Overflowing with Gratitude

July 11th, 2024
by Rachel Burnham

Overflowing with Gratitude

Last Sunday, Beau lead us through Colossians and there was a phrase that has been stuck in my mind all week.

Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, overflowing with gratitude. Colossians 2:6-7 (bold emphasis from me)

We have been made one with Christ Jesus our Lord! We have the ability to walk in Him! To be One with the Ever Present One! Nothing about us can be separated from Him! We have been rooted in Him! We are in the process of being built up in Him and continually established in our faith the more we yield to the reality of His very being alive in us and His Lordship! All the exclamation points!! I apologize for none of them. :)

And for this reason we can overflow with gratitude!

The thing about overflow is the real fact that whatever is inside of something, is what flows out. Overflow is exactly what the word implies: an excess, a flowing over, too much to hold in a container so it has to run over. Dan Mohler says "it would be strange to squeeze an orange and have apple juice come out. So why isn't it strange when a Christian gets squeezed by life and everything but Christ comes out?" Yikes.

That's some real talk right there. I believe to my core that we all truly want that. We want it to be known of us that Christ, the Hope of glory, lives in us. We desire to walk in Him and have His thoughts and actions spill out of us. And so we will!

It wont happen by accident though. It will be the result of receiving the continual empowering grace of God toward us. Grace to empower us to want and to do the things He desires. (Philippians 2:13) I encourage you to:

1) take some time to sit with the Lord. Ask Holy Spirit, "what is filling me that needs to be exchanged for more of You God? And then yield it to Him. He is the God of more than enough. He will fill us to overflow as we continue to position ourselves under His glorious love and presence.
2) Practice gratitude. Start naming everything you can think of to be grateful for. We did this Sunday morning with Kingdom Kids and I heard many testimonies this Wednesday of ladies practicing this especially in the midst of frustrations. Being thankful is a skill that anyone can develop. Start today. Ask the people around you what they are thankful for. It really changes attitudes.
3) Meditate on the very fact that you and Jesus are ONE! This is incredible news!

I'm overflowing with gratitude today for this Body. For the people of the first days of Vineyard Jackson to now. I bless you in the name of our Lord Jesus and pray His grace abounds to you today and always.

For His Glory,
Rachel Burnham

This Week's Worship Songs

Things I'm thankful for this week:

Monday- Jesus is still setting the captives free! His name and blood have all power and authority over every spirit of darkness! He gives wisdom to His people on how to tear down strongholds.
A meal around the table with my family.

Tuesday- Major breakthroughs in hearts being open to the God who is love! Oh the testimonies to come!
The miraculous timing of events
Walking outside in MS in July and not dying from the heat
Simple church had the most people in attendance so far. The prophetic/encouraging words that came from several generations were spot on!
Communion with the brethren was so sweet.

Wednesday- An early morning spent meditating on the Scriptures surrounded by birds singing,
a book given by a thoughtful friend,
precious and faithful women who gather to listen to the Lord, pray and share scriptures to encourage one another.
Receiving text messages about how the Lord moved Sunday during the service and answered prayers
The tangible presence of God in the sanctuary
YOUTH GROUP!!! Last night the youth saw visions and received words from the Lord during worship. Prayers of faith were spoken over one another. They are encountering the Living Breathing God of Glory!!

Thursday- the ability to breathe,
my friend sending worship songs that are right on time for my heart,
The shapes of white clouds against a perfect blue sky, all the shades of green.....

Thank you, Lord. for Your lovingkindess that endures forever.

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