Do we ever really consider how much God loves us? Appreciate all that He gives us?

Now, we all know of course that God loves us so much that He gave us His Son Jesus:

"For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him."

                   (John 3:16-17 NLT)

But do we think about, or even consider? All the different ways that He shows us His love. Big and small. The simple things in life?

The sun that warms us during the day, and gives us light. The moon to guide our way by night. The wind that cools us off on a hot summer day. The rain that waters the earth. Growing the plants and trees around us.

The water we drink. The food that grows in, and from the ground. The animals and fish He gives us for food. The clothes on our backs.

The very breath we breathe. The spirit of life within us!

The love, companionship, fellowship He gives us.

Do we ever think about these things? Are we thankful?

        ...Really thankful?

You see we often complain about what we don't have. But rarely are we ever thankful for the things that we do have! We take so much for granted.

All the blessings. Good health, family, friends, a roof over our heads, our cars. All that we have. The simple things in life.

Everything! And it all comes from Him:

"Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow."

                     (James 1:17 NLT)

They all come from Him! Everything we have!!

We have so much to be thankful for. But do we ever really get it?

Say you really cared for someone. And you were to give this person a gift. And say that person complained, or always wanted more. They were never satisfied with what you gave them. Even though it was from your heart. They only complained about what they did not receive!

Now, remember, you really care for this person. And you gave this gift from your heart. What this person really needed. So what do you think their complaining would do to your heart? How would it make you feel? Would your heart be hurt? Grieved?

Now, with this said, how do you think God feels? Do you think His heart is grieved? When He gives us so much and we are so unthankful? So ungrateful?

You see we do not think of Him as having feelings. Do we? Be honest!

       ...But yet He does. Does He not?

He loved us so much He gave us His own Son Jesus (JN 3:16). And is that not real love? Who, would ever sacrifice their own son for another to live? But that is just what God did for us!

But yet in this we still aren't very thankful are we? And we never consider His feelings.

You know Jesus Himself said, "if you've seen Me you've the Father" (JN 14:9-10). And remember? It was Jesus who showed love, compassion, grace, and mercy to all!

Loving the rich young man:

  "Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

                    (Mark 10:21 NIV)

Showing mercy to the woman caught in adultery:

  "When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” 
She said, “No one, Lord.”
And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

                   (John 8:10-11 NKJV)


Jesus who wept over His friends (Lazarus') death:

  "Jesus wept"

 (John 11:35 NIV)

Who had compassion:

 "Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.”

              (Mark 1:40-41 NKJV)

Who wept over Jerusalem:

  "As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it"

         (Luke 19:41 NIV)

  "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God's messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you
wouldn't let me."

                   (Matthew 23:37 NLT)

Who forgave the world for murdering Him:

 "Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots."

                     (Luke 23:34 NIV)

So what do you think? Do you think that God has no feelings? No heart?

And just one more thing. Remember when God flooded the earth? Because man's wickedness was so great.

God's heart was grieved:

 "The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain."

                   (Genesis 6:5-6 NIV)

His heart was pained over our wickedness. Yet ever since then He has always made a way for us to come back to Him! Ultimately, via Jesus!!

...And He always gives us our needs!!!

Do you think perhaps it's time we start to thank Him, and stop complaining so much?

I would encourage you today. Instead of worrying, or complaining about what you don't have (we all do it! ...be honest!! ...Me included!!!). Why not just get down on your knees? And instead of asking for more, which we usually do allot of! Why not just thank Him for what He has already given you? Why not be thankful?

And if you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior? God's greatest gift that He has given us. When was the last time you actually got down on your knees and thanked Him?