So much to be thankful for

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.  For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. -2 Corinthians 2:14-15

What a privilege it is to be able to bring the love of God to others. As the verse says, we ought to be a pleasant aroma to all those we cross paths with. May we make the most of every opportunity; not to preach, not to tell people where they are going wrong, because trust me- they already know.  What they need to know is that our Father is all forgiving, merciful, and loves each of us as individuals.  No matter what we've done, no matter where we are in our lives, he is there for us the moment we seek him with our whole hearts. 

Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.-2 Corinthians 4:1

For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.  But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.- 2 Corinthians 4:6-7

We are nothing but jars of clay; bodies that are easily broken, but for as long as we last we are vessels that can be used for God's purpose.  I thank God for the honor of having him live inside of me in the form of the Holy Spirit, who guides us and comforts us.  

I thank God my Father for radically changing my life.  I was surely blind, but he opened my eyes to see. I was once despondent, not sure why I was here; but now I know.  I'm here to spread this very great love of God, even if it is only in my very small ways.  He changed my heart, and when my heart changed, so did my life.  What words can express my gratitude?  He has made me a new creation; an offer he makes to each of us.

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them...
-2 Corinthians 5:17-19

I am so thankful that God has forgiven the sins of my past and given me a new life!

I feel like David did when he wrote:

I will exalt you, O Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me.  O Lord my God, I called to you for help and you healed me.  O Lord, you brought me up from the grave, you spared me from going down into the pit.  sing to the Lord you saints of his; praise his holy mane.  For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.- Psalm 30:1-5 (emphasis mine)

May God shower you with love and his blessings!

Turning on the Light

Have you ever had a terrible nightmare and wakened sweaty, terrified and shaken? I don't know about you, but the first thing I do is reach for the light.
It floods the room, banishing the shadows and the horrific images fade as I come fully awake and see what's really there in the room with me.
When I think of my life without my Lord it was something like that. It was a nightmare world that I just couldn't wake up from.  But when I surrendered my life to him everything changed; as I studied his word and learned to walk by faith, the difference is like dark and light. As it says in Psalms, Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.-Psalm 119:105  So that's how I know how to walk. His word lights up the path that my feet should take.  It shows me the obstacles that might make me stumble and shows me where the path is that I'm to be following.

To others who are still trapped in their various nightmare worlds, or just wandering blindly along, how can we not share this light?  It isn't just for us to see our own way, we're meant to share it with the world around us.  As it says in Luke, when Zechariah was prophesying about his son John who would prepare the way for Jesus:
"because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace."-Luke 2:78-79

Jesus told us, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."-Matthew 5:14-16

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."-John 8:12

When we follow Jesus, read scripture, incorporate it's teachings into our lives, and have an active prayer life, we can't help but shine our light.  When we become involved in ministry, we shine a light.  When we share with others how our lives have changed, we shine a light. :) 

Keep shining your lights for those in darkness to see and be drawn to a life of love and peace that only he can give.

Wishing all of you many blessings!