Thanksgiving VI ~

27 January-2 February:  During this week, I was thankful for this morning prayer, adapted from one in E.G. White's book, Christ's Object Lessons, "O Lord,take my heart - I cannot give it, it is Your property; keep it pure - I cannot keep it for You. Save me in spite of myself, my poor, weak, sinful self. Mould me, fashion me, raise me to that pure and holy atmosphere where the rich influences of Your love can pour through me - (and on, to bless others), Amen"; thankful, always, for a new day of life; thankful for this counsel from Ephesians 6:13-14 where we read: "We’re not waging war against enemies of flesh and blood alone. No, this fight is against tyrants, against authorities, against supernatural powers and demon princes that slither in the darkness of this world, and against wicked spiritual armies that lurk about in heavenly places. And this is why you need to be head-to-toe in the full armor of God: so you can resist during these evil days and be fully prepared to hold your ground." (VOICE); thankful for a quiet feeling tummy (after another evening of rumblings and emesis; perhaps my formerly cast-iron stomach is getting to be sensitive in my eightieth year!); thankful to be able to gradually increase my activity - not running any races, but neither am I living in my recliner all day; thankful for this guide Jesus gave about how true worship happens: "... The Father is spirit, and He is seeking followers whose worship is sourced in truth and deeply spiritual as well. Regardless of where you are ..., if you do not seek the Father, then you do not worship." (John 4:23; adapted from VOICE);  thankful to find this message from years go 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." (Ellen G. White Miscellaneous Periodical Articles - Book I of III); thankful for another new day of life; thankful for the message of Mark 9:34-35 where it is written: "They had been arguing about which one of them was the greatest, and so they did not answer. After Jesus sat down and told the twelve disciples to gather around him, He said, 'If you want the place of honor, you must become a slave and serve others!'”  (CEV);  thankful for the grace that surrounds my life and runs through the fabric of every day;  thankful for our Father's mercy, mercy that does NOT treat us as we deserve; thankful for this good counsel found in Ephesians 4:1-2 where we read: "... 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 to have already received "likes" and PMs to my late nite prayer request post - prayers already being raised; thankful for memories, rewarmed but still glowing, of all the love outpoured into my life after the death of my husband of more than fifty years; thankful to share these words from Psalm 86:5 where they are 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 to be learning consistency as I complete WW challenges thru' weeks and months;  thankful for the ages old call found in Deuteronomy 6:4-5 where it is written: "... The Eternal is our True God—He alone. You should love Him, your True God, with all your heart and soul, with every ounce of your strength." (VOICE); thankful to still be here for another of the blessed and holy Sabbaths every week provides; thankful for the every day assurance of an end to the winter - how aptly applied to our lives where the chill of a world gone mad will soon be peaceful and glorious with Jesus as He comes for His people; and I was thankful as I applied these words about our future with Him: "But as the Scriptures say, 'No eye has ever seen and no ear has ever heard and it has never occurred to the human heart ALL the things God [has] prepared for those who love Him.'" (1 Corinthians 2:9; Isaiah 64:4; VOICE).