Thanksgiving IV ~

14-18 November:  This week, I was thankful for the counsel I find in the Bible, counsel that has been depended on through centuries and is my reliance today; for my heavenly Father's faithfulness in working to restore His image in all who are willing to allow Him into their lives; thankful for His willingness to pick me up when I stumble and not allow me to be "utterly cast down" (Psalm 37:24); thankful for the many "I will . . . ." promises I find in God's Word, those that are His own words to the reader; for the answered prayers (and many that were not answered in the way I wanted when first I asked!) through my life; and for the "drawing power" of our Father's love described in Jeremiah 31:3 where we read: "The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: 'Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you'"; thankful for the beautiful sunrise colors seen from my window - what masterpieces the Creator paints for us to enjoy! I'm thankful to see evidence that D.D. returned safely from her very long day at school (there are tire tracks in the snow going into the garage); and I am thankful for this promise from 2 Peter 3:8-10: " But do not forget one thing, my dear friends! There is no difference in the Lord's sight between one day and a thousand years; to Him the two are the same. The Lord is not slow to do what He has promised, as some think. Instead, He is patient with you, because He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants all to turn away from their sins. But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. On that Day the heavens will disappear with a shrill noise, the heavenly bodies will burn up and be destroyed, and the earth with everything in it will vanish." (GNT); thankful to have the opportunity to see D.D. off - she's been leaving so early I often miss saying 'bye; thankful to see a new harness for Dandee - the lead attachment on his collar is harder to find than one on the harness; I am thankful, too, that these words from Deuteronomy 26:18,19 are as true today as when they were written: "... Today God has reaffirmed that you are dearly held treasure just as He promised, a people entrusted with keeping His commandments, ... : you’re a people holy to God, your God. That’s what He has promised." (MSG);
thankful that D.D.'s second vision procedure has been accomplished - pray that her recovery is as swift and uncomplicated as it was after the first; thankful for the times of thanksgiving that are provided day-by-day as our heavenly Father pours out His blessings, great and small, on us; and I am thankful to share this prayer from Psalm 119:17,18 where we read: " Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live and keep Your word [treasuring it and being guided by it day by day]. Open my eyes [to spiritual truth] so that I may behold wonderful things from Your law." (AMP);
thankful to realize that this earth is not my home, I'm just passing through - a "sojourner", bound for a better place; thankful to see the signs that tell us of the Savior's immanent return; and thankful for these welcoming words from John 1:12: ". . .To as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the right [the authority, the privilege] to become children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name" (AMP); thankful for another Sabbath, looking for all the evidences of the Creator's love in the world around me; thankful for all the ways He is working through His Spirit in my life and in the lives of all those who love Him; and thankful to be one for whom the Savior prayed - His words are recorded in John 17:15-17 where we read:
"I’m not asking that you take them out of the world
But that you guard them from the Evil One.
They are no more defined by the world
Than I am defined by the world.
Make them holy—consecrated—with the truth;
Your word is consecrating truth." (MSG).