Extravagantly Blessed

Thanksgiving is a time to remember how extravagantly blessed we are because of who He is. In The Living Insights Bible, Chuck Swindoll says, "I am more convinced than ever that life's major pursuit is not knowing self . . . but knowing God. Today make it your aim. Consciously think, 'Lord, use these few quiet moments to enhance my knowledge of You. Take first place in my heart. Reveal Yourself to me."

A ~ Awesome in glory, Abba, Answer prayer, Almighty, All Your Words are True, Alpha/Omega

B ~ Beautiful, Breathe the breath of life in us, Blot out our transgressions, Big, Burden bearer

C ~ Compassionate, Counselor, Creator, Comforter, Cannot lie, Cleanses us from all our sins

D ~ Deliverer, Delight, Defender, Divine, Directs His love by day, Does not keep a record of wrongs

E ~ Everlasting, Ever present, Ears are attentive to our cry, Enables us to serve Him without fear

F ~ Father, Faithful,Forgiving, Foundation, From everlasting to everlasting, Familiar with all our ways

G ~ Good, Glorious, God who knows, Great physician, Guide, Great, Gives life to everything

H ~ Holy, High and lifted up, Hides us in the shadow of His wings, Help, Hears, Holy One, Highly exalted

I ~ Infallible, Immutable, Infinite, Immanuel, I Am that I Am, In You there is no sin, In You there is no darkness

J ~ Joy, Jealous, Judge, Jehovah Nissi (Banner), Jehovah Jireh (Provider), Just

K ~ King of Kings, Kind, Knowing, Knit me together in my Mother's womb, Kingdom will never end

L ~ Lord of Lords, Love, Long suffering, Light, Life, Lavishes His love and wisdom on us, Living God

M ~ Mighty, Most High, Messiah, Merciful, Made the heavens, earth, seas, Majestic in power and Holiness

N ~ Nothing is impossible with God, None like You, No other Rock besides You, Nourisher of my soul

O ~ Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omniscient, One and Only, One True God, Owns the cattle on a thousand hills

P ~ Perfect, Powerful, Potter, Prince of Peace, Provider, Pure, Patient, Pursues, Perfect love drives out fear

Q ~ Quenches our thirst, Quick to listen, Quiets us with His love, Quiets our fears, Quanna (Jealous God)

R ~ Redeemer, Restorer, Resplendent with glory, Rescues, Remains faithful forever, Righteous, Refuge

S ~ Savior, Steadfast, Sovereign, Strength, Supplier, Same yesterday, today and forever, Shepherd, Strong Tower

T ~ Truth, Teacher, Trustworthy, Three in One, Timing is perfect, Tender Mercy, There are no secrets with Him

U ~ Understanding, Unfailing love, Unchanging, Unrelenting

V ~ Victorious, Vindicate, Vine, Vinedresser, Vengeance is the Lord's, Voice

W ~ Wonderful, Worthy, Wonder of Your great love, Ways are perfect, Wise, Will not give Your glory to another

X ~ X-ray eyes, EXcellent, EXalted forever

Y ~ Yours is the greatness, You have exalted above all things Your Name and Your Word, Yahweh

Z ~ Zealous, Zeal of the Lord

"Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom
or the strong man boast of his strength
or the rich man boast of his riches,
but let him who boasts boast about this:
that he understands and knows Me,
that I am the LORD,
who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight."
Jeremiah 9:23-24

Determined!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Let us not grow weary in doing good,
for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we don't give up."
Galatians 6:9

Over the past few months, we've been looking at a woman of noble character from Proverbs 31. We looked at the characteristics of a woman of integrity, honor and one who is strong and dependable. Today we're going to look at the word Determined ~ firmly resolved, doesn't give up.

How often have you said . . ."This time I really mean it, I'm not going to quit, no matter what, I won't give up." How often have you promised to keep your house clean, stay on your diet, pray for someone or be consistent with your quiet time, only to find yourself keeping those promises for a day, a week, a month at best. Good intentions often remain just that, good intentions.

In 1 Samuel 25:14-35, we meet a woman named Abigail. Abigail was married to a man who was described as wicked, mean, arrogant, disrespectful, rude, stingy and by the way, his name meant fool. Not exactly the kind of person you'd chose for man of the year or the love of your life.
Abigail on the other hand is described as beautiful, intelligent and sensitive in her dealings with others. She was wise, gracious and generous; a jewel compared to her husband. When faced with a difficult situation, she didn't think about herself, but remained determined and committed to do what was right. Because of her determination, she diverted trouble and brought protection for those around her.

You may not be faced with a situation like Abigail, but each of us from time to time are faced with battles we can't win. The battle to stay on a diet, be consistent to pray for non saved family and friends or just to pray period. What about the battle to have a consistent quiet time? You fill in the blank ______________.

In 2 Chronicles 20 when King Jehoshaphat was faced with a battle he knew he couldn't win, what did he do? First, he praised the Lord for who He was, what He had done, and what he could do. God answered by promising in verse 15 that He would fight the battle for him. King Jehoshaphat was instructed to "stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you." Pretty powerful words. Those words are just as powerful today as the day they were written. Our God does not change and neither can He lie. Claim that promise for yourself and watch as God intervenes. Our job is to "suit up and show up," as Bob Barnes said in a message I heard many years ago and to remember the battle is the Lord's. The point is we need to stand our ground. Ephesians 6:10-11 says, "Finally be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." Dig your stake in the ground, so to speak, be resolved and don't give up.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Lord, I can't fight this battle alone. I know! I've tried! Help me not to grow weary in doing good, for You have promised that at the proper time, I will reap a harvest if I don't give up. Help me to remember the battle isn't mine, never has been and never will be. It's Yours and You always win. In Jesus name, amen.