THANKFUL THURSDAY...courage

It is hard to believe that we are closing out yet another month ofTHANKFUL THURSDAY. As always, it is a joy and honor to be your host. Be sure to link up next week over at my friend, Iris for TT.

I want to close out the month by encouraging you to have great courage and keep doing what God has called you to do. This past week, I have encountered many people who feel discouraged, weary and burnt out. Ministry is hard work. In fact, the other day I read a most incredible statement by a pastor friend…

 

"To serve successfully, you must love like God, serve like Martha, and have skin like a rhino."

 

As a lay person and now a full time pastors wife, I can say AMEN and AMEN to that statement. Ministry can be draining but yet so fullfilling at the same time!

“Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.” –Psalms 31:4

Life is full of risks. In fact, just getting up and getting behind the wheel of a car is a tremendous risk. But taking risks as believers is necessary sometimes. Often times, we avoid opportunities that God makes available to us because we fear that things won’t go the way we had hoped. Or we are fearful of failing. But God wants us to go forth boldly, sometimes taking a risk or two, so that we can accomplish great things for Him!

Today I am giving God praise for the courage that He has placed within each of us. May we all go out with boldness and do all that we can for Him. Please do not become weary of doing things for the Kingdom of God. No doubt, serving in ministry takes great boldness and courage.

Now that you have the boldness and courage that you need…what will you do with it?

THANKFUL THURSDAY...a listening ear

I have been praying about a particular situation in our family and to be honest with you, it was much bigger than me or my husband. We were dependent upon God to hear our cry and perform a miracle.

We received a negative report from the doctor, but once we gave it to God, peace just surrounded us. Somehow, I knew that God had heard our cry.

He listens. He really does.

Not all of us listen. Face it, we live in a loud world. In fact, just try to get someones attention - not easy. But when we speak - God listens. Our voice matters in heaven, He takes every petition and request seriously. He does not take our prayer need lightly, He doesn't say "I'll pray about it" and then forget it. He is standing in on our behalf at the throne.

I once heard an Evangelist say, "Our prayers is what activates God's power in heaven." He doesn't need our prayers, but He desires them. Many blessings begin with a prayer.

Matthew 6:10 "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

This week, as I host THANKFUL THURSDAY, I would like to give praise and gratitude to a loving God Who hears our cry. He not only cares about us but He LISTENS to us. THANK YOU GOD!

What has God done for you this week? Share your TT post with us by linking up below. Thank you for sharing your grateful heart with us today.

DAILY DEVOTION... God has questions too!

If we could, all of us would have a long list of questions we would love to ask God.

"Why is the sky blue?"
"Why do we get sick?"
"Why does it always rain on Monday?"

We all wonder about things. And that is ok...God made us with inquiry minds. He is very patient with all of our uncertainties, especially about Him. But whenever we question God, let's remember what He spoke to Job in his moment of uncertainties...

Job 40:6-7 "Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm: 'Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me.' "

We aren't the only ones with questions. I wonder what inquiries God would have of us?

"What if I couldn't bless you today because you forgot to thank Me yesterday?"

"What if you never saw another flower bloom because you grumble when I send rain?"

"What if I don't hear you today because you do not listen to Me?"


? for today...If God questioned you today, would you be able to answer?


 That, my friend, is a loaded question. Be ready, the day is coming that He will demand an answer!
 

THANKFUL THURSDAY...Freedom and Faith

As I think about this weeks THANKFUL THURSDAY, I would be greatly amiss if I did not reflect on what this week in history represents.

FREEDOM and FAITH.

September 11, 2001 marks in history how America changed, forever. Until this date, we only read of such attacks in other countries. For us here in the US, we never really lived such fear, such terror. It was the day that a foreign enemy entered our homeland and attacked from within, shattering the confidence of many residents and destroying the lives of countless people.

I, like you, will always remember where I was and what I was doing when I heard of the twin towers being attacked. Honestly, as I drove down the highway and heard the report over the radio, I literally had to pull over to listen more intently. I was in complete shock of what I was hearing.

After shock, I felt fear. My mind racing to remember the phone number to my children's school. Even though terror hit miles and miles away, I had to be reassured that my babies were safe.

Safe? Would we ever be able to feel safe again in our country? After all, there had been a breach in security. Who would have thought that an opposing country would even consider coming against such a great country. But they did. And they caught us off guard.

So many lives lost that day. Such a tragedy. I often think of those families. But I also think about the men who were involved. These men did not consider themselves terrorists, sadly, they were simply following their god and standing firm in what they considered their belief.

Although their act is heinous, one cannot help but consider their commitment. They were willing to die for their faith, even though radically wrong. It seemed like the enemy had won that day, but I do not believe the enemy can win the war.

I would like to challenge each of you to always remember the sacrifice. Not only the sacrifice of those who gave their lives that day, but I would also like to challenge you to remember the sacrifice that these terrorists were willing to give ... they gave their lives for a cause that they firmly believed in.

Makes me wonder...would we give our lives for what we believe in?

I know that Jesus gave His life for what and who He believed in. Now that is a sacrifice none of us can ever forget.

Today, I give God my utmost thanks for His sacrifice, and I give the men, women and children who lost their lives at the hand of evil on 9/11 my utmost remembrance and praise.

 

Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

May we always hold onto what we believe and be willing to stand upon our faith, no matter the cost.

What are you thankful for today? Please join your grateful heart with ours by linking up below.

THANKFUL THURSDAY...can't say it enough!

Hello Friends.

It is that time again...THANKFUL THURSDAY! I am honored and blessed to be hosting this month. I can't remember how long it has been since I have been hosting this great meme with Iris, but I know it has been several years.

I was thinking this morning about all of the great TT posts over the years and it struck me that no matter how much time has passed, we never run out of things to give God thanks for.

I dont know about you, but my heart is so full of appreciation to a great God who bestows such wonderful blessings upon His children. I know as a Mom, I want nothing but the best for my kids. And when my children show appreciation for the things that I do for them, it causes me to want to do even MORE for them.

God wants to hear our appreciation as well.

"Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that openly profess his name." -Hebrews 13:15

What are you praising God for today? Please join us by sharing your grateful heart today by linking up below. Thank you for being a part of THANKFUL THURSDAY!