Refuge for a Single Mom

Ten Lepers Cleansed  [Luke 17:11-19]

11 While He was on the way to Jerusalem, He was passing between Samaria and Galilee.

12 As He entered a village, ten leprous men who stood at a distance met Him;

13 and they raised their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”

14 When He saw them, He said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they were going, they were cleansed.

15 Now one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice,

16 and he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to Him. And he was a Samaritan.

17 Then Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But the nine—where are they?

18 “Was no one found who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner?”

19 And He said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has made you well.”

A few days ago, I made some observations, one of which was this:

”Be thankful for each and every single blessing in your life and recognize that without God, you wouldn’t have squat!”

First of all, I must confess that I used to be a very impatient, controlling, over-analytical, pessimistic, stressed out, worried, MISERABLE person.  If I couldn’t explain it, I couldn’t enjoy it!

At some point in your life, you need to realize that you are NOT in control, not by any means!  No matter how much you plan, prepare, arrange, stress, fret or worry, you are here on this Earth to simply fulfill a plan that GOD has designed for your life!

You need to realize that God is in absolute control.  Any idea, inspiration or motivation in your heart, mind, body and spirit are from Him.  (Obviously, there are sinful, fleshly influences of the world, but in order to make my point, I will concentrate on the ‘good things’!)

With this in mind, it is vitally important that you realize that any blessings, any favor, in your life are only yours by His grace!  (You really didn’t have much to do with it at all!)  That beautiful, healthy baby you love every day, the roof over your head, the food on your table, the car you drive, your profitable business or well-paying job, good friends, loving family, health, safety – ALL GOD!  (Clearly, those who work harder, smarter and longer, will have more to show for it, but still, only in conjunction with God’s grace and favor in your life!)

Now, once you’ve realized that your blessings are from Him, THANK HIM!  Stop taking the good Lord for granted and give Him praise, glory and most importantly, be thankful – every minute of every day!

Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.  Colossians 4:2

16 Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  I Thessalonians 5:16-18

So many people out there don’t understand their blessings.  They ‘deserve’ good things, they’re ‘owed’ the best … When they do receive God’s goodness, they fail to acknowledge His awesomeness.  Instead of giving praises and glory, they simply move on to their next ‘request’!

We aren’t naïve, silly, little teenagers, whose parents are obligated to pave the way!  We are Christians cleansed by and covered in the Blood of the Lamb!  It is ALL because of Him!  His love, His goodness, His favor, His mercy, His power – His grace!

Honestly, this drives me crazy!  (Even my own behavior at times!)  There is so much suffering, stress, worry and sadness in this world!  Isn’t it completely obvious that the goodness we receive can only come from our Father?

There is a saying “If it sounds/seems too good to be true, it probably is.” (Unfortunately, the information available on the internet, regarding this quote, is limited and I cannot tell you the exact quote or who said it!  LOL)

Why?  Why can’t we receive blessings beyond belief and comprehension?  Personally, I believe in a God that surpasses all understanding!  Therefore, I say, “If it sounds too good to be true, thank your God!”

Labels: Blessings, Thankfulness, Way of Thinking

When you write a letter of request, often times, you will close it with something like “thank you in advance”.

My question today is why not thank God `in advance`?  He`s good for it, right?  His promises are guaranteed!

Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.  Psalm 50:23

We really have so much to be thankful for.  Some days it can take a bit of effort, but it`s very important that we realize just how fortunate we are.

And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.  Psalm 107:22

That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.  Psalm 26:7

Early on in my fight against my depression, I decided to begin my prayer time with my `thankfuls`!

Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God.  Psalm 147:7

Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.  Psalm 95:2

I start out really simple, like, `thank you Lord for another day` . . .  if it was a beautiful day, I thank Him for that.  If it was a particularly yucky day, then I thank Him that I work from home and didn`t have to travel in the muck!  I take time to thank Him for my children, their health, their safety . . . do you realize how many mommas out there spend every day of their lives fighting for their children`s health?  (What are we doing complaining because our 3-year old just spilled milk on the bed?  Or ran off to play post office with the bills we just prepared to mail?)

I`ve found over the years that not only has the `thankfuls` list become easier to recite, but it has become longer!  Praise God!  He is so wonderful!

From them will proceed thanksgiving And the voice of those who celebrate; And I will multiply them and they will not be diminished; I will also honor them and they will not be insignificant.   Jeremiah 30:19

It`s really important to thank God for the goodness He has placed into your life. It`s also important to believe for more and thank Him in advance!  Thank Him now that your aches and pains are healed, thank Him now that your children will get good grades and grow up to be loving, kind, considerate, influential adults.  Thank Him for grandma`s recovery and the new home you know your family needs to find.  Thank Him for a good job or the ability to work from home and be there for your children!  Thank Him for good friends and companionship!

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  Philippians 4:6

This is positive and proactive behavior that will cause for a wonderful and blessed future, for health, safety, success, prosperity and most magnificent of all His almighty favor!  Thank God in advance!  He IS good for it!  Amen!

Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.  Revelation 7:12

Labels: Thankfulness, Thanksgiving

I have been tagged by Melly!

Labels: Thankfulness, Thanksgiving