Blessings

As I have been thinking about what I would write this week, so many things have gone through my mind. Much of the time I find myself focusing on the negative things in life. So when I begin to write, my writing seems negative. As I thought about topics and read through devotions and the scriptures, I didn’t see anything jumping out at me, at least not anything obvious. Then I began to notice, God kept leading me to the first few verses of Philippians 1.

Philippians 1:1-6

¹Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: ²Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ³I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, ⁴always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, ⁵because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. ⁶And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.(ESV)

So I began to think on these verses and ask God what He was trying to tell me. As time went on He began to remind me of all the wonderful things He has given to me. I know these verses are talking about people and yes God started out with people in my life.

Of course, I have to start with my family. I know I’ve mentioned them a time or two, hahaha ;), but how many times do we take our families for granted? I want to say one thing about each member of my immediate family otherwise we’ll be here ALL day and into next week. Cecil-my amazing husband of almost 26 years, he has been with me through some REALLY tough stuff but he has ALWAYS loved me and that love has NEVER waivered. I told someone this week that other than salvation, Cecil is the best gift God has ever given me and I mean it!!! I love you and I thank God for you! Hunter-my oldest child, you make me proud to be a mom. I admire your strength as person. I have seen you overcome great obstacles and preserve. You have become a strong man. Keep your eye on God and let Him guide you! I love you and thank God for you! Colton-my youngest son, you surprise me everyday. Sometimes I still think of you as my little boy then I look at you and realize you are a man. I know that you are going to get the degree you want and the career you want. Then you will see your dreams come true right before your eyes. I’m amazed at how God has worked in your life! I love you and thank God for you! Stephanie-my daughter, you are such a joy to me. You have been a wonderful friend and daughter. Watching you as you finish your Senior year and prepare to graduate is SO bittersweet. I just can’t wait to see what God has in store for you! I love you and thank God for you!

Ok now that I’ve finished my gooshy stuff, think about not only the people we have to be thankful for, our family and friends, but what about the things that God provides for us.

He really hit me over the head with this one. I worry way too much about things. What are we going to eat? What am I going to wear? How are we going to pay this bill or that bill? What if……………. ? or What if……………..? or even What if………………..? Remember what Jesus tells us in

Matthew 6:25&26

 ²⁵"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? ²⁶Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? (ESV)

We have so much to be thankful for. Jesus says He will provide for us when we serve Him.

So let it go. Turn to Jesus. Fully rely on Him and He says He WILL provide for you!

Am I ready to do what The Message says in Philippians 1:3-5 “break out in exclamations of thanks to God”?

Take time to thank God today for the people and things He has provided for you. I think I will!

Living in Grace,

Angie

Philippians 1:3-5

 ^3-6Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. I am so pleased that you have continued on in this with us, believing and proclaiming God's Message, from the day you heard it right up to the present. There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears. (The Message)