Hello, and thank you for continuing with me.

Since this is a continuation, please read my first “Tuned In” blog. Otherwise, you will be confused and not get the whole story.

This major lesson event had three points, all made in one morning, just a couple of weeks ago.

I will now pick up with point two. As a reminder, this is a recorded message by Pastor Adrian Rogers played on Bott Radio. It was on my car radio instead of my usual Christian music station. I was on my way to the pool exercise, which is about a 25-minute drive in average traffic.

The title of his message was,” How you know you are being filled with the Spirit of God.”

#1 “In your relationship to God” in part one…

#2 “In your relationship to circumstances, there is a Spirit of Appreciation.”

He repeated V20 of Ephesians 5. “Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”. Pastor Adrian said,” A Spirit-filled person is humbly grateful. A flesh-filled person is grumbly hateful.” This is the reason why we praise Him for what He is doing in our lives in all things.  “He didn’t say sometimes, He said all times. He didn’t say some things; He said all things.”

This is where I pause to examine my grumbling.  Through the Holy Spirit working in me, my grumbling about the distance I now drive, time, traffic, gas, and effort had already turned my heart to gratitude and appreciation for the blessing of not only the pool exercise but my car, gas, and everything I needed to participate. It even caused me to pray for opportunities to bless others as I go about being blessed in activities that aren’t necessarily convenient (“all things”).

Obedience to this verse of scripture turns grumbling into a heart of gratitude. A heart full of gratitude changes our lives. From the simple inconveniences to major life storms, we know, and others see a believer who “is being filled with the Spirit of God.” Remember, “A Spirit-filled person is humbly grateful. A flesh-filled person is grumbly hateful.” And a grumbly, ungrateful person is certainly not asking the Lord whom they can bless.

Numerous poems I have written speak of hearts of gratitude in all things. But the first one that stands out in my mind is “Blue Skies, Butterflies,& Battlegrounds” in my book with the same title. I hope you will read it and see if you agree.

The entirety of the big surprise the Lord had for me that morning was just around the corner. It began with adoration, prayer, and a lesson. I will finish in part 3 with the answered prayer, opportunity, and “test” that will bring it all together. I could never have put it all together like this in a lifetime! It only happens by the Spirit of God. Thank You, Holy Spirit.

If this is helpful to you, don’t forget to share my website. Remember, you can connect with me on my connect page, which many of you have started using since my comments page doesn’t work most of the time.

In a Spirit of appreciation for you,

Reba

To be continued…