Thanksgiving X ~

18-24 December:  During the past week, I have been thankful for the life and strength that remains in my being; thankful for the "exceeding great and precious promises" that are kept for us in God's Word - tho' given long ago, they remain fresh to be used in our world today; thankful as I read these words from Isaiah 61:10 where they are written: "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness...." (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition); thankful for the privilege of sharing bits of the the gospel, the "good news" of Jesus as our Savior, with others in these "Thanksgiving ...." posts; thankful to be among those waiting to see Him when He returns - not to deal with the sins of the human race, but to usher all who believe into His kingdom of glory; thankful to share this message from the apostle, Paul, who wrote: "... I can’t wait to get to you ..., preaching this wonderful good news of God. It’s news I’m most proud to proclaim, this extraordinary Message of God’s powerful plan to rescue everyone who trusts Him, starting with Jews and then right on to everyone else! God’s way of putting people right shows up in the acts of faith, confirming what Scripture has said all along: 'The person in right standing before God by trusting Him really lives.'” (Romans 1:15-17; The Message); thankful this morning for hot lemon-water to start my day - a great way to wake up the body!   I was thankful for the cozy spot where I do my reading and relaxing; thankful as I consider this passage from Hebrews 13:14-15 where it is written: "For here we do not have an abiding city, but we are seeking for the one coming. Therefore through [Jesus] let us be continually offering a sacrifice of praise to God— that is, the fruit of lips praising His name." (Disciples Literal New Testament); thankful for the blessings of contact with loved ones near and far; thankful for the holiday lights I can see from my window; thankful to read this promise from Isaiah 49:8 (and on): "... 'When the time’s ripe, I answer you. When victory’s due, I help you. I form you and use you to reconnect the people with Me, to put the land in order, to resettle families on the ruined properties. I tell prisoners, '‘Come on out. You’re free!’' and those huddled in fear, '‘It’s all right. It’s safe now.'’ There’ll be foodstands along all the roads, picnics on all the hills—nobody hungry, nobody thirsty, shade from the sun, shelter from the wind, for the Compassionate One guides them, takes them to the best springs. I’ll make all my mountains into roads, turn them into a superhighway....'" (The Message); thankful for shelter from the frigid temperatures outdoors, Lord be with all who have none!  I was thankful for the delight of time with friends and family through this Christmas season: and very grateful for all who are at their posts of duty while the rest of us are celebrating the season - here's a big "Thank You!" to the peace officers, firefighters, health-care professionals, and all the others in essential services who keep our communities running smoothly during these days.  I was thankful as I read Isaiah's words about the One who was to come: "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6; New King James Version); thankful this snow-y morning that the growing-longer (and lon-n-nger) nights are over for this year; thankful for greetings from family and friends coming from all over;  thankful that the King whose birth we acknowledge this season lives and has given us these words to consider: ". . . Immediately after the persecution of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give light, and the stars will seem to fall from the heavens, and the powers overshadowing the earth will be convulsed. And then at last the signal of My coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning all around the earth. And the nations of the world will see Me arrive in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And I shall send forth my angels with the sound of a mighty trumpet blast, and they shall gather My chosen ones from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven." (Matthew 24:29-31; The Living Bible); thankful for another Sabbath; thankful that the D.G.S.'s flight was only delayed, he's still coming; and I was thankful to read this precious promise from Ezekiel 37:26-27: "... I will make a covenant of peace with them. It shall be an everlasting covenant with them. And I will place them and multiply them and will set My sanctuary in their midst forevermore. My tabernacle also shall be with them. Indeed, I will be their God and they shall be My people. " (Modern English Version).