Thankful Thursday

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name.  Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits:"

that's how Psalm 103 begins

it's a reminder that knowing God benefits my life

and a charge to give Him credit for who He is and all He does

from this psalm:

I'm thankful God forgives my sin

I'm thankful God is a healer

I'm thankful God has rescued me out of the pit of sin and death

I'm thankful God shows me His lovingkindness and compassion

I'm thankful God brings satisfaction in my life

I'm thankful God renews my strength

I'm thankful God is righteous

I'm thankful God takes up the cause of the oppressed

I'm thankful God makes Himself known to His people

I'm thankful God is patient; slow to anger

I'm thankful God doesn't deal with me according to my sin, but rather separates me from my sin

I'm thankful God is a loving Father

I'm thankful God knows me, understands my frailty

that's a good list to be reminding myself of often

as I think over these benefits, I'm grateful to know this God

I'm thankful He has adopted me into His family

I'm thankful God provides and protects

I'm thankful for His ongoing work in my life

a few years ago, God gave me a song from this psalm

if you're interested, you can listen to it 

if you go to bandcamp.com and then in the search for artist type in Papa's songs, it's #6, Psalm 103

there's something there about buying the track, but you can just listen for free! 

Thankful Thursday

there is so much I have to be thankful for

but it's a matter of choice

because there are plenty of things I could complain about as well

so each day, yes, even each moment, I decide

what will my focus be right now

will I choose to rejoice and be grateful

or will I allow my mind to go down the path of negativity

complaining is a natural response

because satisfaction alludes me

but gratitude is a godly response

it results from trust that God is good 

and He governs my life graciously

the results of gratitude are joy, peace, and contentment

what a place to live

I'm thankful God has rescued me out of a life of despair

He lifted me out of darkness

I'm thankful God is my strength and my song

the psalmist declared, "He has put a new song in my heart!"

and I have experienced that as well

I'm thankful for the songs God gives

thankful too for His word

I'm thankful God is a promise keeper

His word is sure

it is an anchor that holds me fast

I'm thankful for the way God reveals Himself in His word

He is the Author of salvation

He is the source of wisdom

He is the Bread of Life

the Living Water

I'm thankful God is faithful and true

thankful He is patient and kind

I'm thankful God's grace is sufficient for any hardship I might face

I'm thankful God's love is an everlasting love

 

Thankful Thursday

each day is a gift

I'm thankful for the gift of today

thankful God provided strength and energy to do the work He put before me today

I'm thankful for the peace that comes in trusting Him

I can only see this moment

I have memories of days gone by

and I may have ambitions for days that may come

but I can't see around the next bend

I'm thankful God can

thankful He knows the beginning from the end

thankful He is never caught by surprise

God is all knowing, all seeing, all powerful, He is ALL

I'm thankful God has chosen me to be His son

thankful He has adopted me into His family

I'm thankful God has given me a biological family

so very thankful for my loving wife

thankful God has blessed me with children--two girls and a boy

thankful they have grown into adults 

thankful for my two sons-in-law

thankful for my grandsons

I'm thankful for my faith family

thankful for brothers who encourage and challenge me

thankful for friends who go to the Father on my behalf

I'm thankful for shelter

the weather's been a bit crazy lately

thankful for a roof over my head, a furnace that gives heat, water to drink and wash with

I'm thankful for health

it seems that often I take things like that for granted

but when there's something missing, appreciation for what I have rises to the fore

I want to live a life of gratitude

I want to be known for having a rejoicing heart rather than a complaining spirit

I'm thankful God continues to open my eyes to new recognition of the many ways He has poured out blessing in my life

 

Thankful Thursday

life can be difficult

one of my go to statements is: everyday is a challenge

but in spite of challenges and difficulties, I know I'm still doing better than I deserve

Scripture gives us a glimpse into God's holiness

He is altogether righteous, there is nothing evil in Him

actually, evil is the absence of righteousness, and since God is righteous, He cannot be evil

I, on the other hand, have a lack of righteousness

and it is because of this that evil is often present in me

this absence of righteousness creates a separation from God

that is why Jesus came; to provide the cure for my sin sick soul

and God's word tells me that through the death and resurrection of Jesus, eternal life is available to all who believe in Him

and because of Jesus' work on the cross, I can now be clothed in His righteousness

that's the better than I deserve part!

I'm so thankful God sent His Son to be the perfect sacrifice for my sin

so very thankful I am clothed in the righteousness I did not possess on my own

I'm thankful through belief in Jesus I've been given the right to be called God's child

I'm thankful God is the author of salvation

He is the fountain of wisdom

I'm thankful God is good and ready to forgive and abundant in lovingkindness to all who call on Him

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

thankful His ears are always open to my cries

this is especially comforting to me since my family is scattered all across the country

I can't be physically present with them, but I know as I pray for them God is listening and working

and He is always near

I'm thankful He is the God who sees me