Thanksgiving Friday!

Good morning, everyone. It's FRIDAY! Aren't you happy to be alive? I am.

Today I'm thankful for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Because of Him and His sacrifice, I can have eternal life! Even beyond that, I am living a life that is full of worth. I have a purpose, I have a goal, I have a reason to be here. I am so blessed to know that I was created for a reason. It's warming to know that God formed me on purpose and placed me here strategically to help fulfill His awesome plan for mankind. God is so good!

God loved me so much that He sent His son to save me. His son, Jesus, loved me so much that He was willing to come! Not only was He willing to come to earth, but Jesus was willing to die so that I can live! He was willing to sacrifice Himself so that I can come boldly to God's throne and speak with the Father face to face.

Today, I'm just overflowing with gratitude and thanks for the the Lord. Even when I mess up and make mistakes, that same love is still there. When I blatantly disobey, my God's mercies are new every morning. I'm so blessed!


(Isn't it great that God loves you just as much too?)
 
I count it a privilege and an honor to serve a God like this. As a Christian, all I was asked to do was to go forth and tell about my wonderful Savior who gave His life for me. Looking at all that was given in order for me to be redeemed, that's not too much to ask.
 
What are you thankful for today? What things are you cherishing in your life today? Give God a praise!

Verse of the Day: But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:4-7

The Right Time

This morning I was cruising through my social media apps and I ran across some pictures of an event one of my colleagues hosted. Viewing those pictures was like seeing one of my dreams in real life except I was supposed to be there! I was supposed to be the host! I was supposed to be the one smiling in those pictures.

My heart felt a twinge of pain seeing someone else enjoying something that I had set up as a future goal for myself. And then I wondered if I should pursue what I had in mind at all. Would it now be seen as copying? Could it be as special if someone else had already done it?

But then I had to look at myself. I had had that idea for a long time. I did nothing with it. I just tucked it in the back of my mind for a later date. I couldn't be that mad. My friend had the same idea and ran with it. She put in the work, and she got to enjoy the benefits of her labors.

Then again, maybe it wasn't time for me to strike out. Maybe it wasn't my time to do that project. Maybe I was supposed to hold on to that idea for some more development to come. Who knows?

What I do know is that God doesn't bless us with dreams and desires just for us to sit and let them bounce around in our brains. He doesn't give us inspiration just because. He wants us to go out and do something. He told us to go into the world and preach His gospel. We can't just stand by while the world whizzes past.

Even if I wasn't supposed to move on my idea, I should have been at least covering it in prayer. That's one something I should have been doing. I need to be more focused on God's instructions for me in order for me to know that I am exactly in the spot He has for me. That will save me from looking at others and feeling disappointment about myself. When you know you're in God's will for you, you don't worry about what someone else is doing.

Do you have dreams and visions bouncing around in your head? Are you communicating with your Heavenly Father about the timing of those ideas? Do you know if you're in the right spot for your life right now?

Let's all begin anew today. Let's all take some time to pray and ask God to guide our footsteps. Let's all make an effort to follow the directions that God has for us. Let's use other people's success for our motivation not our disappointment. Let's all make the moves to get on God's timing and see how the glory of God shines in our lives as a result.

Verse of the Day: I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Psalm 32:8

Who Are You Attracted To?

Lots of people give their respect away off of superficial things. If we see someone pull up in a nice car, step out in fancy clothes, carrying expensive bags, hanging with 'popular' people... we look at them with admiration.

We give them credibility merely because they have money and status. We treat them differently... better than others. We want to get close to those types of people. We want to be like them. We want them to like us. We imagine ourselves parading around with their things and dreaming of the day when we can fraternize with the 'popular' crowd.

Yet those people really don't have anything of value to give us. Even if they traded wardrobes, bank accounts, and friends with us... we still wouldn't be better off.

Ruth was a woman who knew how to recognize what was really valuable. When her husband died and she had nothing left, Ruth chose to stay with her mother in-law Naomi, a widower herself. Naomi had no money, no status, no rich connections. In order to eat Ruth had to go behind the threshers in the field to pick up the wheat they had left behind.

Why would anyone want to choose to live that way?

Ruth recognized the value of the God that Naomi served. She recognized the integrity and the spirit of her mother in-law, and Ruth wanted that in her own life. She chose a life of poverty in order to be rich in spirit.

As a result of Ruth's wise choice, she eventually became rich in every area of her life. She married the owner of the field she was picking up scraps from, she bore children, and God blessed her to be at the head of the lineage of King David whose lineage led up to Jesus Christ.

Who do you find yourself gravitating to? Are you attracted to what people have going on outwardly? Or, do you look at their character and listen to their words? Do you study how they live? Can you recognize when someone is close to God? Do you get close to those who are in true relationship with the Father?

Don't get so caught up in outward things that hold no real value. Make sure you are drawing close to those people who will feed your spirit. You'll benefit overall in the long run.

Verse of the Day: ...but Ruth clave unto her. And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law. And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me. Ruth 1:14b-17

Got A Question? Ask!

Reading through my Christian blogs and websites this morning, it's apparent that the church is recognizing all the change going on, and people are wondering if some of those changes are going to drift over into the church. Young people are asking questions about their faith. Some folks are challenging established beliefs. Christians are wondering if in this 'evolving' world, should the church evolve too?

What I love about our faith is that God is always there to talk with us and show us more of Himself. When we have questions, He will take the time to answer them. When we have concerns, He will find ways to alleviate them. We just have to be open to seek out the answers and keep our ears listening out for His voice.

