An Attitude of Gratitude

What am I most grateful for this Thanksgiving? That’s easy. I am deeply thankful for the gift of forgiveness. Where would any of us be without it? How would any of our relationships survive?

I am so grateful to friends and family who have chosen to forgive my mistakes and love me just the way I am. But even more, I am so grateful that my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ forgives me and loves me just the way I am.

He doesn’t care that I’m not a regular church-goer, that I’m not religious, or that I make lots of mistakes. He doesn’t care about my political preferences. He loves me even though I stumble in my daily walks with Him. He simply wants me to draw nearer to Him and to love everyone. He helps me to be a better person every day. He keeps me humble and helps me realize that I’m nothing without Him.

The forgiveness God gives me is completely undeserved. That is what grace is. Undeserved forgiveness and it is God’s grace that I am most thankful for.

Want to know Him? I’m not talking about a church, religion, or organization. I’m talking about a personal one on one relationship with our Creator. It is right here for you too- and it is real. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20)

Four Simple Steps to God

1. God Loves You! The Bible says, "God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16)

The problem is that

2. All of us have done, said or thought things that are wrong. This is called sin, and our sins have separated us from God.The Bible says “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) God is perfect and holy, and our sins separate us from God forever. The Bible says “The wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23)

The good news is that, about 2,000 years ago,

3. God sent His only Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins. Jesus is the Son of God. He lived a sinless life and then died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. “God demonstrates His own love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) Jesus rose from the dead and now He lives in heaven with God His Father. He offers us the gift of eternal life -- of living forever with Him in heaven if we accept Him as our Lord and Savior. Jesus said "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except by Me." (John 14:6) God reaches out in love to you and wants you to be His child. "As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe on His name." (John 1:11-12) You can choose to ask Jesus Christ to forgive your sins and come in to your life as your Lord and Savior.

4. If you want to accept Christ, you can ask Him to be your Savior and Lord by praying a prayer like this: "Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. Please forgive my sins and give me the gift of eternal life. I ask you in to my life and heart to be my Lord and Savior. I want to serve you always." Did you pray a prayer like this? If so, please leave a comment or send me an email. I’d love to know about your decision to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior too!

Happy Thanksgiving!