Thankful

Thankful for my life, as I live unto His glory.
Thankful for His presence, evident in this, my story.
Thankful for the time it took to learn to cast my cares.
Thankful for the times I was the tears in Grandma's prayers.
Thankful for a childhood withheld from deep and lasting pain.
Thankful though that His power to heal can make us whole again.
Thankful that He called me out of darkness into light.
Thankful for now He leadeth me from wrong and into right.
Thankful for His love that came down to rescue me.
Thankful for His blood, and His righteous purity.
Thankful for the path, the narrow one. No! Not the wide.
Thankful as I walk, He continues to lead me as my Guide.
Thankful for His gracious mercies, new for me today.
Thankful for His surpassing joy that the world can't take away.
Thankful that new life in Him is more than my mind can grasp.
Thankful that His concern is more my future, than my past.
Thankful for progressive refining; growing closer everyday.
Thankful for His correction that beckons, whenever I stray.
Thankful for the Word of His power and all that it sustains.
Thankful for His direction to strengthen those things that remain.
Thankful for His careful attention, transforming my heart and mind.
Thankful to let Him have His way, embracing the Divine.
Thankful for the children, He has placed under my care.
Thankful that He's a present help...please help me lead them there.
Thankful for His predestined Will; the reason why I believe.
Thankful that in His election, I can't be utterly deceived.
Thankful for the day to day, He persists to fulfill His plan.
Thankful that He cannot lie, He'll finish what He began.
Thankful for my bodily strength and the very air I breathe.
Thankful that in the midst of "Here", to Him my spirit cleaves.
Thankful for my bumps and bruises, in them He's proven faithful.
Thankful for Him not casting me out. Oh yes! I'm truly grateful.
Thankful for the paths I cross, that sharpen me as a friend.
Thankful for the desire to spur my brothers to a perfect end.
Thankful for His truth revealed that Heaven isn't here.
Thankful for knowing the things we suffer help to make it clear.
Thankful for those strong in the faith, who take an unwavering stance.
Prayerful that I'll do the same when life presents the chance.
Thankful for a surpassing grace that'll usher me through the door.
Thankful that I'll have eternity to be thankful forevermore.


Here's The Word:

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

Ephesians 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.



In Him,
Cros

Hold On!!!

Does it ever seem like a contradiction when Jesus said

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

...that He also said

"In the world you will have tribulation. " ? John 16:33

Does easy seem like a bit of a misnomer since actually living the Christian life really isn't easy? It may not seem like it but Truth is not a necessarily easy thing to hold onto.

Here's the word

Ephesians 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive

Ephesians 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

1 Timothy 4:7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.

Colossians 2:7-9 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Titus 1:9-11 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:

1 Peter 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

Take careful note that these ‘truth imposters’ have absolutely NO LIFE in them. Absolutely no ability to save and absolutely no ability to further your pursuit of righteousness. They do however have an unsettling ability to deceive and throw you off track. It is therefore of utmost importance to hold fast to truth and develop a keen ability to recognize and run from the counterfeits.

Imagine what it would be like if tomorrow morning, you woke up on the back of a 1800 pound bucking bull! “Confused” would be an understatement right? It may take all of about 2 seconds to be thrown to the ground, dazed and confused. Now just think about the life of those who are tossed about by every wind of doctrine – Carrying it further; just think if that becomes their ‘normal’ and how difficult it then becomes to try and take hold of the Truth in the Word of God. All of the unstable flip-flopping, switchbacks and dead-end logic can be just as dizzying. We know that God is not the author of confusion: His word is the plumb-line. His Word overrides every other idea that people tend to seek stability in; feelings, quotes for historic figures, family wisdom passed down, noted scholars and especially people who seem religious. The Bible is full of many ideas on many varied things but as far as how to conduct your life – the plain things are the main things and the main things are the plain things. So strap yourself in, wrap God’s truth tightly around your heart and mind and fight to HOLD ON to Truth!!!!


In Him,
Cros