 If you want to go fast, Go alone, if you want to go far, Go Together! Dottie and I have been at it 45 years now 🙂 I remembered this blog post as I have been recovering from a minor medical procedure. I am happy it is over and look forward to my recovery. There is a reason Jesus sent the disciples out in two’s. Why? Because even though they could have gotten to more places alone, there is power in sharing in the things that come our way, This week I have once again experienced the added impact when two or more people work together toward a shared goal. https://depree.org/why-did-jesus-send-out-his-disciples-two-by-two/ In this case encouraging, praying and checking in on me and Dottie to make sure we are OK. Needless to say, Dottie has again, gone above and beyond in helping and making sure I have everything I need We all need others in our lives. Jenni Marie in Kindred Grace shares that Life was not meant to be lived alone. https://bit.ly/lifeisnotmeanttobelivedalone She asks, “When did you last give up? Were you also alone?” When you have failed in life, were you alone?” She then makes the case of why being a mentor or having one is so important. God wants us to know the value of asking for help versus stubbornly trying to do things on our own. She writes, “As I started to value community, I was able to flourish. I reap the benefits when I ask for help.” When we are blessed to have people there for us, we are exhorted to be the one offering help to someone in need. Jenni shares it “does not need to be limited to a mentor-mentee relationship as might be traditionally expected. Although the formal and in-person relationships are beautiful, only one of my advisors has accepted and embraced the title of mentor. The rest? I doubt they even know how much I lean on them for life and business wisdom.” Even the Apostle Paul needed a Barnabus. https://www.biblestudy.org/apostlepaul/life-epistles-of-apostle-paul/paul-and-barnabas.html He also mentored younger men like Timothy and Timothy would eventually become pastor of the church at Ephesus, and certainly the letters of 1 and 2 Timothy express how much Paul loved and cared for him.  Last year my daughter shared advice with me that was the impetus for me writing this blog. A friend told her to surround herself with people she could trust from every decade. I turned 70 this month (now 71) so it is harder to find folks in higher decades than me but as I thought about Katie’s comment, I realized that I am blessed to have dear friends in their upper 70’s :), 80’s, and 90’s who I can go to for advice or just follow the example they set for me and others. I also can say I have people around me from every decade below me down to my two 4 year old granddaughters. I can learn from them and I hope all in their teens, 20’s, 30’s, 40’s etc will be encouraged by what I say or how I live my life that helps them along the way.I encourage each of us to find people whether younger or older who we can trust to be there for us. I also hope we will look for ways to give back by finding others who would benefit from your mentoring. When you pour into their lives, like this week, they will pour into your life like they folks have done for me. .  We are fortunate that we don’t have to long for a Savior that is represented in this Season of Advent. Jesus came so substantiate God is with you and therefore, you are never alone. Isn’t it interesting that we lean in on this promise more when we are hurting https://biblehub.com/hebrews/13-5.htm Reminds us that God’s promises are eternal, and He will provide love, comfort, and courage so we can live an abundant life in Him and through Him. We live in a fallen world where we are bound to get hurt. But God will never leave us nor forsake us. One of the ways He fulfills this promise is by providing others to walk along side us as we navigate through the blessings and adversity that will come our way. May we all find ways to help others remain thankful in all things.Thanks for finding this blog. If you haven’t already, Please subscribe so that you can receive email notifications when new content is posted. You can reach me by email at [email protected] |
Thanksgiving encouragement. Change the noun Gratitude into a Verb :)
written on BY MRGBLOG
Make the word Gratitude a verb this week 🙂
My guess you aren’t surprised that a blog titled “Thankful in all Things” would be about moving us forward into this week of Thanksgiving. The word “intentionality” keeps rolling around in my mind. When I think about being intentional, it means there is a need for me taking action. Having an attitude of gratitude denotes the same.
