Be Thankful Regardless

[Les Brewer]

BE THANKFUL REGARDLESS

I am thankful for God’s goodness upon my life, I should be dead, I’ve been stabbed, beaten so badly my own mother would not recognize me, heard bullets shoot pass my head, and overdosed on drugs just to name a few things which have happened in my life. I was a very unsavory person because of the things I pursued in my youth and young adult years. I was filled with hatred and very volatile and violent when provoked. But God had mercy on my soul, and delivered me when I finally surrendered to his call to repentance and gave my heart and life to him.

Since then he has used me in so many wonderful ways, I have seen so many lives changed through the gospel of Jesus Christ. I was just thinking this morning how much he has done in and through my life, yes there have been some hard times, some very deep valleys, and some struggles that made me question it all. But I would not trade any of it, because those things have made me stronger, more focused, and more determined to accomplish his plan and purpose for my life.

I know how true the scripture rings in my life, “ and we know that all things work together for the good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose “ . Romans 8:28

Many times we see pressure as something undesirable, we would not pray for it, but then every time we ask God for patience in our lives we are inadvertently asking for pressure to manifest, because without pressure induced patience is not produced. Its easy for us to give thanks and be thankful when things are going well, but when things are going bad and we manifest genuine thankfulness; that’s called godliness. It is true also that many time weeping will endure for the night, why? Because pressure produces prayer that travails in tears pursuing an answer, but glory to God in the Highest, joy comes in the morning. Joy is more jubilant when God pours into us true joy to carry us through another day no matter what that day may bring.

Many today are going through valleys which are deep and wide, the enemy has positioned himself to steal, kill, and destroy, but a valley is not a canyon, it has an opening and an ending. Remember God’s rod and staff are there to protect you, he guided you into that valley for his righteousness’ sake, he will lead you out into an open plain and spread out a table before in the presence of your enemies, he will provide whatever is needed for he cares for you. Don’t let the pressure disable you, disable the pressure through allowing the patience of God to flow through you.

Brethren keep the faith today by being thankful with a pure heart, rejoice and be exceedingly glad for the Lord thy God is with thee, therefore be thankful and stop the mouths of the gainsayers, the doubt players, and doomsayers, the Lord is the God of your destiny. Let God be God, but most importantly let God be God in and through you. Selah!

Shalom, Agape, & Amen!
Apostle D.R. Ritchie