Thursday, November 13

A Daily Bath of Joy

And be thankful.
Colossians 3:15

Recommended Reading 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

Do you keep a little notebook of positive sayings and encouraging quotations?  Here are some for today:  William Arthur Ward said, "A cloudy day is no match for a sunny disposition."  An anonymous wit once quipped, "Your day usually goes the  way the corners of your mouth are turned."  Wheaton College professor, Russell Mixter, often said, "Life worth living  depends on the liver" (you have to think about that one). And Dr. Samuel Johnson wrote, "It is worth a thousand pounds a  year to have the habit of looking on the bright side of things."

Of course, the greatest quotes about positive joy and thanksgiving are from the Bible, which tells us to serve the Lord  with gladness and to rejoice in the Lord always. Jesus frequently told His followers, "Be of good cheer."  And in 1  Thessalonians 5, we have a wonderful little triplet:  Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for  this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

We can't always be "happy"; but we can always choose to be thankful and joyful whatever the circumstances. That is God's will for us.

We just need to sometimes remind ourselves.

People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing. That's why we recommend it daily.
Zig Ziglar

Read-Thru-the-Bible
1 Corinthians 13:1 - 15:34