My friend Marcus Ellis has a Facebook page titled “Hey! Guess What? I Love You!” It started with him making a decision to go out of his way to encourage others each and every day. His decision has resulted in a Facebook page with over 2500 followers. I am sitting in a hotel in Pittsburgh. I decided to let my server (Rutha May) know how she made everyone who came in feel special. Her face lit up and she now has a little bit bigger smile for those she serves. Maybe Marcus is in to something ?
I recently found this quote by Veronica Neffinger -“There is value in going through the motions even if the feelings aren’t there. Choosing to thank God even when you don’t feel like it. Choose to do the same when circumstances cause you to be more stressed than thankful” It leads to that important first step of allowing having our hearts to be opened to true gratitude.” I call it failing forward.
My point is that being grateful is a choice. The Aspen Brain Institute says it this way. “The effect of gratitude on the brain is long lasting. Besides enhancing self-love and empathy, gratitude significantly impacts body functions and psychological conditions such as stress, anxiety, and depression. https://aspenbraininstitute.org/blog-posts/gratitudeandthebrain Scripture reminds us of the same. We are to in prayer and petition let our requests be made known to God (again, the action is going to God with our concerns). When we do, He promises a peace which is beyond our own understanding. Philippians 4 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%204:6-8&version=NIV “Let that peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15 As you gather with others this week for Thanksgiving be intentional about sharing your gratitude for them. Let them know why you appreciate them. Try what Marcus does and say, “Hey! Guess what? I love You! I bet you get loved right back and find yourself feeling blessed rather than discouraged.
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How will you live knowing you are an heir to the Kingdom of God?
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In a world where there seems to be less and less good news, here is some for you. God loves us! He loves us so much that He wants us to be an heir to His Kingdom. https://www.biblehub.com/romans/8-17.htmHe has chosen us and has made us His adopted sons and daughters. https://www.bible.com/bible/1/JHN.1.12-13.kjv It is a gift that He offers each of us. All we need to do is accept it.  This may be a stretch but imagine you live in the United Kingdom under the rule of the Royal family. One day, there is a knock on your door and there stands a uniformed member of the King’s Guard. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King%27s_Guard He hands you a letter sealed with wax which has in it the King’s seal. https://www.royal.uk/great-seal-realm All you need to do is come to Buckingham Palace to be received into the Royal family. You know you have done nothing to deserve it and think there has to be a catch. The question is, “would you then live this new life with a heart of gratitude or treat people in a privileged manner”? If it happened, you would want to live in a manner that substantiates the King made a good choice and that you do anything to show you belong. The same can be said but from an eternal perspective. God has chosen you to be His adopted son or daughter. We have been invited into His family with no strings attached. You have done nothing to deserve it, cannot earn it, and therefore, many of us think there must be a catch as it seems way to simple. I think our response to God allowing us to be heirs to His Kingdom family can help explain the “faith and work” passage found in James 2:14-26 https://www.bible.com/bible/111/JAS.2.14-26.niv If we truly understand what God has done for us through His son Jesus Christ, we should want to show our gratitude in the way we humbly live out being a Kingdom recipient. It should result in the way we care for others. Therefore, living a Godly life is not what we have to do but what we get to do to honor the One who has made it all possible.  I am guessing that King Charles will never show up at your door with an invitation to be adopted into the Royal family. What I do know is God has sent His Son to invite you into His Kingdom family. Jesus says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” Revelation 3:20 Once you open that door to your heart, your life and the way you live it will never be the same. I appreciate you being here. Please subscribe if you haven’t already. I can be reached via email at [email protected] |
Where does the time go? How much does God get?
