Tuesday - "Thankful for What I Have"

Greetings Internet Campus Family,

1 Chronicles 29:13 “O our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name!

I was sitting down the other day looking through some of my favorite websites that have to do with technology. After reading through a few articles, I came across a piece that I was almost afraid to read. I read that they were coming out with a brand new iPhone! WOW! I couldn't believe it! It was described as having all of these amazing new features and perhaps a great lower price...

I just have to have one!

Or do I. You know, last summer I sat in front of the AT&T store for 11 hours waiting to get the phone I currently use. I remember the day I brought it home...I unwrapped it slowly...read the entire users manual...and showed it off to all of my friends. This would be the phone that I was going to use forever, I thought at the time...

Isn't it amazing that we feel like our new car/house/purse/pair of jeans/etc. has to be upgraded over time? When we get it....it is GREAT! Then slowly it disappears in a box to be given away... My question this morning is this...does it always have to be the latest and greatest to be enjoyed? Why aren't we more grateful for what we have rather than quest after what we don't.

Do you remember the story of the Israelites and Moses? Moses was leading them through the wilderness to freedom...they had escaped the pursuit of the Egyptians...God had provided them a capable leader and food to eat every morning...and how did they respond? Gratefully? No, they wanted meat to eat. Instead of thank you...God was getting the question "What's next?" Were the Israelites grateful...no. Are we grateful all the time? Not usually.

Here's today's challenge... in your journal make a list of 10 things that God has given you. Then say a prayer thanking Him for what He has provided...and for forgiveness, perhaps, for coveting what He has not.

Let's be grateful for God's provisions...He takes such good care of us!

See you tomorrow,
Pastor Brian