Tag: grateful

Offering a Sacrifice of Praise

Posted on by Staci Mauney

This excerpt is from my devotional, Echoes of Joy: A Thankful Heart.

Day 10
Offering a Sacrifice of Praise

“Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.” (Heb. 13:15)

For most of us, being carefree comes easily when we’re kids. But as adults, we face adult problems, such as difficult bosses, paying the bills, and raising kids or taking care of aging parents. We deal with devastating health diagnoses, job losses, estrangements, and pandemics. Those problems steal our joy and make giving thanks more difficult.

Even Jesus struggled to accept God’s plan for him. When he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, he poured out his pain to God. And yet, he still prayed for God’s will to be done.

Jesus’s example shows us that it’s possible to be thankful even when facing the most difficult circumstances. It doesn’t mean we’re thankful for the situation, but that we’re thankful in spite of it. When we open our hearts to let in gratitude, we let go of stress and striving.

Offering up praise when you don’t feel like it is a choice. Praising God in good times is easy; praising him during difficult times is a sacrifice. This sacrifice of praise comes from a humble heart that has decided to praise God no matter the circumstances. Real praise flows continuously, in both good times and in bad.

When we offer a sacrifice of praise, we choose to believe God is still good even when life isn’t. When we praise God in spite of the storms, we choose to honor him, and our faith grows deeper.

Dear Jesus, thank you for providing an example of how to praise God even when things are not going my way. Help me offer praise and thanksgiving to you no matter how difficult my situation is. Amen.

Thankful for Charlie Bones

Posted on by Staci Mauney

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. (Ps. 107:1)

Each November, our hearts our filled with thanksgiving for our blessings. My new puppy, Charlie, is at the top of the list of things I’m grateful for this year. My sister-in-law believes that animals come into our lives the moment we need them most, and I agree because that was the case with both Lilly, my Yorkie, and now Charlie. Charlie needed a home, and I needed companionship. He and his big personality have filled my life in ways I never imagined. Continue reading “Thankful for Charlie Bones” →

Being Grateful During Hard Times

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” (Col. 3:15)

During the month of November, our thoughts turn to thankfulness more than at any other time of the year. Even so, when we’re dealing with something difficult, it can be hard to be grateful.

Does anyone ever feel gratitude for difficult circumstances? Perhaps someone who is unusually optimistic does. I believe I’m an optimistic person, but—full disclosure here—gratitude is not my first response when things are tough. Continue reading “Being Grateful During Hard Times” →

Overlooking Thanksgiving

Posted on by Staci Mauney

Today, I want to share an excerpt from my new devotional, Echoes of Joy: A Thankful Heart. As we enter November, I hope you will be inspired to take a few moments each day to focus on gratitude and give thanks to the One from whom all blessings flow.

Day 1

Overlooking Thanksgiving

“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” (Col. 3:14–15)

The holiday season seems to get busier each year. With Thanksgiving sandwiched between Halloween and Christmas, we rush past it as we go from buying candy and costumes to baking goodies and trimming the tree. We squeeze in Thanksgiving dinner so that we can move on to Black Friday shopping and the bigger celebration of Christmas. Continue reading “Overlooking Thanksgiving” →

Praise Him with a Thankful Heart

Posted on by Staci Mauney

This post was originally published on November 16, 2017.

“Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods” (Ps 95:2-3).

Each weekend, I gather with other believers to participate in our praise and worship service at church. On a few occasions, I’ve gone to special services that have been set up outside of the traditional service times and are just music and songs. I enjoy both traditional and contemporary music. Years ago, I attended a church with a wonderful blend of both old and new songs. There’s something to be said for traditional songs that were borne out of hardship and persecution. But I believe contemporary songs that built upon Scripture help reinforce God’s word through song have their own place as well. Continue reading “Praise Him with a Thankful Heart” →