Blessed Beyond Measure! (Living a Life of Thankfulness)

Dear Friends,

Often, as I think back over the years of my life, I find myself saying again and again, “I am so blessed sometimes I can’t even comprehend it.” This morning I was reading in a devotional titled, “Jesus Calling,” which started off with, “Rest in the assurance of my unfailing love. Let your body, mind, and spirit relax in my presence. Be awed by the vast dimensions of my love for you: wider, longer, higher, and deeper than anything you know. Rejoice that this marvelous love is yours forever!”

It’s hard enough to comprehend the vastness of this kind of Iove as it is so unlike what many often experience in their daily lives. If I just stopped right there it would be encouraging enough. But it gets even better as it goes on to say, “ The best response to this glorious gift is a life steeped in thankfulness. Every time you thank me you acknowledge that I am your Lord and Provider. This is the proper stance for a child of God: receiving with thanksgiving. Bring me the sacrifice of gratitude, and watch to see how much I bless you!”

I’ve never thought about this being the proper stance for a child of God, nor have I ever thought about the connection between gratitude and blessing. I’ve read many times about a sacrifice of praise but somehow didn’t connect that with a sacrifice of gratitude. But that’s one of the facets of praise, isn’t it?

So for me what I heard God saying is, “The more your mind is set on gratitude and thankfulness STAND BACK AND WATCH HOW MUCH I WILL BLESS YOU!”

What an incredible connection that was for me and certainly gives me further reason to be thankful to God in all things. I trust that this reminds you that not only is the love God has for you never-ending, but the realization of that love will also cause you to have a better understanding of how much He wants to bless you.

As I’ve thought back over this last couple of years, I’ve been blessed all of my life with good health. Through your support, I’ve had the opportunity to travel around this world and watch God transform lives, by healing those blind, deaf, diseased, and crippled. Many of those were in countries where they had limited or no access to doctors or medicine. I’ve watched God lovingly walk people through forgiving others of the deep hurt they carried for years because of what was said or done to them by another.

In last month’s newsletter, I wrote that I was going in for neck surgery to correct some damage that was done when I had a serious snow skiing accident in 1985 and I came close to breaking my neck. Over the years that caused some deterioration and I now needed surgery. The surgery was successful and I am recovering. I’ll need to wear a neck brace for a couple more weeks. Thank you for your prayers of support. I know they contributed much to its success.

Let’s not forget as Christmas comes the reason we have so much to be thankful for and to celebrate. Not only is it great to gather with our family and friends, watch the kids and grandkids with great excitement open the gifts, and enjoy good food around the table, but the real reason we gather this time of year is to remember the incredible gift God sent us in the person of His son Jesus. I pray you enjoy this time of year.

Thank you for your faithfulness and prayers in supporting this ministry work.

God bless,

Mike

RIDING SHOTGUN WITH GOD

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RIDING SHOTGUN WITH GOD: A JOURNEY WITH GOD ON THE ROAD OF HEALING AND MIRACLES

This newest book is filled with stories of over 150 healing miracles that I have witnessed in my travels. I believe God prompted me to write this to encourage His people that He is still healing and restoring today.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding: in all your ways acknowledge him and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

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