I so enjoy this time of year. There is just such a beauty that cannot be described. It is a busy time of year – trying to finish up all the outdoor projects and fun of warm sunny days plus prepare for the cold and snow. Besides all that it is also an unsettled time in our country and an election year. Only the Lord knows what is ahead and it is easy for us to get into fear of the future. I think it is good to educate yourself about some of what is going on but the negative, lying evil cannot be our focus. Since my cousin, Risa, is here from Panama City, Florida after being homeless from the hurricane we’ve had many conversations about the horrible situation there. Things are difficult, devastating and hard but we must know we are never alone in our situations and that we are the conquerors! We have to not lose focus but just keep believing and trusting our precious Father. One way to keep your eyes straight ahead on His faithfulness is to have a thankful heart. Thanksgiving from our hearts will keep the fear away. I have heard story after story of the miracles happening there and one lady I talked to said the only way through it is to have a thankful heart and praise Him. What a testimony!
Most people say this is their favorite time of year too. Part of it is the beauty but the other is that our hearts lean towards thanking Him for all He has given us and that naturally brings peace, joy, love and hope to our lives. Every day may your words be seasoned with thanksgiving. Everyday let your heart overflow with His thanksgiving and love. You will be amazed at what does and does not affect you when your heart is thanking Him. We have more opportunities than ever before in history to be an example of His peace and joy flowing from us in times of dismay. Others will notice the difference in you without you even speaking a word. His ways are so powerful and mighty! Why do we doubt His Wisdom and lean on our own understanding? It is because we get away from having thankful and grateful hearts that radiate His love and peace to all. Have a great and powerful week shining with the love of Jesus and being thankful.
Sunday - Mark 6:41 ”And when He had taken the five loaves and two fish, He looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves and gave them to His disciples to set before the people.” Thank You for showing me how Your Son, Jesus, gave thanks. He focused His eyes on You - thanked You and saw in His heart His/Your answer. He didn’t wait until He saw the abundance to thank You. He saw it done when He focused on You. I thank You for the example. I know that I can’t wait to see my answer to trust You but when I trust You and Who You are in me, I will see every answer already fulfilled. I just bow before You in praise and thanksgiving. You are my wonderful Father. I give You all my love and I receive Your love for me. Amen
Monday - “At all times and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father. Ephesians 5:20 Lord, I begin this time of thankfulness by recognizing that this verse tells me that at all times I am to give thanks. Father, I don’t always do that. So many days I get so caught up in the cares of the world. They can be so many when my heart and eyes aren’t on You full of thanksgiving for Who You are in me. I am thankful for what You have given me but I get so caught up in everything that thankfulness isn’t always the fruit of my lips. As I breathe in Your presence - Your Spirit, I can exhale and let go of all my worries and fret. As I come to You this day I am overwhelmed with thanksgiving in my heart. Thank You for Your promises. “I rejoice in You always. I delight, gladden myself in You. Again, I, rejoice!! I will not fret or have anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything - I give thanks.” Philippians 4:4,6 I thank You that Your grace gives me the strength to renew my mind and change my heart. Thank You for being my most awesome heavenly Father, Amen.
Tuesday - “I will make a joyful noise to You Lord and serve You with gladness! I come into Your presence with singing! I know, perceive, and recognize that You Lord are God. It is You that made me, not me that made me. I am Yours. I am Your people and the sheep in Your pasture. I will enter Your gates with thanksgiving and a thank
offering and into Your courts with praise! I am thankful and say so to You. I bless and affectionately praise Your name! For You, Lord, are good; Your mercy and loving-kindness are everlasting, Your faithfulness and truth endure to all generations.” Psalm 100 - Amen
Wednesday -Lord, each of us has a call on our life that is given by You. No matter who we are or what profession we may be in - You have called us to minister You to those around us. 1 Timothy 1:12 says it like this ‘I give thanks to Him Who has granted me the needed strength and made me able for this, Christ Jesus our Lord, because He has judged and counted me faithful and trustworthy, appointing me to this stewardship of the ministry.” “But the seed planted on good earth represents those who hear the Word, embrace it and produce a harvest beyond their wildest dreams.” Mark 4:20 As I hear and receive Your Words of who I am and where You have called me I can go forward and know I am planting seeds wherever I am. I believe that the harvest from my life of being faithful, trustworthy and hearing Your Word is producing far more harvest than I will ever see or that I can imagine. I thank You that You are my strength to go. I can go and be who You called me to be because You are in me. I love You and praise You always! - Amen.
