Thanksgiving XII ~

 16-22 March:  During the past week, I was thankful telephone connections with the world outside our doors; thankful for the privilege of prayer in praise, thanksgiving, and asking for the blessings that God's Word promises; thankful as I think on these words from Acts 4:10 where we read: "I want all of you ... to know this man standing in front of you—obviously in good health—was healed by the authority of Jesus of Nazareth ...." (VOICE); thankful for my dear family - sons and daughters, near and far away - and the DSIL&DDIL, the grands, great-grands, and great-GREAT-grands they've added to the family; thankful that God's Word has been preserved through the years and is still applicable for us who believe - ". . . and is useful for teaching, for showing mistakes, for correcting, and for training character" 2 Timothy 3:16 (Common English Bible); thankful that there are only four more days of winter (including THIS one!) and then it's SPRING!   I was thankful, too, for the postal service that provided overnight delivery of the books I'd ordered from the ABC in Spokane; thankful for these words from Malachi 3:16-17: "Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name. 'They shall be Mine,' says the Lord of hosts, 'On the day that I make them My jewels.'" (New King James Version); for all the ". . . exceedingly great and precious promises. . . ." (2 Peter 1:4) I find in God's Word - and the assurance that His promises will be my guarantee of His life in me; thankful that the One who made these promises is a faithful "promise keeper" - ". . . Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it" (Isaiah 46:11);  thankful for the messages reminding me that it is the perfect right-standing of the SAVIOR that that brings my salvation; thankful for a new collection of Kay Rizzo's story books written for believers that's now in my possession; thankful for another fine day in the forecast, with warming temps - spring is almost upon us!  I was thankful as I read these words from Galatians 5:22-23, words that help me recognize my need of the Spirit's continuing work in my life: "... these are the things which the Spirit wants you to show: love, joy, peace, patience, being kind, being good, being true, being gentle, and keeping the body under control. There is no law that says, `These things are wrong.'" (Worldwide English New Testament); I was thankful for an appointment with my Pampered Feet practitioner; thankful for church family willing to share books they've read; thankful as I peruse this message from Hebrews 13:15-16 where it is written: "... Let us keep offering to God our own sacrifice, the praise of lips that confess His name without ceasing. Let’s not neglect what is good and share what we have, for these sacrifices also please God." (VOICE); thankful for the busy squirrels outside my window - so much fun watching them (and the twitchy cats' tails INSIDE the window!); thankful for all the entertaining delights and object lessons with which the Creator has provided in the animal kingdom; thankful, too, for this message from Jeremiah 17:7-8: "Happy are those who trust in the Lord, who rely on the Lord. They will be like trees planted by the streams, whose roots reach down to the water. They won’t fear drought when it comes; their leaves will remain green. They won’t be stressed in the time of drought or fail to bear fruit ' (Common English Bible); thankful for the sunlight that is peeping through the big window in my room - sunshine really does make me happy!  I was thankful to have a new Sabbath and its focus on all the wonderful things the Creator has carefully designed for us to enjoy; and thankful for this counsel from Ephesians 6:10-11 where we read "Finally, my [friends], be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."(along with the definition of the armor in verses 14-17) that tells us: "Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (New Revised Standard Version).