From the desk of Steve Shultz:
During this time of the year many of us reflect and are thankful. I myself am thankful for 34 years married to my best friend, 3 wonderful kids, and my first granddaughter born just weeks ago. It's good to have a heart of thanksgiving, yet let's strive to remain in this posture at all times as Bobby Conner challenges us to do so in his word.
Also, would you do me a favor? Please help us keep sending you words by buying as many prophetic items as you are able to from the Elijah List at this link: www.elijahshopper.com. You might save a buck by buying it online through Amazon, but you'll help us build the Kingdom more effectively if you buy things through us. Will you consider that "proposal"? Thank you for supporting us!
Bobby Conner:
Acquire an Attitude of Gratitude
The two keys to unlocking the door of victory in your life are praise and reverence for God. This is clearly outlined in the first verse of Psalm 112:
"Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!) Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who fears (reveres and worships) the Lord, who delights greatly in His commandments" (Psalm 112:1 AMP).
The first step on this pathway is praise. It is the key to obtaining steadfast peace and maintaining a grateful heart that always has an attitude of gratitude. This is evident in another psalm:
"Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all you lands!
"Serve the Lord with gladness! Come before His presence with singing!
"Know (perceive, recognize, and understand with approval) that the Lord is God! It is He Who has made us, not we ourselves [and we are His]! We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
"Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and a thank offering and into His courts with praise! Be thankful and say so to Him, bless and affectionately praise His name!
"For the Lord is good; His mercy and loving-kindness are everlasting, His faithfulness and truth endure to all generations" (Psalm 100 AMP).
Praise is of utmost importance. Psalm 112 begins with the words, "Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!)..." The word used here for praise is halal, which speaks of going all out and holding back nothing. Strong's Concordance gives these insights to the meaning of this word:
To shine; hence to make a show; to boast; and thus to be clamorously foolish; to rave; to exuberantly celebrate!
The exhortation "Praise You, the Lord" cannot be given too often! The Lord always deserves praise, and we ought to always give it. Sadly, we are frequently forgetful of the importance of praise. It is always good to be stirred up to praise the Lord. As it says in Psalm 100, we enter into God's presence with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise. When Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises to God, their prison doors opened (see Acts 16:25-31). We too can be released from spiritual bondage when we choose to praise Him at all times.
The Secret of the Ages
Never forfeit a grateful heart, which is a crucial part of praise. Like Paul and Silas, you must always keep a heart that is thankful to God for His precious blessings. Don't let what your eyes see keep you from maintaining an attitude of gratitude.
What is the secret that great kings, prophets, priests, martyrs, mighty apostles, and lovers of God have always understood? When Abraham bound Isaac to the rock and lifted the knife, he understood this. When Caleb and Joshua looked at the rugged horizon beyond the wilderness, they understood this. When the disciples were shackled behind bars, they understood this. What is this most marvelous secret? Friends of God do not look at their circumstances, but believe in God's faithfulness and worship Him with a grateful heart.
When the disciples were in prison, they believed in the faithfulness of God and sang praises (see Acts 16:25). If you keep the right attitude during your time of adversity – when your back is against the wall, when the bad diagnosis is given, when the bills must be paid, when it's 11:59 – God will honor you, bless you, and raise you up.
The great secret of kings, the right attitude to have before God, is a heart filled with gratitude! When you have a grateful heart, you won't think about complaining. With a grateful heart, you don't worry about lack.
Whether or not this seems true for you – it is true. There is always something to thank God for – no matter what adversity you have in your life. This principle of gratitude can be summed up in this simple law: No matter what you see, feel, or experience, if you believe His Word, you will overcome. Your belief is manifested through your ability to praise Him and be thankful, regardless of your circumstances. Faith without action is worthless.
In truth, God can turn your circumstances around overnight and overwhelm you with blessings that you cannot imagine – more than you can ask or think. And until the blessings arrive, God will supply all the grace you need to stand in your circumstances and rejoice. Nothing is too difficult for Him!
Remember Joseph? God took the prison that was intended for his destruction and transformed bondage into Joseph's destiny. When Joseph was unjustly imprisoned, he could have become bitter. He could have resented his family or his God – or blamed himself – but instead he remained confident in the goodness of God and was grateful. He did this while he was in prison, not just after he was released! He chose to be thankful even when he did not yet see the way out of his dilemma!
Adversity can make you bitter or better. Much depends on how you respond to problems. Much depends on your attitude. Will you choose as Joseph did? The apostle Paul gives the key in his letter to the Colossians:
"Having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude" (Colossians 2:7 NASB).
You can begin to change your attitude today by thanking your Father for giving you resurrection life, healing, and deliverance through Christ the Messiah. You can thank your Creator for the air you breathe and the sunsets you enjoy.
You can thank Him for choosing you to be born for such a time as this.
Thank the Word of Life for His promises, which never fail.
Thank your Savior that, no matter where you are in life – betrayed, broke, or battling cancer – He is leading, guiding, and prospering you because of the Cross.
Bobby Conner
Eagles View Ministries
Email: manager@bobbyconner.org
Bobby Conner: This "Gentle Giant" is uniquely anointed with refreshing humor and razor-sharp prophetic accuracy which has been documented around the world. Bobby's dynamic capacity to release outstanding demonstrations of the miraculous – healings, signs and wonders – reveals the very heart of the Father toward us! Surviving a dramatic abortion attempt by his mother, being rescued again by the hand of God from drug dealing and suicide, the story of Bobby Conner is a display of a man who now walks in his God-ordained destiny to set others free! Highly esteemed as an internationally acclaimed conference speaker, Bobby has ministered effectively to over 45 foreign countries as well as here in the States for many years.
