Gratitude for His Kingdom and Will

Lucky us! Because my crazy Friday prevented me from writing, we get a double helping of scriptures on gratitude today! Verse number two for November 2 is:

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe..." Hebrews 12:28

I love what this verse is saying. Before God created the foundation of the world, He knew who His followers would be. We were predestined to love Him, worship Him, and spend eternity with Him. But because of our sinful nature, He had to send His only Son as a sacrifice for our sins. So then, by the suffering of Christ, we have received the Kingdom of God...if we choose to accept it. The gift freely stands and waits to be accepted. If we believe that God sent His Son, Jesus, to die for us so that we may spend eternity with Him, then we have accepted this gift. And then, we are part of His Kingdom...a Kingdom that cannot be shaken. It is eternal! That is absolutely something we should be grateful for!

Verse number three for November 3:

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

For so many years, I wondered what God's will could be for my life. In my very first post, I shared the frustration I experienced over not knowing the clear and direct plan for my "job" or "role" in the Kingdom. As I've grown closer to Him, specifically over the past few years, I feel like there are actually two parts to the will that God has for each of our lives. There is His will for our part in the Kingdom, otherwise known as our calling. Then, there is the will that He has for every Christ-follower. The way He asks us to live, to behave, and to show His love to others so that they may come to know Him. This verse showcases the latter understanding of God's will. He desires for all of us, because we believe in God and His Son, Jesus, to always be joyful, pray constantly, and to give thanks in all circumstances. Not just on the great days, but on the bad days, too! 

No matter what kind of day this might be for you in the realm of motherhood, let's all choose to be joyful, to pray, and to give thanks that we get to be followers of Christ. Be blessed, mommies!

 "Never be Shaken" by Jared Anderson