Thankful Thursday - God's Word

My determined purpose is that I may know Him. That I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him - perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His person. --Philippians 3:10 (Amplified Bible)

God has been teaching me so much lately!! Back in January I began praying for a genuine hunger and thirst for his word. On this particular Thankful Thursday, I would like to lift up a song of thanksgiving for the sweet morsels He has provided. They are so completely and scrumptiously satisfying...yet, I can't seem to get enough!!! Here are some examples:

"I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth. A hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord". --Psalm 40:1-3

"To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?" says the Holy One. Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the LORD; my cause is disregarded by my God"? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak." --Isaiah 40:25-29

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does." --James 1:2-8

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." --James 1:12

I have learned so much from these verses, and through other bible studies and quiet moments with Jesus. I am learning not just to know scripture in my head, but to allow it to pierce my heart and transform my life. Beth Moore says that God's word not only speaks to us, but speaks in us to accomplish its purpose in our lives. That is my prayer...my DETERMINED PURPOSE!!

I would also like to thank God for Beth, and for her ministry. I was able to go to one of her Living Proof Lives back in March, and it totally rocked my world!! Before that experience I had read a couple of her books, and learned a lot from them. But to actually see, live and in person, how God can totally fill up a precious vessel so beautifully with his presence so that she overflows and touches a giant auditorium filled with 17,000 people, well...that is just flat ASTOUNDING!!! I am currently reading another of her books, and each week I listen to her 30 Minute Bible Study online. God has used her so valiantly to touch my life and, from what I am seeing in many of your posts, the lives of others. She truly is a precious jewel, a royal diadem in the hand of her God!

There are a few others that I would like to thank God for here. Others who faithfully minister to others through this PRECIOUS GIFT of God's Holy Word...

• My Pastor, Howard Allen. I love you so very much!! You are always faithful to preach the TRUE word of GOD and never water it down, or "gussie" it up to fit what others may want to hear. Because of your love of God and unabashed preaching His Word, hearts are pricked and lives are changed. Every. Sunday.
• The Preacher's Wife, Lisa. The I AM Bible Study that she wrote and hosts at her blog each week, has been a wonderful blessing to my life. I am learning more each week about what the song on my profile so beautifully speaks of...He is I AM...so I don't have to be!!
• Perry Noble, and Newspring Church. Because of your Internet ministry, I can get a heaping helping of God's word right here at my laptop. I have followed your sermon series' for about three months now, and I have to say I have never been disappointed. God has used you abundantly to speak truth into my life, and guide me in sharing that same truth with others. Because of your ministry, my husband and I have given up the fight, and totally surrendered to God's call on our lives. I love you guys!!

Sorry for being a little too long-winded. I just had SO MUCH to be thankful for!! If you would like to see the postings of other Thankful Hearts, or post one of your own, be sure to visit our lovely hostess, Iris at Sting My Heart.