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 welcome to the crosswalk devotional we're glad to have you with me with us
 today's topic is an attitude of gratitude for the New Year we will return with the devotional after a brief message from one of our sponsors
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 An attitude of gratitude for this year and the next written by Aaron Brown read by Lea Arthur
 is things and everything for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus 1st Thessalonians 5:18
 a scripture reveals God's will for his children is to give thanks in all circumstances
 speaking honestly all sounds like a lot especially as we were called not-too-distant events a pandemic food shortages supply shortages high gas prices broken families political divisions sexually indoctrinated children corrupt governments war and so much more
 there are plenty of reasons to think life will get better next year and they very well might but does this mean we wait until next year to be happy or do we start today
 after all God says to be grateful in all circumstances
 this is the same sort of question we can apply to our New Year resolutions we look out at the Horizon pick a date and say this is when we will start doing such and such a thing getting rid getting less and building better habits
 why do we wait we claim not to be ready or prepared or equipped to make changes just yet but why do we really wait
 a lack of motivation
 we do one change that much is true but we want things to stay the same that is also true and the ladder is what we want more
 so why wait until the new year to be grateful
 notice that God doesn't tell us to be grateful for all that circumstances that happened to us rather to be grateful in all circumstances
 not doing things God's way results and US negatively looking out to each new year with hopeful anticipation as though the grass is greener on the other side
 that could be the case but maybe not
 some years bringing more bad things than others but every year brings a reason for joy every year brings a reason for sorrow we need an attitude of gratitude year-round not just heading into the new year
 intersecting face and life
 talking about an attitude of gratitude is much easier than developing one no wonder we have to remind our children at every turn to say thank you
 from that age onward we have no issue wanting or even taking from others but being grateful and content are easily lost on us
 but rarely are good things acquired without effort
 once we do cold today a stronger sense of gratitude will watch as our perspective on life changes for the better here are five steps you can take now to cultivate an attitude of gratitude for this year and the next
 take note of your obvious blessings
 some of God's blessings jumped out at us without needing to reflect much an answered prayer a loved one being healed getting a job promotion these blessings seem obvious in the moment but very often when bad things come our way we begin to forget if we want to help ourselves or call what God has done we should take note of his works either in a journal or a note cards are in a book of prayers
 the more effort we put into remembering the last we will forget
 take note of your not-so-obvious blessings
 some of God's blessings are not as obvious and require us to think more about the we may still experience a dull moment when we do
 for example our ability to drive to work in the morning or work from home or having two feet to stand on or having toothpaste for our teeth
 the not-so-obvious blessings are the ones we often take for granted because we experience them everyday
 they are Limitless and number and yet if we're honest would recognize that we won't have these blessings forever
 one day we may not be able to drive into work or work from home we may not have two feet or have teeth to brush let's be sure to thank God for what we have while we have them
 these two should be journaled and remembered especially in this tough seasons
 search for contentment
 call Todd has a very important lesson about contentment through his life 1 full of blessings yet rice with stars Philippians 4 verses 11 through 13
 his attitude is when we should emulate in our own lives we won't always experience life Comfort nor will we also do well in life spitballs sometimes we will have and sometimes we will not
 but no matter what we always have God With Us that's reason enough to be grateful
 Sunday scripture
 on the subject of gratitude scripture benefits us and at least two ways giving us text that highlights the importance of the concept and giving us stories that showcase the effects of gratitude grateful people give
 they offer Thanksgiving and instead of building up fences they build Bridges to connect with others and share in their Surplus
 pray
 sometimes we unfortunately mature from Child into adult without maturing our sense of gratitude by then there won't be as many people if anyone willing to remind us to say thank you when we should be developing some good habits on our own is helpful but having an outside influence is great too
 that's why if you're aiming to be more grateful this year not just the next then praying is a good way to go about growing talk to God tell him why you want to become a more grateful person
 hopefully among your reasons like healthier living and being more generous you also recognize that gratitude is a sure way to honor God
 gratitude shows that you acknowledge and appreciate what he has done rather than taking his work for granted
 pray for him to help you see ways to grow your gratitude and even give you people will help you develop the straight
 building an attitude of gratitude requires time energy and so much effort but when we do the result changes our lives and shapes us into people who are christ-like
 that's all offer praise as we venture from this year into the next
 for further reading
 John 16:33 James 1:17
 Psalm 118:24 psalm 136:1
 Colossians 3:17 in Philippians 4 verses 11 through 13
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