them to full-fill. And, lastly, people who love God wholeheartedly, and are grateful to Him for Who He is, want to tell everyone about Him. They are not only more keenly aware of the times we are living in, but will do whatever they can do to make our Heavenly Father be lifted up and glorified in the eyes of as many people as possible; Not because someone says they have to, but because God is their passion.
We invite you to take advantage of these additional Scripture-based truths we have available to help you as you Press Toward the Mark of becoming "one" with your Heavenly Father:
~ "Keith Shealy & Toward The Mark" on Facebook
~ Keith's "Between The Lines" Podcast on Libsyn and
I so enjoy watching the lives of truly grateful people. When you are with someone who is exceedingly grateful to God for Who He is, they will also be grateful for those around them. They will have and display a level of uncommon respect for others. They are quick to speak life. They are selfless and always looking for ways to help others in whatever way they can. They see others through God's eyes, always ready and willing to help others recognize and call out the gifts that God has placed in them. They fan the flame in the heart of others to complete the work that God has wired them to full-fill. And, lastly, people who love God wholeheartedly, and are grateful to Him for Who He is, want to tell everyone about Him. They are not only more keenly aware of the times we are living in, but will do whatever they can do to make our Heavenly Father be lifted up and glorified in the eyes of as many people as possible; Not because someone says they have to, but because God is their passion.
We invite you to take advantage of these additional Scripture-based truths we have available to help you as you Press Toward the Mark of becoming "one" with your Heavenly Father:
~ "Keith Shealy & Toward The Mark" on Facebook
~ Keith's "Between The Lines" Podcast on Libsyn and
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