THANKFUL THURSDAY...forgiveness and mercy

I remember watching Sesame Street with my children when they were young. Often, they sang a song on the TV show that went something like this...

"One of these things is not like the others, one of these things doesn't belong." "Cake - Pie - Pudding - Motor Oil"

It was always fun to watch my kids pick out what they thought did not belong. If we as Christians could play that game, it might sound something like this:

"Mercy - Kindness - Compassion - Unforgiveness" "One of these things is not like the others, one of these things doesn't belong."

It is difficult to forgive others without mercy. Today, what I am giving God thanks for is His forgiveness and His mercy. And praying that I could have such mercy towards others.

"Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven." Luke 6:36-37

PRAYER: Dear Lord, give me the ability to forgive others. Even when others hurt me or do me wrong, may I extend mercy to them just as You have extended to me. May Your love shine not only upon me but thru me. AMEN.

I am so blessed to have been your host for THANKFUL THURSDAY this month, next month you can find us over at Iris's place. Won't you join your grateful heart with ours today?

THANKFUL THURSDAY...Cleaning up the dust!

Dust mites love dead skin and some of the best places they feast on are pillows, bed covers, and blankets. This is not meant to freak you out, (but it may have). It is more to share the spiritual analogy between “dust” and “sleepy Christianity”.

Isaiah 52 says, “Awake, awake! Shake yourself from the dust, arise!”

I suppose we could say that sometimes we become sleepy Christians or dusty ones.

For the past 11 years I have operated a cleaning service business and one thing that I attack is DUST!  One thing that I have come to learn about dust is this.... it only comes from one thing - neglect! If we neglect our daily/weekly cleaning routine,  a build up of dust is inevitable.

As Christians, we must not neglect our clean up routine, otherwise our neglect will result in...

  * A dusty Bible, A dusty Prayer Closet and dusty, nasty Attitudes.

I am so thankful for the power of God's cleansing pledge, the cleaning power that wipes away every particle of unwanted dust in our hearts and minds. So friends, lets get on board with Isaiah and ARISE!

Today is THANKFUL THURSDAY and I am glad for Gods cleansing power! How about you? What are you grateful for today?

But He knows...

As I read 1 Peter 1:7, I see that trials are only tests of our faith…

In Job, Job records his search for God…

“I go east, but He is not there. I go west, but I cannot find Him. I do not see Him in the north, for He is hidden. I turn to the south, but I cannot find Him.” (Job 23:8,9)

It may have seemed to Job that God had abandoned him. All of his efforts to find God’s presence in his turmoil led to nothing. Well, until we come to verse 10, which says,

“But He knows…”

Job acknowledges that God does know his state, and if God knows, then He MUST be near!

“But He knows where I am going, and when He has tested me like gold in a fire, He will pronounce me innocent.” (Job 23:10-12)

Hardly seems like words of anxiety or fear. In fact, Job expresses from his heart that he has an assurance of God’s faithfulness even despite of his trouble.

The question I would like to leave with you tonight is “Has God ever failed you before?”

I know. He has never failed me either. So, why would He fail us now? His faithfulness of the past is also the peace of our present and future.

 

Make me a sincere Christian!

Genesis 17:1 "And when Abram was ninety years and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram and said unto him, 'I am the Almighty God; walk before Me, and be thou perfect.' "

PERFECT?

What does God really mean when He tells us to be perfect?
The word “perfect” actually has the meaning of “sincerity.” To be sincere, not to be masked or to present yourself as something you are not. In ancient times, when someone would go to the potter’s house to buy a clay vessel, they would choose a beautiful vessel that met their needs and they would set it in the sun for a short period of time. The sun would soon reveal any cracks the potter may have repaired revealing an “insincere” vessel. It appeared to be one thing but all the while it was a damaged vessel.

God wants us to be sincere! To be absolutely honest before Him. If there is a “crack” in our lives, He wants to be the Master Potter and repair it! No other repair job will do. No other potter’s hands can do the work of the Master Potter.

The question is today, do you want to be whole and complete?

The Master Potter wants to mold us, make us and fill in any damaged holes. He is looking for some pure, blameless and complete vessels. May we all be perfect before Him. Sincere in all that we do, think, say and believe.

