Thanksgiving and Miracles

This is the beginning of Thanksgiving week here in the United States. I think for all of us it brings so many special memories to mind. Especially gathering with family for that special Thanksgiving meal. So often today the true meaning of Thanksgiving gets forgotten in all of the mayhem of preparing for the gathering and feast. Let's think back to what that first Thanksgiving was all about way back when the Pilgrims celebrated.  They came together to give thanks to God for the new freedoms they have in this new land they came to. And also giving thanks for the harvest that provided all of the wonderful food they enjoyed with one another.  They also gave thanks to God for the health in their families, and the provisions God provided for them. And many experienced miracles throughout the year I am sure.
That brings me to what I'd like to share with you. 
Thanksgiving was always special in my family. We gathered together with extended family and Grandparents, and enjoyed the feast. We treasured the family times spent together.
When I was a young age my father was an alcoholic. Even though that often brought a cloud over our celebrations, my brother and I always knew he loved us, and cherished the holidays with us. It was when I was a teenager my parents were divorced. This was extremely difficult for us. My father tried every motive possible to get rid of alcohol for good in his life. Unfortunately the pull was very strong, and everyone who celebrated always seemed to have the need for alcohol to be involved.
Even when my father was not with us, he still tried to make our holidays special.
It was one particular spring that my father reached his final ultimatum. Go to a rehab facility or go to jail. My brother and I knew he needed more than a rehab facility. He needed Jesus to come into his life and deliver him from alcohol. My brother and I were adults at this point. Our Mom still cared.
My brother found a Christian organization that would take my father. We prayed and prayed that this would be the healing and deliverance from Jesus he needed.
My father walked through the doors, he was met by some men who instantly prayed for him. And in that very instant, my father was delivered and healed from alcohol for good. He stayed on at the center for 4 months. But he knew he had a family to return home to, including a wife to restore a marriage with.  Neither my Mom or Dad never remarried, they were apart for 12 years. My Dad said he never felt he was divorced. He returned home to us in September. He was totally restored and gleaming with the love of Jesus shining on his face. We enjoyed our holidays together. The next year we enjoyed being a family. My Dad asked my Mom to marry him again. And November 28, 1987 my parents were once again married. But this time Jesus was at the center. We had many wonderful Thanksgiving's and Christmas' together as a family. There wasn't a day that went by that we did not give thanks for this miracle.
My parents are both in heaven now. We miss them so very much. But we are so very thankful for the gift Jesus gave our family.
This year Thanksgiving is on November 28th. So I decided to write about our miracle. I want to encourage you all. There are many of you needing a miracle in your life. It may seem like it is impossible. It may seem like it will never happen. You may feel hopeless. Trust me, it is possible. There is hope. Jesus can restore to you what may have been taken. He can heal you. He can provide for you. The list is never ending what Jesus can do for us. He loves us so much. There isn't anything He does not want to do for you. He just asks for us to BELIEVE. This is the season for believing.
Whether you are in need of that miracle, or you know someone in need, call out to Jesus. He is right there by your side always. He loves you more than you can fathom. Trust Him, and BELIEVE.
As you gather for Thanksgiving dinner this year, take a moment and give thanks to Jesus for all He has done for you and your loved ones.
Also let us remember those less fortunate than us, let us pray and ask Jesus to bless them abundantly.
And finally, let us remember our service men and women, serving in our own country and overseas. Let us give thanks for their sacrifice as they fight for us, protect us, and serve us. And let us ask God to surround them with His love and protection.
I pray for you all, faithful readers, have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and may the Lord drench you in His love.
Happy Thanksgiving!

HOPE! There is Always Hope!

Hope! What does it mean to you? Does it cost you anything? Where do you get it?
The hope I have is already bought and paid for by my Lord Jesus. He freely gives this to us, in abundance, if we so desire.
In today's world we definitely need hope. It doesn't matter where we live, or what type of job we have, or what our needs are, hope is ours and we need it.  As long as we are trusting the Lord Jesus for our needs and follow Him, hope is there for us at any time. Jesus is our hope.
There are so many people in need today. Whether it is a crisis in their life, or job needs, or anything else, Jesus is there. He has His hands held out to us, reach for Him, and He will pull you out of the mire. He will rescue you out of the pit. He will wash you clean and cover you with His Holy Spirit. He will save you. We all need Jesus to rescue us at times. He is calling us to Him.
Jesus gives us His promises. Those promises are true, and they will not fail us. Jesus' love for us is so vast and deep, we are never without it.
That alone fills me with hope. Knowing Jesus is always with me and by my side, watching over me.
This is our never-ending hope. This is our reason for Thanksgiving. This is our reason for rejoicing.
Faithful readers, all of you have the same love from Jesus. You all have the same hope within your reach.
The world needs to see this hope in us. There are many that need to see it, they need to feel it, they need to know it is real. We are the vessels the Lord will use to share this love and hope to the lost.
Jesus us calling us to Him. He has the same love for all of us. He has hope for all of us to hold on to.
He knows your name, He knows my name. And He will never leave us.
I pray that you all have this hope, and that you all can feel His love for you.
Jeremiah 29:11-14a
 11 For I know the plans I have for you”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
12 You will call to Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 
13 You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you”—this is the Lord’s declaration

It's not too late!

So often we hear people say they do not feel loved. Or someone will say they do not feel they have any worth. They do not think they matter to anyone. 

Then we see the other side of the spectrum, people feel they are invisible. They can do anything they like, whether good or bad. So many of these people have no respect for others, or themselves.

All of this is wrong thinking. We do have worth. We are loved. And if you are still alive, it is not too late. Not too late for what?

It is not too late to feel loved, to be worth something to someone, and to have self respect and respect for others.

Remember as little children we used to sing the song "Jesus loves me, this I know"?

Yes He loves me, the Bible tells me so. Or remember "Jesus loves the little children"? Yes! And those children are us. No matter our size, color, age, name, or our past, Jesus loves us. This very minute, where we are, what we are doing, Jesus loves us.

I was thinking about this when I was doing my devotions this morning. In the Bible we read in several occasions God tells of His love for all.  But to those who are denying Him and not obeying, He gives a warning to them. Change or they will die, and not live in glory with Him. Sometimes He gives them many chances. God is so patient. But as long as those people were alive there was still a chance for them to change and ask for forgiveness. God still loves them!

In today's world it doesn't take long to hear about horrific killings, abuse, drugs, prostitution, and sex crimes on children, and war. Like in Bible days, God gives us all the same chance to change and repent. To walk in the love God has for us. It is not too late. As long as you are alive on this earth, then it is not too late.

It doesn't matter where you live, or what continent you live on, the world needs to hear and see the love of Jesus Christ. That is the one thing God has asked of us, to spread His Gospel and tell of the love Jesus has for us. He sacrificed His own life on that cross for us. Why? Because He loves us! 

My faithful friends, I pray you know how much you are loved. That you never feel alone in this big world. I pray that whatever it is you do in this world, it glorifies the Lord Jesus and shows the lost His love. 

We all have worth. We all are loved. We all have a responsibility to share the Gospel to others.

When we are obedient to the Lord we do not have to search for love. Because it is right there with us.