As we continue this week, focusing on telling the soil of our hearts, today we're going

to look at the role of thankfulness in opening our hearts to receive all that God mongs to

give. While Scripture is filled with encouragement

to be thankful, I think our own lived experience tells us that being thankful is essential

in the pursuit of an abundant life. So may God remind us of all we have to be thankful

for today, as we make space to meet with Him. It may our days be better as a result of

taking just a few moments to be thankful for who we are, what we have, and all God has done

for us as His Beloved Children. Welcome to the 1st of Teen Podcast.

Our Scripture for today comes from Psalm 107, verse 1.

The Psalmist writes, O give thanks to the Lord for He is good, for His steadfast love endures

forever.

Thankfulness is one of the most powerful tools in making our hearts both soft to the seat

of God's Word, and filled with abundant joy.

Thanksgiving aligns our thoughts and emotions with the reality of God's goodness and a world

wrought with lies about the character of God. It breeds joy and trust rather than entitlement

and negativity. With each declaration of thankfulness, you dig a shovel into the heart, rocky

soil of your heart, and churn it over until it becomes receptive to the fullness of God

and filled with the fruit of the Spirit. The Bible is laden with commands to be thankful.

Ephesians 520 tells us to be giving things always and for everything to God the Father and

the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 4 6 tells us, Do not be anxious about anything.

But in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, that your requests be made

known to God. But my favorite command on thankfulness is Psalm 1071.

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