The "REAL" State Of The Union

Tonight our President will give his annual State of the Union address.  He'll give us his perspective on how we, as a country are doing.  No doubt he'll speak about the economy, health care, jobs, environment, foreign affairs, etc.  After he's done, there is a line-up from the right set to rebuttal his remarks.  We the people will be left with the task of who we believe.

I myself will be opting out of the whole experience as I have come to the realization in recent years that this event is tainted with political ideologies and therefore falls short of a correct perspective as to how things really are.  I am not blind.  If something is blue, it is futile for anyone to try and convince me its red.  There are things I see and regardless of what my political slant is, neither side can convince me that what I see is not what I see.  With that in mind, I offer you my perspective on the state of our Union.

Around 1 million babies are murdered in the womb here in the U.S. every year.  Compare that with the nearly 4 million births and we're left with the reality that 1/4th of this generation is wiped out prior to breathing their first breath.  So, when you go to school plays, concerts, sporting events, or graduations just think a fourth of their classmates never made it to their first day of school. While there a some who are outraged by this holocaust, most either justify the madness or just remain indifferent toward it all.  How did we get here?  How did we get to a place where murdering the unborn is something that we simply sweep under the rug?  How did we get to a place where this conversation has two sides?  Can any of us truly sit back and think this is not a country with a major issue here?  A hundred years ago, there was no debate regarding this topic.  In 1973 the debate was whether or not a woman had a right to choose to kill her baby or not.  Over the years we went from debating is it okay to murder a baby in the 1st trimester, then the 2nd trimester, and today in 2014 that debate has digressed to whether or not a woman has the right to kill her baby as it is being born. We throw around words like abortion and fetus to dupe us into thinking we aren't doing what we are really doing.  Are we a nation with a serious case of blindness or are we a nation that knows full well what we are doing and chooses to spit in the face of the Giver of life?  How did this mass murdering genocide ever become a political issue?  From where I stand, the state of our Union is not at all healthy in regards to securing life for the least among us.

The spirit of greed permeates nearly every area of our society.  The "haves" want more than they have and the "have-nots" want what the "haves" have.  Contentment is a forgotten value and proof of that is seen every "Black Friday" when people risk life and limb to obtain more stuff that none of us really need.  Never mind if we don't have the money to buy it, we're a nation that is completely okay with pulling out the plastic and paying later for something we crave and are convinced we must have today.  We rarely take thought, if ever, of those who live in lands where running water and electricity are not even on the radar for generations to come.  If we do think about it, we are seldom moved to do anything about it.  After all my "need" for a bigger TV trumps a foreign child's need for clean water.  God forgive us!  I'm thinking the state of our Union is in need of some tweaking.

We have a growing spirit of entitlement while at the same time a decreasing sense of responsibility. We have plummeted into a society of self-consumed consumers who seldom have any motivation to produce in order to benefit others.  While we boast of being the Land of the Free, and the Home of the Brave, it could also be said we have become the Nation of Me, Myself, and I.  While our "Lady of Liberty" stands proudly in the east, perhaps we need a "Gentleman of Responsibility" built to remind us that true freedom can't exist without personal responsibility. Please tell me what society can ever remain when those who are responsible are forced to support those who "refuse" to be?  There is a huge difference between being "in need" and choosing to stay "in need."  Any culture that facilitates one's desire to stay "in need" has determined to cripple them not help them.  Ours is a nation that needs to reevaluate how we are "helping" those in need.

The spirit of anti-christ has masked itself in the form of political correctness, attempting to suppress any hint of the truth.  Having a differing opinion than the accepted norm is no longer okay, but is often promoted as "hate speech." God forbid we call sin, sin and hurt somebody's feelings. So, while we determine to coddle this generation and those to come by suppressing the truth, we have paved the way for their self-destruction.  We have laid the ground work for a culture where homosexuality becomes more and more common.  A culture that sees a rise in unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, and maliciousness.  A culture full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and evil-mindedness.  A culture full of whisperers, backbiters, and haters of God.  A culture full of those who are violent, prideful, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, and unmerciful.  I didn't write that by the way, that's what God describes happens to a society that insists on suppressing the truth (Romans 1).  From where I stand, it seems we are headed that direction.

