Thanksgiving VIII ~

 24-30 January:  Through the past week, I was thankful to see bright sunlight through my window in the morning; thankful to know that the heroine in a book I was reading had NOT perished (deep thanks to the author!); thankful as I perused this passage from Galatians 6:1-2 where it is written: "My dear family, if someone is found out in some trespass, then you – the ‘spiritual’ ones! – should set such a person right, in a spirit of gentleness. Watch out for yourselves: you too may be tested. Carry each other’s burdens; that’s the way to fulfill the Messiah’s law." (NTE); thankful to wake to a new day of life in Jesus; thankful to have access to the Word of God through the printed page, on-line, and other resources; thankful for the following admonition from Philippians 4:8 where it is written: "Finally, brothers and sisters, fill your minds with beauty and truth. Meditate on whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is good, whatever is virtuous and praiseworthy." (VOICE); thankful for opportunities still available to me in these autumn years of my life; thankful for help where it is needed; thankful for this message from James 4:9-11 where it is written: "... Let God work His will in you. Yell a loud no to the devil and watch him make himself scarce. Say a quiet yes to God and He’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field.... Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet." (MSG); thankful for books by Christian authors that share salvation principles in their pages; thankful that there are MANY ways believers can share their faith in the Creator God; thankful to read these words from Ephesians 6:12-13, "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 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." (Citation unknown, but suspect it is an E.G.White quote); thankful for another new day of life; thankful for the message of John 4:24 where it is written: " God is Spirit, and those who worship God must be led by the Spirit to worship Him according to the truth." (CEV); thankful for my family and the love, the prayers we share with - and for - each other; thankful, VERY thankful, for a place in the family of God (John 1:12); thankful as I consider this passage from The Voice translation and commentary: "It is only natural for the disciples to wonder which of them will be His right-hand man.... Fortunately Jesus overhears what is said and is quick to respond in mercy to correct their mistake. Greatness in His eyes doesn’t consist of seeing wonders or performing miracles or even fasting and praying. Instead, greatness is about humility and service. These are the heart of the kingdom of heaven.'He sat down with the twelve to teach them. Jesus: "Whoever wants to be first must be last, and whoever wants to be the greatest must be the servant of all." ' " (Mark 9:35; VOICE); 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).