Thankful Thursday

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"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:16

I first am thankful for a new year. To me, a new year represents so many different things. A new year with a new outlook on life, a new year to spend with my family, a new start with new attitudes, a new year with new adventures and new friendships and new opportunites. And, yes... even another year older. :)

I also try to look at it as another year with a brand new opportunity to grow and to become a better me, a better wife, a better mommy, a better daughter, a better child of God. As we've crossed into 2009 I've thought alot about new beginnings. We're given a new life in Christ when we accept Him as our Lord and Savior. We celebrate this new life each year with Christmas when we celebrate His earthly birth and then celebrate the new life we are given at Easter when we focus on Christ's death and then resurrection. My prayer for this new year is that as I experience all the "new" that I would never lose focus on this most precious gift we were given thru the birth, the death and the resurrection of Christ.

At the beginning of this post is the scripture Hebrews 4:16. Isn't this a great verse? And, yes, the 2nd thing for which I am thankful for this week. I am thankful that I can approach God with confidence. That I can come before Him KNOWING that He is there, He is listening, He cares, He loves, He hears every single word I pray and feel. I can be confident of all of this and know that He has a plan and He is faithful in showing me that plan and leading me towards it if I will only listen.

This verse seems to have come before me many, many times over the last month or so.... in books I have been reading (even in one secular fiction book I have been reading), in blogs I have read, in one sermon at church, etc. A couple of weeks ago it finally occurred to me that God was probably trying to tell me something (yea... I'm a little slow sometimes :) ). I am going to make this my "scripture for this year". I am going to strive to always go to God with great confidence. Confidence in knowing He is there and He is listening and that He does provide all the grace and all the mercy I will ever need.

For more Thankful Thursday visit Iris at Grace Alone...!


34 Thoughts Shared:

Unknown said...

Oh Melanie,

What a neat post for our first TT of 2009. Your scripture for the year.... neat...neat. and your hope of new beginnings... I am right there with you girl. Wish we could share a cup of coffee together. Awesome post. Happy TT. Hugs

Denise said...

May your 2009 be all you pray for and much more my friend.

Unknown said...

Melanie,

This is a beautiful post and you know this verse is very dear to my heart too!

Praying blessings upon your life as you seek Him in boldness and with confidence each and every day!

Love and hugs,
Jill

Cheryl said...

That is a good start! Being thankful for a new year. Hope you and your family have a wonderful new year! Happy TT~

eph2810 said...

Amen to that, Melanie. I love the verse you have chosen for your Scripture of the year. It indeed is marvelous that we can approach Him with confidence to know that He is always there for us.

Thank you so much for sharing your grateful heart with us this week - Happy New Year...

Be blessed today and always.

Jennifer said...

Melanie, what a beautiful new beginnings, new year, another chance post today. I also love that scripture...God is so good to us! Thanks for sharing your sweet heart with us.

Happy TT!

Anonymous said...

very inspiring, especially the verse you used. God bless you more this year, melanie. ♥

Grammy said...

////You wrote such a wonderful positive post. I pray you succeed in all the wonderful traits. The passion that comes from true happiness is beyond believe. You have to believe and want it for it to come true. And I think you will achieve your goal.
Be blessed my friend

Anonymous said...

Yes Melanine I do agree, wonderful and timely verse to start the new year with. What a good reminder, to approach God's throne with confidence.
Thanks Melanie for such an encouraging post!

Nancie said...

A very blessed and joyous new year to you, Melanie! Thank God that we can go to Him in prayers and He cares for us. May God bless you in this new year with many blessings. Take care!

Debra Kaye said...

Melanie,

I loved this post. I love that we can approach our Lord with confidence and I am so glad the Lord has revealed to you your scripture verse for the year. I am still seeking mine.

Happy TT, my friend. May your day be blessed!

Debra Kaye said...

Oh Melanie,

I'm going to try again. I think I lost my first comment. I loved your post. And isn't it wonderful that we can approach our Lord with confidence knowing He will meet us with mercy.

So glad you have found your scripture verse for the year...I'm still seeking Him for mine.

