Thankful Thursday

God is sovereign

He is the giver and sustainer of life

every good thing comes from Him

God loves me with an everlasting love

He sent His only Son to die on a cross as payment for my sins

God's power raised Jesus from the dead

God is holy and righteous; He is perfect in all His ways

God is merciful and gracious; He is the God of all comfort

God knows me intimately 

He sees all my ways, knows my every thought, and hears my words even before I speak them

God is slow to anger and ready to forgive

God is the source of all truth

He is the author of salvation

I am so thankful for these truths

Thankful I can put my trust in the creator of the universe

knowing He brings blessing and calamity for the purpose of introducing people to Himself

I'm thankful God's name is a strong tower to which I can run for safety

Thankful I don't have to fear anything in this world

Thankful for the peace that comes from turning my worries and fears over to Him

I'm thankful that Jesus came to heal our brokenness

and thankful He sits at the right hand of the Father making intercession for me

I'm thankful for the signs of new life all around me:

grass getting green,

trees beginning to push leaves and flowers,

dandelions blooming,

birds singing cheerfully each morning,

daffodils

I'm thankful for the reminder these are that God brings newness of life to all who put their trust in Jesus

Life has slowed down drastically

but I'm thankful I can still sit down at the piano and sing praise to my God

I'm thankful for extra time to spend with my wife

and thankful God remains the same through all of the changes taking place

Thankful Thursday

These are interesting times I live in!

fear seems to be on the rise

people suffering from panic over the unknown

I've heard such a variety of comments from frustration to anger, humor to despair

it reminds me of a story from the life of Jesus

He and His disciples are crossing over the sea of Galilee in a boat

being tired, Jesus is taking a nap on a cushion

and in swoops a nasty blow

waves begin breaking over the side of the boat

the wind howls, tossing them around like a feather

Does this wake up Jesus?

nope! He must have been a sleeper like me

and so, the disciples wake Him up with cries of confusion and hopelessness

"Master, don't you care that we're about to die here?"

Now you have to understand that Jesus had already told them they were going to the other side

but in the craziness of the moment, they've forgotten that

they just know things have gotten out of hand

and they panic

sound familiar?

Jesus' response is so cool

He gets up, tells the wind to stop making such a racket, and immediately the sea is calm

then He looks at the disciples and asks this startling question

"Where is your faith?"

and today, He still asks this same question

I'm so thankful I have a God who can calm the storm

I'm thankful He invites me to trust Him

I'm thankful God has promised to never leave me or forsake me

I don't have to ask Him where He is

I'm thankful I know He is right here with me every step of the way

Unknowns?  Sure, there are any number of them

but I'm thankful nothing is unknown to my God

thankful He uses all circumstances to draw people toward Himself

I'm thankful all God's works are done in faithfulness

as circumstances and situations change all around me, He remains the same; yesterday, today, and forever

I'm thankful my life is secure in Him

I live in a broken and sin filled world

but Jesus came to heal the brokenness and bring forgiveness for sins

I'm thankful His lovingkindness is over all the earth

thankful God offers life; full and abundant life, to all who believe in the name of Jesus

where is your faith?

Mine is anchored to the Rock!

Thankful Thursday

I enjoyed yet my million dollar view as I sat at my dining room table this evening

God's glory on display in the sunset

I'm thankful God is such an extravagant artist!

I was reminded of a sermon I listened to with my wife last evening

the speaker was describing the glorious splendor of the Himalayan landscape which shouts God's majesty

and yet there are so many who view that splendor day after day who have never heard the name of Jesus

he went on to talk about how creation does speak of God's glory, but it is our privilege as believers to proclaim the good news of the gospel

I'm thankful Jesus came to be the Supreme Sacrifice

thankful that even when I was dead in my sin, God reached out and brought me life

I'm thankful He offers forgiveness to all who believe in the name of Jesus

thankful I no longer need to fear God's wrath

I'm thankful the penalty for my sin has been paid when Jesus hung on the cross

I'm thankful God has chosen me to be His son, adopted me into His family, and sealed me with His Spirit

I'm thankful He now invites me to partner with Him in ministry

thankful He commissions me as His ambassador, His representative to a dying world

I'm thankful that as I view the sunset, I know the artist

thankful I can enjoy intimacy with Him

I'm thankful God has poured out mercy and grace in abundance in my life

thankful that just as the sky was alive with color this evening, Jesus is alive forever more

thankful He conquered sin and death

thankful He sits at the right hand of the Father, making intercession for me

I'm thankful God has loved me with an everlasting love

I pray that I will represent Him well as I continue to live out this life He has blessed me with