Jesus was a living example of our relationship with God in His interactions with the disciples. Whatever questions they had, reasonable (How many times should I forgive?) or borderline (Which one of us will sit on your right hand?). Jesus made sure He answered. Even when the Pharisees and Sadducees came with their questions rooted in disbelief, Jesus answered every one.

There is no question too great. No question to silly. No inquiry too small for God to handle. Even when the apostles were trying to figure out how to minister and fellowship with Gentiles, through prayer and God's wisdom, they were able to get an answer.

What questions do you have about your walk with God? Are the changes around you causing you to wonder about what to believe? Even if your views are unshakable, do you think about how to relay those beliefs to others in a loving manner?

We have a God who is always there and holds all the answers. We just have to seek Him out and trust that He will answer our questions. Sometimes seeking God takes some work. We may have to read our Bibles a little deeper. We may have to study and pray more than we regularly do. We just might have to sit and wait on the Lord's still small voice.

Just know that your searching is not in vain. Know that the answers you seek are coming. When God shows up, there won't be a shadow of a doubt left in your mind as to what to believe. One thing we can rest assured in: God is thorough.

So ask away! Look to the Lord for the answers that you seek. You'll definitely find them in Him.

Verse of the Day: Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Matthew 7:7, 8

Remember Your Journey

Right now my church is in the midst of preparations to celebrate 25 years of ministry. When you think about it, God has kept us for a long while!

Looking back, it has been fun to reminisce about the wonderful times our church family has shared together. It's been inspiring to look back on memorable messages, conferences, and speakers. It's been impactful to see how God has carried us through trying times. It's been heart warming to see how the love of our congregation has matured and grown over the years.

Since I literally grew up in my church, looking back over the years I have seen how my own journey in Christ has developed. I've been blessed to see how I've grown and matured over the years. I can mark some things that I've overcome, and I can see those things that I have yet to conquer. I can mark how God has revealed to me and shaped my purpose. I can see how my love and relationship with Him has grown.

Do you ever look back on your Christian life? Do you think about how long the Lord has kept you or meditate on what He has helped you to overcome? Do you consider how much the Lord has revealed to you and how your relationship has grown?

It's good to sit and take note of how far you've grown. It will encourage you in your faith walk, and it will inspire you to keep going! Remembering the trials of yesterday that you were able to overcome with the Lord will help you to face the situations of today. Remembering the times you felt hopeless and lost will help you to stand strong and walk with surety right now.

Make sure you take time to thank and honor God for how far He's brought you. Take a moment and look back over the road you've travelled. You've made it this far with God's help! Now, look forward to the challenges ahead. Is anything too hard for the Lord? If He brought you to this spot, He can most certainly take you to your goal!

Verse of the Day: I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. Psalm 77:11

Thanksgiving Friday! List Edition

Usually I write out my thanksgiving praises to God here on Fridays. Today, I have so many that I decided to do a list of what I'm grateful for this week. Below are 10 things I'm thanking God for in no particular order.

1. My dad is gaining weight! Jesus is a healer...
2. The play is tomorrow! It's going to be so much fun.
3. Water. I love water so much! It's so refreshing.
4. My job. I'm thankful for shortened hours this week. Hallelujah!
5. Sunshine. Yes, it's been hot in the Chi, but a few months ago we were praying for warm weather. So, Lord, thanks for answering our prayers!
6. My family.
7. My goddaughter. She 'graduated' from pre-school this week, and she was her class valedictorian! Thanks, God, for blessing me with such a wonder!
8. Joy and Peace. In the midst of anything I can count on God's joy and peace to sustain and keep me.
9. Vision. I am working towards God's promises for my life, and I am grateful that He has greatness in store for me!
10. You - Yes, you. I am thankful to God for blessing me to have you to encourage me to continue in my purpose. Just having you there to read and comment on my blog encourages me more than you can know! I'm grateful to have the chance to interact with you. Even if all you do is log on to read, I am grateful for your participation with this blog.

So, what are you thankful for today? I'm sure God's been doing great things for you too! Why don't you take a moment and give Him some praise?

Verse of the Day: Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever. Psalm 30:11, 12

Purified

Today, people are big on drinking filtered or bottled water. We have our own bottled water dispensers in our homes and at our jobs. We have gadgets that we use to attach to our faucets that will filter the water that flows from our taps. We even have filters in our refrigerators to give us cold filtered water any time we want.

No one wants to drink water they feel is contaminated. Everyone wants the water they drink to be purified. Even though we know that the water we get for pennies out of the tap is 'safe' to drink, we would rather pay dollars for the water that we know has gone through extra purification processes. Because of our desires, the bottled water business is booming.

In the same way, God desires our spirits to be purified as well. After we turn to Him, He wants us to go through the processes that will take away the sinful habits and mindsets and turn us into purified spirits that reflect the God that we have accepted.

In the book of Revelation, God spoke to the Laodiceans about how their behavior was before Him. The church of Laodicea had not fully committed their lives to the Lord. Yes, they had accepted His Son, but their actions did not fully reflect their Christianity. They chose to rely on their own riches and strength instead of fully surrendering to the Lord. As a result of them staying complacent in their faith, God said that He would reject them. (Revelation 3:16)

Once we accept Christ, it is our responsibility to submit ourselves to the purification process of the Lord. In this process, we must fully surrender ourselves to the purging power of God. We have to allow our will to become subject to His will. We have to rid ourselves of what He doesn't like and take on what He does.

It is a process. It doesn't happen overnight. Yet, in the end, we will come forth like pure gold, shiny and pure, sparkling with God's holiness.

Verse of the Day: I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Revelation 3:15, 16