We are a nation whose leaders look like us.  While we sit back and criticize those who lead us, the truth is Washington is simply a mirror image of a society that is pulling away from God.  Lack of integrity, manipulation, power-plays, lack of courage, lack of morals, selfish agendas, and apathy are not unique to D.C. Those "qualities" are found in every fiber of our society.  An election alone will never change the quality of our leadership.  To change the quality of leadership, a society must change from the ground level.  To have "spiritually awakened leaders" a society must welcome a "spiritual awakening" across the entire culture.  As a nation, as a whole, the truth is we will always have what we are willing to accept in our leadership.  From my perspective this nation could use a bit of a spiritual awakening from the north to the south and from the east to the west.

Regardless of where we find ourselves, we are a nation with hope. No, that's not an empty campaign promise.  There is hope for us as a nation.  But it isn't in business owners producing jobs.  It's not in a powerful military (although I honor and respect all those who serve and have served).  Our hope is not in our form of government or those who lead us.  It's not in our economy, a balanced budget, socialized health care, or either political party.  Our hope isn't in a renewed spirit of patriotism, the elimination of social classes, or insisting on political correctness. The hope for our country rests on the shoulders of a God who loves us.  That's it, plain and simple.  I know some will disagree, but that doesn't change the truth.  A nation that accepts Him as Lord and submits to His authority has hope.  Those who don't, have accepted for themselves a future without hope. The future state of our Union, rests on our shoulders as a people to either reject God or receive Him. I know where I stand on that matter, and I'm just hoping others join me.

May God bless each and every one of you, and may God bless the United States of America!

Happy Are Those Who Are Poor In Spirit...

I thought I was pretty good.  At least compared to others.  I mean I had my little list and I did a really good job keeping that list.  I didn't drink, I didn't smoke, I didn't curse, I didn't sleep around, and I didn't listen to that secular music.  I went to church, I prayed (a little), I read my Bible (sometimes), and I loved others (or at least pretended to).  As far as "my" list went, I was doing great.

Now, I look back at that foolishness and think how utterly ridiculous.  I realize now that when it comes to keeping "our" lists, its really nothing more than self-righteousness.  And as far as God's concerned, it measures up to about as much worth as "filthy rags."  Sure, it may make us feel good about ourselves when compared to others who fail miserably at keeping our lists, but this pride offers us a false sense of security and spits in the face of Christ and the price He paid to redeem us.  Our position in the family of God as sons and daughters, isn't earned or maintained by how well we fulfill "our lists."

Grace is the key to our salvation.  Its a gift that we cannot earn.  Salvation is beyond our own ability to obtain on our own and in the same way its beyond our own ability to maintain.  Self-righteousness leads to pride, but it is humility that leads to salvation.  Jesus declared in His famous Beatitudes, "blessed or happy are those who are poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."  The kingdom of heaven is only obtained when we recognize our pathetic condition apart from God.  It is only when we realize that we are spiritually bankrupt and cannot fix our situation on our own, that salvation is a possibility.  This concept of "poor in spirit" is like having a (spiritual) debt we could never pay and crying out for mercy in hopes that someone hears us and pays our debt.  That someone of course is Jesus, who willingly paid our debt and offers us salvation based on the price He paid.

My list, however, was developed after salvation.  I remember well that moment I reached out to Jesus with humility and received His gift of salvation.  But somewhere along the way, I got off track.  I became puffed up and prideful.  I knew it was Jesus who saved me, but I had fallen in to the trap of believing that it was the keeping of my list that kept me good with God.  While our initial coming to Christ must be through the door of humility, this "poor in spirit" is an attitude we need to maintain once we've been saved by His gift of grace.  We do that by never forgetting where we came from.  No, we don't live in the past, but its important to constantly remember that apart from Him, I am nothing.  It's important to keep in mind that any good that is in me, is only because of Him.  Rather than patting ourselves on the back for our ability to abstain from sin or for doing good, we need to recognize that it is not our ability, but His ability working in us.

