Psalm 100:4 “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.”

As Thanksgiving Day approaches, let’s bow our heads in gratitude. Let’s take time out to contemplate all we truly have in which to be grateful.

As believers in Christ, we have so much. There’s absolutely nothing this world can provide that can top or satisfy as that which God has already provided.

God wants His children to always have a heart of gratitude… to forever be mindful of all we have because of all He so lovingly gave.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 reminds of this truth: “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

Psalm 106:1 says, “Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.”

In our imperfect nature, it is easy to give thanks when everything is sailing along and going smoothly, but it takes much more effort when things aren’t going as planned.

This life, this world in which we’re living, has no shortage of problems. Anyone paying attention can see that sin is running rampant, and love is waxing cold in many. This world has become a very strange, crazy and dark place in many ways. Those keeping an eye on things all seem in agreement… we seem to be quickly approaching the end of the age of grace. And as we do, we can expect more of the same from the world as we await the arrival of our wonderful King and Savior.

However we find our world or our circumstances, we are called as Christians to continually trust and be ever thankful.

I admit I struggle with being thankful 24/7. Perhaps others out there do too. Some days I’m excited and feel hopeful. Some days I feel especially blessed and thankful. On other days I take my eyes off Jesus and look around and become stressed and a little panicked at all I’m seeing. I find myself complaining instead of counting my blessings. I suddenly forget how blessed I truly am when I allow the fog of frustration, fear, or complaining to take root.

It is during these times when I’m not focused on what I need to be focused that I have to stop and remind myself of this truth:

I have so much to be thankful for. I am in the best hands possible. God loves me and promises to watch over me, provide for me, help me and walk beside me. He promises He will never leave me or forsake me. My life is precious to Him.

Even more importantly, He is King of Kings… Lord of all! There is nothing that is outside his control… nothing. He has proven himself trustworthy and is deserving of my gratitude and praise.

When I respond to life and all I see from the right perspective… focused on Him, I suddenly begin to remember… the blessings begin to flood my mind and memory, and I realize my frustrations and lack of thankfulness have once again clouded my view. I really hate to admit it, but this has been a pattern in my life.

I want to live out Ephesians 5:20 every day, which says, “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

I want to put Colossians 3:17 to daily action: “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”

It is definitely a work in progress (I am a work in progress), but with God’s help, I can improve; I can do better. Apart from Him, I can do nothing, but with Him, nothing is impossible.

When I decide to put my life in God’s trustworthy, capable hands, I can rest in His love and care. I can have peace that passes understanding and joy if I keep my focus centered on Him.

Through various lessons in my life, I’ve realized trust and thankfulness are key in maintaining joy. Trusting in Christ and being thankful always helps bring calm and sets my heart, mind, and steps on the right path.

When we really stop and focus… when we turn our eyes toward Christ, we are quickly reminded how much we have in which to be thankful.

As Christians, we can look to the cross and remember all Christ did so we could be saved from a life apart from our Creator. Christ provided the sacrifice, which affords us everything we don’t deserve, but everything God wanted to give. As Christians, we know wholeheartedly that…

Because we are His, we have assurance of provision.

Because we are His, we never walk alone.

Because we are His, we can experience joy in the midst of sorrow.

Because we are His, we can trust the plan He has for our lives.

Because we are His, we know He will work out everything for our good and His glory.

Because we are His, we are saved by grace through faith and have been rescued.

Because we are His, we are promised a bright and beautiful eternity.

Because we are His, we have everything because He gave everything.

I could go on, but you get the picture.

The reality is, no matter how dim the world may become, no matter what’s going on from a personal level, God is bigger. He is trustworthy, He is perfect, His ways are always perfect, and He is worthy of our consistent adoration, praise and thanks.

It’s been said, “There is always something to be thankful for.”

Yes… there is always something to be thankful for.

As Christians, a heart of thanks is not beyond our reach. We have an endless list of blessings in which to be grateful. And we owe it all to our heavenly Father.

Happy Thanksgiving!

spate.holly@gmail.com

 

 

 

To all who may be reading this, I have two words for you:

Be Encouraged.

No matter what your circumstances… be encouraged.
No matter what you hear in the news… be encouraged.
No matter what your past… be encouraged.
No matter what the world looks like… be encouraged.
No matter what you feel… be encouraged.

