Obtaining Mercy

November 13, 2010

Today I am Thankful…

…for Family.

 

I look back with some regret on hours that I spent with friends who are already gone from my life when I could have spent that time with family.

I know that God had a purpose for those hours…I learned many things that I needed to know about God, about life, about people…and about myself.

However, I feel that from now on, whenever possible, I want to be with family. 

They are a wonderful gift from my Heavenly Father, and I have much to learn from them.

I could not ask for a better family.

November 13, 2010

Today I am Thankful…

…for Family.

 

I look back with some regret on hours that I spent with friends who are already gone from my life when I could have spent that time with family.

I know that God had a purpose for those hours…I learned many things that I needed to know about God, about life, about people…and about myself.

However, I feel that from now on, whenever possible, I want to be with family. 

They are a wonderful gift from my Heavenly Father, and I have much to learn from them.

I could not ask for a better family.

November 12, 2010

Today I am Thankful…

…that God uses me.

 

I really can't even begin to explain this blessing of mine! 

You see, I know me. 

I mean…I r-e-a-l-l-y know ME! 

I would not chose to put myself into a place of ministry.  There are just so many ways that I can hinder the work of Christ.  I know that about myself.

 

Yet, God still chooses to allow me to minister to others:

He pulls this old, imperfect vessel from His cupboard, fills me with His Spirit, places me on the table and then pours Himself through me to those who are gathered around Him.

Isn't that amazing?

 

So, yeah, I can't explain that.  I do, however, want to faithful, obedient and available for Him to do His work through me.  It brings such incredible blessing to me.  It fills my heart with happiness and reminds me that although I am unworthy, He can do great things with my life.

Sometimes, ministering is a heavy burden.  It can bend us in ways unfathomable to our finite, emotional minds.  It can bring us to the end of ourselves at the worst possible times.  It shows our every flaw in crystal-clear focus.

That's when we yield ourselves anew to the Master's touch, and allow Him to work His will through our imperfect vessel.

Only eternity will reveal all that He is doing in me.  Until then, I want to remain surrendered to His will and enthusiastic about the work that He has for me each day.

 

 

 

November 12, 2010

Today I am Thankful…

…that God uses me.

 

I really can't even begin to explain this blessing of mine! 

You see, I know me. 

I mean…I r-e-a-l-l-y know ME! 

I would not chose to put myself into a place of ministry.  There are just so many ways that I can hinder the work of Christ.  I know that about myself.

 

Yet, God still chooses to allow me to minister to others:

He pulls this old, imperfect vessel from His cupboard, fills me with His Spirit, places me on the table and then pours Himself through me to those who are gathered around Him.

Isn't that amazing?

 

So, yeah, I can't explain that.  I do, however, want to faithful, obedient and available for Him to do His work through me.  It brings such incredible blessing to me.  It fills my heart with happiness and reminds me that although I am unworthy, He can do great things with my life.

Sometimes, ministering is a heavy burden.  It can bend us in ways unfathomable to our finite, emotional minds.  It can bring us to the end of ourselves at the worst possible times.  It shows our every flaw in crystal-clear focus.

That's when we yield ourselves anew to the Master's touch, and allow Him to work His will through our imperfect vessel.

Only eternity will reveal all that He is doing in me.  Until then, I want to remain surrendered to His will and enthusiastic about the work that He has for me each day.

 

 

 

November 11, 2010

Today I am Thankful…

…for the men and women who have faithfully served in our military.

 

Thank you for your sacrifice of service to keep our nation free.

I am extremely grateful.

Americe is the Home of the Free BECAUSE of the Brave!

November 10, 2010

Today I am Thankful…

…for Hope.

 

I found that I never really thought much about Hope until the day I realized that I had lost it.

(That realization led me on a journey of discovery about Hope that is continuing still today.)

The following definition from Webster's 1828 dictionary was so thorough that I wanted to share it:

 

HOPE, n. A desire of some good, accompanied with at least a slight expectation of obtaining it, or a belief that it is obtainable.

Hope differs from wish and desire in this, that it implies some expectation of obtaining the good desired, or the possibility of possessing it.

Hope therefore always gives pleasure or joy; whereas wish and desire may produce or be accompanied with pain and anxiety.

 

Considering this definition, then, the following verses are very appropriate and make much sense:

 

Psalm 38:15 "For in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God."

Psalm 42:5 "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance."

 

For us to have that expectation of obtaining good, the only safe place to put our hope is in the Lord.