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| Photo by ColombiaAmazingLandscapes 2015 |
As I consider the blessings God bestowed on us in 2018, and
looking forward to what He has in store for 2019, I want to thank Him for all
He does for us (Philippians 4:6).
Some gifts, like good health, loving relationships, fruitful ministries, and
financial prosperity, are easy to appreciate.
There are other hidden blessings disguised as trials. We seldom
like these as we receive them, yet God intends them for our ultimate good, by
teaching us lessons, chastening us when we need correction, strengthening our faith, empowering us to counsel and comfort others, and molding us into His image.
The apostle Paul urges us to be thankful in all things (Ephesians 5:20), for this is the
will of Christ Jesus concerning us (1
Thessalonians 5:18). So, thank You, Lord, for:
Having
a plan and purpose for me since before the beginning of time (Ephesians 1:11; 2:10; Jeremiah
29:11).
Designing
me
in your image (Psalm 139:13-16).
Creating
me
(Genesis 1:27; Colossians 1:16)
and breathing life into me from dust (Genesis
2:7).
Sustaining
me
(Psalm 3:5; 55:22; John 15:5; Colossians 1:17).
Providing
for me (Psalm 37:25;
Luke 12:22-31). You are my Living Water (John 4:10-11), Bread of Life (John 6:35), all that I need! (Psalm 16:5)
Redeeming
me
(Job 19:25; Psalm 19:14; Isaiah 47:4; Colossians 1:13-14) from the
slave market of sin by paying my purchase price in full (1 Corinthians 6:20; 7:23; Hebrews 10:10-12).
Saving
me
(Romans 10:13; Acts 2:21; 4:12;
Hebrews 7:25) by your grace (Ephesians 2:8-9), by giving me
faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Your Son (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) as the only Way to Heaven (John 14:6).
Clothing
me
in Your righteousness (Job 29:14; Isaiah
61:10; Luke 15:22).
Forgiving
me
(Psalm 32:5; Proverbs 28:13)
and cleansing me from all my sins (Psalm
103:12; Colossians 1:13-14;
1 John 1:9).
Reconciling
me
to God the Father (2 Corinthians 5:18-19;
Colossians 1:20-22; Hebrews 2:17).
Transforming
me
from Your enemy (Romans 5:10; Colossians 1:21) to God’s child (Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 1:5) and Your joint heir (Romans 8:16-17; Ephesians 1:11).
Appointing
me
as Your ambassador (2 Corinthians 5:20)
and fellow worker (1 Corinthians 3:9).
Gifting
me
with what I need to accomplish Your will for my life, spiritually (1 Corinthians 12) and materially
(Philippians 4:19).
Answering
my prayers in the best possible way (Matthew 6:8, 32; Ephesians 3:20).
Strengthening
me
(Philippians 4:13; Colossians 1:11) through your
righteousness Isaiah 41:10),
for Your strength is made perfect in my weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Empowering
me
to witness and live for You (Matthew
28:18-20).
Keeping
me from evil (Matthew
6:13; 1 Corinthians 10:13).
Protecting
me
from danger (Psalm 91).
Never
leaving me nor forsaking me (Psalm
139:7-10; Matthew 28: 20; Hebrews 13:5).
Appointing
angels to look after me (Psalm
91:11-12; Hebrews 1:14).
Guiding,
counseling and teaching me through Your Holy Spirit indwelling me (John 14:26; 15:26; 16:13;
Colossians 1:27).
Knowing
all about me (Psalm
139:1-1), yet having mercy on me (Lamentations
3:22-23, 32; Psalm 57:3, 66:20; 86:15) and loving me anyway (Romans 5:5; 8:39;
1 Corinthians 2:9; Ephesians 2:4; 1 John 4:7-10).
Working
all things together for my good and your glory (Romans 8:28).
Correcting
and chastening me (Job
5:17; Psalm 94:12; Proverbs 3:11; Revelation 3:19)
as a loving Father (Hebrews 12:5-11)
through Your Spirit, Your Word (Hebrews
4:12; 2 Timothy 3:16), and trials You allow into my life.
Comforting
me
through Your Holy Spirit (John 14:16;
2 Corinthians 1:3-4;7:6).
Healing
me
from all my diseases (Psalm 103:3;
Matthew 4:23-24; 9:35), if not physically in this world, then
spiritually in the next.
Molding
me
into Your image (Romans 8:29-30; Philippians
3:10).
Rejoicing
over me with great joy and singing (Zephaniah 3:17).
Interceding
for me with the Father (Isaiah
53:12; Romans 8:26-27, 34; Hebrews 7:25).
Advocating
for me against Satan’s accusations (1 John 2:1).
Betrothing
Yourself to me (Isaiah
54:5; Revelation 19:7-9).
Building
a mansion for me (John
14:2-3).
Coming
back for me at the Rapture (1 Corinthians 15:51-57; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
Transporting
me to Heaven with You
(1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation
4:1).
Giving
me a glorified body (1 Corinthians
15:35-50).
Allowing
me to rule and reign with You (2 Timothy 2:12; Revelation 5:10; 20:6; 22:5).
Living
with me forever and ever ((1
Thessalonians 4:17).
Thanks to You, Lord, I am intelligently designed, custom
made, quality built, guaranteed to last forever! May I praise You, thank You (Psalm 92:1) and glorify You in
all my thoughts, words and deeds!
© 2019 Laurie Collett