Thursday - I thank You for Your ever presence in my life. You are always there rejoicing - comforting - giving me wisdom - direction - holding me close with Your everlasting love. Lord, I thank You for Your Word that says in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 that I can “Be happy and rejoice and be glad hearted continually - Be unceasing in prayer, praying perseveringly. Thank God in everything no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks. For this is the will of God for you who are in Christ Jesus.” “Do not fret or have anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests) with thanksgiving, continue to make your desires known to Him.” Philippians 4:6 I thank You and rejoice in Your love.
Friday – Today, Lord I pray this verse in Colossians 2:7 in the first person as I make Your Word alive in my heart. “I have the roots of my being firmly and deeply planted in You, fixed and founded in You, being continually built up in You, becoming increasingly more confirmed and established in faith, just as I was taught and abounding and overflowing in it with thanksgiving.” “Lord, I desire to “be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in my prayer life, being both alert and intent with thanksgiving.” Colossians 4:2 I know that with You everything is possible. Thank You for giving me the desires of my heart. I give You praise and glory forever. In Your Name I pray, Amen.
Saturday - Father, You created me to live in abundance. You are not the author of lack. You say that You are my Shepherd and I have not lack. I don’t want to be on the roller coaster ride of plenty – lack – plenty – lack – almost enough – not enough. That isn’t Your system, Your way of doing things or Your desire. You provide all I need. In the economy our world is in I always hear people say that they can’t give or plant right now. There just isn’t enough. I am hearing Your Word say something else. You say: “And God Who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your [resources for] sowing and increase the fruits of your righteousness [which manifests itself in active goodness, kindness and charity]. Thus you will be enriched in all things and in every way, so that you can be generous, and [your generosity as it is] administered by us will bring forth thanksgiving to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:10-11 I receive today what You have given me and go forward rejecting the lie of lack. I believe and act on Your promise to provide. Amen
Most people say this is their favorite time of year too. Part of it is the beauty but the other is that our hearts lean towards thanking Him for all He has given us and that naturally brings peace, joy, love and hope to our lives. Every day may your words be seasoned with thanksgiving. Everyday let your heart overflow with His thanksgiving and love. You will be amazed at what does and does not affect you when your heart is thanking Him. We have more opportunities than ever before in history to be an example of His peace and joy flowing from us in times of dismay. Others will notice the difference in you without you even speaking a word. His ways are so powerful and mighty! Why do we doubt His Wisdom and lean on our own understanding? It is because we get away from having thankful and grateful hearts that radiate His love and peace to all. Have a great and powerful week shining with the love of Jesus and being thankful.
Sunday - Mark 6:41 ”And when He had taken the five loaves and two fish, He looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves and gave them to His disciples to set before the people.” Thank You for showing me how Your Son, Jesus, gave thanks. He focused His eyes on You - thanked You and saw in His heart His/Your answer. He didn’t wait until He saw the abundance to thank You. He saw it done when He focused on You. I thank You for the example. I know that I can’t wait to see my answer to trust You but when I trust You and Who You are in me, I will see every answer already fulfilled. I just bow before You in praise and thanksgiving. You are my wonderful Father. I give You all my love and I receive Your love for me. Amen
Monday - “At all times and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father. Ephesians 5:20 Lord, I begin this time of thankfulness by recognizing that this verse tells me that at all times I am to give thanks. Father, I don’t always do that. So many days I get so caught up in the cares of the world. They can be so many when my heart and eyes aren’t on You full of thanksgiving for Who You are in me. I am thankful for what You have given me but I get so caught up in everything that thankfulness isn’t always the fruit of my lips. As I breathe in Your presence - Your Spirit, I can exhale and let go of all my worries and fret. As I come to You this day I am overwhelmed with thanksgiving in my heart. Thank You for Your promises. “I rejoice in You always. I delight, gladden myself in You. Again, I, rejoice!! I will not fret or have anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything - I give thanks.” Philippians 4:4,6 I thank You that Your grace gives me the strength to renew my mind and change my heart. Thank You for being my most awesome heavenly Father, Amen.
