Thankful For All

When I passed by this picture the other day, it reminded me of the story of the Ugly Duckling. How the duckling thought that he would never be beautiful like all the others. Then one day, after a long winter season, he caught a glimpse of his reflection in the lake. He was totally surprised at the maturity he saw in himself. At that glimpse, his soul was renewed.

This story also reminded me of my life’s journey. How God is taking me from an ugly duckling to a beautiful white swan full of purity and peace. Even though I may squirm through the process, He continues to faithfully lead me onward towards the wisdom He wants to impart. I may not notice my growth from day to day. However, at special times, God reveals the mirror of His love to let me admire the beauty He has formed inside my heart.

On this day before Thanksgiving amidst all the activity around me, I will be taking time to remember everything I am thankful for. Here are just a few.

I am thankful for salvation for without it life would not be worth living.

I am thankful for the challenges, the hard times I’ve faced. Each of those experiences has shaped my character into the person I am today.

  

I am thankful to my family and others for their encouragement and help when I needed to be uplifted or set straight.

Most of all, I am thankful to God for He is the one that orchestrated every growth process and love me though to the other side. He upheld me with His strength and courage even when I was to weak to ask. He put His people on my pathway to hold my hand/heart and keep me going forward. He never gave up on me even though I told him I didn't think I was going make it. He helped me to remember his faithfulness is everlasting.

And last but not least, I am thankful for the genuine smile on my face because of God's love and joy I have been able to store in my heart. This godly character displayed in my life will hopefully witness to others there is hope and comfort for them too!

What has God taught you this year that you are so thankful He did? Spend some time remembering what has made you who you are today. Then take time to anticipate the growth thus far and the growth to come. God is not finished with you yet. The best is yet to come. Allow those thoughts to comfort you and give you hope.

Holiday Challenge

I recently I had the opportunity to pray with a woman who had a very heavy heart over the friends and family she had been praying for for quite some time. She kept saying they should be able to see the truth about salvation with all the opportunities they had been given to hear it proclaimed, especially with the circumstances they were going through. I tried to explain with the following.

First, I reminded her that when someone has not received salvation they do not have the understanding of spiritual things. It is only when they allow God to manifest in their hearts that true understanding can come.

Second, everyone has their moment when salvation is plain enough for them to see. They will know in their heart what the truth really is. When God put people on her heart, He intends for her to intercede until their godly understanding comes. Perseverance is the key.

Third, God was using this time to stretch and mature her own faith and abilities as an intercessor. God was not only touching her family and friends through her prayers but He also wanting to touch her walk with Him as well. She thought it was only about others but God was ready to inspire both.

As we kept talking, what I saw in my spirit was an agitator in a washing machine swishing back and forth. What I heard in my spirit was “Washed by the water of the word.” (Eph. 5:26) Because of her standing in the gap with intercessory prayer, God was able to ‘agitate’ them with His love and presence. Her words of faith in prayer were like cleansing water washing over them so they could find the truth.

As I continued to pray and talk with her, I felt the Lord wanted to challenge her to change her thinking about the people in her care.

During Thanksgiving, I sensed she was to thank Jesus for their salvation and all that He was doing to bring them to the knowledge of the truth.  She was to stop looking at the present circumstances and focus on the victory of God promises.

Then afterwards during the Christmas season, she was to thank him for sending Christ into the world and into the lives of those she was praying for.

This process would not be easy. But if she would pledge to change her thoughts and focus, she would bring forth faith and a renewed sense of purpose while she awaited the fulfillment of His promises.

So I offer this challenge to each of you for those on your heart during this holiday season. Along with me, many of you have been praying family and friends for along time. Some of them will be with you during this holiday season.  Instead of thinking they haven’t changed a bit, pledge to use your faith and thank Jesus for their salvation. Thank the Holy Spirit for continuing to touch their hearts. Allow God’s love to flood into your soul and then flow out to each of those you are praying for no matter what  their present situation looks like.Then know when the time is right, they will see and know God too.

 

Remember…. With God, ALL things are possible. (Matt. 19:26)