Back to "our lists."  What we do or don't do is important.  I don't want to belittle righteous living.  The key is "why" we do what we do.  If we are doing good because we think we are gaining or maintaining favor with God, we are missing it.  If we are trying to become righteous by living righteously, we are missing it.  Living righteously comes from being righteous not the other way around.  Being righteous isn't something we can obtain on our own.  It comes from humbling ourselves, and allowing Christ to do that work for us.  Years ago I thought I was "all that" because of what "I" did.  Today I understand that I am "all that" because of what "He's" done.  Years ago, I boasted in me.  Today I boast in Him and what's He's done.

It's important for those who have been walking this Christian life for a while to never lose sight of who He is and who we are apart from Him.  There's a great picture of this in the first chapter of Revelation when one of Jesus' best friends saw Jesus in all His glory.  This buddy of His, John, was so overwhelmed by the sight of Jesus that he fell down like a dead man.  He passed out at the sight of  this Jesus, who he knew better than most anybody.  It takes only a quick glance of Him to remind us of how far we all have left to go on this journey. It is that recognition that leads us to living the happy life.  Happy are those who are poor in spirit...

No Room

It wasn't a vacation.  It wasn't a business trip.  It wasn't a quick weekend getaway.  They had made the trip to Bethlehem to pay taxes.  The trip was somewhere around 80-100 miles and would have probably taken them over a week.  Mary was pregnant.  It was rather late in her pregnancy when a woman is ready to get this over with.  I imagine her feet hurt, her back hurt, and she was wishing this trip was one she did not have to take.  While, traditionally it is thought that they arrived in town at night just as she was ready to give birth, they could have actually  been in town for a bit before this happened.  There isn't really any details as to how long they were in town.  Scripture just tells us that while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.

Back in the day, there was no such thing as a Holiday Inn or a Hilton.  No hotels.com to find the best deal in town.  Generally, one would stay with relatives.  Because both Mary and Joseph were descendants of King David, and Bethlehem was the known as the "City of David," I don't think its a stretch to assume that both probably had relatives in town.  Distant relatives who would love to put them up for a night or two.  The word "inn" referred to a guest house or guest room in a house.  While traditionally we get a picture of Joseph going to the local "Inn" for a room, it is probably more accurate to picture him knocking on the door to a great uncle's home or 2nd or 3rd cousin's home.  The town would have been full of people in town for the same reason Mary and Joseph had come to town. While on another occasion this family might have a spare room, on this day the house was full.  Its quite possible that they had people sleeping in places they normally didn't sleep just to try to accommodate people.  I don't think the "inn keeper" was rude or uncaring.  On the contrary, I think his house is full because he is caring and accommodating.  He has no room in his guest room, because he has already put some people up for the night. Perhaps he insisted on accommodating Joseph and Mary as well but the best he could do was his stable.  Though he had no room in his house, the least he could do was offer them a roof over their heads even if it meant sleeping with the livestock.

Maybe the picture in my head is completely off, but it just seems to me that if the "inn keeper" would have been an unsympathetic jerk, he would have never offered them the stable. I just picture him as a good guy.  A guy who sees a pregnant woman and doesn't want to send her away.  While he's unwilling to give up his bed, he figures he's got to do something.  He doesn't want to put any of his other guests out, but here's a pregnant woman standing in front of him who is about to give birth at any moment. The stable's not exactly the Hilton but hey at least its got a roof. 

I've judged this guy for years.  But, I'm not sure what I would do in his shoes.  I mean sure if I know this baby is the Son of God, I'm getting my sleeping bag and heading to the stable myself and I'm giving them my bed.  But he's not privy to that information. He has no clue that this baby is God in the flesh. As far as he is concerned this is Joseph, his 3rd cousin twice removed from his father's side of the family who he has only met once at a family reunion.  He's not going to shut the door in their face.  No, he's gonna make room for them somewhere.  It's not much, but it'll do.  It's probably not going to be a "silent night" and it's certainly going to need a little air freshener, but it's better than sleeping on the streets. 

