True Thankfulness ~Denise Grant "Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Are you grateful for the things God has given you – or are you always dreaming about the new things you would like to have? Do you complain and nit-pick about your job?– If so, take a quick count of the people standing in your local unemployment line and then thank God you have a job with steady income. Men, do you gripe about your wife's cooking or her inattentiveness? Be thankful she chooses to cooks for you and not some other man. Wives, do you grumble about the time your husband spends lounging as a couch potato on the sofa? Be thankful he has chosen to spend time at home and not out at the bars with other women. Parents, weary by your teens loud music or the phone growing out of their ear? Be thankful - at least for this night - they're safe at home and not missing on the streets. Tired of paying taxes? Be thankful you have a job – many do not. Frustrated by tight-fitting clothes? Be thankful you've had plenty to eat – a lot go to bed hungry. Drained by constant home-maintenance? Be thankful you have a roof over your head – tons are homeless. Not exactly thrilled with your government? Be thankful, at least for now, you still have the freedom of speech and religion – so many do not. Irritated by rude morons who steal your parking space? Be thankful you have been blessed with dependable and reliable transportation – scores of people walk. Enraged with paying enormous power bills? Be thankful you don't have to go to bed cold and can wake up each morning to a hot shower – millions are not as fortunate. Exhausted from piles of laundry and ironing? Be thankful you own a closet of changes - many have only the clothes on their back. Dissatisfaction is a lack of true thankfulness and comes when our attention shifts from what we have - to what we don't have. It's difficult for some people to notice what God is doing for them, because they have become too wrapped up in what God isn't doing for them. "Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians "I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; before the "gods" I will sing your praise." Psalm 138:1 True Thankfulness needs to be an integral part of our lives. Remember – not too long ago - when you asked God for protection, His strength, comfort, patience, love or some other special need - and He supplied them? Don't forget to thank Him for those answered prayers. We must always beware of taking God's provision and answered prayers for granted. No matter the circumstance, if we could just train ourselves to give God thanks for every situation - not necessarily for our problems per se` - but for the strength He will build in us through such experiences, we could soon realize His perfect love will see us through every time. True Thanksgiving and praise should not be just an expression reserved for a once-a-year celebration. It should be a permanent part of our existence. Determine to find ways to praise God continuously – and soon you'll find that it becomes less difficult to take His blessings for granted. Father God, It's so easy to overlook some of the good things You do for me. Help me to always focus on Your glory and goodness then look for ways to show just how much I appreciate all You do for me – by what and how I do for others. In Jesus' name, Amen! Denise Grant - Just "clay" in the Master Potter's hands. |
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
11-24-2009 True Thankfulness
Monday, November 16, 2009
11-17-2009 Knock-Knock!
Knock – Knock! November 17, 2009 ~Denise Grant "Look! I have been standing at the door and I am constantly knocking. If anyone hears me calling him and opens the door, I will come in and fellowship with him and he with me." Revelation 3:20 TLB Saturday was a beautiful day. It had brought some much-desired relief from all the rain we had been having. Heat from a once-hidden sun had produced a definite shorts and T-shirt day. My guys took advantage of the weather outside to do some yard work, while I sequestered myself inside. With the washing machine, clothes dryer and vacuum cleaner, all humming in blessed harmony with my favorite Christian CD, I failed to hear the doorbell ring. Apparently, I also missed the intense knocking my youngest son performed to summon me outside. It seems Ty had been eyeing a dead pine tree from his bedroom window and had restlessly been anticipating the thrill of cutting it down. Above the intermittent sounds of household machines, although I missed his knocking, I had indeed heard the chainsaw, and what my son did not know is that I had secretly videoed him from the dining room window. Perhaps there is so much background "noise" in your life you cannot hear God knocking on your hearts' door. Could it be – mixed between Sunday school lessons, the Pastor's message, morning devotionals, or His Word shared through song – the knocking has simply become too faint? Or maybe you have failed to respond due to the clogged arteries of a hardened heart? Experiencing less soul fulfillment these days? Are you so busy enjoying worldly pleasures that you don't notice Christ standing at your heart's door? Worldly pleasures such as; material possessions, money, power, prestige and security - can be so very dangerous – mostly because their temporary satisfaction makes us indifferent to God's offer of lasting satisfaction. If you find yourself feeling unmoved in church, indifferent to your Pastor's message, unsympathetic to a friend's need, uninterested in the Bible, or unresponsive to God - you clearly could have begun to shut God out of your life – indeed a cause for worry. We must persistently keep our heart's door wide open, so we need never