What if you believed?
I went to a funeral the other day – volunteers were requested to line the path from the funeral home to the cemetery with flags to show gratitude and recognition of the sacrifice this young soldier made to our freedom. So I went, and I stood, and I cried – and I saw.
The windows in the family car behind the hearse are always tinted dark so that you cannot see in to their grief. But I was so close, I saw. I saw the stunned wonder, amazement, profound grief, and gratitude to those standing for their lost one, for the recognition given of their sacrifice.
There is a song that I have heard, that for the family of a fallen veteran, will bring you to your knees: James Wesley - Real
We acknowledge fallen soldiers with processions and flags and tears. We say goodbye and share their grief. But, that got me to thinking – how do we do this for the One that sacrificed all for us? Which made me think of another song: Jeremy Camp - Would you take the place
Would we? Could we? I try very hard to be honest with myself and would like to say I would try, but I know the answer to the second question would be no. If I have trouble dealing with my own issues and struggles, how on Earth would I take on everyone’s struggles and pain for all of time, past, present and future? There just is no way.
So, how do we acknowledge what was been given to us so freely? First off, just by saying, I am a sinner and you died for me and my sins and I thank you, Father, for this wonderful and so undeserved gift. After that, it really is up to each person to decide how to show our recognition and gratitude for this gift and sacrifice. Some take up foreign ministries, while others do the same at home. Some quietly give without wanting personal recognition, while still others seek out ways to give in which they are seen but turn all recognition of their actions to the One who saved them.
How do you show your gratitude and recognition of His gift? Third Day: Take My Life
Father, I believe! Joe Nichols - If nobody believed in you
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Patricia Violet Joy on -
All we can do is follow his instructions 'Be ye perfect even as Your Father in Heaven is perfect.' We can never be that perfect, but we have to try, by trying we achieve the best WE can, which isn't nearly good enough, but at least the Lord knows we tried.
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Permalink Reply by Jim H. on
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We must begin to pray faithfully through out the day, everyday and thank God for his acceptance of the cross and for shedding his blood to purify our lives.
we must begin to give all credit to God for our gifts that we receive through out our lives, like a new job, the love of wife and children!
we must begin to lean on God and only God when our lives take a sudden turn for the worse. ask to remove our fears and our concerns.
we must give God full control our our lives and follow him with no questions or concerns!
All God wants from us is our undivided attention, to love one another as he loves us and to confess our belief that he is our creator, our redeemer and through him and only him can we obtain eternal life.
I think we make being a child of God harder then what it really needs to be! I think we are to proud to admit that we need help in our lives!
WE ACKNOWLEDGE THROUGH BELIEF AND FAITH.
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Permalink Reply by Rosemarie Vest on -
Tami,
You asked how we show gratitude? Through example, studying, and developing our personal relationship with God. One scripture verse speaks to me as I write this: "What does the Lord require of you but to seek justice, love kindness and walk humbly with your God? "These words from Micah remind me to daily be thankful for the gifts our Father gives us and humble me in those times my anger or behavior does not reflect how God has changed my life.
My thanks are in prayer and song as I am blessed to be a part of the Chancel Choir at church.
Blessings,
Rose
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Permalink Reply by Patricia Violet Joy on
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I have several non-Christian friends in England who used to think I was mad cos every time something was easier or quicker than expected I used to raise my eyes to heaven and just say the one word 'thankyou.' They laughed at first and used to say that as a Christian we thought you would get down on your knees and make a big thing of it. I told them that if their dad helped them to do something they'd just say thanks. That's what I do with my heavenly dad, but I make more time to say thanks properly when I get home.
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Permalink Reply by Tami on -
Neat image! Just say thanks as you would to a father, why make a big deal of it like a Pharisee?
Patricia Violet Joy said:I have several non-Christian friends in England who used to think I was mad cos every time something was easier or quicker than expected I used to raise my eyes to heaven and just say the one word 'thankyou.' They laughed at first and used to say that as a Christian we thought you would get down on your knees and make a big thing of it. I told them that if their dad helped them to do something they'd just say thanks. That's what I do with my heavenly dad, but I make more time to say thanks properly when I get home.
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Permalink Reply by Tami on
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Awesome response! We each show our gratitude in so many different ways.
Rosemarie Vest said:Tami,
You asked how we show gratitude? Through example, studying, and developing our personal relationship with God. One scripture verse speaks to me as I write this: "What does the Lord require of you but to seek justice, love kindness and walk humbly with your God? "These words from Micah remind me to daily be thankful for the gifts our Father gives us and humble me in those times my anger or behavior does not reflect how God has changed my life.
My thanks are in prayer and song as I am blessed to be a part of the Chancel Choir at church.
Blessings,
Rose
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