A Simple Truth: A bad attitude can ruin any opportunity for joy. This week I have had a terrible and grumbling attitude. I am weighed down by final exams and the emotional and mental fatigue they bring, preparation for speaking at church on Sunday, and all the stress this ice storm has brought upon my life. My apartment has no electricity, heat, or water. This week has been composed of showering at FarmHouse, trying to endure the freezing nights of sleeping and attempting to find food that doesn't need to be cooked or heated in my apartment, continually going to the library to print off notes for class, and in summarization a complete chaos and testing of patience. But after 4 days of a grumbling and dissatisfied heart, something happened today. I realized I am so, so, SO BLESSED!
Today as I was preparing for a final I was listening to some music and God completely grabbed my attention. Here I am grumbling about inconveniances, and I live in one of the richest countries established throughout the history of the world! I DO have a place to shower if I drive a few blocks away, find warm food, and money to buy the things I need to make it through. I have warm clothes, an mp3 player to lift my spirit with songs of worship, a dependable car, friends and family who love me, and MOST importantly a GOD who is patient and merciful toward sinners. A scripture that is on my mind in this time is that in the old testament where God leads the Israelites through the wilderness... They began to complain that God was not providing what they WANTED while all the while he was supplying their NEEDS. He dwelt among them! He led them by pillars of fire and cloud. He rained down manna from heaven to fill their stomachs and he gave them a wise and humble leader in Moses to maintain order and peace among them.
Brothers and sisters, enjoy the lessons from this foolish sinner and take them to heart. When our hearts are preoccupied with complaining there is no room for WORSHIP, and when there is no room for worship we fail to be thankful and we question the very goodness of God! Forgive us Father for such ungrateful and selfish hearts.
Life: Its what you make of it. Cultivate a heart of thankfulness expressed through worship and the smallest things you never even noticed before; will bless your soul with joy beyond words.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Forever Faithful!
"How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, Whose hope is in the LORD his God, Who made heaven and earth, The sea and all that is in them; Who keeps faith forever; Who executes justice for the oppressed; Who gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets the prisoners free. The LORD opens the eyes of the blind; The LORD raises up those who are bowed down; The LORD loves the righteous; The LORD protects the strangers; He supports the fatherless and the widow, But He thwarts the way of the wicked. The LORD will reign forever, Your God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise the LORD!" - Psalm 146:5-10
Oh how comforting is the assurance that our God is forever faithful! Blessed are the people whose help is the Lord, whose hope in the Lord, who dwell in the protection of the POWERFUL YAHWEH!
At this point in my year there are so many decisions facing me, with so many requests I plead before the Lord. I am so thankful that the Lord hears my most inward yearnings and is attentive to my tearful prayers. How all together wonderful it is to have a God who is near, a God who delights in blessing his children if they offer up worship of thankfulness! As I consider the way of my next few weeks, I will consider the faithfulness of my Lord. Yes, I will not doubt the promises he has made to those who seek his face. For he uses the weak to show his power. He uses the foolish to display his wisdom. He equips the inadaquate to show the depths of his wonder. Bless me Father in the ways I have requested before you. Delight in providing for your child whose hope is in you. May your name Father recieve the Glory it commands! For Holy is the Lord! High and EXALTED, KEEPING FAITHFULNESS FOREVER!!!
Oh how comforting is the assurance that our God is forever faithful! Blessed are the people whose help is the Lord, whose hope in the Lord, who dwell in the protection of the POWERFUL YAHWEH!
At this point in my year there are so many decisions facing me, with so many requests I plead before the Lord. I am so thankful that the Lord hears my most inward yearnings and is attentive to my tearful prayers. How all together wonderful it is to have a God who is near, a God who delights in blessing his children if they offer up worship of thankfulness! As I consider the way of my next few weeks, I will consider the faithfulness of my Lord. Yes, I will not doubt the promises he has made to those who seek his face. For he uses the weak to show his power. He uses the foolish to display his wisdom. He equips the inadaquate to show the depths of his wonder. Bless me Father in the ways I have requested before you. Delight in providing for your child whose hope is in you. May your name Father recieve the Glory it commands! For Holy is the Lord! High and EXALTED, KEEPING FAITHFULNESS FOREVER!!!
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