Pocket Thoughts - 11/25/25
Special Gratitude Edition
“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” – Luke 15:8-10
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“Gratitude is a handmaiden of contentment. An ever-growing attitude of gratitude will certainly make us more content since we will be focusing more on what we do have, both spiritually and materially, than on what we do not have. But contentment is more than focusing on what we have. It is focusing on the fact that all we do have, we have by the grace of God. We do not deserve anything we have, materially or spiritually. It is all by His grace.” – Jerry Bridges
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Gratitude and grace…popcicles on a hot summer day * reconciliation * when everything falls into place * group effort * music so beautiful, it moves you to tears * long, lingering hugs * the aroma of cookies baking…
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“Say among the nations, ‘The Lord reigns.’ The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; He will judge the peoples with equity. Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; they will sing before the Lord, for He comes, He comes to judge the earth.” – Psalm 96:10-13
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Sprinkles from heaven…forgiveness * perfect day for the park * pockets * dinner al fresco * community * full moon * stamina…
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“If thankfulness does not move us to serve God, then we do not truly understand Who our God is and what He has done in our behalf. Without gratitude for Christ’s sacrificial love, our duty will become nothing more that drudgery and our God nothing more than a dissatisfied boss.” – Bryan Chapell
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Lord, by common grace, the world receives Your kindness for a time. But the believer recognizes the Hand from Whom all blessings flow and offers up a sacrifice of praise to the Giver. Thank You for not only the gifts, but for the grace from which the gifts are given. We receive not because we’re entitled, but because You are enthroned. The storehouses of heaven release Your abundance in accordance with Your perfect will. Like children dancing in the rain, we rejoice in the outpouring of Your faithful lovingkindness – astonished and humbled by the favor of our King. Our words can be nothing short of “Thank You, Lord!” In the beautiful Name of Jesus, amen.