Before we judge this man too harshly, let's step back a bit.  I mean, how different are we than this guy?  We're busy.  Our to-do lists are a mile long.  Our calendars are full.  We've got places to go and people to see.  And there stands Jesus knocking on the door to our heart.  We're good people.  We'll make some room for Him somewhere, right?  We'll give Him an hour here and an hour there. Maybe 5 minutes here and 5 minutes there. Sure, its not the best, but it'll do right?  If nothing else we'll give Him an hour on Sunday.  Unless something more important comes up.  He'll understand though.

Why we sit back and judge the inn keeper, we are doing the same exact thing.  We are relegating Jesus to the stable.  We are fitting Him in, giving Him the leftovers.  Then we sit around feeling good about ourselves because we made a place for Him.  What's sad is that unlike the inn keeper, we know who He is.  We are sending The Lord of all Creation to the stable with a sleeping bag and some air freshener, and we feel good about it.

Jesus doesn't want to fit into our lives.  He wants ownership.  He doesn't just want to be first, He wants to be the only pursuit of our heart.  The goal is not to fit Him into our busy schedules, its to put Him at the center of it all.  Rather than an hour here or an hour there, He wants to be Lord of every hour.  He wants to be Lord of every area of our lives.  Its not about reading your Bible, going to church, and praying ritualistic prayers.  It's about an ongoing relationship with the Creator of the Universe where we acknowledge Him in all that we do.  Jesus wants to inhabit every second of every day.  He wants to be Lord of our work and Lord of our play.  He wants to be Lord of the weekday and Lord of the weekend.  He wants to be Lord during football season and Lord during March Madness (sorry sports fans I couldn't resist).  He wants to be Lord of the TV and Lord of the dinner table.  He doesn't want a part of our lives so that we can sit back and feel good about ourselves.  He wants complete ownership.  The stable won't do.  It's not good enough and we all know it.  He deserves the best bed in the house.  He deserves the owner's bed.

He's at the door knocking. Can we make a decision to forget about the stable?  Can we determine that its not even an option?  Can we make a decision to rearrange whatever needs to be rearranged to truly accommodate Him.  Can we truly allow Him to be Lord of our lives instead of just saying it?  I'm sure the inn keeper felt good about himself that night as he made a place for Mary and Joseph.  I don't want to feel good about myself offering my King the stable of my life.   As He stands there knocking on the door, I refuse to declare, "there's no room!" I long to get to a place where I take the stable and give Him my bed.

I Will Not Shut Up!!!

"Shut up!!" That's what they were told.  Well, maybe that's a bit of a paraphrase but they were severely warned to stop saying what they were saying. Was it hate speech? Not exactly.  They proclaimed the truth of Jesus Christ to a man who had been crippled for over 40 years and he was healed.  That's it.  Well, that was the beginning at least.  A miracle had been performed that was certain.  There was no denying it.  A man had been crippled for over 40 years and instantly he was healed.  Everyone knew beyond the shadow of a doubt this was a miracle.  Day after day, this man sat at the gate begging for money, but this day he encountered two men who would radically change his life forever. Unaware of who these men were and what they could do for him, this crippled man asked Peter and John for money.  Money wouldn't fix his problem.  Sure, it might help sustain him for a day or two, but money couldn't buy him a new set of legs that worked properly.  No amount of money could make this crippled man walk.  He counted on the chance that when others would see him, they would have mercy on him and throw some change in his cup. Peter and John don't reach for change though. Instead Peter makes this declaration, "Silver and gold have I none, but in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk."

I'm sure Peter and his counterpart John didn't intend to rock the boat this day when they awakened.  They didn't set out to stand on a soapbox.  This day was probably not that much different than any other day.  But when they saw this man, rather than throw some loose change his way, they determined to deal with the root issue in his life.  They healed him in the name of Jesus and things just began to snowball.  People in the community knew this man who was healed.  They saw him day in and day out at the gate begging.  Naturally, when he was healed by the hand of these two men, it drew attention.  A crowd gathered and Peter used this as an opportunity to explain how this man was healed.  He used this as an opportunity to declare the truth about Jesus and how he was crucified and raised from the dead.  He simply declared the truth.

