Thanksgiving VII ~

3-9 May:  This past week, I have been thankful for each new day of life - God help me make the MOST of every day! I am always thankful to be a daughter of the Most High - what a privilege He's given to all who believe in Jesus, His Son!  I was thankful for this counsel from Romans 12:1-2 where it is written: "Brothers and sisters, in light of all I have shared with you about God’s mercies, I urge you to offer your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice to God, a sacred offering that brings Him pleasure; this is your reasonable, essential worship. Do not allow this world to mold you in its own image. Instead, be transformed from the inside out by renewing your mind. As a result, you will be able to discern what God wills and whatever God finds good, pleasing, and complete." (VOICE); I was thankful to know of the willingness of our Father to risk His dear Son for the benefit of a planet in rebellion against His government; thankful for His compassion shown to hurting people; thankful to read in God's Word of a day that is coming - “'At that time I will put you on trial. I am eager to witness against all sorcerers and adulterers and liars. I will speak against those who cheat employees of their wages, who oppress widows and orphans, or who deprive the foreigners living among you of justice, for these people do not fear me,' says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies." (Malachi 3:5; NLT); thankful that each day brings a "mulligan" - an opportunity to correct the errors of the past; thankful for the God who sees our hearts and draws us ever closer to Him; thankful for these words from Philippians 4:6-7 where we read: "Don’t be anxious about things; instead, pray. Pray about everything. He longs to hear your requests, so talk to God about your needs and be thankful for what has come. And know that the peace of God (a peace that is beyond any and all of our human understanding) will stand watch over your hearts and minds in Jesus, the Anointed One." (VOICE); thankful for the angel nudges that are responsible for getting up on my feet and walking rather than sitting in my cozy spot all the day long; thankful for a good day for sowing seeds in the planters that have been provided for me; thankful for this passage from James 5:16 where we read: "Confess and acknowledge how you have offended one another and then pray for one another to be instantly healed, for tremendous power is released through the passionate, heartfelt prayer of a godly believer!" (TPT); thankful for the sunlight streaming through the big window in my room; thankful to see the tree outside filled with a flock of Evening Grosbeaks along with the usual Goldfinches and a few of the colorful House Finches; thankful for this counsel from 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 where it is written: "Rejoice always and delight in your faith; be unceasing and persistent in prayer; in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus." (AMP); thankful for the weekly assistance of the dear young lady (who is the regular companion for eldest D.D.) to help me with cleaning; thankful for another D.D.'s aid in getting my garden boxes filled and in place on the patio table; thankful for this admonition from Colossians 4:5-6 where it is written: "Be wise when you engage with those outside the faith community; make the most of every moment and every encounter. When you speak the word, speak it gracefully (as if seasoned with salt), so you will know how to respond to everyone rightly." (VOICE); thankful that my church is not just a place to meet, but the sisters and brothers who are meeting in ways that are a bit unusual yet available to all via phone lines; thankful for sunlight and blue skies; and thankful to read these words from Romans 8:1-2 where Paul wrote: "So now the case is closed. There remains no accusing voice of condemnation against those who are joined in life-union with Jesus, the Anointed One. For the “law” of the Spirit of life flowing through the anointing of Jesus has liberated us from the “law” of sin and death." (TPT).