Thanksgiving VII ~

 16-22 August:  This past week, I have been thankful to have the Word of God available to me - all its instructions for a life lived well, warnings about things to avoid, and promises for a "forever" life with Him; thankful for the encouragement provided by writers who challenge me and help increase my faith; thankful for this message from 2 Corinthians 6:17-7:1 where we read: "... 'Stay away from anything unclean, anything impure, and I will welcome you. And I will be for you as a father, and you will be for Me as sons and daughters' says the Lord Almighty! Because we have these promises, dearly loved ones, out of respect for God we should scour the filth from our flesh and spirit and move toward perfect beauty and holiness." (VOICE); thankful for God's persistent "Come to Me!" in our lives; thankful to see God's Law as a hedge of protection around all who love Him (John 14:15); thankful for this admonition from 2 Corinthians 10:17-18 where we read: “'The one who boasts must boast in the Lord.' Now let’s be clear: it’s not the one who commends himself who is approved; it’s the one whom the Lord commends." (VOICE); thankful for the happy news from my li'l sister - good things happening in her life; thankful for all heaven's ministries in our behalf; thankful to read this admonition from Philippians 2:1-2 where it is written: "... If your experience of Christ’s encouragement and love means anything to you, if you have known something of the fellowship of his Spirit, and all that it means in kindness and deep sympathy, do make my best hope for you come true!" (PHILLIPS); thankful to wake with a prayer in my heart; thankful for our Father's promise that His purposes WILL be accomplished as He designs (Isaiah 14:24,27);  thankful for this assurance from 1 John 5:11-12 where we read: "... This is the truth: God has given us the gift of eternal life, and this life is in His Son. If you have the Son, you have eternal life. If you do not have the Son of God, you are not acquainted with true life." (VOICE); thankful for the steadfast love and care-taking provided by our heavenly Father; thankful that the tumble I took yesterday caused only small, superficial injuries (and for STRONG bones holding together!); thankful to affirm this thought from Psalm 16:8-9 where it is written: "He is ever present with me; at all times He goes before me. I will not live in fear or abandon my calling because He stands at my right hand. This is a good life—my heart is glad, my soul is full of joy,..." (VOICE); thankful to find a recent "like!" from D.D. who is traveling;  thankful for the resources God provides me, sufficient for all my needs; thankful, too, for this affirmation from Psalm 42:8 where it is written: "Yet the Lord will command His lovingkindness in the day time, and in the night His song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life." (KJV); thankful for anticipation of the Sabbath blessings waiting; thankful for our God's patience with my weaknesses and my short memory; and thankful for this assurance from Romans 8:31-32 where we read: "... What does all this mean? If God has determined to stand with us, tell me, who then could ever stand against us? For God has proved His love by giving us His greatest treasure, the gift of His Son. And since God freely offered Him up as the sacrifice for us all, He certainly won’t withhold from us anything else He has to give." (TPT).