Family of God: Re: [FamilyofGod] Thankful for all things / What You can't Lose

amen & thank you micheal!!

SHELLEY

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Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." (Matthew 7:13,14).
, "That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day" (2 Timothy 1:12) and "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes" (Romans 1:16).

From: Michael J. Knight <michaelnight82@yahoo.in>
To: FamilyofGod@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thu, November 25, 2010 4:36:03 AM
Subject: [FamilyofGod] Thankful for all things / What You can't Lose

Thankful for all things / What You can't Lose

I read recently about a family that traditionally began the evening meal with a prayer of thanks. When they were old enough, they began letting the children say the meal prayer. At first, they would ask for a pony, a new bike, etc., but they soon learned the more important things which should be included in the prayer.

One Thanksgiving, they had the whole family over. The nine-year-old son wanted to say the prayer. It went like this:

"Heavenly Father, we thank Thee for the turkey, the rolls, the mashed potatoes, the red jiggly stuff, and the bread stuff even though I don't like it. We ask that You not let us choke on this food."

You have to admire the honesty of that little boy, and I also admire those parents who have instilled in their children an attitude of being thankful for everything. And yet, I wonder how often we adults struggle with the same thing. Those of us who celebrate Thanksgiving will take time to be thankful for many things -- our family, our food, our homes, the freedoms we enjoy and many other things.

But I wonder how many of us will include in our prayer of thanksgiving a thankfulness for the things we "don't like" – the sicknesses of the past year, the financial struggles, the people we have trouble getting along with.

Paul said we are to be "giving thanks always for ALL things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Eph. 5:20). That includes the "various trials" we face (James 1:2) that strengthen us and help us to grow to maturity.

This Thanksgiving, may you truly be thankful for ALL things (even the yucky red jiggly stuff!).

Happy Thanksgiving
…..

What You Can't Lose

Romans 8:28-39

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ." -- Romans 8:35

When we express our gratitude to God, it's easy to emphasize material prosperity and the qualities of life that are wonderful to have but easy to lose. Good health is a great blessing, but it could be gone tomorrow. Into the most loving families and friendships, death intrudes when we least expect it. Our tables may be loaded with food today, but we could be out of work tomorrow and wondering about our next meal.

How about taking a new approach to giving thanks today? Instead of focusing on the traditional areas of food, family, and friends, let's thank God for what we cannot lose.

Romans 8:35-39 is a great place to begin. After considering the difficulties and calamities that can strip away the externals from our lives, Paul concluded that none of them "shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (v.39). God's love is unfailing, unceasing, unchanging, and unconquerable.

Heavenly Father, if we have to be away from home and family today, if we are frail in body or spirit, if there is an empty place in our heart, if we have nothing to eat, we still give thanks for Your love in Christ, because no person or problem can take Your love away.

What Believers Cannot Lose
Eternal life (John 10:28), forgiveness (I John 1:9),
God's presence (Hebrews 13:5), access to the Lord
through prayer (Hebrews 4:15-16).