The religious leaders of the day were outraged and they had Peter and John arrested.  Like everyone else, they knew this man who had been healed.  They too, had seen him day in and day out begging at the gate.  They themselves could not deny the miracle that had taken place, but...... Herein, was the problem.  But, it was by the power of this man named Jesus.  On one hand we have a notable miracle that cannot be denied but on the other hand is this man named Jesus.  A man they had crucified.  A man they had declared was a false prophet.  A man they denied was the Messiah.  In order to be on board with Peter and John, they would have to admit they blew it.

So, naturally instead of jumping on board, they determined to continue doing what they had been doing since the first time they heard about this Jesus.  They determined to suppress the truth.  They warned Peter and John and demanded that they cease speaking of this Jesus.  They threatened them and basically commanded them to shut-up. Isn't this amazing?  These men know the truth, but determine to suppress it.  Even though this truth healed a man crippled for more than 40 years.  A man, they themselves could do nothing for except fill his cup up with some pocket change.  Even though this truth had the power to change peoples lives, they insisted on attempting to suppress it.

After being threatened, Peter and John refused to keep quiet.  They continued to speak the truth in a culture that fought them every step of the way.  They determined to speak the truth regardless of the risk involved. As a result, that truth set people free.  That truth healed people.  That truth saved multitudes. Yes, while that truth faced major opposition, it changed countless peoples lives.

Today we live in a culture that desperately wants to suppress the truth much like the culture Peter and John found themselves in.  While here in America we aren't being faced with arrest (we'll see how long that lasts), one would have to be blind not to see the increased opposition to the truth of the Gospel.  The spirit behind the ideologies of "political correctness" and "tolerance" is no different than the spirit that drove the religious leaders in Peter's day to conspire to squash the truth.  The results of a culture that insists on suppressing the truth are detailed in chapter 1 of Romans and they are devastating. I must admit all the consequences listed in that passage you can clearly see on the rise in our culture today. Check it out for yourself (Romans 1:18-32).  It's important for believers to understand what is going on. There is an agenda here but it is not political, its spiritual.  The enemy is dead set on suppressing the truth.  He's been on this campaign since the day he met Eve in the garden.  He understands that the truth has the power to set mankind free, so his strategy is to squash that truth.

The body of Christ need not be rattled by the enemy's strategy.  It only needs to recognize it and follow in the footsteps of those early church leaders.  When pressured to shut up, they refused to do so.  They spoke the truth and lived the truth.  Sure, it was risky, but as a result, the lives of multitudes were transformed. We live in a culture that desperately wants to suppress the truth.  We see it everywhere.  We can either allow this world to squeeze us into its mold or we can determine to speak the truth.  We can either sit down and shut up or determine to proclaim the truth that alone has the ability to set people free. You can do what you want, but as for me, I WILL NOT SHUT UP! It's not because I'm looking for a fight.  It's not because l need a soapbox.  It's not because I want to simply rock the boat. I refuse to shut up because I know that the truth sets people free. 

Jesus Could Just Snap His Fingers And BLAM!

"Jesus could just snap his fingers and BLAM! It would be done!" I stood there listening to my 7 year old boasting of all that Jesus could do.  He's a bit animated so his eyes were wide open and arms were in full gesturing mode.  I felt as if I was watching a miniature version of  myself.  He went from scenario to scenario with each one becoming greater and  greater.  BLAM! BLAM! BLAM! He hammered each one with this exclamation for dramatic affect.  To each BLAM, I simply nodded in agreement.  

Later I got to thinking, "what's happened to us?"  I remember as a child, having that kind of faith.  I believed God could do anything.  No, let me rephrase that, I KNEW God could do anything.  No task was too big.  No problem was too big.  No issue too insignificant.  God could do anything!

Then I grew up. I grew up in a world that doesn't think about God like that.  I grew up in a world that wants desperately to minimize who God is and what He can do.  It's a world whose philosophy  elevates man and his abilities while diminishing God and His abilities.  It's a world that can't quite wrap their brain around this concept of an omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient Being.  So they reject Him.  Maybe not everything about Him, but parts of Him.  They paint a picture of Him that's not completely accurate.  They downsize Him into a manageable ideal.  And as they do, the BLAMs disappear.  What they are left with is a "god" who has little resemblance to the One we read about in Scripture.   

