Thankful Thursday

 

I've been reading over the account of Jesus' meeting with the Samaritan woman at the well

I'm so thankful Jesus is the Living Water

thankful He satisfies the thirsty soul

in the midst of a culture that promises fulfillment in many different ways, but only disappoints, I'm thankful Jesus never falls short

but it is easy to fall into the trap of drinking water that doesn't satisfy and wondering why I need more and more

I'm thankful Jesus continues to invite me to drink from His well

thankful the water He gives becomes a well of water springing up to eternal life

I'm thankful Jesus is all knowing

it's funny how the woman responds when Jesus tells her about her failed marriages and current immoral relationship

"Sir, I perceive You are a prophet."

you think?!

but even though Jesus knows all, the good, the bad, and the ugly, He still loves me so much He was willing to go to the cross to purchase salvation for me and for anyone who believes

I'm thankful for that depth of love

I'm thankful for His obedience to the Father

I'm thankful for His example

His statement to the disciples when they return from town with food

"My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me."

that's the food I want to be hungering for

I'm thankful Jesus is the Bread of Life

thankful He is the Good Shepherd

thankful for His leading in my life

I'm thankful I'm an adopted son 

thankful God knows my name

life's been a bit challenging lately

but I'm thankful for God's promise that His grace is sufficient

thankful His power is perfected in my weaknesses

I'm thankful I don't have to lean on my own understanding

thankful God gives wisdom generously

thankful He is the giver of every perfect gift

I'm thankful as we approach Mother's Day that God has blessed me with children

and thankful for the godly woman who is their MOM

Thankful Thursday

we just celebrated Easter weekend

that time of year when we remember Christ's death on a cross

but more importantly, His resurrection from the grave

if Jesus didn't rise from the dead--if He isn't alive today--we who are His followers are to be pitied

but the truth is that Jesus conquered sin and death

and God the Father has given Him a place of honor

He is seated at the right hand of the Majesty on High making intercession for me

I'm so thankful Jesus came--the Word became flesh

I'm thankful He died in my place--the Sacrificial Lamb

I'm thankful His death satisfied God's wrath agains my sin

I'm thankful for the hope that comes through faith in Jesus

at a time when my life is experiencing a bit of uncertainty

I'm thankful for God's sovereignty

thankful He can see the road ahead

I'm thankful nothing ever catches God by surprise

thankful He is trustworthy and faithful

I'm thankful God is my rock, a sure foundation

I'm thankful for the season of Spring

thankful for all the signs of new growth around me

into the drabness of winter green shoots begin to appear

flowers start to bloom

I'm thankful God makes all things new

thankful Spring is a reminder of that truth

I'm thankful for God's grace

I'm thankful I'm a child of the King of kings 

Thankful Thursday

I've been challenged and convicted by Jesus' words to His disciples in the garden before His crucifixion

when He faced His greatest temptation and needed the support of His friends, He found them sleeping

and asked, "Couldn't you keep watch with Me for one hour?"

and then He goes on to say, "Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."

I'm all too familiar with that reality

I'm thankful as the psalmist says, that God is mindful that I am but dust

thankful for His loving care of me in my weaknesses

thankful God forgives me and separates me from my sin

thankful He clothes me in robes of righteousness

I'm thankful God never sleeps

thankful He never abandons me

I'm thankful God knows me completely

thankful Jesus is my intercessor

I'm thankful God's ears are always open to my cries

I'm thankful God never allows me to be tempted beyond what I can bear

thankful He always provides a way of escape

I'm thankful God delights in reconciling people to Himself

I'm thankful God enables me to walk in victory

I know that in my strength nothing good can come

but I'm thankful God gives me His strength

He is the Overcomer

God is the Victor in every battle

God is the One who makes a way for me

I'm so thankful God is the Director of my path 

I'm thankful He gives me grace for each moment

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