Not just for a day or 30 days.....forever and ever His love endures and I AM GRATEFUL!!!!
"Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations." Psalm 100:4-5
Showing posts with label thankfulness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label thankfulness. Show all posts
Friday, November 23, 2012
Monday, November 19, 2012
"Be Thankful"
Yesterday's sermon was on I Thes. 5:18 "in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." As a part of our "If" series, this sermon was so powerful. Today I want to share on the teaching of gratitude. I've been sharing daily (well when I can) things I'm grateful for, but now I have a totally new appreciation for true gratitude. Let me say that I am grateful for the move of the Holy Spirit and His ability to teach His children. Praise be to God for using Tim Moore (our pastor) to bring the TRUTH to us.
1. "Be thankful"- Eucharistate (in the Greek). As a present and active verb this is to be linear, continual and intentional as opposed to a one time action of gratitude. So we were reminded that EVERY time we share the eucharist (or Lord's meal) we are sharing a Thanksgiving meal together as a family of God. The application question here...Am I intentional about gratitude???
2. "In every circumstance"- En Panti (Greek). Everything...ALL things (check out Rom. 8:28 and II Cor. 1). Application-we CAN be thankful in all circumstances. No pain or hurt is wasted IF given to God to redeem.
3. "for this is the will of God"- Thelema Theou (Greek). This is the actual desire of God. God has deep desires for His children. Living a life of complete gratitude is God's desire/plan for us.
4. "for those who belong to Christ"- En Kristo (Greek). Eph. 1:3 in Christ, as His child, I have ALL spiritual blessings in HIM! I can take off my heaviness, rest in my Lord and the simplicity of the GOSPEL!!!
I Pet. 3:18 "For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;" The entire gospel in one verse. I need to SLOW DOWN, stop pursuing the American "dream" and live a life of gratitude. My life was designed to be a perpetual display of gratitude for God's love and mercy. Oh God, make me a display of your splendor!!!
1. "Be thankful"- Eucharistate (in the Greek). As a present and active verb this is to be linear, continual and intentional as opposed to a one time action of gratitude. So we were reminded that EVERY time we share the eucharist (or Lord's meal) we are sharing a Thanksgiving meal together as a family of God. The application question here...Am I intentional about gratitude???
2. "In every circumstance"- En Panti (Greek). Everything...ALL things (check out Rom. 8:28 and II Cor. 1). Application-we CAN be thankful in all circumstances. No pain or hurt is wasted IF given to God to redeem.
3. "for this is the will of God"- Thelema Theou (Greek). This is the actual desire of God. God has deep desires for His children. Living a life of complete gratitude is God's desire/plan for us.
4. "for those who belong to Christ"- En Kristo (Greek). Eph. 1:3 in Christ, as His child, I have ALL spiritual blessings in HIM! I can take off my heaviness, rest in my Lord and the simplicity of the GOSPEL!!!
I Pet. 3:18 "For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;" The entire gospel in one verse. I need to SLOW DOWN, stop pursuing the American "dream" and live a life of gratitude. My life was designed to be a perpetual display of gratitude for God's love and mercy. Oh God, make me a display of your splendor!!!
Saturday, November 10, 2012
A week of challenge
This has been a tough week. A week full of sickness, challenge, emotionally draining parental moments, financial worries has left me drained. I am exhausted, discouraged and feeling anything but grateful. I am a wreck, BUT I know that this is just a feeling. God's Word reminds me " But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. (2 Cor. 4:7-10) These promises are what I cling to and know that things are different than what they appear to be, and my safety and security is in Jesus!!!
So to combat my anxiety, sadness, "stinkin' thinkin'" and poor pitiful me "party" I am going to share gratitude. Thank you for your grace as I "catch up" on my gratitude journaling.
Day 7: "I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:14. Knowing that I am wonderfully made is quite a difficult thing for me to still grasp. I look into the mirror and EVEN in spite of a 100 pound loss I see a woman that is "short. round. brown. plain.". I think that I will always be a fat, flabby, wrinkly, graying, plain-looking woman. Quite often it's difficult for me to find anything "extraordinary" about me. Other people are more beautiful, talented, creative, intelligent and charismatic. This is a character defect of mine. I struggle with the thief known as comparison. So this day I will celebrate that God uniquely, wonderfully and fearfully knit together ever part of who I am. This day I will take joy in the fact that I AM the best Janelle Flint that could ever be, I'm the only Janelle Morgan Flint that could ever be and that God makes no mistakes.
