Giving thanks in everything...are you? Do you find yourself giving thanks in the middle of times of trouble? That's a tough directive, isn't it? As with so many other issues of faith, I believe it comes down to the depth of our trust in the God that we place our faith in. If we have, through study and prayer, come to the understanding that God is a Father of love, that He will spare nothing, not even His own Son, to bring His children home to Him; that He is the source of all goodness, every good and perfect gift; that He is the Creator of this universe, perfectly designed to sustain human life for this time of His eternal plan...then I think it is much easier to give thanks to Him for what He is bring us to as we go through the times of sadness, trial, or, as many Christians worldwide now face, even persecution.
Today, I want to give God thanks for the time that I live in. Now that is contrary to many expressions of pessimism and doubt that I often find myself saying. I look at our world that so often appears to have totally forgotten God and His commandments to us for good living, and think, "I wish I could have lived 100 years ago when life was better."
But for some reason or another that I will not know until I am in the presence of God my Father, He chose for me to live in this time, in this place.
Acts 17:24 - "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth, and does not live in temples built by hands. And He is not served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us."
And I will give thanks for that. Knowing that God placed me here, now for His purpose, is encouraging to me. I know that our world has many problems, I know that there are things going on now that were not transpiring 100 years ago, but there are many good things that we get to enjoy in 2012 that were not available 100 years ago as well. And those are the things we should give thanks for and use to God's glory.
I'm thankful right now for the gift of the internet. Yes, it can be used for many things that are detrimental to people, but I am thankful for the fact that multitudes of people have access to good, godly materials that enable them to learn more of God, of the story of His Word, and of Jesus, His Son. What an incredible tool we've been given to be united in Him throughout the world. I know that there are people who read this simple blog from all areas of the world, and that is a source of joy to me...knowing that in very small way, I am encouraging someone, some where, to "seek Him and perhaps reach out to Him and find Him", reminding that "He is not far from each one of us." This type of ministry would have been totally inconceivable 100 years ago, but not for me, where I have been placed.
I am thankful right now for the ability for many to travel to foreign places to share God's love through ministries of assistance and care, meeting the physical needs of people who have undergone devastation of various sources. Travel of this type would have never been able to be accomplished 100 years ago, but for many of my friends who bravely set out for places where their hearts have been called, it is now very possible in the time that they have been placed.
I am thankful right now for the fact that He placed others that I hold near and dear to my heart in this same time and place, to walk along side me during our earthly lives...my dear husband, my wonderful children, my other family and friends...they are such wonderful gifts from God that He determined to include in my time and place.
I guess what it comes down to is that I am thankful for God's sovereignty over my life, from start to finish. I will no longer wish for another time and place for my earthly life...I will trust that this time and place is set for me to bring glory to Him, and to be thankful in everything that He allows me to experience during my time here.
Help me to more fully trust Your will over my life, Lord Father. You have a good and perfect plan for me, for my life. Let me live it fully, giving thanks to You for everything. But especially, my Father, I am thankful for my Savior, Lord Jesus, who came for me to show me just how much I am truly loved. It is in His holy name I pray... Amen.
Today, I want to give God thanks for the time that I live in. Now that is contrary to many expressions of pessimism and doubt that I often find myself saying. I look at our world that so often appears to have totally forgotten God and His commandments to us for good living, and think, "I wish I could have lived 100 years ago when life was better."
But for some reason or another that I will not know until I am in the presence of God my Father, He chose for me to live in this time, in this place.
Acts 17:24 - "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth, and does not live in temples built by hands. And He is not served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us."
And I will give thanks for that. Knowing that God placed me here, now for His purpose, is encouraging to me. I know that our world has many problems, I know that there are things going on now that were not transpiring 100 years ago, but there are many good things that we get to enjoy in 2012 that were not available 100 years ago as well. And those are the things we should give thanks for and use to God's glory.
I'm thankful right now for the gift of the internet. Yes, it can be used for many things that are detrimental to people, but I am thankful for the fact that multitudes of people have access to good, godly materials that enable them to learn more of God, of the story of His Word, and of Jesus, His Son. What an incredible tool we've been given to be united in Him throughout the world. I know that there are people who read this simple blog from all areas of the world, and that is a source of joy to me...knowing that in very small way, I am encouraging someone, some where, to "seek Him and perhaps reach out to Him and find Him", reminding that "He is not far from each one of us." This type of ministry would have been totally inconceivable 100 years ago, but not for me, where I have been placed.
I am thankful right now for the ability for many to travel to foreign places to share God's love through ministries of assistance and care, meeting the physical needs of people who have undergone devastation of various sources. Travel of this type would have never been able to be accomplished 100 years ago, but for many of my friends who bravely set out for places where their hearts have been called, it is now very possible in the time that they have been placed.
I am thankful right now for the fact that He placed others that I hold near and dear to my heart in this same time and place, to walk along side me during our earthly lives...my dear husband, my wonderful children, my other family and friends...they are such wonderful gifts from God that He determined to include in my time and place.
I guess what it comes down to is that I am thankful for God's sovereignty over my life, from start to finish. I will no longer wish for another time and place for my earthly life...I will trust that this time and place is set for me to bring glory to Him, and to be thankful in everything that He allows me to experience during my time here.
Help me to more fully trust Your will over my life, Lord Father. You have a good and perfect plan for me, for my life. Let me live it fully, giving thanks to You for everything. But especially, my Father, I am thankful for my Savior, Lord Jesus, who came for me to show me just how much I am truly loved. It is in His holy name I pray... Amen.
1 comment:
I am thankful for all things. God is present in all things. I spent this past week in Houston. My sister and I attended a family wedding in Azle, by Ft. Worth, then on to spend the week with my son's family. God is watching over me. My life has had many twists and turns. I am currently able to spend time with my family. I attended my family reunion on Saturday. My heavenly Father has provided me with loving Christian family members. I am thankful.
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