I do not celebrate holidays anymore. I am not a
legalist and I do buy gifts for my grandkids on Christmas. And I will have a
nice meal at a restaurant tonight with my family. And so I do not want to sound
haughty or holier than thou when I say this. I am thankful for Jesus. I have
experienced almost everything you can on this earth. New cars and new houses
and new everything. It means nothing to me anymore. I love my children and
their children as well.
But believe me when I tell you I am spent when it comes
to the things of this world. Nothing in this world excites me. Nothing gives me hope. I am
not being cavalier or callous, and there are many, many believers who I believe
live a more surrendered life than do I.
But I just cannot get away from saying that I am thankful
in ways inexpressible for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I openly confess
that I have never had anything that deserves His love and certainly not His
redemption. In my fallen flesh I am a vile and selfish sinner. And even for the
last almost forty years of knowing Christ it is Christ who has been faithful
beyond words to me. I could never have found any value to this life where it
not for Jesus. I hope it never appears redundant and self serving to say I love
Jesus. Oh for a thousand tongues to sing my Great Redeemer’s praise!!
So instead of wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving, I
want to wish that everyone who does not know Christ will find Him, and all of
us who do will continue on this journey of faith and find more and more of Him!
May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering!
May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering!
How can one say anything after a post like this? =D
ReplyDeleteMay the Peace, and the Grace, of our Lord Jesus Christ and Father God be with you and your family Pastor Rick, and to all the brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus.
My thoughts will be with our brothers and sisters who are thankful for our Lord alone, who are without, and not the trappings of this world.
I too no longer look to the things of the temporal, but to the things of eternity and to Jesus.
your sister in Christ Jesus,
Cherie c.
Just listening to things, and if it's all right, just sharing this song. It's Israel Houton and New Breed, "Jesus at the Center". It may not be everyone's type of music. I thought it went with the Post's topic.
ReplyDeletewww.youtube.com/watch?v=XQspvrTBd6E
J.