Thanksgiving VII ~

19-25 April:  In the week just gone by, I have been thankful that God's Word tells me, "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7, KJV) when I read the message in Malachi 4:1-3; I'm thankful for the words written by Peter in 2 Peter 3:9 where he says: "The Lord does not delay [as though He were unable to act] and is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is [extraordinarily] patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance." (AMP); thankful for our Savior, "... the Anointed One was raised from death’s slumber and is the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep in death. For since death entered this world by a man, it took another man to make the resurrection of the dead our new reality. Look at it this way: through Adam all of us die, but through the Anointed One all of us can live again." (1 Corinthians 15:20-22; VOICE); thankful for summer-y yellow Goldfinch fellows outside my window - lots of them!  I was thankful, too, that the Creator has filled the earth with so much beauty for us to enjoy; thankful for this item of praise from Isaiah 12:2-3 where we read: "Behold, God, my salvation! I will trust and not be afraid, for the Lord God is my strength and song; yes, He has become my salvation. Therefore with joy will you draw water from the wells of salvation." (AMPC); thankful that the sun was shining as I had plans to walk to collect postage stamps for out-going "snail mail", pick up a prescription at the pharmacy, and cash from the ATM; thankful for angel companions who whisper words of correction and encouragement to me; thankful for the affirmation and promise found in John 10:28-30 where it is written: "I give them a life that is unceasing, and death will not have the last word. Nothing or no one can steal them from My hand. My Father has given the flock to Me, and He is superior to all beings and things. No one is powerful enough to snatch the flock from My Father’s hand. The Father and I are one." (VOICE); thankful for determination to walk more, as I did in the past year; thankful for a new raincoat should the weather be inclement; thankful for this warning from Romans 1:18-20, where it is written: "... The wrath of God is breaking through from heaven, opposing all manifestations of ungodliness and wickedness by the people who do wrong to keep God’s truth in check. These people are not ignorant about what can be known of God, because He has shown it to them with great clarity. From the beginning, creation in its magnificence enlightens us to His nature. Creation itself makes His undying power and divine identity clear, even though they are invisible ...." (VOICE); thankful for this thought: "Many, even in their seasons of devotion, fail of receiving the blessing of real communion with God. They are in too great haste. With hurried steps they press through the circle of Christ’s loving presence, pausing perhaps a moment within the sacred precincts, but not waiting for counsel. They have no time to remain with the divine Teacher. With their burdens they return to their work.  These workers can never attain the highest success until they learn the secret of strength. They must give themselves time to think, to pray, to wait upon God for a renewal of physical, mental, and spiritual power. They need the uplifting influence of His Spirit. Receiving this, they will be quickened by fresh life. The wearied frame and tired brain will be refreshed, the burdened heart will be lightened. Not a pause for a moment in His presence, but personal contact with Christ, to sit down in companionship with Him—this is our need.” E.G.White Education, p. 261. I was thankful that ALL are invited to be "workers" and have a part in this experience; thankful, too, that our Father reminds us of His pleasure as we choose to be in this relationship. (1 Chronicles 29:17; Psalm 35:27; Psalm 149:4).  I was thankful for plans to visit the metropolis north of us for some necessary shopping and to touch bases with the D.S.I.L.'s parents; thankful that my weekly laundry was whirling away in the dryer as I wrote; thankful for this message from 1 Peter 1:18-19: "You know that in the past the way you were living was useless. It was a way of life you learned from those who lived before you. But you were saved from that way of living. You were bought, but not with things that ruin like gold or silver. You were bought with the precious blood of Christ’s death. He was a pure and perfect sacrificial Lamb" (ERV); thankful to live in a place where others don't tell me how I must worship the Creator; thankful to know the blessings of the Sabbath He gave - not just from Sinai but in this planet's beginning (Genesis 2:2-3); and thankful to be one of those "to whom God willed to make-known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles— which is Christ in you, the hope of glory, whom we are proclaiming, admonishing every person, and teaching every person with all wisdom, in order that we may present every person mature in Christ" (Colossians 1:27,28; DLNT),