Part Two
God works in mysterious ways and His plans are often beyond our understanding. Taking the time to be grateful and thank God for His blessings is a habit that can bring many positive benefits to our lives.
People often forget to express basic courtesy and appreciation to those who have done something for them, even though it only takes a second to say, “thank you.”
Psalm 103:2 – Easy-to-Read Version – (ERV)
My soul, praise the Lord and never forget how kind he is!
God is infinite and His truth, goodness, beauty, kindness, mercy, grace, and gentleness are all everlasting. But, perhaps the most important attribute of God is His love. As we ponder the question, “What is Love,” we find that it can take many forms.
1 Corinthians 13:4-9 – Easy-to-Read Version – (ERV)
4– Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud. 5– Love is not rude, it is not selfish, and it cannot be made angry easily. Love does not remember wrongs done against it. 6– Love is never happy when others do wrong, but it is always happy with the truth. 7– Love never gives up on people. It never stops trusting, never loses hope, and never quits. 8– Love will never end. But all those gifts will come to an end–even the gift of prophecy, the gift of speaking in different kinds of languages, and the gift of knowledge. 9– These will all end because this knowledge and these prophecies we have, are not complete.
Love is powerful and not selfish. It is a force that can bring us closer together, a gift that can be shared, and a source of strength when we are weak. It is the greatest of all things because it comes from God, who is infinite and perfect in all His ways.
God is so generous and loving that He has given us immeasurable blessings, even if it doesn’t always seem that way. He has provided us with a roof over our head, a vehicle to get us from point A to point B, and a community of people to support us.
Woe is me indeed, for I do not have the latest fashion trends that so-and-so wears and I do not get to rock the nice fancy gym shoes like Nikes, Adidas, or Converse. But guess what, my loved ones? I don’t need those things to be happy. Happiness does not come from material possessions, and we are to be grateful for what we have. Life is short and it is important to appreciate what we have and live in the present. It is through His grace and providence that we have the opportunity to experience the blessings we have.
This morning, let us take the time to pause and say a simple “Thank You” to the Lord for this day and all the blessings that come with it. We may still be in doubt, but with the Lord by our side, we can be sure that whatever comes, He will always be there to provide.
We have too much pride in ourselves, believing that we have accomplished and achieved everything on our own. However, we have failed to recognize that we are not alone. We have brothers and sisters in our communities, neighborhoods, and even in the world. We should take the time to help one another, share the load, and celebrate our collective successes. Together, we can do more than any of us can do alone, and with unity and solidarity, we can do anything.
We should and must Recognize that no man is an island and that we are all connected.
Romans 2:8 – English Standard Version – (ESV)
But for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.
As a result of God’s grace, we have what we have.
In the absence of God, we would not be able to do what we do today.
Anything that occurs is always done with God’s knowledge and approval since He has a flawless plan. God has a plan for our lives, even if we are unable to understand why certain things do not occur. It might have been something you couldn’t handle or that would hurt you. Let’s express our gratitude for all the blessings we do have and the knowledge that God is always in control rather than complaining about what we lack.
James 4:3 – Good News Translation – (GNT)
And when you ask, you do not receive it, because your motives are bad; you ask for things to use for your own pleasures.
God is a jealous God, and it is our responsibility to be thankful for His generosity and love. We should express gratitude for the blessings He has bestowed upon us, such as a home, car, and job. We should also appreciate the love, kindness, and mercy He has bestowed upon us, as they will never end. While others may not appreciate God’s blessings and provision, we know that all that we have is His, and it can be taken away as easily as we received it. This is the essence of having Communication With Him.
It takes courage to admit our inability to spend enough quiet time with God, but it is a necessary step towards strengthening our relationship with Him. The opportunity to connect with God on a daily basis is something we should be grateful for. Despite our struggles, we can take comfort in the fact that God understands our challenges and is always willing to listen to us.
Communication with God is an essential part of being a Christian. It is not just about thanking Him for what He has done and given us, but also about having a relationship with Him. It is only through communication that we can grow closer to God and benefit from His wisdom and love.
I personally am thankful to be able to come home and spend time with the Lord every day. I can bring anything that I’m struggling with to Him, and He answers me and provides me with the answers and comfort I need. Being able to talk to the Lord every day makes me so incredibly grateful.
There are times when I have trouble communicating with God and I must admit that I don’t spend nearly enough time alone with Him. For instance, I questioned the Lord last night about if He was angry with me for not spending more time with Him. He replied with a sincere “I know your heart,” demonstrating His affection and comprehension for my soul. He reaffirmed to me that I can always turn to Him since He is my strength and my refuge. His remarks are reassuring and fill me with peace and gratitude. He reassures me that I can always rely on Him for His love and direction and that He will never leave nor forsake me. Prioritize your time with God and rely on Him to give you the strength and courage you need.
Psalms 31:24 – New International Version – (NIV)
Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.
It is important to take time each day to build a relationship with the Lord and to talk to Him in prayer. This can help to create a stronger spiritual connection and open new opportunities for understanding Him better.
God is always available and eager to hear our thoughts and feelings. He knows everything we are going through, even the things we can’t handle by ourselves. No matter what our circumstances, God is there to listen and to help us, that is why it is important to be thankful for the blessings and miracles God has given us. It is also important to talk to Him, share our thoughts, worries and joys, and thank Him for His love and guidance. God has always known about every event in our lives, even before it happened. Therefore, it is important to talk to Him today and every day after that.
Developing a relationship with God can bring happiness and peace. It is crucial to start with a few seconds of communication and gradually extend it. As we make God a priority in our lives, the more time we spend communicating with Him, the closer our bond and relationship will become.
It is essential to keep track of these conversations, as they shape our lives and bring us closer to God. Journaling these conversations helps us stay connected with God and reflect on His teachings. The Latter Times of Being Crazy For Christ Ministry, podcast, and book ideas have been developed as a result of my relationship with God. I want to show everyone that God is everything; that He is my Father, my best friend, and He is real. God is always willing to listen and desires a relationship with each of us.
God is often described as a loving and caring deity who wants the best for His creation. It’s important to remember that God’s jealousy is not born out of insecurity or pettiness. Rather, it reflects His deep love for us and His desire to see us succeed. When we give God His rightful place in our lives, we open ourselves up to a world of possibilities and blessings. We can find peace, joy, and fulfillment in our relationship with Him.
God is a true friend who will never leave us and will be with us through it all, supporting and loving us unconditionally. He will never forsake us.
1 John 5:14 – New International Version – (NIV)
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
To Be Continued …
Willie Torres Jr. 