Thanksgiving

"...give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." -1 Thessalonians 5:18

Every year at Thanksgiving I am rightfully refocused.  I find myself humbled and amazed by the goodness of God as I reflect over the year and marvel at all He has done and is doing.  Here are just a few things I am so grateful for this past year...

Savior: I am more and more grateful for Christ and the work of the cross each and every year.  I am amazed at the love that was lavished upon me to save me, and that is continually poured out in my life. 

Sanctification: This year has been full of sanctification as the Lord has reminded me of my dependence upon Him.  I can honestly say that despite the pain or uncomfortability that often accompanies sanctification, He has enabled me to see it as a measure of His grace and great love for me...for that I am thankful.

Soul Mate: I am so grateful for the man God made for me, my other half.  He is truly an example to me of Christ in so many ways and reminds me often of my need to refocus on the cross, without a word.  I love him more than words could ever express.  He is my best friend, my forever.

Sweet Brayden: I am thankful for the little boy growing inside of me and cannot wait to meet him in less than 8 weeks!  God has been so faithful during this pregnancy and I have seen His continued goodness poured out over and over again.

There are so many more things that I am thankful for, but these make the top this year.  Thank you Jesus, for your faithful goodness in my life.

Love In Trial

"For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." -James 1:3-4

The lavish love of the Father is absolutely magnificent.  I can name countless things and circumstances that have evidenced this reality to me, but I seem to see it most clearly when my faith is put to the test, and I am "forced", so to speak, to trust Him.  The fact that He chooses to refine and sanctify me so that I might be made more complete, more like Jesus, is something I don't fully understand, but is something that I become more and more thankful for with each test and trial.  I find myself realizing that it is BECAUSE of His great love that I am faced with trials, that although, painful at the moment, reap a rich harvest in my heart.  My perspective of who He is, is refocused as I cry out to Him as my "Abba, Father".  

I remember thinking, after one of the biggest trials of my life many years ago, that I actually liked trials. As foolish as it seemed at the moment (to the world), God had brought me to such a humble state, fully dependent upon Him, that I saw Him in a way that I had never seen Him before, and I experienced a fellowship with Him that was sweeter than ever before.  I longed to be back in that place after the trial had passed. As time went on, the Lord was gracious to remind me of that humble state by bringing me low again on many occasions.  I began to notice my initial response in those moments was also changing, I was being sanctified.  There was a precious gratitude that I began to feel towards the Father for those moments and I find myself there again today.  

The unknown has never been my favorite place to be.  Not that it is for any person, but some people seem to be more okay with the go with the flow lifestyle, that's not me...at all.  I like plans, consistency, and answers.  So, when I find myself in a circumstance with an unknown end, I am forced to fight the daily temptation to worry, fear, and seek control.  The Father, in His love and care, quickly and graciously reminds me of His perfect faithfulness, His sovereign control, and His plans that are greater then my own.  And I am humbled again, to dependency upon, and trusting in, the One who holds all things in the palm of His hands.  

As I faced the temptation to worry with this particular situation earlier this week, I fought to think truth (Philippians 4:8).  I sought to battle my emotions which wanted to take control.  And what I was amazed by, was that God's peace and grace supplied EXACTLY what I needed to sustain me in that weak moment.  I found myself not worrying, something that is often foreign to my sinful flesh.  I found myself crying, but not because I was scared, I was broken because I was experiencing the love of the Father through sanctification.  I KNEW in that moment that He was working on my heart, making me more like Jesus, more complete.  I was humbled.  

I don't know how much longer my journey here on earth is, whether it's 60 days, or 60 years, but I do know that He isn't through with me yet.  I know that He is continuing His Gospel work of sanctification in my heart, as He continues lavishing His love upon me.  And for that, I am so thankful. The trials in life are hard, but I wouldn't trade them for the reward of sweet fellowship and love I receive with the Father through the process.

