Thankful Thursday

 

 

It was a beautiful spring day!

 

I love this time of year

 

I'm thankful for the reminders it brings of new life, fresh starts, leaving the cold and dead of winter behind

 

In the same way, God allows me to walk in newness of life, His mercies are new every morning giving me a fresh start, He has called me out of darkness and death to enter His marvelous light!

 

I had the chance to sit down at the piano this evening after work

 

I'm very thankful for music, it gives me opportunity to express my love for God and my gratitude for His greatness

 

I was singing an older song about God's promises

 

I'm thankful that although God has not promised an easy life; He does promise to give strength for each day, rest from our labors, light for the way.  He promises His grace is sufficient for our trials, He is our helper, His kindness is unfailing, and His love everlasting

 

I'm thankful God invites me to come to Him when I'm feeling burdened or overwhelmed

 

I'm thankful for the job He has provided and the energy He supplies each day as I fulfill my responsibilities

 

Every day is an adventure.  I never quite know what I'm going to get into as I move from one jobsite to another.  But I do enjoy the variety and I continue to learn new things which I'm thankful for

 

I'm thankful for God's transforming work in my life.  One would think that at my age, the need for growth might slow down.  But I continue to find myself echoing Paul's words in Rom. 7-- "the things I hate are the things I seem to continue doing.  The things I want to do, these things elude me.  Wretched man that I am!  Who will deliver me?

 

I'm thankful God is a deliverer!

 

I'm thankful for His investment in me as His son

 

I'm thankful He continues to build my faith as He shows Himself always faithful

Thankful Thursday

 

 

Sitting here this evening, reflecting on all I have to be thankful for

 

I've been chosen by God to be a part of His family

 

He has adopted me and given me His Spirit

 

I have experienced abundant grace and compassion

 

I am loved by the creator of the universe

 

He has shown me favor by allowing me to find a wife who loves me and supports me faithfully

 

I woke up this morning with life and breath and energy to fulfill my work

 

all of my limbs work

 

as I write this, I have a comfortable couch to sit on

 

I got to speak with a dear friend this evening, and discuss plans for meeting up at the end of May (haven't seen him in 7 years)

 

I have a piano in my home and God has given me a gift in playing it

 

In a few minutes I will go crawl into a bed that allows me to sleep and be refreshed

 

I have hope, knowing God is in control, and has already written the end of the story

 

I have no need to be afraid

 

I have kids who love me most of the time (even when I make foolish maneuvers)

 

 I have a vehicle to drive instead of having to walk everywhere or ride a bike or scooter

 

I have plenty to eat

 

after working hard all day in a dirty environment, I was able to come home and take a nice hot shower and get cleaned up

 

On the inside, I've experienced God's cleansing

 

His word tells me that Jesus' blood cleanses me from all my sin

 

So, there's no room for grumbling or complaining here

 

only time for gratitude

 

It's a choice I make, not once and done, but moment by moment

 

How about you? What will you choose?

Thankful Thursday

 

 

I've been spending quite a bit of time in Romans 5 and 6 recently

 

Meditating on the truths of these verses that are packed with promise

 

I'm thankful

 

 that faith justifies

that peace with God is possible

that God receives glory

for the growth that comes through trials

that my hope is in the One who never disappoints

that Christ died for helpless people like me

that He bore God's wrath so I don't have to

that God delights in reconciling sinners

that grace is a free and abundant gift

that Christ demonstrated obedience to the Father bringing life eternal

that I can now walk in newness of life

that sin and death are no longer my masters

that I can now be an instrument of righteousness in God's orchestra

that God is in the process of sanctifying me

 

This passage convicts me, but encourages me

 

It allows me to look into the mirror and see who I really am

 

while opening my eyes to who God is and how He is moving

 

I'm thankful that His word is living and active

 

and I'm thankful for the opportunity to be a student of His word



Thankful Thursday

 

 

Contentment is a choice, and it is all about focus

 

What am I choosing to set my mind on?

 

How do I look at my life?

 

Am I grateful for where God has placed me; for the work He is doing in me and through me?

 

Every day, I am able to get out of bed, draw a breath, and greet others

 

I have a job that is challenging and enjoyable, and God gives me the energy and skills I need to perform that job

 

I have never had to leave my house naked or starved

 

every night I have a bed to sleep in (unless I fall asleep on the couch and don't make it to the bed!)

 

I have a wife who loves me and serves me in the most incredible ways

 

so, why would I not be thankful?

 

Oh, sure, I could list a few inconveniences that I ran into today

 

and tomorrow I may have to do some unpleasant task at work

 

But I choose to keep my mind dwelling on things that are true, right, honorable, lovely, excellent, and praiseworthy

 

and I know I'll never run out of those kinds of things to think about.