Tuesday - “I will make a joyful noise to You Lord and serve You with gladness! I come into Your presence with singing! I know, perceive, and recognize that You Lord are God. It is You that made me, not me that made me. I am Yours. I am Your people and the sheep in Your pasture. I will enter Your gates with thanksgiving and a thank
offering and into Your courts with praise! I am thankful and say so to You. I bless and affectionately praise Your name! For You, Lord, are good; Your mercy and loving-kindness are everlasting, Your faithfulness and truth endure to all generations.” Psalm 100 - Amen
Wednesday -Lord, each of us has a call on our life that is given by You. No matter who we are or what profession we may be in - You have called us to minister You to those around us. 1 Timothy 1:12 says it like this ‘I give thanks to Him Who has granted me the needed strength and made me able for this, Christ Jesus our Lord, because He has judged and counted me faithful and trustworthy, appointing me to this stewardship of the ministry.” “But the seed planted on good earth represents those who hear the Word, embrace it and produce a harvest beyond their wildest dreams.” Mark 4:20 As I hear and receive Your Words of who I am and where You have called me I can go forward and know I am planting seeds wherever I am. I believe that the harvest from my life of being faithful, trustworthy and hearing Your Word is producing far more harvest than I will ever see or that I can imagine. I thank You that You are my strength to go. I can go and be who You called me to be because You are in me. I love You and praise You always! - Amen.
Thursday - I thank You for Your ever presence in my life. You are always there rejoicing - comforting - giving me wisdom - direction - holding me close with Your everlasting love. Lord, I thank You for Your Word that says in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 that I can “Be happy and rejoice and be glad hearted continually - Be unceasing in prayer, praying perseveringly. Thank God in everything no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks. For this is the will of God for you who are in Christ Jesus.” “Do not fret or have anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests) with thanksgiving, continue to make your desires known to Him.” Philippians 4:6 I thank You and rejoice in Your love.
Friday – Today, Lord I pray this verse in Colossians 2:7 in the first person as I make Your Word alive in my heart. “I have the roots of my being firmly and deeply planted in You, fixed and founded in You, being continually built up in You, becoming increasingly more confirmed and established in faith, just as I was taught and abounding and overflowing in it with thanksgiving.” “Lord, I desire to “be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in my prayer life, being both alert and intent with thanksgiving.” Colossians 4:2 I know that with You everything is possible. Thank You for giving me the desires of my heart. I give You praise and glory forever. In Your Name I pray, Amen.
Saturday - Father, You created me to live in abundance. You are not the author of lack. You say that You are my Shepherd and I have not lack. I don’t want to be on the roller coaster ride of plenty – lack – plenty – lack – almost enough – not enough. That isn’t Your system, Your way of doing things or Your desire. You provide all I need. In the economy our world is in I always hear people say that they can’t give or plant right now. There just isn’t enough. I am hearing Your Word say something else. You say: “And God Who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your [resources for] sowing and increase the fruits of your righteousness [which manifests itself in active goodness, kindness and charity]. Thus you will be enriched in all things and in every way, so that you can be generous, and [your generosity as it is] administered by us will bring forth thanksgiving to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:10-11 I receive today what You have given me and go forward rejecting the lie of lack. I believe and act on Your promise to provide. Amen