My prayer is that I could be a SINCERE Christian! How about you?

THANKFUL THURSDAY...one day at a time!

Well, here I am, embarking on the one weekend that nine months ago I was dreading. My baby girl is graduating on Friday night from High School and my son is graduating from college Saturday morning. Two life changing, thrilling, exciting, and bittersweet memories, all wrapped up in less than 24 hours of each other.

This weekend begins my empty nest. All my babies are now completely grown up, making their own decisions and flying, the best they know how to.

I thought that I would be really sad about this turn in my life, but strangely enough, I have a peace in my spirit and in my heart. Sadness is replaced with a joy of the time that I have been blessed with four great kids who now are making their own mark in their world. This momma is so proud and blessed.

I know that as both Anna ventures off to college and Jeremy ventures off into the work world, both of them, along with our two other grown children will make a difference wherever they go, whatever they do. For they have the Lord on their side. Placing each decision, each step and each adventure in Gods hands. I can't think of any other possible wish a momma could wish for.

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

For me, as the house becomes silent, and the all I have is memories of days gone by, I will take one day at a time, remembering all that was and looking ahead for all that will become.

Aren't you thankful for the memories that God has given you? I am. Today is THANKFUL THURSDAY and I am glad that you have joined us.

Does your heart need alittle rest?

What causes you unrest and anxiety?

Outward circumstances? The unknown and unproven? Regrets and apprehensions? Is it because you trust in your own abilities, your own experiences, and your own resources?

Whenever we think it is all up to us, stress rises, our adrenaline surges, and our blood begins to boil. Sometimes we lose the ability to reason. We get confused. We envision... all the problems that could possibly occur.

But, when we trust in God, in His Word–we do not lean on our own understanding; instead we rely and depend on God. When we rely on Him and His proven promises, He will still our heart and calm our spirit; He will give wisdom and discernment to our minds.

When that happens, our bodies relax, and our heartbeat slows. He creates such a state of refuge that we cannot grasp or describe it with human words. Even now, my words seem inadequate to even describe the calming peace that comes from God and His Hand. However, you know it when you have it!

Peace. You will recognize it just as you recognize God. God’s peace releases an inner confidence that will set your faith in place.

Such power will calm the turmoil of an anxious heart. PEACE…it is as certain as when Jesus calmed the raging seas for the terrified disciples.

Jesus will do the same for us. “Peace I leave you…”

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29

Isn’t it time you give your heart some rest?

THANKFUL THURSDAY...a tribute to all Mothers

Today on THANKFUL THURSDAY, I have to take time out to say a HUGE thank you to all of you Mothers out there. What a joyful, but yet stressful job at times. But worth every sweat, every tear, and every giggle.

The first Mother’s Day was celebrated in West Virginia in 1912. Mothers were to be recognized as an important part of our culture and lives. The heart of a mother is like a rare jewel. They love their children during the worst and best of times.

Yet, all mothers are not the same. In a women's conference, I heard Author and speaker Patsy Clairmont say,

“Normal is just a setting on your clothes dryer.”

 So true. We are all different. She shared that as women we may “struggle, fail, start over, and celebrate.” But we are mothers who can love unlike any other person.

God created families and He gave mothers a very unique place. We can love, we give of ourselves, we cook, clean, wash clothes, put Band-Aids on scrapes … we are often the first one up in the morning and the last one to bed at night. We juggle a lot of things including raising children, working jobs, managing a home, and sometimes (rarely)  finding time for ourselves.

Each day is a new beginning. We have a destiny, purpose, and the power to do and be all that we are called to be. Nothing can stop us except ourselves. If you are a mother, be encouraged to know that no matter what stage of life you are in, that God loves you and in Him is where you find your strength.

If I had to pick a scripture that best describes mothers, it would be Philippians 2:1-4:

“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."
 

All of us ladies are really mothers, you know, no matter if you bore your own child or not, we are ALL called to nurture, love and mentor, especially the children. Who can you impact today with the love of Christ? May we all do what this passage says and love others with such a motherly tenderness and compassion.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

We are so happy you joined us for THANKFUL THURSDAY today, please link your heart with ours by linking your post up below.