Day 8: 1 John 3:1 "See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! " I'm a woman. I'm a wife, mother, sister, friend. I'm a college graduate. I'm a musician. NONE of those are as important though as being known as a child of GOD!!! Thank you Lord. This day I will celebrate and meditate on God's love to adopt me as His own and to lavish His good love upon me.
Day 9: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28 All things. Every thing. The "good". The "bad". The hard, challenging and upsetting things. The things that make me laugh. The things that make me cry. The things that cause my heart to grieve so much that I can barely breathe. ALL of these things are used by God. This day I will be thankful that God has called me for HIS purpose and so I can rest in the fact that no hurt, no tear, no pain will be wasted.
TODAY.....Day 10: "For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer." 1 Timothy 4:4-5 This verse is hard for me. I had to read a commentary on it to "get" it. Now that I have a bit better understanding of this Scripture I love it even more. I've been working hard to lose weight the last two years. I've had to basically change my lifestyle and learn what foods are true sources of fuel for my body and which foods are just fun/pointless. Yes God created white powered donuts, but they sure don't fuel my body like salmon and broccoli. I am thankful though that as Scripture reminds me that food is clean. God made food for me to eat and enjoy. I can eat meat and not feel badly about it. Now maybe I should feel badly about the half a bag of chips I devoured today. ;-)
I'm learning. I'm growing. I'm changing and praying that God will continue to cultivate within me a heart of gratitude!!!
So to combat my anxiety, sadness, "stinkin' thinkin'" and poor pitiful me "party" I am going to share gratitude. Thank you for your grace as I "catch up" on my gratitude journaling.
Day 7: "I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:14. Knowing that I am wonderfully made is quite a difficult thing for me to still grasp. I look into the mirror and EVEN in spite of a 100 pound loss I see a woman that is "short. round. brown. plain.". I think that I will always be a fat, flabby, wrinkly, graying, plain-looking woman. Quite often it's difficult for me to find anything "extraordinary" about me. Other people are more beautiful, talented, creative, intelligent and charismatic. This is a character defect of mine. I struggle with the thief known as comparison. So this day I will celebrate that God uniquely, wonderfully and fearfully knit together ever part of who I am. This day I will take joy in the fact that I AM the best Janelle Flint that could ever be, I'm the only Janelle Morgan Flint that could ever be and that God makes no mistakes.
Day 8: 1 John 3:1 "See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! " I'm a woman. I'm a wife, mother, sister, friend. I'm a college graduate. I'm a musician. NONE of those are as important though as being known as a child of GOD!!! Thank you Lord. This day I will celebrate and meditate on God's love to adopt me as His own and to lavish His good love upon me.
Day 9: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28 All things. Every thing. The "good". The "bad". The hard, challenging and upsetting things. The things that make me laugh. The things that make me cry. The things that cause my heart to grieve so much that I can barely breathe. ALL of these things are used by God. This day I will be thankful that God has called me for HIS purpose and so I can rest in the fact that no hurt, no tear, no pain will be wasted.
TODAY.....Day 10: "For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer." 1 Timothy 4:4-5 This verse is hard for me. I had to read a commentary on it to "get" it. Now that I have a bit better understanding of this Scripture I love it even more. I've been working hard to lose weight the last two years. I've had to basically change my lifestyle and learn what foods are true sources of fuel for my body and which foods are just fun/pointless. Yes God created white powered donuts, but they sure don't fuel my body like salmon and broccoli. I am thankful though that as Scripture reminds me that food is clean. God made food for me to eat and enjoy. I can eat meat and not feel badly about it. Now maybe I should feel badly about the half a bag of chips I devoured today. ;-)
I'm learning. I'm growing. I'm changing and praying that God will continue to cultivate within me a heart of gratitude!!!
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Gratitude
Several of my friends are posting "30 Days of Gratefulness" as their FB statuses daily during the month of November. Also one of my favorite authors (Lysa TerKeurst) is posting a Scripture daily. So I'm going to combine those ideas and include it here in my blog. Should be a fun month....Remember the Scriptures are Lysa's choice, but the gratitude is ALL mine. Starting a few days late, but I've had a nasty virus/flu and I am WELL below par. If you're reading this, maybe you'll pray for me???