Luke 5:15-16 says, “But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray. ”Mark 1:35 says, “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.”  Why do we find getting time with the Lord so hard? The scriptures above, along with others, show that Jesus knew the importance of spending time alone with His Father, our God. I have stepped down from my day-to-day responsibilities at work leaving me more free time. These first few free months have been great. I have had the opportunity to travel more to see friends and family which has been wonderful. My daily schedule is now a blank slate to be filled in whatever way I desire. But wait….Why do I still feel so busy? How does my calendar get filled so quickly? The answer is life’s vacuum can quickly replace the extra time one thinks will be available when our job responsibility ends. A Vacuum is defined as space in which there is no matter or in which the pressure is so low that any particles in the space do not affect any processes being carried on there. Solitude could be seen in the same way. We need to get away by ourselves like Jesus did. It allows us to shut out the pressures and distractions of the world so we can “Be still and remember He is our God” https://biblehub.com/niv/psalms/46-10.htm “The entirety of Psalms 46 is written in the third person to remind the reader (or listener) that God is their strength and at work in the midst of their struggle”. I heard someone explain meditation the other day as being so much in tune with yourself that you aren’t distracted by anything else happening around you. It reminded me that I need to get time with God so I don’t conform to the pattern of this world, but instead, focus on the renewing of your mind. https://www.biblehub.com/romans/12-1.htm I can honestly say that my day goes better if I have 1st, spent time with God. If you don’t believe me, here is what Martin Luther says about solitude. “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” “The less I pray, the harder it gets; the more I pray, the better it goes.”  There are times where we are struggling and feeling discouraged. Remembering God loves you and is present in your life can help you into a place of gratitude. Here is a quote from the devotional First15 “If you long to be loved, it’s in the alone time where you’ll discover the wellspring of affections found in the heart of God. If you need someone to listen, it’s in solitude you’ll discover the always listening ear of your heavenly Father. And if you need a friend, it’s in time spent alone fellowshipping with the Holy Spirit that you will find a friend who will never leave you, forsake you, hurt you, or mislead you.” If you have gotten to this place, here is your and, quite honestly, my homework from St. Anselm of Canterbury, “Enter into the inner chamber of your mind. Shut out all things save God and whatever may aid you in seeking God; and having barred the door of your chamber, seek him.” My hope is you will find the everlasting love of God as you seek him in solitude. If you do the homework, I would love to hear how practicing solitude and reneimpacted your life. I can be reached by email at [email protected]. Please feel free to forward this blog post to others who you think might be encouraged by it. |
Understanding your Vocation and Calling
 Our pastors have been preaching through Genesis this fall. These sermons remind us that God intended for work to be good. “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” Genesis 2:15. It made me think of my own life and whether I have been living it as if it was a calling from God. In one sermon, Chris shared that we are called to work and that we are to work hard with the hope of being blessed. God’s programming short circuits when we think blessings means wealth or we look for our identity in what we do instead of finding it knowing that we were created to be in a relationship with Him.  I have written in the past about the book, Finishing Well, by Bob Buford. A group of us are nearing the end of the book and are grappling with the words vocation and calling. These sermons came at a perfect time. It confirms that even though we might not be called into full-time ministry, God has a calling for our lives no matter our vocation. In the book, the author talks about men like Billy Graham and Peter Drucker. Reverend Graham https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Grahamwas certainly called into the ministry while Peter Druckerhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Drucker taught business principles and was described as “the founder of modern management”. When Bob Buford asked ServiceMaster founder Bill Pollard why Rev. Graham and Peter Drucker are his role models he replied, “The main thing is that they’ve done work all their lives that for them, wasn’t work at all. The commitment was to serve God and passionately serve others using the gifts God had given them. Most of you reading this blog have not been called into full time ministry. You have chosen some other type of vocation. That does not mean you don’t have a calling. It may be doing your job in a way that shows others your ultimate boss is the God of the universe not the pursuit of what the world wants you think is most important. You choose to work hard and achieve success without compromising on how God wants you behave in your occupation. Others of you pursue your calling outside your job. You participate in your church, serve in your community, or spend time in ministry efforts in your free time.  At the end of the day, I hope your goal is to have your time here on earth mean something. That while pursuing success, you stay focused on the significance your life will leave. That significance will go beyond whatever work you have been called into and will allow you to continue to make a difference after you leave the day to day work place. We can’t all be Billy Graham but rest assured, when you allow the love of God to flow out of you onto others, the ripple effect of that act will spread out much farther than you can ever imagine. What is our calling? Hebrews 12;1,2 states it this way. “And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Thanks for reading along. I hope this has encouraged you in your faith journey. I can be reached by email at [email protected] God Bless! |
What would your letter from Christ say about you?
