Thank you Jesus

Jesus, King Yeshua, I just want to tell You thank You!

When I deserved, and still deserve death . . . you instead gave me life. You extend mercy, grace, forgiveness and love to me every single day. Before I even ask for it, it's available to me. Your unconditional love amazes me! That of which I don't deserve and that of which I so eagerly throw away, you STILL so freely give!!

You died on the cross even though you knew all the ways I would turn my back on you during my earth mission. That is mind-blowing to me! How can I wrap my mind around a God who loves me so much He gave up His only child?!?

The very One who made it all with His breath is the One who dwells inside of me. How can that be when at best, I've been unworthy and at worst, I'm a miserable wretch? Lord, I just wanted to tell You how much I love You!! I want Sunday to happen every single day and every single hour in my heart and in my Spirit. I want my heart full of gratitude to serve as my worship to You and the way You love others, through me, to be my praise.

Let my smile shine like the Son, reflecting your glory, let my words bring forth life, my hands be a tangible reminder God is with them and my eyes shine with the hope You have given me!

Who am I that You would walk with me? Who am I that You would want to know me? Who am I that You pick me up and carry me when I am tired, when I fall down or when I throw myself down on the ground, pouting and throwing a tantrum because I don't understand or trust YOUR plan? I could use every single breath, of all the days passing through this dark world, declaring Your love and it would NEVER be enough!

You saved me! You not only died for me, but You forget my sin as soon as I confess it. You don't see how dirty, and destestable I am, you see me as being beautiful, WORTHY and clothed in radiance!! How can I not be amazed Father? Though you knew I would deny you day after day and had the knowledge I would say, 'No, I was not with Jesus. Who is this man you speak of,' You do the exact opposite. At my worst, when I rebel or when I am at rock bottom, You not only say, 'I know him,' but you call me Your son. :o)

People forgive me for smiling so much, but you would smile too if You knew exactly where He has brought me from! If you have seen the way He has made provision for me and the way He shows me daily how much I am loved. If you heard the sweet whispers He has spoken to my heart . . . or felt the warmth of His strong embrace, imparting a peace I never thought was possible wash over me like the sweetest wave, custom-made to fit me and only me. Only just like with waves, they are not just for me . . . but anyone humble and trusting enough to get in the water! Then you would smile too!

Jesus though you know I fail You, You still commission the angels to watch over me. You still protect me from the devil and his henchmen far more fiercely than we would even defend our own children. You guide me, You teach me, You hold me, You talk to me, You let me know how much I mean to You!

You . . . the Creator of the Universe! My mind, my soul, my heart, my mouth cries out in praise!! You meet my needs before I even know I have them and sometimes block my dreams because You know I can't handle them yet or because they wouldn't bring me the most joy . . . not because You are punishing me.

I see SO many people who have far more riches than I'll ever have who have it all EXCEPT You-- they may have a version of You and their lives are certainly coated in Your touch, but they don't TRULY know You. If they did, they wouldn't worship themselves or mistreat others. They would seek Your face and NOT just Your hand-- Your hand is marvelous, but Your Face is the MARVEL!! Yes, they have it ALL, but ALL they have is NOTHING. A void, a bucket with a hole in it that they try to desperately fill with anything they can find and yet nothing works.

I see myself and know there are FAR greater people than me-- they should have the talent You've given me, the gifts You've bestowed, they should have the food You feed me, the roof over my head, the car I drive, the job I do and because of that, I walk in immeasurable gratitude although to the naked eye, by worldly standards, I don't have much at all.

I don't have much money, but I am RICH in the things that matter! I can't even take credit for that . . . it's ALL You-- You come before all things and in You ALL things hold together! From breathing to good works to accomplishments I may achieve, I take NONE of the glory for ANY of it. You're the wires holding me up. I can't 'fly' without You!

Nothing fancy. No flowery language . . . no adorned words . . . just gratefulness from the very depths of my being. Thank You! Thank You while some freak out because the end of this world is upon us, I do not fear, I do not worry for the end of this life only ushers me into Your presence. I will trust in You . . . from the rising of the sun to its going down, You will be my Hope, my Best Friend, my Rescuer, my Strong Tower and Place of Refuge!

You have made me a new man . . . a new creation and I ask every single day while I'm here to turn me into a new wineskin, so You can pour New Wine, Yourself, into me. I walk with GREAT hope and with unfaltering expectancy knowing this life can NEVER bring an obstacle that together I can't overcome through faith . . . for when I can't, I simply KNOW you CAN!!

Thank you King of Kings and Lord of Lords~ every knee shall bow and EVERY tongue WILL confess one day. I thank You for me that is every single day I live.