Day 1: "But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in Your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for He has been good to me." Psalm 13:5-6
The Lord HAS been good to me. Words can't express my gratitude for my salvation and I've talked about it often, so to I don't want to minimalize it or make my gratitude sound too small. So today I will focus on His unfailing love and goodness to me. Having five kids is often challenging. The past few days during this illness have been extremely tough. What I'm grateful for specifically is that Joseph (against his wishes) fixed breakfast for James and Jonathan. He even said "You're NOT welcome", but he did it. He made their breakfast and got them juice. So, I'm grateful that in God's love, even in the midst of my sickness He showed me that He holds Joseph's heart and is changing it. Although it seems slow to me, the progress is happening according to God's timing.
Day 2: "November 2: "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever." 1 Chronicles 16:34
His enduring love. A love that lasts through financial ruin, marriage trouble, years of obesity. His LOVE. This day I will celebrate His love that carried me through my breaking point and two years of journeying toward health and wholeness. I am 100 pounds lighter than on October 31, 2010 and for THAT I'm grateful. I'm grateful that I've learned to work hard, exercise, jog, and enjoy sweating. I'm grateful that I'm a size 14 and not a 28. I'm grateful that I prefer broccoli and salmon over fried chicken wings and smothered fries.
Day 3: "The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, and with my song I shall thank Him." Psalm 28:7
With my song....This day I celebrate music AND the ability/gift to create it. I am so glad to have the knowledge and talent to play the piano, flute and sing. I am still honing my craft and have plenty of room for improvement, but my abilities have provided MANY opportunities and I'm so happy to have had them. Music is a gift, it stirs the soul and evokes emotion. Some of my most precious memories involve music, for this I am grateful.
I will do my best to keep up with my daily blogging. Life around here is busy, but even that brings thankfulness. Although feisty and often precocious, my children make life interesting. Have a GREAT day everyone and be BLESSED as you create and receive THANKSGIVING!
BTW Lysa hasn't posted today's Scripture, so I'll be posting again later. Stay tuned.
Day 1: "But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in Your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for He has been good to me." Psalm 13:5-6
The Lord HAS been good to me. Words can't express my gratitude for my salvation and I've talked about it often, so to I don't want to minimalize it or make my gratitude sound too small. So today I will focus on His unfailing love and goodness to me. Having five kids is often challenging. The past few days during this illness have been extremely tough. What I'm grateful for specifically is that Joseph (against his wishes) fixed breakfast for James and Jonathan. He even said "You're NOT welcome", but he did it. He made their breakfast and got them juice. So, I'm grateful that in God's love, even in the midst of my sickness He showed me that He holds Joseph's heart and is changing it. Although it seems slow to me, the progress is happening according to God's timing.
Day 2: "November 2: "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever." 1 Chronicles 16:34
His enduring love. A love that lasts through financial ruin, marriage trouble, years of obesity. His LOVE. This day I will celebrate His love that carried me through my breaking point and two years of journeying toward health and wholeness. I am 100 pounds lighter than on October 31, 2010 and for THAT I'm grateful. I'm grateful that I've learned to work hard, exercise, jog, and enjoy sweating. I'm grateful that I'm a size 14 and not a 28. I'm grateful that I prefer broccoli and salmon over fried chicken wings and smothered fries.
Day 3: "The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, and with my song I shall thank Him." Psalm 28:7
With my song....This day I celebrate music AND the ability/gift to create it. I am so glad to have the knowledge and talent to play the piano, flute and sing. I am still honing my craft and have plenty of room for improvement, but my abilities have provided MANY opportunities and I'm so happy to have had them. Music is a gift, it stirs the soul and evokes emotion. Some of my most precious memories involve music, for this I am grateful.
I will do my best to keep up with my daily blogging. Life around here is busy, but even that brings thankfulness. Although feisty and often precocious, my children make life interesting. Have a GREAT day everyone and be BLESSED as you create and receive THANKSGIVING!
BTW Lysa hasn't posted today's Scripture, so I'll be posting again later. Stay tuned.
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