Give Thanks!

"Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name;

make known among the nations what he has done,

and proclaim that his name is exalted." Isaiah 12: 4 (NIV)

God's people are instructed to pray with thanksgiving. As we pray, we remember and affirm God's character, and thank Him for the things He has done. Make Him part of your daily conversation with those you encounter.

The LORD is:

Great, Gracious, & Good (Psalm 147: 5; 25: 8; Exodus 34: 6)
Immutable, & Infinite (Mal. 3: 6; Matt. 19: 26; Psalm 139: 7-12)
Victorious (Col. 2: 15)
Eternal, & Excellent is His Name (1 Tim. 1:17; Psalm 8: 1)


Truth (John 14: 6)
Holy, Holy, Holy (Rev. 4: 8)
Almighty (Rev. 1: 8)
Name above all others (Philippians 2: 9)
King, & Kind (Psalm 47: 7; Titus 3: 4- 6)
Supreme, Sovereign, & Salvation (Psalm 99: 2; 27: 1; Job 42: 2)



Eternal LORD, you are our maker. You love us with an unfailing love. You are gracious and good. Great is your faithfulness!

Forgive us for ingratitude, complaining, and treating you with dishonor. Have mercy, and cleanse us from sin.

Thank you for your mercy, grace, and forgiveness. Thank you for your Presence. You are near!

Remind us to tell others of your love and kindness. Help us turn to you for help and trust you.

In the almighty name of Jesus, amen!


What about God will you declare today?

The "Good" about Good Friday

Good Friday commemorates Jesus Christ's crucifixion, a horrible and brutal death. Scripture tells us Jesus, sinless Son of God, was betrayed, arrested, tried, beaten, mocked, nailed to a cross, suffered, shed his blood, and died (Matthew 26- 27).

So what's good about Good Friday?

All people have sinned, and our sin separates us from God. God is just and required punishment for the sins we have committed. But God showed His love for us by sending His only Son to die for us (Romans 3: 21- 26; John 3: 16-17; Romans 5: 8). The blood of Jesus cleanses us from all unrighteousness (Hebrews 9: 22: 1 John 1: 7- 9).

Good Friday is good because God loves us, and His Son sacrificed Himself for our sins. Three days later, Jesus rose from the dead.  His tomb remains empty. He is alive forever (Matthew 28; Revelation 1: 18).  Whoever believes in Him has the promise of eternal life (John 3: 15- 16).

Will you believe?


Father God, you are righteous, just, and loving! Thank you for proving your love for all mankind by sending Your only Son, Jesus, to save us from our sins! We have sinned against you. When we confess our sins, you are faithful and righteous to forgive us. Thank you for your grace, mercy, and forgiveness. Help us to believe and trust in Jesus.  In the name of Jesus, our risen Lord and Savior, amen.

A New Year's Prayer

2014 was filled with challenges as well as times of celebration. As I reflect on the past year, and look forward to the new, I am reminded that man makes life plans, but it is the LORD who directs his steps (Proverbs 16: 9). May you experience God's peace, hope, joy, and love in 2015!

LORD God, you are the giver of life. You are love. You are the hope of the world. Thank you for your protection, provision, faithfulness, and salvation. 

Bless us with wisdom, and a passion for you and your word. Bless us with strength, good health, and and a desire to know and love you more. Holy Spirit, please help us, guide us, teach us, and comfort us. May we all experience your presence, mercy, grace, salvation, and forgiveness. Help us to love others as you have loved us. In the Name of Jesus, amen.

Have a blessed 2015!

Counting My Blessings

"Praise the LORD! Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! His mercy endures forever."

Psalm 106: 1

I lead women in Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts Bible study. Ann encourages us to slow down, discover, record, and give thanks for the gifts God gives us daily.

Here are a few of my gifts for which I give thanks:



• Pink-tinged morning clouds
• Sunrise, colors changing, declaring God's glory
• Morning dew
• Tropical rains
• Horses grazing
• Baby calves
• Cumulus clouds filling Texas sky
• Rainbow fragments
• Blue-green dragonflies dancing (& eating mosquitoes!)
• Freckles
• Curly hair
• Baby boy's blue eyes
• Stained glass windows
• Country roads
• Sweet corn
• Harvest moon

For what are you thankful?

First Friday Intercession: Grateful Spirits

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks;

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

1 Thessalonians 5: 16 - 18. (NKJ)

 

 





Loving heavenly Father, every good and perfect gift is from You. You alone are worthy of our praise and worship.

Thank You for salvation through Jesus, Your grace, and Your mercy. Thank You for Your faithfulness, and for Your protection. Thank You for our daily bread.

When we fail to give You thanks, may we be quick to humble ourselves, confess our ingratitude, and seek Your forgiveness. Thank You for forgiving us.

