Thanksgiving IX ~

3-9 July:  This past week, I have been thankful for the gospel's "Good News!" - the message that we have a RISEN Savior and that He's coming again to take His people to a new home in heaven; I was thankful for the privilege to be an ambassador for the King, pleading others to enter a saving relationship with Jesus; thankful for this affirmation in 2 Corinthians 5:19-20 where it is written: "God put the world square with Himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what He is doing. We’re Christ’s representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God’s work of making things right between them. We’re speaking for Christ Himself now: Become friends with God; He’s already a friend with you." (Message); thankful to recognize that my personal independence is not lessened by a TOTAL dependence on Jesus, my Savior, who said, "... Without Me, you can do nothing." (John 15:5); thankful that in this country where I live, there are many who value the freedoms that remain; thankful for the affirmation in Psalm 33:11-12 where we read: "The plans of the Lord stand forever. The plans of His heart stand through the future of all people. Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord. Happy are the people He has chosen for His own." (New Life Version); thankful that the forecast of thunderstorms (with hail that destroys tender leaves on growing plants) did NOT occur over the long holiday weekend; thankful for morning sunlight; thankful to confirm these words from Isaiah 12:2-3where we read: "'... God saves me. I will trust and not be afraid. For the Lord God is my strength and song. And He has become the One Who saves me.' As water from a well brings joy to the thirsty, so people have joy when He saves them." (New Life Version); thankful for the abundance of blessings given to me - each day of life, senses more or less intact after eighty-plus years, a beautiful home and loving family providing care are only a few of those blessings; thankful for the convenience of buying the things I need on line or my telephone; thankful that communication with our heavenly Father has no need for the accoutrements of technology, for God's Word tells me, "I’ll anticipate their prayers and respond before they know it; even as they speak, I will hear." (Isaiah 65:24; VOICE); thankful for this thought from Lamentations 3:21-23 - "This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness."; I was thankful for sunlight and blue skies; thankful for this favorite "I will ...." promise from Ezekiel 36:26-27 where it is written: "I will plant a new heart and new spirit inside of you. I will take out your stubborn, stony heart and give you a willing, tender heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit inside of you and inspire you to live by My statutes and follow My laws." (VOICE); thankful for the laundry equipment right across the hall (and that D.D. can provide the pods needed to complete the task this morning!); thankful for bright sunlight with the mild (for summertime!) temperatures forecast for today; thankful to echo the praise from Psalm 138:2 where this is written: "Thank you! Everything in me says 'Thank you!' Angels listen as I sing my thanks. I kneel in worship facing your holy temple and say it again: 'Thank you!' Thank you for your love, thank you for your faithfulness; Most holy is your name, most holy is your Word. The moment I called out, you stepped in; you made my life large with strength." (Message); thankful for the Word of God, the Holy Bible - active, powerful, life-giving; thankful to be able to perceive a bit of the beauty of His holiness; and I was thankful as I considered the blessing in Ephesians 2:20-21: "Now to the God who can do so many awe-inspiring things, immeasurable things, things greater than we ever could ask or imagine through the power at work in us, to Him be all glory in the church and in Jesus the Anointed from this generation to the next, forever and ever. Amen." (VOICE).