I said “good morning” to an older gentleman this morning at work (Piggly Wiggly) as he passed by me. Then I asked him how he was doing and he made a comment that let me know he was just glad to be alive. He said, “We are never guaranteed tomorrow” and these comments sparked a short conversation. The man said something that was so simple yet profound. It spoke volumes. I have made the same comment many times during a prayer, a lesson, or a sermon. This guy said, “We have so much to be thankful for and we just take it all for granted.” Then we proceeded to mention things we take for granted like the air we breathe, being able to walk, eat, etc. It is so easy to lose sight of this idea because we “just take it for granted.” Think about it for a second or two…Did you wake up this morning wondering if your heart would be beating? No. You expect it to be beating…if it doesn’t you won’t be thinking at all! Did you go outside and get in your car thinking, “I hope this thing gets me to work”? Unless you drive a clunker, the answer is no. You reached in your pocket, grabbed your keys, put them in the ignition, and started down the road be-bopping to some music and didn’t give it a second thought. We just expect it to happen. I can go on and on with so many examples but I believe you get the point.
There are tons of verses in the Bible about giving thanks and I challenge you to take a look at some of them. But one that I want to share with you is Psalm 118:19 which says, “Open for me that gates of righteousness. I will enter and give thanks to the Lord.” Don’t wait until you gather with your family for Thanksgiving dinner this Thursday to say “Thanks”. Say it today, right now! Say it every day as you begin your day. “Lord, I thank you for all your blessings. Thank you for all those things we take for granted each and everyday. Thank you for salvation. Thanks.”

This is an awesome song written by Dennis Jernigan

Thank you, Lord

For all that You've done, I will thank You

For all the You're going to do

For all that You've promised

And all that You are

Is all that has carried me through

Jesus I thank You

And I thank You

Thank You Lord

And I thank You

Thank You Lord

Thank You for loving and setting me free

Thank You for giving Your life just for me

How I thank YouJesus, I thank You

Gracefully thank You

Thank You

© Dennis Jernigan

Confidence. Too much of this word and people think you are too cocky and you think too much of yourself. Not enough of this word and people say you lack self esteem and you need to build it up. Where is your confidence? Where is your level? Maybe you have a healthy balance, maybe you are on the down-and-out and you lack confidence, or maybe you are one of those who walks with your chest popped out and you are full of confidence. With me, it depends on what I’m doing. For example, until we started serving the Lord here in Harriman I haven’t played a musical instrument or sung in front of an audience in over ten years. But I was so excited when I had an opportunity to play drums one morning during worship. Oh sure, I was rusty, but it felt great! I was kind of embarrassed after the services because people would compliment my playing. I thought to myself, “Did you hear all my screw-ups? Couldn’t you tell I was rusty?” In fact, I even made some comments to them about it and they said they couldn’t tell that I messed up. At the time, I lacked confidence. Since we have been here for several months now I have gotten to play many times and I can tell that my playing has improved. I even look at the crowd when I play. I guess you can say I have more confidence in my ability to play! This week I took another step and played the bass guitar. This instrument doesn’t come as natural as playing drums so I really have to work at it. I love to play, especially for the Lord. I feel like David did when he was playing his instruments and dancing before the Lord. I still haven’t reached a level of confidence to where I can sing in front of a crowd yet, but Lord willing, I’ll get there. Think about some people in scripture that lacked confidence when they were asked to do something for God. Moses…Moses had no confidence in himself or his abilities. That’s why he came up with so many excuses, yet when he finally obeyed, his confidence grew and he became an awesome leader of God’s people. What about Gideon? God called him a mighty warrior! He was from a poor family and he was the least of his family. In fact, when the angel came to him he was hiding in the barn threshing wheat! Yet we see Gideon take on the challenge that God gave him and he defeats a whole army, not with an army of thousands, but three hundred. And their weapons were water pots! Look at Saul, when God chose him to be Israel’s first king, he hid! And yet he came to be a powerful king. And the list goes on and on. If you lack confidence to do something, study these examples, plus others in the Bible, and pray to the Lord to give you the confidence you need to do His Will. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

stand

Wow! I didn’t realize how long it has been since I have written in my blog and thanks to my father in law for pointing that out to me :’) Let me give everybody a quick update: we are doing o.k. we, along with countless Americans, are struggling financially due to making two house payments. Please pray for our house in West Tennessee to sell. That thing is killing us! We have dropped the price again and will take a major hit when we sell it. Speaking of taking a major hit…
We have been at our new church as youth ministers for about 3 months now. It’s been a rough road. On our very first outing as a youth group, we decided to camping. Unfortunately we had a girl sneak some alcohol into her tent and another girl drank some of it…too much of it actually. She passed out and was puking on herself. Obviously this created a lot of havoc and without going into detail, it caused friction in the youth group and with an elder and his family. If you read any of my previous blogs you would know that we have had trouble with churches in the past. My wife and I have been treated like dogs by some of the churches we have been associated with. This was something we REALLY did not need at this time. We are still feeling the effects of this camping trip and we are dealing with them the best we can. My wife made a comment to me the other day that really opened my eyes to something. She said, “It’s amazing how hard the devil comes after you when you are doing God’s Will.” And she’s right and I have said that statement many times in the past but for some reason I had forgotten that. Maybe it was discouragement, or maybe I was having a pity party and wanting to be petted. But that statement kind of gave me a second wind and has made me dig in my heels and start pushing forward again. Things could be worse, a lot worse actually. We have so many blessings that we lose sight of when hard times come and it’s so easy to lose our focus. If you are having hard times and facing troubled waters ahead, take a look at these verses and remember to keep your eyes on Jesus! Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Ephesians 6:10-18 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

Also read Psalm 42 and 43