Can You Be Thankful Right Smack In The Thick of It?

 

Today I'm thankful for some quiet time to just sit in my car before work and watch birds gathering food from the leftover fruit hanging on changing trees. A reminder...they are still provided for in bare seasons.

My life always has changing seasons...I need to remember that there's always fruit in change. It may not seem like it during the process, but it comes. In the midst of it I'm reminded of one of my favorite Scriptures:
 
"Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your HEAVENLY FATHER FEEDS THEM. ARE YOU NOT OF MORE VALUE THAN THEY? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?"~Matthew 6:26-27.

I keep my mind, thoughts and focus on Jesus instead of issues, struggles or problems. He loves me and He is for me. What an awesome reminder today! 

Jump on today's THANKFUL TRAIN...tell me what you have to be thankful for? It doesn't have to be big, just something to remind yourself that you ARE blessed no matter what's going on at the moment:)

STAY THE COURSE!

I’ve received so many miracles, one right after another. Faithful. Lord, You are Mighty to save. In whom can I put my trust but You alone.

“The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; “He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

The mountains and hills pass away but Your Love is Eternal.

“For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, But My kindness shall not depart from you, Nor shall My covenant of peace be removed, Says the Lord, who has mercy on you.” Isaiah 54:10

You are with me always. When I lie down, there You are. When I awake, there You are. When trouble comes, there You are. Your Mighty arm saves me and lifts me up.

“ teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. And lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” Amen.” Matthew 28:20

No greater Love has thee than to lay down Your life for Me. Who am I that You should be mindful of me? That You should answer my call Mightily. That You would carry me safely through this earthly journey. No greater Love has ever been found. Jesus, my Lord, Savior, Deliverer. Jesus. Who gave His life for mine. No greater love.

“No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.” John 10:18

 ^“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

 ^“By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”   1 John 3:16

I sit in awestruck wonder at the mention of Your Name. Cancer-healed. Death-restored life. Accident-protected. Drowning-saved. You Lord are a God of Miracles. A God of Love. A God of the Impossible. A God of Trust. A God of unending Faith. My True Deliverer. Your Glory Abounds. You leave me speechless. I fall to my knees in awestruck wonder; to know that I’m never alone. Thank you Lord! You deliver the lost and broken back to peace and trust; carefully guiding...Your perfect timing. Healing the addicted; saving your children from the grasp of the enemy. Whom or what shall I fear? My Lord, my God, my Jesus is near to me always.

“And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.” John 21:25

Let the enemy tremble at the mention of Your name…JESUS. The enemy has been defeated. He has no more power over those who call on Your Holy and Mighty name…JESUS. Tremble oh you demons. My God is with me, destruction is yours. Jesus has Risen. He is Lord over all. He sits at the right hand of God interceding. Saving. Loving. Holding. Guiding. 

“Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. ³⁴ Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.” Romans 8:33-34  

My Savior is my strong tower; an impenetrable fortress. The ground may shake, the oceans may rise, but I am safe in His Arms. Resistance may come, but my prayers rise up as love notes to the Lord. He turns His ear attentively to my cry. He rejoices in my trust in HIM. He extends His Loving arms, engulfing my emptiness; strengthening my heart.

“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

“I am with you always. Even to the end. I am working all things out for My Good and Perfect Will. Call on My Name. Seek Me often. Stand and behold, I Am with you always. You are My Beloved child. I have many plans for you. Call on Me often. Do not shrink back. Through the trials, as iron sharpens iron, you are being strengthened in my love. You are being shown in Whom you can place your trust. Call on Me often. I Love you. You are Mine and are being restored for just such a time a this. Do not get distracted. Stay the course. WRITE. I Speak Words to you, share your stories. Let people know of MY Goodness and Faithfulness. You are never alone. Don’t shrink back my child. Stay the course. The straight and narrow path I’ve laid before you. Walk boldly forward and you will witness My Mighty Hand removing ALL OBSTACLES. FEED MY SHEEP. Share My Love. Jesus is your Savior. The battle is won. I have told you the end of the story. You know what will take place. Walk securely in this knowledge. I Am the Victory. I Am the Way, the Truth and the Light. Walk with Me. Stay close to Me. This battle is not yours but MINE. It is finished. Death is conquered. Jesus has Won. He is Risen. Walk in Victory daily. Stand and behold the workings of My Hand. Love conquers all!
 "But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm." Matthew 8:26

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6
 "Jesus said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." Matthew 22:37

Can You Do More?

With the recent passing of a girl that had come into my life for a short period of time, I found myself asking, "Can I do more?" By worldly standards she had everything, she was beautiful, perfect figure, large gorgeous home in Huntington Beach, CA, a loving husband and children. Not to mention she was a stay at home mom, enabling her to be with her kids and spend time doing the things she loved like volunteering her time and walking along the beach.

I'll admit, when I first met her I was a bit envious. She had it "ALL," along with an incredible, outgoing personality and infectious smile that immediately drew me in. But now, in hindsight, "Did she really have it all?

On a seemingly normal day...beautiful, vibrant, full of life, Annette passed away unexpectadly. No one could have foreseen it. It was a terrible tragedy. A life stopped short at the age of 40. Now I ask myself, "Could I have done more?" My answer...a resounding, "YES!" You see, I don't know if she knew Jesus Christ. I'm not sure because I didn't take the time to talk to her more. I didn't take the time to pray for her to allow Christ to fill her with His peace, comfort and love. I was too wrapped up in my everyday life to even think about it. In my quiet time with the Lord each morning I need to remember to make time for the people the Lord's put into my life. He's placed them there for a reason...it's ALWAYS about the people. We all need to remember that we, who have the love of Jesus Christ in us, have the most valuable treasure that can ever be shared with someone. The gift of eternal life with Him. As I reflect on all Annette had, I don't know if she was missing the greatest treasure of all, a Savior, Jesus Christ. 

So today and everyday henceforth, I'm determined to pray for those who cross my path and those who are in my life, to find Jesus Christ. I will show unconditional love to all I come into contact with allowing the Lord to work in me and through me. I want people to see and know the life restoring gift that can be theirs. I'm not talking about being annoying, judgmental or pushy, but through love and prayer. Allowing them to see Christ's nature in me and then praying for the Lord to open the doors to share what He's done in my life; how He restored a lost, broken, hurt, beaten down, hopeless woman who needed His forgiveness and love.

Can I pray for the people in my life who are struggling, hurting, filled with anxiety and no hope? Can I pray for those who have hurt or disappointed me? Can I pray for those who seem to have the perfect life but may be missing the key ingredient to make them complete? Each and everyone of us need to step it up this New Year. You have a chance to fulfill the Lord's purpose for you. Don't waste another moment...no one is promised tomorrow. Remember...IT'S ALWAYS ABOUT THE PEOPLE! Go share the treasure of Jesus Christ through prayer and unconditional love today!

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

"Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us." Hebrews 9:12

"How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance." Hebrews 9:14-15