Thanksgiving XII ~

26 January-1 February:  In the past week, I was thankful to be living in a land where I am still free to worship without fear that "the authorities" can punish or restrain me and/or those with whom I meet - thinking of those who live in places where such punishment often occurs; I was thankful, too, to be accepted as a daughter of the King, with an inheritance in His forever kingdom; thankful for this message from Revelation 22:16-17: “'I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely." (New King James Version); thankful for this morning prayer, adapted from one in E.G. White's book, Christ's Object Lessons, "O Lord,take my heart - I cannot give it, it is Your property; keep it pure - I cannot keep it for You. Save me in spite of myself, my poor, weak, sinful self. Mould me, fashion me, raise me to that pure and holy atmosphere where the rich influences of Your love can pour through me - (and on, to bless others), Amen"; I was thankful, always, for a new day of life; and thankful for this counsel from Ephesians 6:13-14 where we read: "We’re not waging war against enemies of flesh and blood alone. No, this fight is against tyrants, against authorities, against supernatural powers and demon princes that slither in the darkness of this world, and against wicked spiritual armies that lurk about in heavenly places. And this is why you need to be head-to-toe in the full armor of God: so you can resist during these evil days and be fully prepared to hold your ground." (VOICE); thankful for the mercies and grace that come new every morning (Lamentations 3:23); for Phib's growing ease coming to my space (Miphibosheth is a resident feline, with Manx Syndrome - he hops rather than walks - but differently abled, not DISabled); thankful for the expanded passages of the Amplified Bible, like this one from John 3:16-17, where it is written" "For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge and condemn the world [that is, to initiate the final judgment of the world], but that the world might be saved through Him."; thankful to find this message from years go on an old fb page: "When sin struggles for the mastery in the human heart, when guilt seems to oppress the soul and burden the conscience, when unbelief clouds the mind, who lets in the beams of light? Whose grace is sufficient to subdue sin, and who gives the precious forgiveness and pardons all our sins, expelling the darkness, and making us hopeful and joyful in God?—Jesus, the sin-pardoning Saviour." (Ellen G. White Miscellaneous Periodical Articles - Book I of III); I was thankful for another new day; thankful for the message of Mark 9:34-35 where it is written: "They had been arguing about which one of them was the greatest, and so they did not answer. After Jesus sat down and told the twelve disciples to gather around him, He said, 'If you want the place of honor, you must become a slave and serve others!'” (Common English Version); I was thankful to be one called "beloved" by our Creator (as are all those who know Him as Savior); thankful that He promises to provide all the I need in this life, and the next; thankful for the admonition found in Ephesians 4:1-3: ". . . I beg you to live in a way that is worthy of the people God has chosen to be his own. Always be humble and gentle. Patiently put up with each other and love each other. Try your best to let God’s Spirit keep your hearts united. Do this by living at peace" (Common English Version); thankful for the folks who offer their affection and support for me; thankful for these words from Psalm 86:5 where they are written: "... You, O Lord, are good, and ready to forgive [our sins, sending them away, completely letting them go forever and ever]; and abundant in lovingkindness and overflowing in mercy to all those who call upon You." (Amplified Bible); thankful as we start a new month, one month closer to spring; thankful that I've been able to use my walker a few times - and I'm trying a couple other options for exercise; and thankful as I read these words from Deuteronomy 6:4-5 where Moses tells all believers: "... The Eternal is our True God—He alone. You should love Him, your True God, with all your heart and soul, with every ounce of your strength." (VOICE).