This isn't just on the outside of the church.  It's an epidemic inside her walls.  Perhaps our "god" looks a little different than the worlds but does it really look like the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob?  Does He resemble the God of Elijah and Elisha? We pray prayers hoping for a "BLAM," but not really convinced we'll see it. We pray about things and then continue to worry about them.  We ask God to take the weight of things for us, then we pick them back up and load them on our shoulders again.  Why? Because we've grown up.  And as we've grown up, we've slowly put more trust in ourselves than in Him.  Our actions prove we are more confident in our ability to carry the weight of our world than His ability.  Just like the world, we've elevated ourselves and shrunk our concept of God. And we walk through life with a major "BLAM" deficiency.

As I listened to my son on that day, I was hanging on every word.  And as I did I thought to myself I want be like him.  I want to recapture that kind of faith.  A faith that knows.  A faith that's convinced.  A faith that doesn't waver.  A faith that isn't "grown up" but is as strong as a little child's.  A faith that knows that Jesus could just snap His fingers and BLAM!   

Christmas Time Is Here!

I love this time of year!  Well, at least for the most part.  I must admit there are things about this season that get under my skin, but still it is my favorite time of year.  How could I not get excited about the time of year we celebrate the birth of our Savior.  Now, for those of you who understand that Jesus was not born on December 25th and find it necessary to let me know, I already know that.  I am less concerned about the when and more concerned about the "Who." In my house we celebrate the birth of Jesus.  We have a Christmas tree, we exchange gifts, we watch Christmas movies, we're thankful for what we have, and Jesus is the center of it all.  

I know we live in a culture that seems to forget the true meaning of this season every year.  Perhaps I have an idealistic memory of the past, but I seem to remember a time when this time of year was not so crazy.  A time when Christmas wasn't about standing in line waiting for a store to open so we could save a buck.  A time when Christmas wasn't about fitting all the parties I must attend into my schedule.  A time when a baby in a manger didn't offend somebody.  A time when the word "Christmas" didn't incite a political debate.  Sometimes I'm left scratching my head and wondering how in the world we ever got here.

Looking back at that first Christmas, it seems that we are not that much different than those who lived during that time.  No, they didn't hit the malls late on Thanksgiving Day, but they were clueless to the fact that they were right smack dab in the middle of the greatest event in the history of the world.  Jesus rebuked the religious leaders of his day for not being able to discern the season they were in.  While that was some 30 years after his birth, that truth holds true for the season of His birth as well.  God was up to something.  Something absolutely incredible and most of the world was so caught up doing life that they completely missed what was going on.

Santa, Rudolph, Frosty, retailers, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and everything else can help us lose track of what this season is all about if we aren't careful. While Jesus came as the Prince of Peace, we'll find ourselves stressed out and burned out during this time if we fall into the pit our culture digs for us. 

Nine months prior to His arrival, Gabriel came to announce His birth to the virgin Mary.  From that moment on she had a constant reminder that Christmas was on its way.  While the rest of the world failed to recognize the season they were in, because she was pregnant with this Christ Child, she never lost sight of it.  Christ was in her and everyday she was reminded that Christmas time was here. 

The world will always miss it.  They'll always find something else to center this season around.  Because Christ is not the center of their world, how could we ever expect Him to be the center of this season for them.  But as Believers we have Christ in us.  Like Mary, we have Him living in us reminding us that Christmas time is here.  Reminding us of a special day when God came to earth in the form of a little baby.  A baby who would change our destiny.  A baby who would save our lives. The date on the calendar is irrelevant.  What's important is that He came and that we celebrate His coming.

This season, I'll venture out a time or two to shop for those I love.  That's a huge sacrifice for me because I don't like to shop during the non-Christmas season.  I'll put up our Christmas tree.  I'll put lights on the house. I'll watch Christmas movies with my family.  I'll go to Christmas parties.  I'll sit in front of the fire with my wife, Lori.  I'll spend time with family and friends.  And all the while I'll try desperately to make sure that Jesus is the center of it all. But that's not something unique to this time of year.  While Christmas is a holy time for me, so is January thru November.  If I could I'd leave up my Christmas lights year round.  But I'm the light of the world.  What's more important is that I keep my light on year round. That includes this season. 

