Thanksgiving XII ~

 19-25 January: During that week, I was thankful for the assurance that Jesus is coming again - and SOON - to waken saints who are sleeping and lift us, together with them, up to be with Him forever (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17); thankful to have known many of these saints through my lifetime, may all who come after us find US as faithful as they; thankful for this message from 1 Corinthians 10:13: " Every test that you have experienced is the kind that normally comes to people. But God keeps his promise, and he will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to the test, he will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out" (Good News Translation); thankful for our heavenly Father's faithfulness - even when we are not being true to Him, He keeps His promises; I was thankful for all the ways I am blessed each day - the warmth of this shelter from winter weather, the abundant provision for nutritional needs, the awareness of the Creator God who loves each of us and wants us to be with Him forever; and remembering the words of "wise men" who have said, "Don't do to others what you would not want them to do to you", I was thankful for the positive spin of Jesus' words in Matthew 7:12 where He said: “Treat other people exactly as you would like to be treated by them—this is the essence of all true religion" (PHILLIPS); thankful for a new day to trust my time here into my Father's hands; thankful for the abundant grace provided by the Father to a world in rebellion against His government; thankful for this promise found in 1 John 1:8-9 where we read: "If we refuse to admit that we are sinners, then we live in a world of illusion and truth becomes a stranger to us. But if we freely admit that we have sinned, we find God utterly reliable and straightforward—he forgives our sins and makes us thoroughly clean from all that is evil." (PHILLIPS); thankful to see the little birds - mostly Cassin's and House Finches - busy at the feeders D.D. has filled outside my window; thankful for the sunshine in my heart; and thankful for this message from Isaiah 12:2-3 where it is written: "Indeed, God is my salvation; I will trust Him and not be afraid, for Yah, the Lord, is my strength and my song. He has become my salvation. [I] will joyfully draw water from the springs of salvation." (Holman's Christian Standard Bible); thankful for every new day of life, and the strength promised for any task at hand; thankful for lists that help me to focus on what I need to do - distractability issues do not grow less with seniority; thankful for the promise found in James 1:5 where we read: ". . . Anyone who needs wisdom should ask God, whose very nature is to give to everyone without a second thought, without keeping score. Wisdom will certainly be given to those who ask" (Common English Bible); thankful to be able to enjoy the antics of the four-legged creatures who live with us - as well as those of the out-of-doors critters whose occasional appearance causes much excitement for the indoors pets; thankful for the blessing of a cheerful helper that comes to assist me in the activities I am no longer strong enough (or haven't the balance!) to do safely; thankful as I read the words of James 1:2-4 where this is written: "Don’t run from tests and hardships, brothers and sisters. As difficult as they are, you will ultimately find joy in them; if you embrace them, your faith will blossom under pressure and teach you true patience as you endure. And true patience brought on by endurance will equip you to complete the long journey and cross the finish line—mature, complete, and wanting nothing." (VOICE); thankful for sweet Sabbath rest, provided for all by the Creator (Exodus 20:8-11); thankful for His peace - my choice instead of ....; and I was thankful for the message given in 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).