09 May 2021

Thanksgiving VIII ~

2-8 May:  during the past week, I have been thankful for a beautiful sunrise after a rainy day; thankful for the Good Book that is filled with the Father's counsel, His promises, and His warnings of dangers ahead; thankful for this message from that Book: "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him." (1 John 5:14-15, NKJV); thankful to be part of the beautiful family of God, a group that includes all who live for and trust our Savior for eternal salvation; thankful for the love that surrounds me in the lives of my children - those with whom I live and those farther away; thankful for this message from Psalm 14:2 where it is written: "The Lord looks down from heaven to see if there is anyone who is wise, anyone who looks to Him for help." (ERV); thankful to see the flower buds emerging on the tree outside my window and the cherry tree on the back of the property - spring is definitely here! I was thankful to see sunlight after showers; thankful as I consider this message from Philippians 4:6-7 in The Message: "Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life."  I was thankful for the dear little lady who spends mornings with my eldest daughter during the week; thankful for the warmth of sunlight through my window; thankful for the affirmation in this passage from James 5:16 where it is written: "If you have sinned, you should tell each other what you have done. Then you can pray for one another and be healed. The prayer of an innocent person is powerful, and it can help a lot." (VOICE); thankful for the warmth of true friendship; thankful for the heavenly love that binds believers together as one; thankful as I read these words from Galatians 6:1-3 where the apostle wrote: "Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived." (MSG); thankful to be celebrating yet another Sabbath day - the day the Creator set aside for Himself, and humanity, in the beginning (Genesis 2:2-3); thankful for images of springtime around the world that are shared via the internet; and I was thankful as I considered the counsel from Colossians 4:5 where it is written: "Be wise when you engage with those outside the faith community; make the most of every moment and every encounter." (VOICE).

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