Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Thankful Thursday






Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15

On this Thankful Thursday my focus of thankfulness will be on the most wonderful gift I have ever received. On June 21st, 1977 I whispered a prayer that would change the course of my life forever. I invited the King of kings, and Lord of lords to come into my heart, and I made a commitment to live for Him.

So what did I get in exchange for surrendering my old life to receive this most “indescribable gift" we call Salvation?


Immediately I was granted citizenship in His kingdom. Before, I was a foreigner and an alien, separated from God because of sin, but on that day, I became an adopted daughter of the Almighty God. Everything that belonged to Jesus also became mine to share. All because I yielded to his call and accepted His gift.

Another special gift I received was "the Gift of His Holy Spirit". Now He is always present in my life to guide, counsel, protect, and comfort me each day. I have been empowered to live an overcoming and victorious life.

I was also given the Gift of Peace. Not the kind of peace the world offers, but the Peace that passes all understanding. Peace that allows me to cope with everyday situations.

I also inherited some very valuable real estate. I have a mansion in heaven, all paid for. A dwelling place that will last for eternity! An indescribable place of beauty that I long to live in one day.

Another gift was the Gift of Rest. After living a life of striving, stress, and uncertainty, Jesus offered to carry this load with me. He said: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." What an offer, how could anyone resist such love?

It would take me a very long time to continue and list everything He brings to those who put their trust in Him, and maybe I could never finish the list. In fact, throughout all of eternity He will continue to reveal the greatness of His goodness and the boundless limits of His love.

So for now, I will end with just one more thing I am so grateful for, and that is for one precious sister’s heart that was surrendered to God many years ago. The Apostle Luke recorded this story in Luke 1:26 – 38.

“In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.

But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

“How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. For nothing is impossible with God."

“I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered." May it be to me as you have said."

Yes, and because Mary was willing to surrender her own future plans, her reputation, and her whole life to God, we have all benefited eternally by the birth of her son, Jesus Christ, who has become our Lord and Savior!

My soul too glorifies the Lord, and my spirit will forever rejoice in God my Savior. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and I'm so thankful.

Merry Christmas to you, my blogging friends. I pray for the Lord’s favor, His love, His mercy and His presence to fill your hearts and home in this most Holy season and throughout the coming New Year!

Thanks Lynn for hosting this week's Thankful Thursday! I'm really excited about all the neat things God is showing you for the new year. You can go see what other's are thanking God for at Spiritually Unequally Marriage.

17 comments:

Denise said...

Your a precious gift of God.

Unknown said...

Oh, His gifts are marvelous! Thanks so much for sharing! Have a blessed Christmas!

Marsha said...

Have a blessed Chrismas, Susan. I'll be praying for your boys.

Aunt Angie said...

I love being His adopted daughter!!! A child of the KING!
Your post blessed me! Have a blessed Christmas and New Year!

Ann said...

Merry Christmas, and thanks for the wonderful reminder of the greatest gift!

Susanne said...

Wonderful post!! He truly is the GREATEST GIFT I have ever received!! PRAISE HIS NAME!!!

Unknown said...

Susan,

Wow, I love your post. I love the package photo, cool! Thank you for your inspiring words. I am still blown aways to think about the gifts of peace, the Holy Spirit, and more.

Have a blessed and beautiful Christmas. Love and hugs, Lynn

Andrea said...

Great post, and I hope you have a wonderful Christmas as well!!

Mary said...

AWESOME post!! Thanks so much for sharing. And thanks for stopping by my place. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Love Bears All Things said...

A beautiful reminder of our most precious and everlasting gift.
Blessings,
Mama Bear

Maxine said...

Susan, thanks for posting one of my favorite verses! What a beautiful devotional. And you changed your look--absolutely gorgeous. Blessings to you and to yours for the season, while we thank Him together for the Gift above all gifts!

day by day said...

Susan, These are all such beautiful gifts given to us. Thanks for writing about them as a great reminder that the most precious gifts did not get wrapped in colorful paper!

I really enjoyed reading about us as His adopted children. Our family has been blessed by adoption and it is since then that it has been so real in my heart how
the adoption of my children is so similiar to the adoption of us into His kindgdom. Such amazing love He has for us.

Merry Christmas!!

Heather said...

What a wonderful description of the best gift ever. We're not even through unwrapping all of it yet. (Isn't that exciting?)

Nise' said...

So many wonderful gifts wrapped up with the precious gift of our Savior! Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Mimi said...

Susan,
This is a beautiful post...
and it is so wonderful to have been given such a glorious gift of eternal life..and to know that we will be in heaven with Him some day!!
Merry Christmas,
Love and Hugs
Mimi

Faithful Froggers said...

Merry Christmas, Susan!!
Thank you so very much for the card and photo frame for Allie. It couldn't have been more perfect. Thank you, too, for being such a spiritual influence in my life. Your words bless me greatly - thank goodness we are ALL adopted.

Have a wonderful holiday with your family! May God's love shine on you!
Love & FROG,
Heather

Anonymous said...

The part where you said, "Immediately I was granted citizenship in His kingdom. Before, I was a foreigner and an alien, separated from God because of sin, but on that day, I became an adopted daughter of the Almighty God. Everything that belonged to Jesus also became mine to share. All because I yielded to his call and accepted His gift." Almost made me cry. It was very happy and a very thankful thought.

Merry Christmas!