Category: What do you think?

The Responsibility of Blessing

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JEFF TURNER

Every blessing carries responsibility. When God shows us special favor, it’s not just for our enjoyment – it’s for His purpose. Think of it like being trusted with a valuable gift: the more precious the gift, the more careful we should be with it.

God’s blessings shouldn’t make us complacent; they should make us more mindful of our calling to be channels of His goodness to others. The more we receive, the more we’re expected to give. This isn’t about guilt; it’s about understanding the true purpose of blessing in God’s economy.

Consider, Luke 12:48 says, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”

The Power of Personal Experience

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JEFF TURNER

Nothing moves us to gratitude quite like personal blessing.

When God steps into our individual stories – showing us that he has provided for our needs, showing us the difference between wants and needs – suddenly thankfulness flows more freely. It’s like the difference between hearing about rain and feeling it on your skin. When blessing gets personal, it gets real. But here’s the challenge: can we learn to be just as grateful for the blessings others receive? Can we celebrate God’s goodness even when we’re not the primary beneficiary?

True maturity in gratitude means rejoicing in all of God’s works, not just the ones that directly benefit us.

Philippians 4:19 tells us, “God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” When we, or others are blessed, God is the ultimate provider. And while we may confuse wants and necessities, or not be aware of the blessings being bestowed, we can trust Him to meet all of our needs.

Empty Words vs. Changed Lives

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JEFF TURNER

God isn’t interested in hollow thank-yous. When we’ve experienced His goodness, He expects more than just words – He looks for transformation.

Think of gratitude like a seed that should grow into something visible and tangible. If we’re truly thankful for God’s mercy, it should show in how we treat others. If we’re grateful for His forgiveness, it should be evident in our willingness to forgive. Real gratitude isn’t just a feeling or a phrase – it’s a force that shapes our character and influences our choices.

Hebrews 12:28 tells us, “Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let’s show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe…” NASB.

Shouldn’t we approach God with reverence and awe, serving Him acceptably? Should we not also pray for our leaders and those in authority so that we may lead peaceful and Godly lives?

Our Natural Resistance to Thankfulness

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JEFF TURNER

Why is it so hard to say thank you?

Even with all the blessings surrounding us, gratitude often feels like an afterthought. Think about your day yesterday – how many times did you pause to acknowledge a blessing? Our ancestors in Eden lived in constant gratitude, their every breath a song of praise to their Creator. Heaven itself rings with endless thanksgiving. Yet here we are, surrounded by daily miracles – sunrise and sunset, breath in our lungs, food on our tables – and we struggle to muster a word of thanks.

This resistance to gratitude isn’t just a bad habit; it’s a symptom of how far we’ve wandered from our original design. When we find it hard to be thankful, it’s a wake-up call, reminding us that we need to realign our hearts with God’s intent for us.

As 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

The Unchanging Truth of Salvation

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TEXAS GOSPEL STAFF

Salvation is a real, unchanging truth, not just a feeling. Romans 10:9 explains, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” This means you must believe Jesus is God’s Son and trust that He rose from the dead. If you truly trust Jesus as your Savior, you are saved.

When you put your faith in Jesus, you begin a permanent relationship with Him as your Lord and Savior. This relationship doesn’t depend on how you feel or what you do—it’s a lasting reality. Even though Satan may try to make you doubt this, once you truly believe in Jesus, nothing can change your salvation.

As a true believer, you will want to live in a way that pleases God. The Bible also teaches that when you are saved, the Holy Spirit comes to live in you, sealing your salvation. Scripture assures us that once you’re saved, no one can take that away. Salvation is a solid truth, not something that changes with emotions.