Christmas time is here.  Yes, a Child was born.  A Savior, a King was given.  God has come to us.  In the middle of all the hoopla, that's what I'll be focused on this season!      

I'm Thankful For...

I’m thankful for a God who’s real

I’m thankful for a God who always has been and always will be

I’m thankful for a God who is my refuge and my hiding place

I’m thankful for a God who is my defender

I’m thankful for a God who is my deliverer

I’m thankful for a God who rescued me

I’m thankful for a God who didn’t allow my sin to dictate my destiny

I’m thankful for a God who redeemed me

I’m thankful for a God who didn’t allow my sin to eternally separate me from Him

I’m thankful for a God who saw my fallen state and refused to leave me there.

I’m thankful for a God who didn’t ignore my sin or sweep it under a rug

I’m thankful for a God who dealt with my sin once and for all

I’m thankful for a God who chose an old rugged cross to purchase my salvation

I’m thankful for a God who chose to pour out His judgment, for my sin, on His Son

I’m thankful for a God who paid the ultimate price to save me

I’m thankful for a God who was willing to send His Son, His only Son, to die in my place

I’m thankful for a Savior who was beaten and bruised for me

I’m thankful for a Savior who was wounded for my transgressions and bruised for my iniquities

I’m thankful for a Savior by who’s stripes I’m healed

I’m thankful for a Savior whose blood doesn’t put a Band-Aid on my sin

I’m thankful for a Savior whose blood washes away my sin and cleanses me from all unrighteousness

I’m thankful for a Savior who insisted on becoming my sin

I’m thankful for a Savior who not only carried all my sin to the cross but He nailed them there

I’m thankful for a God who extended mercy to me…someone who didn’t deserve it or earn it

I’m thankful for a God who refused to give me what I deserved

I’m thankful for a God who insisted on giving me what I did not deserve and could not earn on my own.

I’m thankful for His amazing gift of grace

I’m thankful for a God who raised my Savior from the dead

I’m thankful that I’ve been resurrected with Him into new life

I’m thankful that His victory over death has granted me that very same victory

I’m thankful for a God who has given me absolute and complete victory over sin and death

I’m thankful for a God who refused to reject me

I’m thankful for a God who has chosen me to be a Son

I’m thankful for a God who has chosen to adopt me into His family

I’m thankful for a God, the Creator of the Universe, who has chosen to be my daddy

I’m thankful for a God who wants to be in relationship with me forever

I’m thankful for a God who’s not far away on some distant planet

I’m thankful for a God who’s right here with me

I’m thankful for a God who never leaves me nor forsakes me

I’m thankful for a God who loves me without condition

I’m thankful for a God who knows me best, yet loves me most

I’m thankful for a God who loved me at my worst and accepts me just as I am

I’m thankful for a God who loves me so much He refuses to leave me just as I am   

I’m thankful for a God who won’t leave me alone and won’t facilitate my flesh’s desire to be coddled

I’m thankful for a God who has clothed me in His righteousness

I’m thankful for a God who is my Provider

I’m thankful for a God who supplies all of my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus

I’m thankful for a God who has made me more than a conqueror

I’m thankful for a God who always causes me to triumph

I’m thankful for a God who has made available to me all things that pertain to life and godliness

I’m thankful for a God who is my Comforter, my Counselor, and my Advocate

I’m thankful for a God who leads me, guides me, and instructs me

I’m thankful for a God who is concerned with every little detail of my life

I’m thankful for a God who has a plan and purpose for my life

I’m thankful for a God who is my source of peace and joy.

I’m thankful for a God who empowers me to live righteously

I’m thankful for a God whose faithful

I’m thankful for a God who is unshakable and unchanging

I’m thankful for a King whose kingdom knows no end

I’m thankful for a King who sits on the throne forever

I’m thankful for a King who rules with justice and integrity

I’m thankful for a King who has all authority and all power

I’m thankful for a King who has gone to prepare a place for me
And I'm thankful that one day very soon, this King, my King, will split the eastern sky and return as King of kings, and Lord of lords!