 John 7:38 https://biblehub.com/john/7-38.htm says,we are to be people where God’s love produces living water that pours through allowing us to positively impact others. 2 Corinthians 3:2,3 says, “Our lives are a letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of God’s impact, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.  When I read these passages, I realize God wants me to be so filled with His love, that others can’t help but notice it. Think about being on a busy sidewalk in front of shops and restaurants filled with other passers by as well as tables filled with engaged in conversation. Someone comes up with two buckets filled with cold water. They challenge you to walk a block with the buckets without spilling any water much less splashing those you encounter. It is impossible. Even if you didn’t bump someone, a chair, or a table, the water would begin to splash out of the bucket onto others no matter how hard you tried. This is what God says our lives should look like. We are to be so filled with His love that others can’t help but notice your love for them in how you speak or act toward them.  A regular contributor to this blog 🙂 Oswald Chambers, puts it this way. If we believe in Jesus, it is not what we gain but what He pours through us that really counts. God’s purpose is not simply to make us beautiful, plump grapes, but to make us grapes so that He may squeeze the sweetness out of us. Our spiritual life cannot be measured by success as the world measures it, but only by what God pours through us— and we cannot measure that at all. I https://utmost.org/a-life-of-pure-and-holy-sacrifice/ The question for us is our we willing to open our hearts so God can fill us with His living water? If we are, we can be God’s ambassadors who convey the message that we are to live by faith, not by sight https://www.biblehub.com/2_corinthians/5-7.htm with the hope for what is to come. He has fashioned us for this very purpose and has made it possible through the death of Christ and His Holy Spirit who comes as our helper. Our response needs to be, I am so thirsty for that living water. I no longer want the temporary refreshment that the world offers but instead the everlasting quenching that only a relationship with God can provide. Once we allow the living water to spill into our hearts, we become new creations and our heart becomes so full that it can’t help to burst out like when a grape is squeezed or we try to carry the buckets down a busy sidewalk. Like a mirror, our lives will reflect the love and glory of God allowing us to be the ambassadors who convey the life God want us all to live.  Thanks for finding this blog. I hope you have found encouragement from what I have shared. Please reach out by email at [email protected] I would love to have you subscribe if you haven’t already. |
The importance of getting to know one another.
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| Author of Lead for God’s Sake and friend, Todd Gongwer, posted this the other day. Most everything we do brings with it an opportunity to shine a light! Every word we speak Every attitude we display Every behavior we model Never underestimate this call on your life! So…..”Let your light so shine before others, that they see your good works and glorify your father in heaven” Matt. 5:16 His words took me down two paths. 1) Everything we do matters and will have an impact on those around us and we are responsible as to whether the impact will be positive or negative. 2) Are we willing to take the time to really get to know those who matter most so we can make a difference in each other’s lives? Both paths ask the question, “Will we live in a selfish manner or be people who want to shine a positive light in our actions and desire to know one another well?” I shared about the beauty of being unselfish in a recent blog post. https://thankfulinallthings.com/the-beauty-of-being-unselfish/ It focuses on the 1st question and easier accomplished matter regarding what we do when given the opportunity to shine a light. I hope you will take the time to go back and read it. This children song certainly conveys the mindset we all should have. https://youtu.be/yRhDi2aK5ac  The second question is more perplexing. Why do we find it so hard to engage folks, especially those closest to us, in more serious conversation? We talked about this in a fellowship group I lead on Friday mornings. I found that it was not just me that struggled in this area. Everyone said they found it easier to have an in depth conversation with those who weren’t friends or family members. Shouldn’t it be the exact opposite? Why wouldn’t we want those who are closest to us to know who we are and what matters to us most? Shouldn’t we find ways and create opportunities for others to share what is important to them? I have more questions versus answers as to what causes this dilemma but here are some tips from me and others I have asked. Build the relationship first. Don’t force your thoughts or advice on someone. Wait until you are asked to weigh in on a particular topic or if you feel you need to initiate it, ask permission first. Ask Wopen questions in the conversation (What, Whow, Where, When) that can’t be answered with just yes or no. Communicate your desire to have someone speak into your life as well as you speaking into theirs. It really is about seeking to understand and having a desire to be understood. As I think about finishing my life well, I want God’s light to shine through me in a way that I will be remembered as someone who truly cares about others and is open to being shown my flaws. That way, I can say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge will award to me on that day” 2 Timothy 4:7-8 I hope in some way this blog will encourage you to ask the Lord to do the same for you. I would welcome your thoughts on this topic. I can be reached by email at [email protected]  |
How would your life change, if you went All In with God?