 

so there's no room for complaining, no room for pity parties, no room for discouragement

 

In every circumstance, I find much to be thankful for

 

and then on top of that,

 

I've been redeemed, chosen by the God of the universe, who created all things, to be His son, adopted into His family

 

I've been forgiven and shown mercy even when I deserved wrath

 

I've received grace in abundance

 

I have a source of wisdom; all I need to do is humble myself enough to ask

 

I've been promised guidance and direction

 

God invites me to come and cast my burdens before Him

 

He wants to give me rest and refreshment

 

I could go on and on

 

But I think you get the point, and I certainly have been reminded in these moments of how blessed I truly am

 

I thank my God for His goodness to me and know that He will faithfully continue to reveal Himself

 

I can lay down in peace and sleep, knowing He is always awake and alert and caring for me

 



Thankful Thursday

Temptation is a part of life

 

we all face it; we live in a fallen world, and as a result, we are surrounded by sin

 

For me, some sin is absolutely abhorrent, but some is enticing

 

and that is where temptation enters in

 

when I am drawn toward sinful activity that seems to offer some type of pleasure, what do I do?

 

I was thinking about 1 Cor. 10:13 today, as I reflected on a victory over temptation

 

In that verse, I see a promise of outside help in facing temptation

 

I know it's easy for me to feel like I'm alone, or the only one dealing with a particular sin issue when tempted

 

but this verse assures me that the temptations I face are common; others are tempted by the same things

 

the verse goes on to say that God stands with me, and provides for victory over temptation

 

I'm thankful for His abiding presence

 

I'm thankful I don't have to rely on my own strength for victory in my battle against sin

 

In Eph. 6, I'm encouraged to stand firm, but it's not in my own strength

 

I'm thankful God is powerful; He has already defeated sin

 

He is never tempted to do evil

 

He is always righteous and good

 

I'm very thankful He clothes me in His righteousness

 

I'm thankful that because of Jesus' death and resurrection I have newness of life and I can walk in victory

 

I'm thankful His blood cleanses me from all sin, washing me clean

 

I'm thankful for God's Spirit who fills me and guides me into truth

Temptation gains traction in my life when I drift away from truth and begin to believe the lie

I'm thankful for God's word where I find truth to combat the lies

I'm thankful for the grace and mercy God shows me everyday 

 

 

 



Thankful Thursday

 

 

I've been really tired in the evenings lately.  Last Thursday, I fell asleep and never even thought about my Thankful Thursday post.

 

And here I am, almost an hour late with this week's post; just waking up from falling asleep on the couch again.

 

That said, I'm thankful for the way God has designed our bodies to get rest, and for the refreshment that comes from sleep.

 

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

 

Today was Valentine's Day

 

I'm thankful God is love

 

Thankful He gave me a wife to share life with, to love and cherish

 

I'm thankful for our three children that are a result of this love relationship we share

 

I'm thankful for the support and encouragement of my wife and kids

 

I certainly know I'm not the perfect husband or father, but I'm grateful for the grace that each of them extends to me as I journey through life

 

And I'm very thankful God is gracious and merciful with me

 

I'm thankful He is a God who delights in reconciling people to Himself; that He offers forgiveness from my sinful state, drawing me out of darkness into His glorious light

 

I'm thankful that though I stumble at times, I am not utterly cast down, because His right hand holds onto me, picking me up, setting me back on my feet

 

I'm thankful God directs my path, and promises to teach me the way I should go

 

I'm thankful for the confidence and hope that comes from knowing He is always with me, that He is faithful and true to His word

 

Over and over in my life I have seen God fulfill His promises to me

 

I'm so grateful He is a God who is near

 

 

Thankful Thursday

 

 

I had a special surprise this week

 

When my wife and I got up last Saturday morning, we discovered our son's truck in the driveway

 

He had driven home from North Carolina Friday night and spent the week here with us.

 

He left this morning to resume his serving with ReachGlobal Crisis Response

 

I'm thankful for the time we got to spend together, working on a project for his truck, having meaningful conversations, and just hanging out

 

I'm thankful he had safety over the many miles of highways coming and going

 

God tells us in His word that children are a blessing from Him

 

I'm thankful He has blessed me with two daughters and a son, and also a son-in-law

 

God also says finding a wife is a good thing and a symbol of His favor

 

I'm thankful for the expression of God's favor my wife, Chris, is in my life

 

I was talking with a good friend today, and both of us expressed how grateful we are for our wives, and how hard it is to imagine life without them

 

I'm thankful for friends who speak truth into my life and encourage me in keeping a proper perspective

 

I want to maintain a grateful heart

 

I know too many people who lack joy in their lives because their focus is on what they don't have, or what didn't happen, etc.

 

I know there are disappointments in life.  Everyone, including myself, experiences them.

 

But I have a choice on whether I make them the focus of my attention or merely acknowledge them and shift my thoughts back to the God who loves me and expressed that love by sending His Son to be the Savior of the world

 

I'm thankful He has forgiven me

 

thankful He rescued me out of darkness and allows me to walk in His light

 

I'm thankful I'm in a relationship with God and not just practicing some religious dos and don'ts

 

I'm thankful for the privilege of prayer, grateful His ears are always open to my cries

 

I'm thankful God delights in reconciling people to Himself!