Thankful Thursday

 

 

Contentment is a choice, and it is all about focus

 

What am I choosing to set my mind on?

 

How do I look at my life?

 

Am I grateful for where God has placed me; for the work He is doing in me and through me?

 

Every day, I am able to get out of bed, draw a breath, and greet others

 

I have a job that is challenging and enjoyable, and God gives me the energy and skills I need to perform that job

 

I have never had to leave my house naked or starved

 

every night I have a bed to sleep in (unless I fall asleep on the couch and don't make it to the bed!)

 

I have a wife who loves me and serves me in the most incredible ways

 

so, why would I not be thankful?

 

Oh, sure, I could list a few inconveniences that I ran into today

 

and tomorrow I may have to do some unpleasant task at work

 

But I choose to keep my mind dwelling on things that are true, right, honorable, lovely, excellent, and praiseworthy

 

and I know I'll never run out of those kinds of things to think about.

 

so there's no room for complaining, no room for pity parties, no room for discouragement

 

In every circumstance, I find much to be thankful for

 

and then on top of that,

 

I've been redeemed, chosen by the God of the universe, who created all things, to be His son, adopted into His family

 

I've been forgiven and shown mercy even when I deserved wrath

 

I've received grace in abundance

 

I have a source of wisdom; all I need to do is humble myself enough to ask

 

I've been promised guidance and direction

 

God invites me to come and cast my burdens before Him

 

He wants to give me rest and refreshment

 

I could go on and on

 

But I think you get the point, and I certainly have been reminded in these moments of how blessed I truly am

 

I thank my God for His goodness to me and know that He will faithfully continue to reveal Himself

 

I can lay down in peace and sleep, knowing He is always awake and alert and caring for me

 



Thankful Thursday

Temptation is a part of life

 

we all face it; we live in a fallen world, and as a result, we are surrounded by sin

 

For me, some sin is absolutely abhorrent, but some is enticing

 

and that is where temptation enters in

 

when I am drawn toward sinful activity that seems to offer some type of pleasure, what do I do?

 

I was thinking about 1 Cor. 10:13 today, as I reflected on a victory over temptation

 

In that verse, I see a promise of outside help in facing temptation

 

I know it's easy for me to feel like I'm alone, or the only one dealing with a particular sin issue when tempted

 

but this verse assures me that the temptations I face are common; others are tempted by the same things

 

the verse goes on to say that God stands with me, and provides for victory over temptation

 

I'm thankful for His abiding presence

 

I'm thankful I don't have to rely on my own strength for victory in my battle against sin

 

In Eph. 6, I'm encouraged to stand firm, but it's not in my own strength

 

I'm thankful God is powerful; He has already defeated sin

 

He is never tempted to do evil

 

He is always righteous and good

 

I'm very thankful He clothes me in His righteousness

 

I'm thankful that because of Jesus' death and resurrection I have newness of life and I can walk in victory

 

I'm thankful His blood cleanses me from all sin, washing me clean

 

I'm thankful for God's Spirit who fills me and guides me into truth

Temptation gains traction in my life when I drift away from truth and begin to believe the lie

I'm thankful for God's word where I find truth to combat the lies

I'm thankful for the grace and mercy God shows me everyday 

 

 

 



Thankful Thursday

 

 

I've been really tired in the evenings lately.  Last Thursday, I fell asleep and never even thought about my Thankful Thursday post.

 

And here I am, almost an hour late with this week's post; just waking up from falling asleep on the couch again.

 

That said, I'm thankful for the way God has designed our bodies to get rest, and for the refreshment that comes from sleep.

 

I'm thankful God is the creator and sustainer of life

 

Today was Valentine's Day

 

I'm thankful God is love

 

Thankful He gave me a wife to share life with, to love and cherish

 

I'm thankful for our three children that are a result of this love relationship we share

 

I'm thankful for the support and encouragement of my wife and kids

 

I certainly know I'm not the perfect husband or father, but I'm grateful for the grace that each of them extends to me as I journey through life

 

And I'm very thankful God is gracious and merciful with me

 

I'm thankful He is a God who delights in reconciling people to Himself; that He offers forgiveness from my sinful state, drawing me out of darkness into His glorious light

 

I'm thankful that though I stumble at times, I am not utterly cast down, because His right hand holds onto me, picking me up, setting me back on my feet

 

I'm thankful God directs my path, and promises to teach me the way I should go

 

I'm thankful for the confidence and hope that comes from knowing He is always with me, that He is faithful and true to His word

 

Over and over in my life I have seen God fulfill His promises to me

 

I'm so grateful He is a God who is near