Nov. 1, 2020

Psalm 100:4b...Be thankful unto Him and bless His name.

 Psalm 119:129 KJV...Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them. 130...The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

We have witnessed the start of a new month, normally that may not a big deal but to me it is huge. There have been over 200,000 people who did not make it as far as I and my family have so I am thankful that God has favored me to still be among the land of the living. 

I am Thankful that God has given us His Word to teach us, lead us and assure us of our future. My life could have been over more times than I can remember but He reminded me of those in The Bible that dared to trust Him were the one's we  learn the greatest lessons from. 

Some may ask why, after all...they are just stories. One of the most amazing things about His Word, the study of it and belief in it has in our lives is the realization of it's truths. By faith, believing and then seeing those truth's being manifested in our lives leaves me speechless...So I will just say...Lord You are AMAZING.

Genesis chapter 12:1-4 is the introduction of Abram, a man who heard the voice of God telling him to do something...and he did just what God asked him to do even though it had to have been one of the craziest things ever. (KJV) Leave your familiarity i.e. location and family relationships and go to a land I will show you. And Abram did exactly what God asked him to do.

Because of his total obedience, God made a covenant or promise with him...I will make of thee a great nation...and I will bless thee...and make thy name great and thou shalt be a blessing. And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curseth thee and in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed. So Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran. 

If you are not familiar with this story, it describes how God methodically laid out a covenant to this old man who had no children or seed as it is called and though he had no children...you and I are still living under that covenant God made to Abram today. 

So I am thankful for The Bible telling me about this man, the covenant God made with him and the blessings you and I enjoy because of his faith to believe in God's Word. It taught me that there is a God that actually talks to people and is so powerful that unlike you and I whose promise or covenant with someone could be over if they make us mad...God's is eternal and His covenant is for us and our generations...because of Abram. 

The Old Testament character Abram is so important to the Bible and its truths he is called "the father of the faithful" and is mentioned in the Biblical Hall of Fame in Hebrews chapter 12. Because of Abram, my faith in God started to become real in my life. I learned absolute obedience and faith in God brings blessings not to just me but member's of my family and those in my sphere of influence...just like Abram.

I am Thankful most of all for Jesus. When my life was a mess, I asked Him to save me, change me so I would know why my life had been spared and walk in the purpose He had for me. John3:16...For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have ever lasting life. 

The Jesus of the Bible is real, he had proven that to me one night when feeling hopeless, crying out to Him to help me...I felt arms around me and a peace I never knew before. I struggled at first to keep my promise to Him but He never, ever left me alone. It is because of Him I live a life full of daily excitement and I would not have it any other way. 

I am thankful that He promised that though He would be going back to the Father after His death on the cross, He would not leave us comfortless. The Holy Spirit would be with us to lead us daily and He does. He is the one who tells us to witness to someone and simply tell them The Holy Spirit said for me to tell you whatever it is. He will tell you don't go that way, take this route. He gives you books to write even though you know nothing about being an author. What to do with your money, everything you and I need every day.  

The Holy Spirit is the one who gives me what to share with you. Because of Him in my life, I have assurances. He walks with me, talks with me and comforts me thru my daily life. Thank You Father, Thank You Jesus and Thank You Holy Spirit... 

In this season of Thanksgiving, spend time in God's Word to refocus your vision, thought and speech. Put the "Yes" in your Spirit so He can use you...your life will never be the same.  

From my family to your's Happy Thanksgiving.