WILD ON THE PATH IS SUPPORTED BY YOUR DONATIONS OF GRATITUDE GIVING! ​

What is gratitude giving? Gratitude is a thankful appreciation for what an individual receives, whether tangible or intangible. With gratitude, people acknowledge the goodness in their lives. In the process, people usually recognize that the source of that goodness lies at least partially outside themselves. This practice is in keeping with – 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 NIV​ “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” If you would like to support this ministry with a donation of your generosity and gratitude then just click the link below.

PRACTICE GRATITUDE GIVING HERE!

Gratitude giving

AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE IS A VITAL ASPECT OF GENEROSITY
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ‘GIVE THANKS?’
 In the Bible, the Greek word for “thanksgiving” or “giving thanks” is eucharisteo (you may be familiar with the term Eucharist, referring to Communion), and this word appears 38 times throughout the New Testament. This word contains the Greek word charis, which means “grace”, and is derived from the Greek word chara, meaning “joy.”  At that Last Supper table, Jesus gave thanks even while foreshadowing his death and sacrifice, which became the greatest gift the world has ever known (John 3:16).  What does Jesus’ example of thankfulness and sacrificial giving mean for us? 

AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE
Our gratitude, or thanksgiving, begins with our response to God’s goodness and grace. Because the very root of the word encompasses ‘grace,’ it is important to acknowledge the grace we have received from God (and continue to receive) if we are to truly understand what it means to be thankful. All that we have is thanks to God, including our reconciliation to God through the work of Christ Jesus.

Ideally, gratitude prepares the way for us to give sacrificially and generously, as cheerful givers who sow and reap bountifully:

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” – 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 NIV

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE GENEROUS
Generosity is a virtue that has broad cultural implications, and is displayed in various forms, including charity and hospitality. You may be generous with your money, resources, and/or time. Some may be limited in their giving because of their lack of one or all mentioned here, but the concept of generosity is with respect to the resources available, which enables even the poor to be generous. We can look to the example of the widow’s mite in Mark 12, where Jesus says, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. For they all gave out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had – all she had to live on” (Mark 12:43-44 CSB). She gave out of the gratefulness in her heart to God, so we too, no matter what season of life or circumstance we find ourselves, can approach opportunities to give in the same way.

SHOWING LOVE THROUGH GIVING
​When you give from a place of gratitude, your selfish ambitions are replaced by the needs of others. The grace you have received, of which you are thankful, is extended to the recipient. You give, because you desire to show the same love and compassion you were once shown, not because you expect something in return. Generosity and gratitude intersect here, resulting in a beautiful demonstration of brotherly love and affection.

Jesus gave thanks to God the Father before giving up His life on the cross. It was the greatest act of love. Therefore, it is possible for us to give thanks to God as we prepare to give to others, whether out of surplus or lack. It is by His grace that we can give what has been given to us, and by exceling in acts of grace like what was described in 2 Corinthians 8, we prove that our love is genuine.

“I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine.” – 2 Corinthians 8:8 ESV

WILD ON THE PATH is located at 5415 Hwy 238 in Jacksonville, OR. (Click the link for directions!) • Visit any time! • for Fireside conversation and fellowship we suggest you grab a drive-through, bring a beverage and a lawn chair and come on out! 
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We are a community of folks who love the outdoors, adventure, and challenging ourselves in the one area the gets left behind. We are not bound to a building but are committed to one another as we walk together on the Path of Jesus. Simply put... It looks like living from a full heart, pursuing a life of passion, adventure and freedom, walking intimately with God on a journey to become the people that we were created to be. Think of it as a training ground for thriving together on the path of Jesus!
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…For I’m trained in the secret of overcoming all things, whether in fullness or in hunger. And I find that the strength of Christ’s explosive power infuses me to conquer every difficulty.—Paul. Philippians 4:12-13 [The Passion Translation].