He's Still On the Throne

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 4:6-7

I am so thankful for God's sovereignty. I cannot imagine living my life apart from that knowledge.  Although I don't fully understand it, the more I grow in my faith, I am more and more amazed by it.  There is such a peace, such a comfort, such a joy that comes from knowing that no matter what happens, in my life personally, in the lives of those around me, in our country, in the world...God IS on the throne and He IS in control.  That is something to rejoice in, every single day.

I prayed for the next president of the United States, and as confident as I was in hope for a change, I prayed that no matter what the outcome, I would be thankful; thankful for the sovereignty of God and the fact that He IS fulfilling His GOOD and PERFECT plan.  When what seemed to be so many people's worst nightmare came true last night, I too sat surprised.  However, I was quickly reminded of the fact that God was on the throne in heaven, and He was NOT surprised in the least bit.  In fact, He had ordained this from BEFORE the foundation of time.  That was SO comforting to me, and such a powerful reality to cling to despite the heartbreak I had for our country, and the people living here.  

There is so much we see wrong with this country, with the leaders, with the people in it, etc.; all of it stems from one problem, depravity.  We are a godless society, a group of people who don't fear the Holy God, and a culture who lives for self and pleasure rather than for the glory of the only God...WHY? Because we are a nation made up of many unsaved, unregenerate, dead people.  It is heartbreaking and frightening when you think about it.  But what should really break our hearts is not that the man who was voted into office is not who we wanted, but rather that there are millions of people in our country who reject the Holy God and who don't know Him.  We should be burdened for the lost, we should be eager to share Truth with those who don't know Him, and we should be prayerful for their souls.  Instead of dwelling on what we "think" comes next, we should be on our knees, praying for the president, praying for the government officials, praying for the nation, praying for God's perfect will to be done here in America...after all, only HE can truly change anything. 

If you are like me, you may be tempted to despair in moments such as these, but I urge you, be thankful.  For we are sojourners, this is NOT your home.  Moments like these remind us of a precious Truth, that He IS in control, sovereign over all, and He is STILL on the throne.  

I'm Not Done With You Yet

Have you ever found yourself facing a trial that seems to be teaching you the same lesson you've been taught many times?  I know I have; the Lord seems to remind me often of certain Truths that I have seemed to have learned over and over and over again.  I find myself wondering, how many times will I have to learn this lesson before it actually sticks?

One lesson I have learned many times over is dependence on God's sovereign control over all things.  In other words, my desire to control situations that are completely out of my control lead me to an anxious heart and worry (both sinful fruits).  Although I have seen growth in this area in my life during my walk with the Lord, I still struggle with these sins.  I notice however, that the trials the Lord puts me through are used to sanctify me in these specific areas time and time again.  You'd think I'd get it by now I sometimes wonder.  I can, at times, be discouraged, knowing that I still struggle in the same areas in my life, but God revealed something so wonderful to me today as He continued refining me: "I'm not done with you yet".  

As I spent time with Him today, His providential goodness led me to Truth in the area of worry and dependence upon Him again and again.  It was a sweet and precious moment as I realized how much my Father in heaven loves me and cares for me.  Although I may be weak and failing when it comes to worrying, He isn't leaving me stranded, He is carrying me along, sustaining me and empowering me with His grace and by His Words.  He is so intimately involved with every detail of my life that He knows exactly what I need to hear and when I need to hear it.  He satisfies completely.  

His precious trials and tests have yet again brought me to the Truth that He isn't finished with me yet.  I am still being refined, the work of Christ-likeness in me isn't done.  The blessed aspect of each test and trial is that I am given a greater glimpse at the Gospel and the power of God in that message and how it has transformed me.  I find myself recognizing all the more my need for His grace each and every moment of every day.  

Although I may struggle with some sins for years to come, and have to learn lessons over and over and over again, I am confident that He is not done with me yet.  I am certain that He is at work, in every test, to make me more like Jesus and to draw me closer to Him as I marvel at the love He so lavishes upon His children.