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Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, through your footprints were not seen. Psalms 77:19 A sermon a few weeks back began a journey of me asking, what does it mean to be entirely God’s? The Israelites walked toward the sea not knowing it would open up for them. They walked through the sea not knowing if the huge wall would come crashing down like they did on the pharaoh’s army. They did it out of obedience and trust not knowing it would lead them to the promised land.  For the last few years, my guiding thought process is “Love God with all my heart, Love others as He loves me, and then trust Him with the outcome.” But do I? Am I All In? Would I take the path through the sea or like when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, would I plunge into the sea.” John 21:7 Am I willing to call upon the Lord who strengthens me. https://youtu.be/DqlpyrHB_Qk Why can’t we believe Jesus when he says that He came to give us an abundant life? John 10:10 Why is it that we want to control how we live our lives versus letting go so God can show us how life is really to be lived? In the Lord’s prayer, it says, “Thy Kingdom come! Thy will be done! On earth as it is in heaven. We have the opportunity to experience His kingdom in this present age. CS Lewis describes it this way “It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us. We are like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”  Lysa Terkeurst writes, “God wants us to settle some things in our hearts. Especially whether we are all-in when it comes to our relationship with Him. Do we want to walk in the fullness of His love and His plans? Or like CS Lewis asks, do we want to spend our lives chasing after the world’s empty pleasures? https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2021/09/23/god-wants-our-whole-heart Jesus in John 15:11 tells us that by giving Him our whole heart, “you will be filled with His joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! It is summer so I will close with this analogy. Think of yourself at the beach. You are hot but know the ocean water is cold. You hesitate to enter the water but once you are in you feel so refreshed. You can either venture in slowly trying not to let it get above you waist or like Peter did when he recognized Jesus, you can plunge right in avoiding the discomfort of experiencing the cold little by little. Like the little one wanting to jump in the deep end for the first time, take the leap of being All In. Trust that God will be there each and every time to catch you. Once you do it, you will want to do it again and again.  As I shared earlier, my guiding thought process is “Love God with all my heart, Love others as He loves me, and then trust Him with the outcome.” My exhortation to you when thinking about giving your all to God is “Come on in, the water is fine!” When you do, out of you will flow living water that only God through the Holy Spirit can provide. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%207:37-39&version=NLT Thanks for finding and reading the blog. I hope you were encouraged. Please subscribe if you haven’t already. You can reach out to me by email at [email protected] |
What can be the most troubling verses in the Bible
Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
Every time we read this passage, we should do a heart check as we never want to have Jesus say I never knew you. We call him Lord, but do we mean it? Are we doing the will of the Father or living our life trying to do the right things not to honor God but instead, for man’s approval. There were lots of religious people who thought their righteousness was their way of earning God’s favor. Their hearts were not in the right place. They were seeking positions of power within the church hierarchy. Like in the verses I shared at the beginning of this blog, Jesus scolded them later in Matthew by saying, ““Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean.” (Matthew 23:27). That is why Jesus will say to some on their judgement day, I never knew you.
