Thanksgiving IV ~

17-23 September:  This week, I have been thankful for cloudy skies that suggest lessening of the fire-danger throughout the area; thankful for a Savior who has promised His presence will be be with us 'til the end of of the age; and thankful to read these words from Ephesians 5:1,2 where we read: "Therefore be imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father].  And walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a slain offering and sacrifice to God [for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance." (AMPC); for the blessings of health and strength that remain; thankful for the blessings of family and friends - near and far away; and thankful for these words from James 1:12 where we read: "Great blessings belong to those who are tempted and remain faithful! After they have proved their faith, God will give them the reward of eternal life. God promised this to all people who love Him." (ERV); thankful to the Maker of us all for the great love He has shown in giving His life that we might have a place in His forever kingdom; thankful that He forgives when we confess our failures to Him; and thankful for the wise counsel found in Ephesians 4:29,30: " Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak]. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God [but seek to please Him], by whom you were sealed and marked [branded as God’s own] for the day of redemption [the final deliverance from the consequences of sin]." (AMP); thankful for God' s "I will...." promises - those that quote His words - like "...I will pour water on [one] who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring" (Isaiah 44:3); and "...I will put My instructions within them and engrave them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be My people." (Jeremiah 31:33); and this one - "... I will give them one heart [a new heart], and put a new spirit within them. I will take from them the heart of stone, and will give them a heart of flesh [that is responsive to My touch], that they may walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances and do them. Then they shall be My people, and I will be their God." (Ezekiel 11:19,20); thankful to see the growing pile of materials for the two seminars to be presented this fall - Shadow Empire, which looks at the days of the Emperor Constantin, and A Pale Horse Rides, a story of the early Reformation - watch this site for more info: thankful for the precious privilege of prayer; and thankful for this promise from the lips of Jesus: "...Whatever thing you ask in My name, this I will do, in order that the Father may be glorified in the Son." (John 14:13; DLNT); thankful for sound sleep and the refreshment it brings; thankful for a new day of life and the promise of strength for its demands; and thankful to read these words from Romans 15:5-7: "...May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to be thinking the same thing among one another according to Christ Jesus,in order that with-one-accord you may ... be glorifying the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, be accepting one-another, just as Christ also accepted you— for the glory of God." (DLNT); thankful for a new Sabbath day and the many blessings that will come with it; thankful that the invitation of the Savior, "Come, follow Me!" doesn't include the words we too often say to ourselves "when you are GOOD enough"; and thankful for the message of Romans 4:3 (c.f. Genesis 15:6): "... What does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed in (trusted, relied on) God, and it was credited to his account as righteousness (right living, right standing with God).” (AMP).