What Are You Thankful For???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #292

Today’s post is a simple reminder that I have shared before; we need to count not only our blessings of “things”, but even more importantly, our blessings of the people that God has placed within our lives.  So I just want to set the example.

First and foremost, I am grateful that Jesus still saves and changes lives, and that He spoke to my heart those many years ago (some 50 years I’ve walked with The Lord Jesus), and I fell on my knees and asked for His forgiveness and salvation.  Oh, what a difference a moment can make!  Thank you, Jesus for dying for me.

I am also thankful for godly parents who loved my siblings and me and taught us the virtues of loving, caring, sharing and thinking of others, and while they are now with our Lord, their impact remains a constant reminder of the power we are given to help or harm other’s lives.  I’m thankful for a brother and sister who love me and are still serving Jesus also, my brother a pastor, my sister, a pastor’s wife! We were so blessed with an extended family who loved us and lived lives worthy of following.  We didn’t have a grandmother (as both of our grandmothers had died before we were born, and a grandfather), while we had one grandfather still living, we didn’t get to see him very often, but we were able to make up a little lost time when he came to live with us for the last months of his life.  What a treat to hear his stories (true or not—who knows) and share his life for a while.

I am more than blessed with friends, my Miss Diane who has been my friend since we were preteens; and many friends who have come and gone, as I’ve heard: some come to stay a while, some for a brief time, some for a lifetime, but each one brings new insights—some joyful, some sorrowful.  There are those friends who have left us behind and joined our Lord in glory.  Oh how I miss them, but how I treasure the times we spent together—the coffee/tea we shared—the stories we rehearsed-the joy we shared.  Even thinking of those stories, I sit here smiling as I write this.

Then there are those who have tired us!  There are those whom we have tried and had to apologize to!  Praise God for forgiveness and restoration, it is such a blessing to enjoy restored relationships.  Yet for some of us sadness burdens our hearts for lost relationships, as we pray for them!

I’ve been blessed to live in many places (I was a Navy brat!) and find friends and people who loved me and impacted my life in countless ways.  There are names I can’t recall now but have glimpses of memories that linger still.

So, why do I share all of this?  Hopefully to spur us to action.  Is there someone that you need to call or go visit to thank for their influence, help, love or just being there?  Make that phone call.  Write that note, or text or email.  Send that gift that would make someone’s day!   And don’t forget to thank God for His gift of Jesus and all His mercies upon us.  Don’t forget sunshine and rain, cold and heat, tears and smiles, a baby’s laugh, a dandelion flower from a three-year-old, God’s love and provision, open arms of grace, and our hope in Jesus’ return.

“Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name,

make known his deeds among the people.

9 Sing unto him,

sing psalms unto him,

talk ye of all his wondrous works.

10 Glory ye in his holy name:

let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.

11 Seek the LORD and his strength,

seek his face continually.

12 Remember his marvellous works

that he hath done,

his wonders,

and the judgments of his mouth;”   1 Chronicles 16:8-12

And in closing a reminder of the grace of our Lord.

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest,

that is passed into the heavens,

Jesus the Son of God,

let us hold fast our profession.

15 For we have not an high priest

which cannot be touched

with the feeling of our infirmities;

but was in all points tempted

like as we are, yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly

unto the throne of grace,

that we may obtain mercy,

and find grace to help

in time of need.”  Hebrews 14:14-16

If you know Jesus, rejoice in His love, grace and provision for us!  If you don’t know Him, you can!  He is calling today, if you will but hear and heed His call to repent of your sin and trust in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for my sin and yours!  Amen!!!

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock:

if any man hear my voice, and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.”  Revelation 3:20

 “For I delivered unto you first of all

that which I also received,

how that Christ died for our sins

according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried,

and that he rose again the third day

according to the scriptures:

5 And that he was seen…” 1 Corinthians 15:3-5

Amen and Amen!!!