A Different Kind of Thanksgiving List
~ by Jane Coley
 

I’m thankful to know affliction... for without it, my spirit would not strive for more.

~ "It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes."
Psalm 119:71

 

I’m thankful to know sorrow... for without it, my heart would not know the depth of joy.

~ "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy."
Psalm 126:5

 

I’m thankful to know the disappointments of friendships... for without it, I would miss the value of a true friend.

~ "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend."
Proverbs 27:17

 

I’m thankful to know financial struggles... for without it, I would waste so much.

~ "Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? Or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain."
Proverbs 30:8, 9

    

I’m thankful to know physical pain... for without it, my attention would not be drawn to the suffering of others.

~ "Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God."
II Corinthians 1:4

 

I’m thankful to know conviction... for without it, I would not know redemption.

~ "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace" 
 Ephesians 1:7

 

I’m thankful to know these things...

I’m thankful these things "visit" me...

I’m thankful they don’t stay long.

 

 

in EVERTHING

give thanks.

Giving thanks. This is a conscious effort that I am praying to make a way of life. He cannot take my thanks from me. I must give it to Him. 

If I am trusting God, why would I not give thanks to Him? He has given me so many promises. And I am beyond unworthy. 

this Life. 

my own. my husband's. children. friends. family.

give thanks.

eternal Life.

salvation. through Jesus only. There is nothing I could ever hope to try to do to gain Heaven. or His favor. ever.

Do You Facebook?

No, this is not a debate about the evils of facebooking/internet/emails...pick your poison. Personally, I feel like Facebook is a tool...and like most other things (tv, books, forums, sitting on a bench in the park talking to someone) it can be used for good or bad. I love Facebook. It helps me connect with my friends and family who live from 33 hours to an ocean away every day in a fast and free format. I use Facebook to witness, encourage, share devotions, promote IFBKJV.com...as well as to share last week's photos from the library, recipes, and prayer requests. I also do a fair amount of coupon and freebie hunting, which I post on FB for anyone else to benefit from.

This post is not about any of that. It was inspired by a FB status update from an old friend of mine. In fact, my husband and I were her youth pastor and wife about 13 years ago. In honor of Thanksgiving she is posting as her status something every day that she is thankful for.

Today she posted: "Day 3 of 30 days of thankfulness...today I am thankful for a job that provides me insurance benefits. Although I don't care to pay the high premiums and co-pays, it really does help and I'm grateful that my company pays into my insurance too so my part isn't as much."

What a great idea! Not only does it make other people remember to take time to be thankful, but it glorifies God, and I'm sure it helps set the tone for her day. Lately I have been going through a lot of personal battles, and it has been hard to not let depression overwhelm me. This is a simple task that can help me focus on the things God has done for me...count my blessings and not my problems. Wouldn't it be great if Christians all over America started posting their own 30 Days of Thankfulness? I know I am late, it being the third day of the month, but better late than never! If you do participate, please comment and let me know! I would love to find you on Facebook. I am Jessica Twardy Roberts.

Psalms 119:121-128

“Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.” (v.124)

Falling upon the mercy of our God is the wisest thing we could ever do in any situation. His mercy is great, and “endureth forever.” Where would we be without the Mercy of God? Psalm 136 says it best:

O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.
O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.
To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.
To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.
To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.
To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:
The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever:
The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.
To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever:
And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever:
With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever.
To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever:
And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever:
But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.
To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever.
To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever:
And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever:
And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever:
Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever:
And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.
O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.

His Mercy endureth forever, and it us new every morning. (Jer. 3:22,23)

God's Riches

How wonderful that God gives us of the abundance of His riches, even according to His riches! A poor man who gave according to his riches, would surely give meagerly...but God is far from a poor man! And He gives to *us* according to these great riches. Lord help me to remember the spiritual riches you have given me through these lean economic times!

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,"

"In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;"

"For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."

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