Meet the Schoeneblogger

My photo
I'm the Schoeneblogger. Come on in, and have a look around. While you're here, you should join in the conversation. If you want to find out a little more about me click that tab below that says "about me." If you like what you read or want some of your friends to join the conversation, click the "share on facebook" below the blog. (same goes for twitter or google+)

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

A Prayer of Thanks to God Who Blesses Beyond Measure



Father, You are my great Provider.  You love to give good things to Your children.  You have blessed me with every good thing.  Sometimes Your blessings have been answers to my prayers; A lovely wife, kids who love You, a home for my family.  The very best gifts from You are the ones I wasn't wise enough to ask You for - things at the time, I didn't even know that I needed; Grace, Mercy, Salvation. While I was still a sinner, Christ died for me.

You provide my daily needs, may I not take them for granted.  I bless You, Provider, for daily food to sustain me and clothes to warm me.  I bless You, Healer, for bringing me and those I love through times of sickness and pain.  I bless You, Mighty One, for giving us Your strength and power as we work for the sake of Your gospel.  I bless You, Creator, for the beauty You show us in a sunset and in a starry sky.  I bless You, Deliverer, for saving me from the death blow of my enemies.  I bless You, Prince of Peace, for making a way that I may enter Your presence free from the wrath I deserve.  I bless You, Friend of sinners, for Your intimate fellowship that brings me such joy and satisfaction.

And in case I haven't said it before, I want to thank you for the suffering and hardship You have, in Your wisdom, allowed in my life.  Though I am not yet the completed work You have designed, You are shaping me with these trials.  If it were not for the trials, I would not have experienced Your Spirit teaching me endurance which builds and shapes my character.  And You have shaped that character that my hope would be fixed on Jesus alone.  As You say in Your Word;

Romans5:3-5 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Thank You, Lord, that You have restored friendships that I had broken with harsh words or disagreements.  Thank You that Your ways are better than mine.  Thank You for Your forgiveness which has allowed me to forgive others who may have wronged me.  Thank You for not allowing my sins to devour me and destroy my life.  By Your forgiveness You have rescued me.

Your love, oh Lord, reached out to me when I was completely helpless to save myself.  I give You thanks. Even now I am completely powerless to do anything outside of Christ living in me.  In Christ, I can do all things.  Outside of Christ, I can do nothing of any value.  Thank You for Jesus, Who is the Christ, Your Son; and YOU ARE ALIVE!

You alone are God.  You alone deserve to be God.  You dwell in light unapproachable, yet You welcome me in as a child coming home.  Bless Your Name!

4 comments:

Bryan said...

I agree trials build endurance, but from current personal experience they also can bring exhaustion...It's at that point we must fall at the feet of Jesus once again, reminding Him of His promise, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

God Bless!

Alden Schoeneberg said...

We continually pray, not just for Noah, but for your whole family. We know His strength holds you up when you feel like you have nothing left.

I have no doubt that your experiences have increased your trust and dependance on God in ways you never dreamed possible.

Thanks for the comment Bryan. I'm a big admirer of your family.

Susan said...

Amen. I couldn't comment when I first read this the other night, because it really got to me. I am not usually very emotional about things, but this prayer really gripped me. I guess I am convicted. The gratitude I have for the blessings God has showered on me cannot be expressed in words. His unapproachable Light shines on me. How is it possible that God would save a wretch like me? Isn't it awesome?

Alden Schoeneberg said...

Susan,

It IS AWESOME! So thankful for the way GOD did what He did to save us. In one great act on the cross, God demonstrated His awesome power and at the same time revealed to us how much we matter to Him.

I always appreciate your comments.