How, when we are living in days that seem to be growing darker and crazier, can we lift our heads and be encouraged? How can we possibly stay positive and keep it together when the world is becoming more negative and falling apart? How can we be hopeful in such an existence?

If you are a believer in Christ, you know the answer to these questions. We can be positive in the midst of crisis, hopeful when things appear dark, and joyful through uncertainty, only and all because of Jesus.

Our trust, our very hope, is in Jesus. John 15:5 reminds us: “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”

This verse conveys so much truth. We are simply lost without Him. We have no true direction, hope, peace or joy without Him. Without Him, the world looks very hopeless and bleak indeed.

But, with Him we have true direction, we have hope, we have peace, we have joy. Most importantly, we are rescued, and we are saved. And with that comes a bright eternity… all because of Him!

I honestly don’t know how a person can go through this life apart from the Savior.

Yes, people can make strides, learn coping techniques, try to maintain a consistently positive outlook and attitude, but apart from Christ, it eventually all falls apart. Like the previous verse conveyed, apart from Him, we can do nothing.

The created has a Creator… God Almighty. He is omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent. He is the author of life. He knows our beginning from our ending and every second in between. He is Abba, Father. We, His creation, were made to fellowship with Him. He desires a personal and close relationship with each of us.

Imagine: the Creator of all wants a personal and close relationship with YOU. Now, that’s definitely something to be encouraged about!

And, the reality is, we need Him. Actually, we desperately need Him.

He is the giver of life… our source of life. We can’t even take a breath unless He allows it.

We need His presence in our lives. We need His gift of salvation… a gift only He can give. We need His peace, joy, guidance, help, hope, promises, wisdom, forgiveness, and love.

I’m so thankful we don’t have to maneuver through this life on our own… aren’t you?

I’m so thankful we have our heavenly Father who is faithful and true to rely on… aren’t you?

I’m so appreciative that He loves and desires a close relationship. And I’m so incredibly happy that He provided rescue and redemption for all… aren’t you?

So, let this be an encouragement to you. If you are a believer, rejoice as you are loved and looked after. You do not walk alone in this life… you have a Father, the most incredible Father, walking beside you. A Father who has promised to never leave you or forsake you.

You have been lovingly designed and formed with incredible thought and detail. He knows your thoughts, your personality, your strengths, your struggles. He is aware of your needs, your heart’s desires, and your dreams. He knows more about you than you know about yourself.

He has specifically placed you in this life, on this earth, at this time. You will be fine because you are His.

You can look at the world around you, knowing in complete confidence that your Father is in complete control of the world He created. There is absolutely nothing that He doesn’t see or know… nothing. There is absolutely nothing that He can’t do… nothing!

This knowledge should bring comfort to your soul and peace to your heart every day of your life.

I love the beautiful verse found in Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

We can only truly live out this verse in our daily lives because of our connection to our heavenly Father. We can only truly live out that verse because of who God is.

Everything that God does is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, praiseworthy… everything!

I hope Philippians 4:8 will sink deep into your heart. I pray it resonates with you and reminds you that as you journey day to day, you can journey joyfully with peace in your heart because you journey with Him.

If you are reading this and have not asked Jesus to be the Lord and Savior of your life, do it today. I promise, it will be the greatest and most life-changing decision you will ever make… ever! Simply repent of your sins and accept His gift of salvation. Jesus loves you so much and wants you to rely on Him and accept Him into your heart so you can forever be with Him for all eternity.

Romans 10:9-10 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

No matter what life may bring, you can be encouraged that God is with you. You can trust Him in all things, at all times… always.

And as you go about your life, your encouragement will grow stronger when you take the time to spend time with Him. Start by making a grateful list, then spend time praising, praying, fasting, worshiping, and reading the Bible. Share the hope you have with others.

Encourage your heart and refresh your spirit. Take time to unplug from technologies, social media, etc., and plug into God instead. Grow close to Him and watch your encouragement grow.

James 4:8 speaks to this: “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.”

That’s good news, isn’t it?

As part of your encouragement call, I wanted to leave you with a couple of articles from the past. I pray they will be a source of comfort to you as you remember all you have because of all He gave and continually gives.

Never forget- He is the vine; you are the branch.

Be Encouraged!

Letter of Encouragement to All Believers

Heaven Bound

spate.holly@gmail.com