I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he judged me faithful and appointed me to his service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the foremost. But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life.

What are we grateful for? This depends on where we are in our spiritual life and how far along we have come in walking with the Lord. How wonderful it is being in his presence and feeling the unconditional love he has for us.

Think back to what life was like before we allowed Jesus into our lives. Were we anxious, unforgiving, mean, and even hateful? We were probably all that and more. However, God was always present, waiting for us to surrender to him, and at that moment our life began to change.

The new life we have been given by Jesus is a reason for celebration as we look forward to acceptance and eternal life in him. He sees in us what we can become by following and obeying his commands. We are grateful we have such a wonderful God!