Eternally Grateful

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Eternally Grateful

Thank you, Lord, for the Life
I have found in Christ,
For it kindled a fire in me.
Not for a moment nor even a day
But for all Eternity.
The joy that is mine
Since you made me thine
No one can take from me;
The grace poured out
From thy loving heart,
Is bread and breath to me.
Your precious blood you shed for me,
And all that I have is thine,
Take this thankful heart, my love, my all,
I rest in grace divine.

A Thankful Life

“Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”
1 Chronicles 16:34

It’s true, isn’t it, that travelling from theory to reality is a long journey. It is only a 16 inch trek from your head to your heart, but sometimes it takes a while to get there. We are helped by the Holy Spirit whose work is to take the theory of God’s word and teach us how to appropriate it into our everyday life. I know of no other more practical transition than learning to be thankful; it helps bridge the gap more quickly. The word thanksgiving occurs 28 times in the Bible, and the phrases give thanks and give God thanks occur 40 times. The words thank and God occur in the same verse 14 times, thanks and God is used together 22 times, and thank, or thanks, and Lord appear together over 40 times.

Here are three nuggets from God’s word that can help us to grow on our journey: A grateful person is one who has learned to focus on the good things of God; Thankful people do not see the need to compare themselves with others and don’t feel badly if their lifestyle does not compare; Appreciative people know that in Christ they will always be taken care of, and possess the power to kill the giants that try and rob us of our joy. As a Christian, I realize how rich I am in Christ. As a follower of Christ, I am thankful for the inner peace He has given me in my heart. As a servant of Christ, my eyes are opened to see His beauty all around me. As one who studies His word, I realize there are always good things that follow the bad things that happen. As a seeker of Christ, I am focused on living a life of gratitude. And as one who has been freed by Christ, I take joy in the fact that He has removed the debris and excess clutter that kept me from being joyful when experiencing difficult times. And that you and I are a “Chosen” people, a Royal Priesthood, a Holy Nation, God’s special possession, that you and I may declare the praises of him who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).

Lord, teach me to give up choosing what is right for myself, and allow you to do it for me, and in the process, find that which pleases you—causing a heart of thankfulness to erupt in my soul.