Joanne Sher: Editor/Proofreader : Good

Welcome to the combined Monday Manna with Living By Grace (click here for this new Facebook community). The purpose of Monday Manna to get together and get to know Christ more through His Word. Each Thursday, a Bible verse to ponder will be posted, either here or at my dear friend Vonnie's blog, My Back Door. The following Monday, those participating will post their thoughts on the verse at their own blogs and link up at the bottom of the post in the Mr. Linky gadget. The main purpose is to chew on the same Scripture and learn from one another.

AND now, we'll also be discussing the devotional - and thoughts about it - at Living By Grace.

And here's today's verse:

For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving. 1 Timothy 4:4

And the Lord saw that it was good. You can find this phrase, or a slight variation of it, seven different times in just the first chapter of Genesis. EVERYTHING He created is good: algae, shellfish, hamsters, mountains, sequoias, pomegranate, pigs, and mosquitoes (yeah - even mosquitoes!). And that's just the beginning.

Sure, sin has tainted this world, but in its essence - in its creation by the God of the universe - God's declaration of its goodness does not change. Everything He created, whatever it is, is good.

But because God gave man free will, we have the ability to take anything good and make it, well, bad. And, as today's verse points out, it is often our attitude that creates that transformation.

When we are not thankful for what the Lord has provided - our families, the food on our tables, the job we have, the roof over our heads, the talents He gives us - those good things can quickly become stumbling blocks to living the life God wants us to. The good things become sin.

Everything that God has made is good, whether it seems that way or not. And thankfulness is one of the keys to keeping it that way - if not in our own eyes, then in God's.

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Thanks for reading. Be sure to link up below with your own thoughts. And come chat with ME about this post at Living by Grace.

Traveling Rough Roads With God's Strength

6 comments:

WandaOctober 24, 2011
Enjoyed your thoughts on this one Joanne. It's easy for us to become accustom to the good things and forgot to be thankful.
Terri TiffanyOctober 24, 2011
I enjoy starting my week with your thoughts and verse. So often I am not thankful and I have SO much to be--great perspective--have a great week!
Jessica R. PatchOctober 24, 2011
Great way to start the week. I need a good kick in the pants reminder to be grateful and to give thanks in all things. :)
Yvonne BlakeOctober 24, 2011
I"m sorry that I didn't my Manna post done today, but it would have been along the same thought - that everything that God does is good.

It's a great and wondrous thought!
UnknownOctober 25, 2011
So true, Joanne! That's probably why God had to remind us to give thanks so often throughout the Bible! Thanks for this timely reminder. God bless!
Jennifer SlatteryOctober 26, 2011
Such a great reminder to continually check my attitude! Reminds me of Paul's admonishing to rejoice in all things--and that spoken by a man who was frequently beat and imprisoned! Thanks, Joanne!