Self-help experts advise us to take a few minutes each day and note things for which we give thanks.
The first item on my “thankful” list is that God calls me His child, not because of anything I’ve done, but because of Christ’s perfect life and sacrificial death in my place.
Next on my list? I rejoice that God has adopted so many loved ones into His eternal family.
What’s on your gratitude list?
I hope you revel in God’s love for you and rejoice to know that not even death can part you from friends and family members who’ve placed their trust in Christ.
I hope you delight in the good works God has prepared in advance for you to do (Ephesians 2:10) – not to earn His love but to extend it.
I thank God for Stonecroft women
You are women on a mission. You seek to share the treasure of faith, just as the Corinthian believers shared their financial resources. You devote countless hours to create avenues by which women can hear about God’s love – where they are, as they are.
The Apostle Paul’s words echo in your life: “This service that you perform is … overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.” – 2 Corinthians 9:12, NIV
Divine math
Just think of it: a woman begins a relationship with Christ and her heart fills with thanks because God loves her as His very own daughter! The person who shared the Gospel with her rejoices, marveling at what God has done through her efforts to plan a special event or open her home to spread the Good News.
Now imagine the rejoicing that takes place when this woman tells her Christian friends and family members that she joined God’s household. Just imagine the gratitude of those who longed to see this day – the joyful tears of the aunt, mother or grandmother who prayed for years that this new believer would see the glory of God in the face of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6).
Envision all of Heaven rejoicing.
Suppose this new believer can’t keep the Good News to herself. The greatness of God’s love compels her to share it. This results in more new believers, more rejoicing in Heaven, and more friends and family members whose hearts overflow with thanksgiving.
That’s the multiplication of shared faith. It transforms families, friends and communities, just as it has done through Stonecroft for the past 80 years – and counting.
Related Scriptures: Colossians 1:6, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, Luke 15:7, 2 Corinthians 2:14
Questions for Discussion
Can you remember your joy on the day you first understood and accepted the Good News? Describe your gratitude for the Gospel.
Have you shared your faith and watched someone begin a relationship with Christ? If so, describe it. If not, what are some simple ways you could get closer to experiencing that?
Laura Muckerman
Ministry Support Representative