There is a very simple way to determine if you will hear, “Welcome good and faithful servant or depart from me for I never knew you. First, ask yourself, have I acknowledged the need for God in my life, accepted that Jesus died for you, and asked through the Holy Spirit to come into your life? Secondly, examine the motives for the way you live your life. Are you trying to live a life that looks good to the world around you versus one that is living out an obedience to God the Father. Jesus makes it clear that folks who just want to put up a good front are like the whitewashed tombs. https://biblehub.com/psalms/51-10.htm says What He wants is to create in us a clean heart that is open to receive His love and mercy. https://youtu.be/2fVliokreqE Nothing more but to enjoy the Joy of His salvation.
So, when I read Matthew 7 and ponder, “Does Jesus know me”, I remind myself of what He shared in Mark 12 were His greatest commandments. “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love and serve your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.” If my heart has a desire to follow these commandments, I can trust that the outcome will be His will being done and that He will fulfill His promise that He has prepared prepare a place for me (John 14) and in Psalms 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever. He wants this for each and everyone of you as well. May you desire for God to: Create in you a clean heart and may He:
Cast us not away from Thy presence, O Lord
And take not Thy Holy Spirit from us.
Restore unto us the joy of Thy salvation;
And renew a right spirit within you and me.
Thanks for stopping by my blog. Please take the time to read previous posts and if you find them encouraging, if you haven’t already, please subscribe. I can be reached by email at [email protected].
God wants us to Abide in Him.
I really want to “finish well” in the time I have left here on earth. I have recently written on Focusing on “What’s Next” and learning how to focus on others rather than myself. It has led me to the realization that if I am to finish well I must learn how to Abide which is defined as “accepting or acting in accordance with (a rule, decision, or recommendation)
Jerry Bridges says there are four essential elements to finishing well. https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/four-essentials-to-finishing-well He writes, “I have come to the conclusion that there are four fundamental actions we can take to help us finish well. There may be other issues that are important, but I believe these four are fundamental. They are:
- daily time of focused personal communion with God
- daily appropriation of the gospel
- daily commitment to God as a living sacrifice
- firm belief in the sovereignty and love of God”
All of these lead me back to the command that I am to abide in Christ. Like the definition, I need to accept the rule that God created me and my life is better lived if I act in accordance with that belief. The word Abide initially promotes a peaceful and restful posture and yet it is an active verb, not a feeling or a belief, but something we do. It means to “remain” or “stay”, even “attached or rooted” in the One who wants to nourish us to be the best we can so we can finish well. John 15:5 says we are to be like a branch rooted in love that can only live if it is attached to the vine. It entails far more than the idea of continued belief in the Savior. It means actively living out our lives in the way God’s Son lived His life before He died for us. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked” (1 John 2;4-6) Psalms 37:23,24 promises us that “The Lord will firm up the steps of the one who delights (abides) in Him. We will make mistakes and stumble but will not fall because Lord is there upholding us with His hand” 1 John 2:10 reinforces the psalmist saying, “The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him”
This is the man I want to be. A man who endeavors to walk in the manner seen in the life of Christ. A man who knows he has and will stumble and make mistakes but won’t fall because the Lord is always there and promises to never fail me. May my actions exhibit that I believe that God is in control of my life and therefore I accept and will act accordingly with that truth. May I be like Jeremiah who prayed: “Let me not boast of my wisdom
or boast of my strength
or boast of the provisions I have been provided or in what I have accomplished.
But let me be the one who boasts about this:
that they I have an understanding of who God is and that He loves me.
that He is the Lord, who exercises kindness,
justice and righteousness on earth and,
for in me He delights,” Jeremiah 9:23,24 (Guthrie version :)) Therefore, may my answer to What’s Next always be to Abide in Him!
Those of you who are regular readers of this blog know that my One Word for this year is RISE! https://thankfulinallthings.com/are-you-ready-to-rise-up-p-with-me-in-2023/ Resoved, Intentional, Striving for Extraordinary things with a focus on What’s Next. May my answer to What’s Next always be to Abide in Him! I hope I have encouraged you to do the same. You can reach me by email at [email protected]