1Thessalonians 5:18: ‘In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.’

DAILY READING: • Acts 5:1-16; Deuteronomy 23-24; Job 15

Sir Terence Hardy Waite is an English humanitarian and author.
In 1980, he began working with the Archbishop of Canterbury and became involved in hostage negotiation on behalf of the Church of England.
On 12 January 1987, he arrived in Lebanon with the intention of negotiating with the Islamic Jihad Organization to release some hostages in their captivity. Before coming to Beirut, he was promised safe conduct by the captors of the hostages. But when he arrived they broke their promise and he was taken captive by the terrorists who accused him of being a CIA agent.
He was held in captivity for more than four years, During his incarceration, he was blindfolded, beaten, and subjected to mock executions. He lived much of the time chained to a wall in a room without natural light.
Through long, lonely days and nights, he was unsure that his life would be spared. Nevertheless, every morning he offered a prayer of thanksgiving to God for His manifold mercies so abundantly bestowed upon him. Despite the situation, he chose to give God thanks in all things. And miraculously, God preserved his life and he was finally released in 1991. Reflecting on his time in captivity, Sir Terence Hardy Waite told the media that his faith in God gave him the strength to persevere during this terrible ordeal. Today, he is 84 years old and continues actively to serve as the co-founder and president of Hostage International, which supports the families of hostages. He has found that maintaining the joy of the Lord and a positive attitude about life is key to longevity, strength and agility.

Joy is the mystery behind rising above obstacles because the joy of the Lord is our strength. Joy is not necessarily the absence of difficulties, rather it is the assurance of God’s Presence even in the midst of adversity.
We have to learn to be thankful to God in every situation. The truth is that tests and trials come to everyone. But despite the circumstances of life, we are to rejoice in God.
Our attitude of gratitude will enhance our altitude. Indeed, if we are thoughtful, we will be thankful. No matter what you may be confronted with today, for the fact that you are still breathing, you owe God thanks. Someone may be worried about the things not yet accomplished as this year comes to an end. Perhaps you are worried about your finances, getting married, having children, education, business, career, etc, but then, it is only because you are alive and have sound mental health that you can even think about those things. Therefore instead of worrying or complaining, we should be thankful to God who has preserved us all year long and given us abundant life.
Ecclesiastes 9:4 says, ‘For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.’
Indeed, as long as you are in the game of life there is hope for you, and this is why we should remain praise-full. Psalm 150:6 says, ‘Let everything that hath breath praise the LORD.’
We are commanded to give God praise as long as we have breath, because even the life that we have belongs to Him. Giving thanks to God is the way to our miracles. Thanksgiving will bring a man out of the grave of poverty, barrenness, stagnation, sickness, lack and want. Lazarus came out of his grave after Jesus gave thanks to God. [In John 11:41-44,].
Certainly, in this last month, as we give God high praises, it will be our season to rise to our high places.

PRAYER: Lord, I am indeed grateful and thankful for all the amazing things You have done in my life this year and in previous years. Thank You, precious Lord, for Your continual faithfulness to me at all times, in Jesus’ Name.
QUOTE;.
God’s promises in Christ in your life may appear delayed, but never forget that delays are not denials. WORDBITE 222

Shalom!

@GOODHEART- EKWUEME .

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