Thanksgiving IX ~

 4-10 September:  This past week,I have been thankful for the sleep given in the night hours; thankful for the rest promised to believers (Hebrews 3:12-4:11); thankful for this admonition from 2 Timothy 1:13-14 where we read: "Remember the words that you heard from me. Retain them as the model for healthy and sound teaching in the faith and love that are available in Jesus the Anointed.  As for the precious thing entrusted to you, protect it with the help of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us." (VOICE); thankful to have strong faith in the promises of God - not one of them has failed (Joshua 23:14); thankful for the assurance that HE is faithful, even when I'M NOT; thankful to be among those who are following the words of Jesus, who commissioned His followers to "... Go out and make disciples in all the nations. Ceremonially wash them through baptism in the name of the triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then disciple them. Form them in the practices and postures that I have taught you, and show them how to follow the commands I have laid down for you. And I will be with you, day after day, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20; VOICE); thankful to the Creator for an optimistic outlook - I've read from God's Word the story of how the Lamb wins (Revelation 21:6-7); thankful for my furry friend who keeps me company when his boss (my D.D.) is away; thankful for this counsel from John 14:23 where we read: " 'If anyone loves Me,' Jesus replied, ‘they will keep My word. My father will love them, and We will come to them and make our home with them.' " (New Testament for Everyone); thankful  anticipating a little road trip back to the small town where we lived when first we came to Idaho; I was thankful for the help that is provided to me thru' family and friends; thankful as I share this affirmation from Colossians 1:27-28 where it is written: " God [in His eternal plan] chose to make known to them how great ... are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in and among you, the hope and guarantee of [realizing the] glory. We proclaim Him, warning and instructing everyone in all wisdom [that is, with comprehensive insight into the word and purposes of God], so that we may present every person complete in Christ [mature, fully trained, and perfect in Him—the Anointed]." (The Amplified Bible); thankful for the drive down to Riggins yesterday, for being able to share some of my favorites of its beautiful spots with the one who was driving; thankful for visits with precious friends there; thankful to echo these words from Psalm 143:10-11 where we read: "You are my God. Show me what you want me to do, and let your gentle Spirit lead me in the right path. Be true to your name, Lord, and keep my life safe...." (Contemporary English Version); thankful for the volunteers who serve our community in a professional (and gentle!) manner; thankful that my laundry is being processed across the hall (and that I've a helper to get it folded and put away); thankful for this counsel from Titus 2:3-5 where it is written: "Tell the older women to behave as those who love the Lord should. They must not gossip about others or be slaves of wine. They must teach what is proper, so the younger women will be loving wives and mothers. Each of the younger women must be sensible and kind .... Then no one can say insulting things about God's message." (Contemporary English Version); thankful for the "crucible" lessons in the weekly Bible studies we've been doing over the past couple months - the concept is very close to my heart when a family member has received a pancreatic cancer diagnosis; I was thankful for another Sabbath and its focus on the Creator and His promises to hear and to restore; and thankful for this promise from Revelation 21:2-4 where it is written: "I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, 'Look, God’s home is now among His people! He will live with them, and they will be His people. God Himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.'” (New Living Translation).