Apperciation: June 24, 2010

Today's Word for Thursday June 24, 2010

APPRECIATION

DEFINITION

Recognizing the worth of; esteem duly; be fully conscious of.

SCRIPTURE

"Now to God and Father be glory forever and ever. Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you." Philippians 4:20-21.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Paul is closing his letter to the church at Philippi but has one more item to cover that we can learn from. He expresses his appreciation to God and for his fellow believers.

First of all he wants to remind us that God is to be praised as God. He is God, the Creator and Sovereign ruler of the universe. God has made all things and governs all. An eternity of declaration could be proclaimed about God and because He is God, He is to be praised.

Secondly God is to be praised because He is our Father. Here is the Sovereign Majesty of the universe who humbled Himself so much that He adopted us as His sons and daughters. Just think about how we as people have responded. We have criticized, grumbled and complained about how He has ruled for us. We have cursed His name. We have rebelled and rejected Him. We have questioned and denied Him and even scoffed at the very idea that He is God. We have deliberately disobeyed Him. We have chosen to live as we please and to do our own thing instead of following Him.

Our attitude and behavior toward God has been unacceptable, BUT, He has not wiped us out even though it was what we deserve. Instead He sent His Son to this world to declare that He loves us and wants to reconcile us to Himself. He wants to be our Father. This is the great humility and mercy of God. He has given us what we do not deserve. Isn't this enough to make us want to praise and glorify Him as our Father forever and ever? Is this not enough for us to show appreciation for all God has done for us?

There is so much we need to be thankful for and show our appreciation for when we consider who God is and all that He has given us. Webster says that appreciation is recognizing the worth of. God is worthy of our appreciation. I Chronicles 16:25, "For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise."

Praise is how we show our appreciation to God. Praise and thanksgiving should be part of every prayer.

In the world we live in today children seem to show so very little appreciation to their parents. This is because they are not taught appreciation and more important they do not see appreciation expressed through their parents walk and talk.

In the work place today hard work and a job well done often goes without any recognition or appreciation. Instead each worker is striving to only make themselves look good and they look to seeking every opportunity to find fault with other workers.

The apostle Paul in all his letters sets an example for his fellow believers. Believers need to show love and appreciation first and foremost to God for all that He has provided for us as sinners. Then Paul shows us the importance of showing appreciation to our fellow believers and to pray for them. As Christians we should show appreciation to those we work with, and pray for them daily. And certainly we should show appreciation to all of our family members and pray not only for them but with them.

As you pray today think about whom God is and all that He has given you. Think about His compassion and love He showed you when He gave His only son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for you. Think about your fellow Christians and thank God for them and pray God's blessing on them.

LEARNING

Our memory verse for this week is found in II Timothy 3:16.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

PRAYER

I acknowledge You as my God and my creator knowing that You are worthy of my praise and appreciation. I thank You for Your great gift of my salvation through Your Son Jesus. I thank You for my Christian friends and I pray that You will bless them and meet their every need. Help me to lead my family to showing the right appreciation to You for all that You have done for us.