Thankful Thursday

Life is full of unexpected twists and turns

I can't see around the next bend in the road

I'm not promised another day or even another hour for that matter

But Scripture tells me that God has determined the number of my days even before I was born

I'm thankful for the confidence this gives me

I don't have to worry about what's ahead, because He knows 

And I trust Him to be faithful and true in all circumstances

I'm thankful that God never changes

I'm thankful He is holy and righteous; there's not even a hint of evil in Him

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

He is the one who wakes me up each morning with life and breath

And one day I will awake in my eternal home, forever with Jesus, the One who died that I might live

I don't know when that will be, but He does, and I'm thankful

I'm thankful God is compassionate and gracious

thankful His mercies are new every morning

It is because of His mercies that I'm not consumed

I'm thankful God never grows weary or tired

that's certainly different from me!  I'm reminded often of my frailty

I experience aches and pains, I come home at the end of my work day, thankful for the chance to sit down and rest

I call ibuprofen my appetizer  

again, Scripture tells me that one day I will receive a new body, there will be no more pain or sickness, no cause for sorrow

I'm thankful for health and energy, but definitely looking forward to a new model with no need to take medication

I'm thankful for family; my physical family as well as the spiritual family I've been blessed with

I'm thankful for close relationships with my family and friends

thankful for the love and support and encouragement that comes through relationship

do I ever wonder if life could be better?  Sure, but I'm not maintaining that frame of mind

I'm stepping back and taking moment to remember 

every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from a heavenly Father who loves me like no one else ever could

and my life is full of these good and perfect gifts

I'm thankful!

Thankful Thursday

Tomorrow is Good Friday

It certainly turned out good for me

but it was anything but good for Jesus.

He was beaten and abused, falsely accused, and then nailed to a cross

The physical agony was nothing compared to what He was about to face

As He hung between earth and heaven, bearing our sin as the Passover Lamb

God, His heavenly Father, with whom He had always enjoyed perfect unity, turned His face away,

unable to look at Him because of the sin

In that moment, in anguish, Jesus cried out, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"

But He knew!  It was the sole purpose for which He had come to earth.

Through His death and resurrection, He brought salvation and redemption to all who believe

On this Thursday

I'm so very thankful  God loved me enough to sacrifice His Son in order that I might have life

I'm thankful Jesus was obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross

I'm thankful He experienced the wrath of God against my sin so I wouldn't have to

I'm thankful new and abundant life is a reality for me and for all who receive Him

I'm thankful for God's mercy which is new every morning

I'm thankful for His holiness and righteousness

I'm thankful for grace

I'm thankful I don't have to somehow try to be good enough to approach this holy God

it would be impossible

any righteousness I could cobble together would fall way short

I'm thankful for the joy and peace that comes from knowing Jesus

I'm thankful Sunday is coming!

thankful Jesus isn't still dead

thankful for an empty grave

thankful Jesus is ALIVE!

Thankful Thursday

 

 

As I pause and reflect on this past week

 

I'm thankful for God's sustaining grace

 

I'm grateful He invites me to stand firm in His strength

 

I've faced some of the enemy's schemes this week

 

but thankfully, came through them victoriously

 

I guess I shouldn't be surprised when temptations arise

 

after all, satan does lurk around seeking to devour whomever he can

 

But as Scripture says, "Greater is He who is in [me] than he who is in the world."

 

I'm very thankful for that

 

I'm thankful the good news of the gospel is for everyone, not just the people of Israel

 

thankful that in His mercy, God chooses to pour out His grace on all who believe

 

as I've dealt with the temptations this week, I'm thankful I've been able to communicate with my wife about what is going on

 

and I'm grateful beyond words for the way she supports and encourages me

 

She is my perfect gift from God, an expression of His favor in my life

 

I'm thankful for the answers to prayer I've been experiencing recently

 

I know God is always listening and responding to prayer, but it is very encouraging when I'm able to see specific answers to specific prayers

 

and it gives me courage to continue to seek God's face for my every need

 

as I've spent some time in the Psalms this week, I've been encouraged to just take time to be still and wait for God

 

I'm thankful His timing is always perfect

 

It's not always the timing I was looking for, but He does know best and I've learned I can trust Him

 

I'm thankful for His ongoing faithfulness in my life!