Thanksgiving V ~

28 January-3 February:  This week, I have been thankful to find this message from years ago on my fb page: "When sin struggles for the mastery in the human heart, when guilt seems to oppress the soul and burden the conscience, when unbelief clouds the mind, who lets in the beams of light? Whose grace is sufficient to subdue sin, and who gives the precious forgiveness and pardons all our sins, expelling the darkness, and making us hopeful and joyful in God?—Jesus, the sin-pardoning Saviour." (Citation unknown, but suspect it is an E.G.White quote); thankful for the message of John 4:24 where it is written: " God is Spirit, and those who worship God must be led by the Spirit to worship Him according to the truth." (CEV); thankful to come to the end of the "30 Days Through the Bible" - to have stayed 'til the end and formed a habit of diligence that is not my usual practice; thankful for the stack of Discipleship Journals on my shelf that will be the study project beginning tomorrow - God willing; and thankful for this message to believers when we are feeling "important" and seeing self as better than others. It can be found in Mark 9:34-35 where it is written: "... On the way they had been debating with each other about who was the greatest. [Jesus] sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, 'Whoever wants to be first must be least of all and the servant of all.'" (CEB); thankful for dear friends from China days who keep ME in mind - and for the phone calls to "catch up" with their lives here in the U.S.; thankful for the privilege of praying for other China friends who are more treasured memories than interactive companions in today's life;  thankful for the counsel found in Ephesians 4:1-2 where it is written: "... I ... appeal to you to live a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called [that is, to live a life that exhibits godly character, moral courage, personal integrity, and mature behavior—a life that expresses gratitude to God for your salvation], with all humility [forsaking self-righteousness], and gentleness [maintaining self-control], with patience, bearing with one another in [unselfish] love." (AMP); thankful for this new day of life and the promise of strength to meet its needs (Deuteronomy 33:25); thankful for the folks who offer their affection and support for me; and thankful for these words from Psalm 86:5 where it is written: "... You, O Lord, are good, and ready to forgive [our sins, sending them away, completely letting them go forever and ever]; and abundant in lovingkindness and overflowing in mercy to all those who call upon You." (AMP); thankful for all the beautiful photos with Bible verses included available on the net; thankful for the lovely series of eclipse images D.D. captured and has shared; and thankful for the promise found in Isaiah 29:14 where it is written: "... Behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder...." (KJV); thankful to know that "... my times are in [His] hands ...." (Psalm 31:15); thankful for His promise to keep me through my entire life (Isaiah 46:4); and so thankful to read these words from 1 Corinthians 2:9 where it is written: "... the Scriptures say, 'No one has ever seen, no one has ever heard, no one has ever imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.'” (ERV); thankful for a new Sabbath in which we can join in study, praise and worship to the Creator; thankful for restorative rest and sleep; and thankful to read the words from Psalm 59:16 where it is written: "... I will sing of Your mighty strength and power; yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy and loving-kindness in the morning; for You have been to me a defense (a fortress and a high tower) and a refuge in the day of my distress." (AMPC).