be concerned about missing His knock. Jesus longs to have fellowship with you. He is both patient and persistent in trying to get through, yet He can never be accused of breaking and entering. He gives each and every one of us the right to decide whether or not to open our lives to Him. Not just opening the door to Christ – but sincerely inviting Him to come in - is your only hope of lasting fulfillment and eternal life. "I will let every one who conquers sit beside me on my throne, just as I took my place with my Father on his throne when I had conquered." Revelation 3:21 Will you allow the Spirit to soften the hardened parts of your heart today? Abba Father, Today, I open the door and invite You in to be a part of my life. Cause me to stay forever mindful of times my life's door silently slips closed. Help me maintain a wide open heart, so I never miss the times You come knocking. In Jesus' name, Amen. Denise Grant - Just "clay" in the Master Potter's hands. |
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
11-11-2009 A Dehydrated Heart
A Dehydrated Heart November 11, 2009 ~Denise Grant "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink." John 7:37 NKJV Watching a National Geographic program recently, my eyes became opened to just how life-sustaining water is to our human body. Water is the key ingredient to our body's survival by making sure life-giving fluids are distributed wherever properly needed. Many substances such as glucose, amino acids, and minerals are what your body cells need and water is what dissolves them. Water also works to help regulate your body temperature by holding heat. When you sweat, your body temperature increases. If your body does not have enough water, the more you sweat, the more dehydrated you will become. What would happen should your body continue a fast rate of dehydration? Without life-saving water, death can occur in 3 days (or less in hot weather) and no one normally lives more than about 5-6 days without water! "If anyone believes in me, rivers of living water will flow out from that person's heart." John 7:38 If we equally deprive our souls of spiritual water, we'll slowly die a cruel and violent death. Although it's easy to determine when our bodies are dehydrated, just how can we know if our souls are? Well - dehydrated hearts send desperate messages; gut-wrenching guilt, waves of worry, ferocious fear, and tumultuous tempers are just a few warnings of a thirsty soul. Irritability, insecurity, resentment and sleeplessness are all symptoms and signs of a drying deep within your soul. Why not grab a great gulp of God's goodness and grace today! Flood your thirsty soul with Christ's well of life-giving and never-ending water. Rivers of living water shall flow from the inmost being of anyone who puts their trust and belief in Him. Jesus' words, "come to me and drink" allude to the theme of the Messiah's life-giving blessings, in promising to give the Holy Spirit to any and all who believes in Him. Heavenly Father, I need a regular sip from Your Holy reservoir. Stressful meetings, dull days, and demanding children, drive me to empty-ness, many times a day. I am thirsty and in great need of Your life-sustaining grace. Hydrate both my heart and soul with Your never-ending goodness. I love You Lord and long to draw in Your love which fills my spirit with Yours. Help me draw in a bounty from Your bottomless well. In Jesus' name, Amen. Denise Grant - Just "clay" in the Master Potter's hands. |
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
11-3-2009 Abide In His Love
Abide In His Love November 3, 2009 ~Denise Grant "I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Live within my love." John 15:20 TLB When you drove home last night, did you pull into the drive and wonder, Now just where is the garage? Did you feel a need to consult the blueprints in order to find your kitchen? Of course not! When you abide somewhere – you live there. You are at home there more than anywhere else. No matter if you have lived where you do for a short amount of time or for thirty years, you have grown familiar with your surroundings. You could calculatingly maneuver through your home in pitch darkness with few bumps. To abide in Christ's love is to make His love, your home. Not a motel room you visit from time to time, when you need some quiet time away from the hustle and bustle of life, but instead, your preferred dwelling. You rest in Him - eat in Him and find comfort in Him. When the world crashes around you, just as thunder claps outside your home – engulf yourself in the comfort and safety of His roof. His walls will secure you from the even the strongest and most violent winds. His fireplace will warm you from the long winters of life. Inside His love, there will be a peace unknown from the world offers. Safe in His love, there is a restful sleep unknown by earthly facilities. His kitchen feeds your soul when life's hunger and thirst is overwhelming. "We know how much God loves us because we have felt his love and because we believe him when he tells us that he loves us dearly. God is love, and anyone who lives in love is living with God and God is living in him." 1 John 4:16 TLB Won't you move in and abide in His love today? Heavenly Father, Allow us to make your love our home. Not a roadside park when passing through, but an eternal stop. The conditions outside of your love are harsh and impassable. We desire to take up permanent residence in your life of love. May every word, thought and deed we present to our world today Lord, be a representation of You in us. In Jesus' name, Amen. Denise Grant - Just "clay" in the Master Potter's hands. |
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