A Grateful Heart

The waiting has ended. With a grateful heart, I can share that we found a house in Middle Tennessee, thirty miles from downtown Nashville.

Our good news came two days after my birthday—a grand gift from the Lord. We will move into our new home in early June. Ours wasn’t the highest bid the sellers received, but they chose ours because of other factors for which I am thankful.

At one of my favorite houses (offer number seven), I walked to the edge of the backyard and peeked over the fence. Down a hill lay three cows. I shouted a big hello to them. One stood and stared up at me. I was ready to make an offer because I loved seeing the cows. God knew that, but He didn’t give us that house.

I loved the small-town feel of another one of my favorites (offer number eleven). My husband and I were excited to find a state park nearby. We love to hike and walk trails surrounded by trees and wildlife. God knew that, too, but He didn’t give us that house.

When we drove out to visit offer number twelve, which was in a subdivision out in the country, we commented on the lush, green farmland we passed. We arrived at the house with our agent and while on the back patio, to my left, cows grazed nearby. Another special feature of this house’s location was its proximity to another Tennessee state park—larger and closer than the one near the small town. God gave us this house.

I hope to see the cows often while I sit and relax on my patio or as I gaze out my dining-room window. And I look forward to seeing wildlife when I trek along the trails at the state park with my husband.

Although we had to wait longer than we expected, the Lord gave us a home with both cows and hiking nearby. With a grateful heart, I can say it was worth the wait. And because of our large fenced-in backyard, maybe I can talk my husband into buying me a cow of my own!

Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart,
I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the Lord;
may I never forget the good things he does for me.
Psalm 103:1-2, NLT

Blessings

On our walks near the Rio Grande, my husband Kenn and I often greet those passing by with a “good morning.” I look at those greetings as extending a blessing in hopes these fellow walkers and runners have a good day. Some receive it with a returned, “good morning,” some with a hello or nod, and others walk by without acknowledging us.

As I mentioned in my previous blog post, the Greek word, bless, used here is eulogeo—to speak well of, thank, or a prayer of benediction. This word can also mean, praise.

In Luke 2:28, Simeon blessed God in the temple as he held the Christ child. In verse 34, he blessed Mary and Joseph. I believe when Simeon blessed God, he was thanking and praising Him for allowing Simeon to see the promised Messiah. When he blessed Mary and Joseph, he may have spoken a benediction of protection and favor over them.

Here is another verse that uses eulogeo.

“Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”
Luke 6:28, NIV

We are to offer a kind word, speak well of, and pray for those who curse and mistreat us.

There’s another meaning for the word blessed in the Bible. The Greek word, makarios, means supremely blessed, happy, fortunate, and well off. My study Bible states, “It is a grace word that expresses the special joys and satisfaction granted the person who experiences salvation.”

Makarios is the word used in the Beatitudes found in Matthew 5:3-11 and Luke 6:20-22. We also find it in these verses.

As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out,
“Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.”
He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the
word of God and obey it.”
Luke 11:27-28, NIV

Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me,
you have believed; blessed are those who have
not seen and yet have believed.”
John 20:29, NIV

Excuse me a moment while I eulogeo my Lord. Jesus said, makarios are those who hear the Word and obey it and who have not seen and yet believe. That’s us if we’ve experience Christ’s salvation! We are supremely blessed, happy, fortunate, and well off. We find joy and satisfaction in our salvation. Praise God!

Will you join me in offering thanks and praise to God for His supreme blessings, joy, and the satisfaction He grants to those of us who have experienced His salvation?

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Hayford, Jack W. New Spirit Filled Life Bible: NKJV Kingdom Equipping through the Power of the Word. Thomas Nelson, 2002.

Acknowledge His Greatness

Have you praised the Lord today and acknowledged His greatness? He blesses us beyond our comprehension, and for that, He deserves our praise.

I’ve prayed for months for a miracle of reconciliation between two members of my family. The repair of their relationship didn’t look promising in the natural, but when God intervenes, all things are possible. The first step to harmony between two people I love took place this past week. I serve an awesome God!

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every
spiritual blessing in Christ.
Ephesians 1:3, NIV

Perhaps you can recall a time when God answered your prayer for a special need—a new job, a financial miracle, or the mending of a broken relationship. He’s still in the miracle working business.

Ephesians Chapter 1 tells us God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing. Why? Because we are followers of Christ. He chose us to be holy and without blame as we walk in His love. We belong to Him, and He has given us grace and accepted us as His children. His love and kindness for us are so great, that He bought our freedom with the blood of Christ and forgave our sins.

He’s united us with Him, and He’s working everything according to His plan. We are His own, and we know this by the gift of His Holy Spirit, who is God’s promise to us that we have eternal life. The Holy Spirit in us brings spiritual blessings through God’s gift of grace. His purpose for us is to bring Him praise and glory.

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 1:13-14, NIV

We are to praise and worship Him, not only for what He has done for us, but for who He is and for His excellence. One way to bring Him glory is to acknowledge His greatness as we surrender ourselves in obedience. He is holy, faithful, merciful, and offers us His love and grace. He gives to all who seek Him. Even in the bleakest of circumstances, He knows, and He cares. Tell Him what you need. The answer to your prayers may take months as mine did, but He’s listening and working.

Thank you, Father, for Your spiritual blessings. I’m grateful You hear my cries for help as I pray for matters that concern myself and others. Your love knows no boundaries. I praise You and acknowledge Your greatness, power, and authority as I surrender myself in obedience to Your Word. In Jesus’s name. Amen.

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Photo by Guillaume de Germain - Unsplash

Offer Sacrifices

Before Christ’s death and resurrection, people presented burnt offerings to receive forgiveness of their sins. But these gifts weren’t the Lord’s only requirement. He also desired that their sacrifice be given with a thankful heart and a broken spirit—a change of attitude within. Are we required to offer sacrifices today?

Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God,
and keep the vows you made to the Most High.

Psalm 50:14, NLT

The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.
You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.

Psalm 51:17, NLT

Once Christ sacrificed His life for us, we were no longer required to present burnt offerings. We are called, however, to model our lives after His—filled with love.

Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ.
He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us,
a pleasing aroma to God.

Ephesians 5:2, NLT

Romans 12:1 teaches that our bodies are to be a living and holy sacrifice. Our true worship includes holiness, purity, and Christlikeness.

And we are taught to offer a continual sacrifice of praise—to proclaim our faithfulness to His name.

Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name.
And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need.
These are the sacrifices that please God.

Hebrews 13:15-16, NLT

But when is our offering of thanksgiving and praise a sacrifice? Do we ever have bad days or days we don’t feel well? Maybe we’re too tired or busy? Even during these times, we are to thank and praise the One who has given us so much and proclaim our commitment and devotion to Him.

Sacrifice is still required today as a part of our daily worship, in our praise and thanksgiving for all God has done, and in declaring our faithfulness to His name. Other ways we may sacrifice are of our time, talent, and giving. These include doing good and sharing with those in need as stated in the above verses from Hebrews—lovingly serving others is often a sacrifice.

In what other ways do we offer sacrifices to the Lord?

Father, may I be aware of how You desire for me to lovingly serve others in the sacrificing of my time, talent, and giving. Convict me, Holy Spirit, when I sin, so I can be quick to repent and follow You—to worship You in purity and walk in Christlikeness. Help me remember to thank You on my good days and on those not so good days when I’d rather mope and complain. I desire to give You praise and thanksgiving for all Your blessings, declare Your faithfulness through my daily life, and offer sacrifices You are pleased with. In Jesus’s name. Amen.

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Photo by Priscilla Du Preez - Unsplash