Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
What a challenging passage! But it gives me lots to be thankful for. So this week I’m thankful for:
--Our Life Group—that it’s a safe place for people to be known, to grow, to support each other and to be challenged. I pray for fruitful discussion tonight and the next six weeks, and similar discussions that are happening in other Life Groups.
--That Jesus came so that we could see the Father, not just with spiritual eyes but with physical ones. Thanks that he took on human flesh and knows our trials and weaknesses.
--That the Father is doing his work in us—that He loves us just as we are, yet remodels and shapes us if we’re willing and malleable.
--For real life miracles that do happen, both small and personal as well as big and global.
--That God chooses to use us to show himself to the world and as his change agents…if we’re willing to be the cracked vessels he shines through.
--Faith—what an amazing and awesome gift. May we grow in it through this study.
--That God’s promises are true—that He will continue to do amazing things in us and through us.
And thanks to Iris for hosting Thankful Thursday! What a joy it is to read how God has been working in everyone’s lives!
8 comments:
What a wonderful list, Ann! Our God is so kind, loving, merciful, gracious, and so many more! What a blessing to call Him "Father."
Have a blessed day!
Its beautiful and inspiring. Thanks for sharing. Take care.
I enjoyed your post, bless you.
This is a challenging passage. You have written about it well here.
Thank you for bringing it to me. Great post.
Thanks for stopping by my page - come back anytime! I'm going to go look around your page some more!
Your life group sounds interesting and challenging. Have a good 6 weeks there. May God Bless!
Mama Bear
So cool that you are having a Life Group. I have heard about them - I know that they are used widely in the mission field :)
I love what you said "...if we’re willing to be the cracked vessels he shines through..." I just have read too that "God does not call the equipped, but He equips the called"...
Thank you so much for sharing your grateful heart with us this week.
Be blessed today and always.
How are you liking this book? We tried it for our homegroup last year and just couldn't get into it.
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