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salvation and thanks


This is one of those weeks where we know what is expected of us.  GIVE THANKS.  That is easy.  Happy thanksgiving to you and your family!


Do you know just how blessed you are?  When we know we are blessed, we will end up being thankful.  When we know where our blessings come from, we will give God our thanks over and over again.


Where does this thanks come from?  It comes from deep inside you and me.  it is become of our salvation.  Totally from God and totally of God’s work.  I did nothing to get it.  There is nothing I can do to lose it.  Salvation is one of those things bigger than us and leads to being thankful.


Isaiah.  He is the guy that was willing to do what needed to be done when he saw and heard the need.


Isaiah 6:8  NLT  

Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.”


That is a powerful statement and a strong commitment to follow.  It is one we can learn from.  Something had to change in Isaiah’s life before he could be the one to go.   


He was hurt, convicted, shamed and felt unworthy.  He was in a place where he felt he could not be used by God nor did he have any value.  So, what did God do?


Isaiah 6:5-7  NLT  

Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.” 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. 7 He touched my lips with it and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.”


Forgiven.  That picture is one that we see happen.  It might have happened in our own lives.


No.  It is not the angel flying and touching our lips.  But the love of God and the forgiveness of God met me where I had a need.  I was and will always be changed.


Being changed left me ready to be used by God.  Whatever you want… wherever you send … because you love me and want me to share that with others.


Here am I, send me.


Maybe that is your story.  Take a deeper look at the story, the cause and the reason behind it all.  Our salvation changed our lives by the goodness and grace of God.  I am thankful!


1 Thessalonians 5:18  NLT

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.


Once again, I ask you to help with my upcoming trip to Cuba, December 7-15.  I will be leading a retreat for leaders in the sports ministry in the central of Cuba.  Would you support this trip with prayer and finances?  If so, please reach out to me at pastormh@gmail.com 

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