always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In his book, The Making of a Leader, Dr. J. Robert Clinton presents the findings of research into the development process of 100’s of great leaders.
One of the major factors he found in the people who continue to grow into maturity is the ability to “positively receive what God ordains.”
There are experiences in each of our lives that severely test our ability to respond positively.
If we do not come around to thanksgiving and trust, those experiences become terminal points in our growth.
Many Christians have experience these kinds of stopping points.
A person may be a Christian for 30 years, but instead of being a 30 year old believer, they are a 1 year old believer for the 30th time.
If we resolve to praise and give thanks to God even in the most painful experiences, they become turning points in our development.
Tom Brown is the planting pastor of Vintage Faith Church in Wichita. Tom and his wife, Mandy, have worked together in ministry for 18 years and have four children. More about Pastor Tom Brown