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The Devotional Diva - Give Thanks
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The Devotional Diva - Give Thanks
By Barbara Gobbs
Executive Assistant and Ministry Partner - Pocket Full of Change Ministries
“In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I Thess 5:18
Today marks the official beginning of Christmas in the Gobbs household. It doesn’t look like Christmas in the house thus far, but give me a few days! I believe the Lord has tried hard the last few weeks to get my attention encouraging me to instigate a few changes in my life. Therefore, I decided to get started on Christmas as soon as possible.
Now December is not the only month I should celebrate my Jesus. Actually, we should celebrate Him daily. However, why not take a month intensely focusing on the Christ child. And who says you can’t start early!
This year’s prelude to a Christ focused season is Thanksgiving. After all, isn’t Christmas a time to be thankful that God sent us His Son? (No disrespect to the Pilgrims or their contribution to this holiday intended.)
Our verse in Thessalonians tells us to give thanks in all things, which means all things: the good, the bad and the ugly. It doesn’t mean we are grateful for the bad or the ugly just grateful in those times. I’ve often said if you can’t think of one single thing to thank God for you can at least thank Him for being God and for letting you breathe one more day!
Today I’d just like to be grateful. I am grateful to God for saving my soul and giving worth to this worthless woman. I thank God for hanging in life with me so I never have to do this alone. I thank my Jesus for His Word that provides comfort, direction and even admonishment mingled with so much love.
I also want to voice how grateful I am for each of you – my friends. We are nearly to the end of six full years of this weekly devotional that began in February 2003. Can you believe it’s been that long! Many of you have been with us since the beginning. Some are relatively new. Some of you I know personally, others we’ve only met a few times, and some I have never met at all.
Regardless, I am grateful for every heart God has sent this way. Thank you for letting me into your hearts and homes every week. Thank you for allowing God access to your heart through the babblings of a wacky woman who just loves Jesus.
Thank you for the times you encourage me. Honestly, some days I wonder what God will have me share from one week to the next. I admit there are times, I question just how long I can keep it up or how long will God allow me to keep going. Then a note arrives telling me that something God allowed written spoke to a situation in your life. Thank you all for being such treasures in my life and to God be the glory for it all!
I would like to extend publicly my gratitude to the women’s ministry and Sunday school ministry of Kernan Boulevard Baptist Church, North Phoenix Baptist Church and First Southern Baptist Church of Northglenn for loving me, teaching me, reaching out to me and allowing me to serve God by serving on those campuses.
I am so grateful for the job I have with Pocket Full of Change Ministries. I am thankful for Cheryle and Gail, who are not only my co-workers in Christ, but my friends as well.
I am so grateful for each of my pastors at those churches, Pastor Ronnie McKenzie, Pastor Dan Yeary and Pastor John Talbert. They have been my ministers of the gospel, my friends and my mentors from the pulpit and I pray God’s special blessings on their lives.
I am certainly thankful for my family, my mom, dad, brothers, sisters, nieces and nephew. I am so blessed. Our family lives far apart and times together are far and few in-between. But there is never any doubt of the loyalty and love we have for one another.
I am grateful for my daughter. She has been the diamond in life for 28 years and will continue to be – even into eternity. I am grateful for my son-in-law. He is a wonderful man and we are honored to have him in our lives. They have blessed us with the perfect grandchild and gratitude overflows for this gift. In April of 2009 – Stephanie and Jamie will bless us again. Can’t wait!
I am running out of paper, so last but certainly not least, dear Lord, I am so thankful for my husband, Bobby. This man, for just shy of 18 years has loved me, put up with me, stood by me, ministered with me, ministered to me and supported me in anything I sought to do. He is a true Ephesians 5:25 husband. He has the fullness of my love, honor and undying respect. I am so blessed!
This week take time to let those you love and maybe even some you don’t – that you are thankful for their presence in your life. Times are tough I know, and if you are suffering illness, job loss or other distress, this might not be a welcome task. Trust me on this one; it will make you feel better! You can be thankful for the smile of a stranger, the breath in your body, and the Savior that pours His love out on you.
May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you!
Barbara
Barbara Gobbs is a ministry partner with and the Executive Assistant of Pocket Full of Change Ministries. For more information, to schedule a speaker for an event, or to request a newsletter, go to www.pocketfullofchange.org or call Gail Golden, Publicist at 904 316-5462. This ministry is supported by donations. If this ministry helps you or others, and God calls you to help support this work, you can make a donation to Pocket Full of Change Ministry at POB 51205, Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32240.
© Pocket Full of Change Ministries
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