A Reflection In Thankfulness

It’s the end of the year and a time of reflection again.

Truthfully, it is a turbulent year; a year where much had happened and is still happening. For the world, it’s probably one of the worst year for a long time, short of being in a world war. Sadly, tragedies and atrocities abounds; human lives were seemingly valueless and worthless. Bad news on the front page almost every single day. I see the beginning of the end, but yet it is still the beginning.

However, personally, and I believe this for most fellow believers; it is not a year of doom and gloom. We, the redeemed, are in the world – at a bad time, but not of the world and never hopeless. There are always glimmers of lights, twinkles and winks from God-the Father. Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, has always been a primary source of hope simply by His promises in the Bible. The glory of His coming and sacrifice for us… Just for us, that He gave Himself up, that we might be not be only conquerors, but more than conquerors:

What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.   Romans 8:31-39

I, too am convinced, God’s love is ever much real and can never ever be separated from us. Even in such perilous times, I am having the best time in my life yet, and it is going to be even better! Join me in this hope, not an empty one; a real promising one by the Son, the new-born King.

If you are unsure, just ask the silent One, that is in you; the Holy Spirit. Just ask Him to rise up and bring glory from within up to Christ, the Son. Joy and thankfulness will surge through because of Christ who loved us. Overwhelming victory is yours! Leap in joy and thanksgiving; allow Him to; give yourself a chance too. Hug your family, spread your love. Keep Christ in Christmas, because we are the very reason He came.

Have a Merry and Blessed Christmas.

– King David @2014

I Need a New Attitude

Thank You Lord, for Your grace and for the faith You have given me. Help me to never forget that Your salvation is a gift to me, not my self-effort. I thank You that You make all things new, I pray that Lord, You will make me and my attitude anew. Help me to get rid of any mind-set that would keep me from becoming more like You and receiving the blessings You have for me. If I have a negative attitude about anything, help me to throw it off and put on a positive new one. Make me more and more into the image of Christ. I know by faith that there will be a reaping of good things because I have sowed good seed.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.”   Revelation 21:4-5

By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.   Ephesians 2:8-9

The Facebook (Zuckerberg) Diet

It has been reported that Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg had taken to eating only meat from animals he has killed in order to appreciate that a creature died so that he could live. The 27-year-old billionaire took on the dietary so that he will not take for granted the good food that laid before him.

His first kill was a lobster, which he executed by boiling. Larger animals that he kills are sent to a butcher, and also he posted a photo of a chicken he killed and dishes he made using the parts.

'I think many people forget that a living being has to die for you to eat meat, so my goal revolves around not letting myself forget that and being thankful for what I have.' - Mark Zuckerberg

After reading this, I do agree with him that we often took for grant the good life we have; the good food, that we undervalue together with everything around us. We are numbed by other things that demands our attention and focus. While Zuckerberg understood this from a dietary perspective, something significantly more than a lobster, chicken or even a cow.

Every Sunday, we meet together in a place where we break a small piece of bread and pass a small cup each. A reminder of how we can possibly enjoy LIFE itself. A reminder that the very Son of God came and died in order that we all can live. A reminder that we have to be thankful for and not to be taken for granted.

He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.”

After supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.   Luke 22:17-20

 

Thankfulness > Joy and Peace

Everyone wants the very best of what life can offer. Some see it in material possessions, some in travel to sights of the world, some in all kinds of food and drinks, some see it in enjoyment of all sorts, and the list goes on. While all these are good, we have to wonder, is that it? If life can offer the very best of things, wouldn’t that be fantastic and wonderfully blissful? Sadly, if you just flip open the celebrities page of the newspaper, chances are that’s not the case.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.   Philippians 4:4-7

In this progressive cynical and neck-breaking paced world, the passage seems increasing delusionary and farfetched, or is it? Rejoice in the Lord always; Rejoice denotes celebration and cheer, express happiness and delight, gladness and pleasures. Aren’t all these what people are looking for in the world? So what is the secret?

In essence, we are to be calm, quiet and restful not anxious at all. Just put our focus on the Lord, submit every situation or difficulty to God in prayer, in thankfulness. And His divine peace will guard our hearts and minds. There seems to be many things, but actually there is only one thing to kick start the entire chain of events: To come to God in thanksgiving or thankfulness. Being thankful opens the door for God to move in your life. It’s easy to be thankful and express your thankfulness to God because like Job, no matter how down the pits you are, there is always something to be thankful for. And when that happens, we avail ourselves to His peace that will guards our hearts and minds, where the enemy attacks. When we submitted and trusted in the Lord, we can naturally be calm and gentle, then a joy will spring up from within.

Find something to be thankful for and when we express it with our mouths, it opens the door for God to move. The more you to think about it the more you can find something to be thankful for. And this is another key – not only expressing your thankfulness but doing it continually.

Another thing – Thank God ahead of time for what you are believing for, because Jesus already promised that He will do it if you ask in His name! Hallelujah!!