This morning I have been talking to a few friends. Some of these friends I have known since 8th grade and I would consider to be my best friend. Others I met just a 5 years ago, some 2 years, and others a few months ago, but what I am grateful for is the encouragement that comes from the incredible friendships. It is always nice to have that relationship with people that constantly build you and at the same time being able to build my friends as well. I hope that I am as good of a friend to them as they are to me.
I am grateful for being so blessed living here in the US and that I have no needs in my life. I am seeking for myself why I want so much, and trying to take my wants and give what I would buy for myself to those in need. For me this is not easy because I have been raised in a society that says if you want it go get it or do everything you can to make it happen for yourself. God has completely and radically called me on the carpet to this saying:
“For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, I was naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me. Then they also will answer, saying ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.”
Matthew 25:42-45
I know the grace of God covers me and that Jesus Christ saved me through his power and life, and that is nothing from myself. But, oh the dreaded but, if I have the power of salvation that is the gospel, which is Jesus Christ living a perfect life and dying as a substitute for me and making me right through his righteousness, then that GRACE will walk out of through my life. I know that the salvation of the gospel lives in me because of the battle that exist in me and that everyday I feel the spirit battling the flesh of idolatry. Thank God for the Holy Spirit who convicts and guides and leads us to repentance of self glorification instead of God glorification.
I am grateful that I have a roof over my head. I am grateful that I have food anytime I want it. I am grateful I have clean water. I am grateful that I have deodorant. I am grateful that I have a toothbrush and toothpaste. I am grateful that I have clothes and lots of them. I am grateful for my bed with a mattress. I am grateful for my truck. I am grateful for shoes. I am grateful for my job that makes me 15% of the world’s wealth. I am grateful for my 5 bibles. I am grateful for my cell phone. I am grateful for having an education. I am grateful for a college degree. I am grateful for books that tell me a story. I am grateful for my computer. I am grateful that I can give. I am grateful that I sponsor 3 kids through compassion and that those kids have changed my life. I am grateful for my church and faith family. I am grateful for grace and that first God has given it to me and that second I have friends who show me grace too. I am grateful that I am blessed so I can be a blessings to those in need. I am grateful that I have so much that I can meet some ones physical need in order to help them realize their spiritual need.
What are you grateful for today?
