Overflowing with Thanks for You! 5 Minutes a Day to Grow in Words of encouragement, appreciation, and inspiration for those who serve God s people
Overflowing with Thanks for You! Written by Jane L. Fryar 5 Minutes a Day to Grow in Words of encouragement, appreciation, and inspiration for those who serve God s people
The mission of CTA is to glorify God by providing purposeful products that lift up and encourage the body of Christ because we love him! Written by Jane L. Fryar Copyright 2016 CTA, Inc. 1625 Larkin Williams Rd. Fenton, MO 63026 www.ctainc.com All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of CTA, Inc. Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV ), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NRSV are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the King James Version of the Bible. PRINTED IN THAILAND ISBN 978-1-940088-86-0 Overflowing with Thanks for You! To: From: We give thanks to God always for you. 1 Thessalonians 1:2 KJV
Who first told you that Jesus loves you? When are you most excited about sharing his love with others? Thanking God for the Ways You Share Christ s Love We give thanks to God always for you. 1 Thessalonians 1:2 KJV
Those in the know tell us that within the next decade cyber pets will begin replacing the cats, dogs, and hamsters that are now valued members of many families. The process has already begun in Japan. Robotic dogs act as companions for their elderly masters and even remind them to take their pills. It s hard to escape the cuteness factor built into the pet-like toys already on the market, but they are mere shadows of what s just over the horizon. Cyber pets in the near future may feel as warm, soft, and wiggly as live animals. And software programs will make it possible for your robot animals to read and respond to your facial expressions. These pets will be convenient. Cyber Tabby will not suffer from hair balls, and when you leave on vacation, there will be no need to drop Cyber Fido off at the kennel. Just hit the off switch. Even so, it s hard to imagine that the love one receives from what is in essence a brainy toaster would mean much. Meaningful love can t be programmed or purchased. Authentic love can t be forced. God s love for us in Christ is both meaningful and authentic. No matter how complex a program software engineers learn to write, our Lord s love will never, ever be replicated. That love took Jesus to the cross, into death for you! That love made possible the full forgiveness of your every sin! Still today, that love flows and flows and overflows from the heart of our Lord into your life. That love makes it possible for you to love others. Authentically. Meaningfully. That love is the love you share in word and deed as you serve our Savior. Thank you! Thank you for sharing Jesus love so authentically, so meaningfully. Thank you for being there in the lives of others. Thank you for your prayers on behalf of those you serve. As a result, many prayers of thanks to our Lord overflow. Many are thanking him for you today! We give thanks to God always for you. 1 Thessalonians 1:2 KJV 6 7
Try This... Once we become believers, we may be tempted to think that it s time to roll up our sleeves and get busy for God. But the Gospel message of forgiveness and freedom in Christ s cross is for ALL Christians you, too! Tape a note to your mirror that says, Jesus loves me! Draw a cross beside those words. Pause to read the note each morning. As you move through your day, notice all the tangible evidences of your heavenly Father s love. Each evening, write down three of these in a small thankfulness notebook. 8 9