Help us, as parents and grandparents, to model a spirit of gratitude. Help our children and grandchildren  develop an acute awareness of Your good gifts and Presence in their daily lives. Remind them to pray with thanksgiving in all circumstances. Help them to express thanksgiving and praise to You. Let an attitude of gratitude be their holy habit.  Amen.

Summer Reading - One Thousand Gifts

I love books.  "Too many books, too little time" describes me perfectly. Books are a gift. So are book recommendations.

My college roommate, Karen, recommended  One Thousand Gifts - A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp. I read it, and I hope you'll read it too.



 



Ann Voskamp is a New York Times Best Selling author, and homeschooling mom of six. She and her husband farm in Ontario. She writes for DaySpring, and has spoken at Women of Faith events. Ann is also an advocate for Compassion International.

After experiencing the childhood tragedy of her sister's death, Ann Voskamp shares her discovery of "eucharisteo" - to give thanks (Luke 22:19), and the challenge to journal one thousand gifts. Ann develops a deeper awareness of God's grace and goodness, all around, right where she lives. In the mundane, the mess, the motherhood challenges, the anxious moments...she counts. Daily life is full of God's gifts. In expressing gratitude, Ann experiences joy, and a greater desire for God's presence.

Ann Voskamp succeeds in challenging the reader to practice thanksgiving in every situation - good or bad. As I drove past a dad and his young daughter riding bikes, I immediately thought, "That's a gift."  I realized the personal impact of One Thousand Gifts. I'm inspired to live eyes-open alert, counting my blessings...A grandparent-honoring country song...little fingers plinking out first piano recital pieces... red velvet cake balls and birthday ice cream... rain soaking a parched earth...gospel brunches.

A few of my favorite quotes from One Thousand Gifts:

• "Prayer without ceasing is only possible in a life of continual thanks." (page 60)
• "We don't have to change what we see. Only the way we see." (page 135)
• "Worry is the façade of taking action when prayer really is." (page 143)

Ann Voskamp invites others to share their God-given gifts at One Thousand Gifts.

One Thousand Gifts is published by Zondervan (2010); 237 pages; ISBN 978-0-310-62085-3.


What gifts has God given you today?

It is for Freedom...

Americans commemorate the nation's declaration of independence from Great Britain every July fourth. Throughout history, wars have been fought to set people free from tyranny. The most significant battle of all time was fought on the hill of Golgotha, where Jesus Christ, Son of God and Son of Man, gave His life for all people. Christ's sacrifice set people free from sin and death, and defeated God's enemy. "So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." (Galatians 5:1 NLT).

 

Jesus, by your power, we are made free. You conquered sin and death on the cross. You are the Savior of the world and the victorious King of kings! Thank you for sacrificing your life for us! We are grateful for the freedom we have in Christ. We need your strength to keep us from sin's entanglement. As we seek Your word, help us to live as free people. In Your Mighty Name...amen.

References: John 8: 32-36; Romans 8: 1-4; Galatians 5: 13-14; 1 Peter 2:16.

 

Happy Independence Day!

 

 

I'm Thankful

These are things for which I'm thankful:

* My prayer group meets to pray for our grandchildren and the world they live in.
* Moms who bring their babies to Bible study. It's awesome to see their desire to know God's Word.
* My church family looks like heaven. Red and yellow, black, brown, and white...all precious people in God's sight.
* Pastors who boldly declare God's truth.
* Freedom to worship.
* I live in a city where churches work together for the cause of Jesus Christ.
* My parents faithfully took my brother and me to church, and taught us God's Word.
* I've been married to my husband and best friend for over 25 years. And he always has my back.
* God's provision is more than enough.
* Jesus sacrificed His life for me and you, so we could be forgiven, and live abundantly and eternally.



Have a blessed Thanksgiving!


For what are you thankful?

The Gift of Prayer

My granddaughter's soccer team hadn't scored a goal all season. Before a game, I prayed with Joy, asking God to protect her and her teammates from injury, to help them follow the rules and demonstrate good sportsmanship. I also asked the Lord to allow the girls to experience the joy of making a goal. I'm grateful God heard our request, and He was faithful to answer. The team made their first goal!

Every good and perfect gift is from God, our heavenly Father (James 1: 17). I'm thankful for the gift of prayer. We have the privilege to come confidently before God's throne. He hears us, and He answers. We are to pray all the time about everything, giving the LORD thanks. We can bring Him all our troubles and concerns. And He is not burdened when our request seems small and insignificant.

 

I'm grateful for the gift of prayer. I'm thankful God showed an eight-year-old girl she can pray anytime and about everything...even soccer goals!

 

Scripture References: Hebrews 4:14; Psalm 116: 1-2; Matthew 7:11; Philippians 4:6; Luke 18:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; 1 Peter 5: 7.

 

In what ways are you thankful for the gift of prayer?