Thankful Thursday

as I sit here this evening reflecting on what I have to be thankful for

I'm aware that I am blessed beyond my ability to even comprehend

almost every time I hear someone  asking God to bless them or bless our country

I think to myself, "If you could just take a few moments to thank Him for how He has already blessed you, your life would be so much richer."

I don't speak those words out loud; they probably would be misunderstood

but for me the reality is that God has blessed me so much more than I deserve 

and much of the time I don't even express my gratitude 

I'm quick to ask for things, slow to say "Thank you"

that's one of the reasons I take this time on Thursdays

God is worthy of my praise

He deserves to hear me express thanks

I am thankful God woke me up this morning

thankful He gives me life and breath

I'm thankful God has designed my body to function the way it does

thankful He has created me with a mind to be able to think and reason

I'm thankful I've been born again

thankful God has adopted me into His family and calls me His son

I'm thankful Christ went to the cross, taking the Father's wrath against sin on Himself

I'm thankful His blood has paid the penalty for my sin and washed me clean

I'm thankful God has clothed me in Christ's righteousness

I know I can't drum up enough of my own to count for anything

I'm thankful for spiritual conversations God has allowed me to have this past week

thankful for opportunities to sow seeds of truth

I'm thankful God helps me to weather the storms of life, both physical and spiritual

I'm thankful He has given me His Spirit

I'm thankful for the privilege of communicating with God in prayer

and thankful He speaks to me through His word

I'm thankful for a house to live in, food to eat, and clothes to wear

I'm thankful for a car that runs well

I'm thankful for a comfortable couch to sit on

in light of the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti over the weekend, I'm especially thankful for these physicals blessings

I'm thankful for the financial resources to help others in need

I'm thankful for God's grace

thankful for His goodness and faithfulness

I'm thankful for the trust I can have in Him

I'm thankful God is the sovereign Lord

that His will is never thwarted or frustrated

I'm thankful God knows me completely

and thankful He loves me supremely

Thankful Thursday

Life has been a little bit crazy lately

but I've been meditating on some truths from Isaiah

in chapter 14, the prophet tells us:

"the Lord of hosts has planned, and who can frustrate it?"

certainly not me!

I can't control the circumstances around me or change what God has planned

what I can do is submit to His authority rather than fighting it

I can be thankful for His work in my life

even when it seems like most of what I am experiencing is hammer and chisel

I know that God is at work, molding and shaping me into His image

I'm thankful God's plans cannot be frustrated

thankful He is sovereign

I'm thankful God is powerful and able to accomplish whatever He chooses

I'm thankful I'm a part of His family; I've been adopted by Him

I'm thankful I am a recipient of His grace

thankful God mercifully forgives me

in chapter 33, the prophet gives this assurance:

"He(God) shall be the stability of your times, a wealth of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge;"

I don't know about you, but I am so thankful God is my security

thankful for the stability He brings in my life

I'm thankful God knows the number of my days, thankful my times are in His hands

I'm thankful God is wealthy and generous

He gives freely of His salvation, wisdom, and knowledge

I just have to acknowledge my need and ask

I'm thankful God doesn't look at me with reproach

even though I often stumble along and at times lose sight of the path

God continues to guide, never leaves my side, is a shelter in which I can hide

and I'm thankful I can place my trust in Him without any fear

knowing even when I'm faithless, He remains faithful

I'm thankful faithfulness is so much a part of His character that He can never depart from it

I'm thankful I can lay down and sleep in peace knowing God is with me 

Thankful Thursday

For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You.

These words from Psalm 86 are a precious reminder of God's heart for His people

I'm thankful for a God who is good, whose intentions for His people are always good

I'm thankful God is a forgiver of sin

thankful He does not keep a record of my failures

I'm thankful for a God who is overflowing with love for His people

and I'm thankful I am one of His people

thankful He has chosen me to be His son and adopted me into His family

I'm thankful for a God who listens when I call on Him

His ears are always open to my cries

It's been a week of seeing God respond as I have called on Him

I'm thankful for the opportunities to pray for others

thankful for the trust of friends who are in need

I want to be known as someone who it is safe to share struggles with

I know I can't do much to help alleviate the problems people face

but I can talk to the One who has all the answers and is available to listen and respond

just today, a couple of my friends reached out to me asking for prayer

what a privilege

I'm thankful God woke me up this morning, giving me life and breath for another day

every day is a gift

I choose whether I'm going to rejoice in the gift or complain that it wasn't exactly what I was hoping for

today I choose JOY