Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

One of my favorite scriptures in the Bible to guide how I live, think, and speak is the one above. When someone tells me they don’t know what God’s will is for their life, I often refer them to that. Choose to be thankful no matter what is going on in your life (good or bad) because thankfulness is a good seed and attracts good things to your life.

My favorite habit by far is journaling. In fact, that is the lead domino for my life. When I journal, I follow a simple five-step method. The first step is the most important – to thank God.

When I begin journaling, I start by writing “Good morning Jesus! Thank you for:” Then I write down at least seven things I am grateful for from the previous 24 hours. When I thank God sincerely for good things in my life, He usually multiplies those.

There is a protocol for entering the presence of the King and that begins with thanksgiving. We thank God for what He gives to us and we praise Him for who He is.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. (Psalm 100:4)

The whole process of renewing your mind and atonement can be summed up in one word, gratitude.

First, you believe that there is a good God who owns everything and has a master plan, which includes you. Second you believe that God gives you everything you need to fulfill the desires of your heart because He placed those within you. And third, you relate yourself to Father God by a feeling of deep and profound gratitude.

Many people who order their lives rightly in all other ways are kept in poverty by their lack of gratitude. Having received one gift from God, they cut the connection with Him by failing to make acknowledgment.

The more gratefully we fix our minds on God when good things come to us, the more good things we will receive, and the more rapidly they will come. This happens because the mental attitude of gratitude draws the mind into closer touch with the Source from which the blessings come.

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. (James 4:8a)

Gratitude brings your whole mind into closer harmony with the creative energies of the universe. Gratitude alone can keep you looking toward God and prevent you from falling into the error of thinking of the supply as limited. To do the latter is fatal to your hopes. There is a Law of Gratitude, and it is absolutely necessary that you should observe the law to get the results you seek.

As we enter Thanksgiving week in the USA, this is a great reminder to develop the habit of being in all circumstances, not necessarily for all circumstances.

One of my favorite stories in the Bible that relates to being thankful under difficult circumstances is the story of the Paul and Silas who were thrown into a dreary prison in Philippi after being falsely accused and beaten.

But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. (Acts 16:25-26)

Someone asked me yesterday how to cope with major stress in her life related to caring for a loved one who is quite old and whose health is deteriorating. I recommended she journal daily and write things she is grateful for to remind her there are good things that happen every day, despite the difficult challenges every day. Although it may seem as if there is no light at the end of the tunnel, know that there is hope and someone cares about you and your situation.

Thank you for choosing to stay connected with me. Some of you I have known for years and some of you for just days or weeks. Regardless I am thankful.

More blessings

1) Hallelujah Israeli Style – Two days ago, Mindy Samblanet sent me an email with a link to this beautiful song in Hebrew by the Band of the Education Corps of the IDF. Each time I listened to it, my spirit leaped for joy.

2) Mary, Did You Know? – This is one of the most beautiful renditions of this song I have ever heard and will help get you in the Christmas spirit. Enjoy.

3) On Mon Nov 24 at 7 pm EST (New York), I am hosting Donald Lee and Gary Beaton on a webinar titled “The Open Hand of God.” This is a great way to prepare yourself for a glorious holiday season.

By the way, I received an email this evening from a friend who drove three hours on Nov 20 to attend the 3-day conference in Rochester NY that Gary Beaton was ministering at. In her email, she wrote, “Thanks, Joseph. It was truly an awesome time! I feel full to the brim, and ready once more to give Jesus my all. Gary was such an inspiration. By the way, my friend and I drove up on Thursday afternoon. I wasn’t quite sure when the meeting started but we got there about 2 minutes before it began, and there were two empty seat waiting for us! As Gary would say…No Way!!! God bless you, Susan”

Blessings for God’s peace and comfort this Thanksgiving week!