Happy TT to you. Hope you have a blessed day.

Beth in NC said...

I could say AMEN too Melanie. We have so much and are so blessed. Happy TT to you!

Love,
Beth

Lori said...

I love it when God continually brings something in front of you through different sources. I to love the verse "grace in the time of need." What a great promise to rest in. Happy Thursday.

Anonymous said...

That is a BEAUTIFUL verse! Thank you for sharing! LOVED your post!

Tammy said...

Thank you Melanie for this remember - we can approach God in confidence because of the sacrifice of Christ. I am so grateful He is there ALL the time & is willing to listen and help in time of need. Happy TT!

Laurie Ann said...

Melanie, I tried to post a comment but it went away. Sorry if this is a duplicate one. I loved your post and it really spoke to me about new beginnings. I'm so glad God has given you that verse. It's an awesome one to have. :) You've been so faithful to God and your blog is such a joy to read. This post really spoke to my heart. Happy Thankful Thursday to you.

Alicia The Snowflake said...

Amen my friend! May we never forget that we can approach His throne with boldness. Thank you for the reminder. May you have a blessed 2009!

Happy Thankful Thursday!

Kristi said...

Oh, God is so good. This is a wonderful, amazing, powerful verse. I can't wait to see how God uses this in your life this year. May He continue to bless you in this new year and show His great favor towards you.

Leaon Mary said...

Good morning Merry Melanie!
I love that verse in Hebrews... THE THRONE OF GRACE! AHHHHHH ISN'T THAT BEAUTIFUL?
I'm praising the Lord this morning and wanted to stop by and say hi and see what you've been up to.
Have a beeeeeeeeautiful FRUITY day!
Love Lea

Anonymous said...

You said: "I am thankful that I can approach God with confidence. That I can come before Him KNOWING that He is there, He is listening, He cares, He loves, He hears every single word I pray and feel. I can be confident of all of this and know that He has a plan and He is faithful in showing me that plan and leading me towards it if I will only listen."

I am thankful for those things also. You said it so well.

Hope you have a great week!
Karen

Tricia said...

Hey Melanie
I love your thankful post... I too am thankful for a new year and all that it brings. I love the verse God has given you for this year, how wonderful that we can always approach Him with confidence! That is really hard to truly get your mind around, that we can approach such a holy God, the God of the universe, with confidence... what a blessing He has given us!

Blessings!

Heather said...

It sounds like you and I have had similar experiences recenlty of God making His Word clear to us through repetition! Love it when He does that!

bp said...

Your post is wonderful! This is a great verse to have for your scripture of the year. Thanks for sharing how God is working in your life.

Joan said...

Great verse. Great reminder, too.

Blessings

Toia said...

Great post!! I love what you had to say in the third paragraph. It was very heartwarming. May God give you the desires of your heart in 2009.

Thanks for the inspiration!!

Erica said...

I've missed you, friend. I love that verse and so appreciated your post.

Rita T. said...

Your post is a blessing. Thanks so much for sharing your heart.

Natalie said...

What a wonderful blueprint to live by this upcoming year! This post was beautiful!

debi9kids said...

Such beautiful thoughts on the new year and a perfeft verse.
Have a very blessed day :)

Beth E. said...

I love it...How wonderful it is that we can approach God's throne of grace with CONFIDENCE, not timidity. Praise God!

Amy said...

I am also thankful for all those things. Our pastor has been talking about the word new and how in the Greek (or Hebrew can't remember which) it means something different. I'm hoping for something new and different this year that is for sure. Great post!

Saleslady371 said...

I love it that we can approach God's throne with confidence. What acceptance that brings.

Tracy Berta-daughter to the King, wife, mother, speaker, writer said...

Melanie,

Thanks for all of your comments on my blog. I haven't been able to comment back, much but have been so encouraged. Thank you.

This is a beautiful post. I wrote much about new beginnings as well! I am so thankful that we can approach His throne with CONFIDENCE!!!

Thanks for sharing your heart- beautiful post.

Blessings!