Being thankful | SermonIndex

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MaryJane Sep 3, 2012

A thought from this morning...This is how i know that i have let go and given God control of my life, surrendered my life into His Will for me: That i am THANKFUL in every difficult or challenging circumstance that i find myself in. The only time that i am not thankful to Him is if i am battling with Him over what is fair or what my desire is. Our lack of worship and gratitude in every circumstance shows that we have “a better idea” and have not surrendered, while our joy and thankfulness in every situation shows that we have let Him be God, and have put all into His hands for His guidance and His keeping. Let me say again the first thought for your prayer and meditation before Him: This is how i know that i have let go and given God control of my life, surrendered my life into His Will for me: That i am THANKFUL in every difficult or challenging circumstance that i find myself in. For His High Calling,P

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This devotional was a wonderful reminder for me today that I really needed to hear. I have been under a dark cloud for the past week. I have realized that there is still much work to be done in my life, much more that I need to die to. Its not always easy to be thankful in every situation but I realize that if my eyes are on HIM and not self then I am able to give thanks and really mean it in all things and all circumstance. When I allow self to have a single thought of how "unfair" things are then I have lost sight of my JESUS and I have not surrendered. No matter what comes in this life I can through CHRIST, by HIS strength be thankful because no matter how difficult or challenging things might be HE always goes through them with me. My walk with HIM is not dependent on me or my "feelings" its dependent on HIM. I am thankful for this lesson, I am thankful that even though I can be selfish, and stubborn GOD does not give up on me, HE keeps teaching, and showing me who I need to be in HIM, where I need to go and that above all I must be dependent on HIM to get me there.

God bless
maryjane

sermonindex Sep 4, 2012

HI Maryjane, your post reminded me of a poem I wrote a while back, I believe you commented on it :)

When I kiss the hand that wounds me
Then I soar to heavens heights
But when I fight that hand that fights me
I am consumed by darkest nights

My flesh cries out that I am weak
And encourages me to scorn
Its time to turn the other cheek
Its for victory I was born

I will praise my God despite my woes
And rise up and declare Him great
And put to flight my many foes
And stand at heavens gate

M

MaryJane Sep 4, 2012

Frank wrote:I will praise my God despite my woes
And rise up and declare Him great
And put to flight my many foes
And stand at heavens gate
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I am ashamed to say that over this past week I have really struggled with dark clouds hanging over me. I have found myself in tears often. I really feel like some how I lost my way this past week and I am frustrated at finding myself here again. How many times must I travel down this road before I realize that it does not lead to my BELOVED JESUS. How is it possible that the smallest thing has caused me to take my eyes off of HIM and then I am lost...Oh but thank you brother for sharing this here with me again. I may be slow to learn but am so very thankful to GOD for HIS mercy and patients with one such as I, so thankful that HE sends others in the family my way to share with me and help me find my way back home.

God bless
mj

sermonindex Sep 4, 2012

Our lack of worship and gratitude in every circumstance shows that we have “a better idea” and have not surrendered, while our joy and thankfulness in every situation shows that we have let Him be God

Amen sister, I find myself in these same places of having to re-surrender to our Father in heaven that always has the best in mind for us. To be thankful in all circumstances is very needful. I have so much to be thankful for.

sermonindex Sep 4, 2012

Sister, you are not alone in this. I too, this very week, have labored under dark clouds. The flesh exerts itself and makes the smallest things larger. There is such a struggle between the flesh and the spirit. Your tears are good and they are a sign of a moistened heart. God's faithfulness is above and beyond what we can understand or truly appreciate. The closest that we come in appreciating His faithfulness and unconditional love for us is in these very moments. Judgement is expected and down comes love. In our struggle we have already judged ourselves, its a broken and a contrite heart that the Lord loves.

This too is a post I posted earlier this year but I think it apt for all of us to ponder. God bless you sister and brother Greg for your openess and your willingness to share of your own weakness, for the Lord is lifted up and magnified in this because of His great love for His children despite themselevs.............bro Frank

The flesh is a brutal thing and it certainly wars against the Spirit. In many situations I have been shocked to discover the depth of my own flesh. It makes me realize and know for a certainty that without Him I would plunge into the abyss. Thank you today Jesus for your unwarranted favor upon my life, I know what I deserve, I know for a certainly what i deserve even now and yet you have redeemed me and even when I am not faithful, you are.

It is an agony to know what lies in me, this sin that remains in my corruptible flesh. I know what I am without you,I feel the agony of it when I fall. In my spirit I rip my shirt off and wait for the stripes, no, desire the stripes, cry out for them, but as I laid low and stretched out my arms, straining at the anticipation of the coming, desired stripes, I felt a hand on my back, looked up and saw you and you turned around, showed me your own back and said ……………

I know of what you lack
I took your stripes upon my back
Look and you will see
The stripes I took to set you free

When your world has turned to dust
You must look to the one you trust
When every part of you would hide
Open up and let me deep inside

For once I bid you come to me
Yet you ran and hid behind a tree
Your flesh it only ever fails
So I redeemed you with three bloody nails

And now old Adam bids you run
But your Lord says no, stop and turn
Turn around and you will see
I nailed your sin to a bloody tree

I loved you so, that I would die
All other voices simply lie
If you would look into my face
You’ll be enraptured by my grace

I know your state, I know your lack
It’s why your stripes are on my back
But turn around and you will see
The grace that came to set you free!

When I inevitably stumble
It keeps me low, it makes me humble
I long for the day, when sin’s no more
And He bids me come on through the door

When every tear from every eye
Is wiped away and flesh does die
And incorruptible reigns alone
And sits upon its glorious throne