Thanksgiving V ~

2-8 September:  This week, I've been thankful for the privilege of prayer - especially for the invitation to pray for the needs of others - intercession - that was beautifully expressed recently on the 3ABN channel; thankful for all those who are praying for me, and for my family - so much appreciated; thankful to join the psalmist in praise to our Creator with these words: "The earth is full of Your loving-kindness, O Lord. Teach me Your Law. You have done good to Your servant, O Lord, because of Your Word." (Psalm 119:64-65; NLV); thankful to be a child of our King of kings (John 1:12); thankful for another day of life and all that remains of health and strength; thankful for message of Isaiah 48:16-17 where it is written: "... The Master, God, sends me and His Spirit with this Message from God, your Redeemer ...: 'I am God, your God, who teaches you how to live right and well. I show you what to do, where to go.'" (MSG); thankful for the promise of my Father's continuing love for me; thankful that His mercies are new every morning; thankful for the excellent counsel of 2 Timothy 1:13-14 where we read: "... Follow the example of the correct teaching I gave you, and let the faith and love of Christ Jesus be your model. You have been trusted with a wonderful treasure. Guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit, who lives within you." (CEV); thankful to feel rested even though sleep was short; thankful that the password situation on our Cozi account has been straightened out; thankful to recognize that the words of Jesus recorded in Matthew 28:18-20 are as much for believers today as for those disciples: "... Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.' Amen." (NKJV); thankful for the opportunity to have attended a mid-week gathering for prayer with some of our church family (thanks to a more distant couple who stops to pick me up on their way to the meeting); thankful to know the eldest D.D. will get her much-needed knee replacement; thankful as I consider these words from John 14:22-24 where they are written: "... [One disciple] said to Him, 'Sir, why are you going to reveal yourself only to us disciples and not to the world at large?' Jesus replied, 'Because I will only reveal myself to those who love Me and obey Me. The Father will love them too, and We will come to them and live with them. Anyone who doesn’t obey Me doesn’t love Me. And remember, I am not making up this answer to your question! It is the answer given by the Father who sent me.'" (TLB); thankful to have my laundry already in process - an early start to my day; thankful that D.D.'s surgery went well after a much later than scheduled start; thankful for this truth: "... Christ lives in you, His people. He is our hope for glory. So we continue to tell people about Christ. We use all wisdom to counsel every person and teach every person. We are trying to bring everyone before God as people who have grown to be spiritually mature in Christ." (Colossians 1:27-28; ERV);  thankful that I had a ride to be with my church family for a day of study and prayer, worship and fellowship (D.D. is away to the Idaho Conference women's retreat and the D.S.I.L. is on schedule at the hospital where he works); thankful for the eldest D.D.'s report that she is up and walking on her new knee - all praise to our God! And I was thankful for this prayer from Psalm 143:10-11 where it is written: "Help me to do your will, for you are my God. Lead me in good paths, for your Spirit is good. Lord, saving me will bring glory to your name...." (TLB).