PREPARING ... with PEACE (10)

Week of December 4 - 10
PEACE

"JOY is Found in the Wonders of This Season"

December 4

"PEACE is Found in the Wonders of This Season"

Isaiah 9:6-7a
Luke 2:13-14; John 14:27; Romans 15:13; Ephesians 2:17; Philippians 4:7
Christmas Peace verses
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I will be adding the following days each day:

December 5

Peace Is Found in the Forgiveness of Sins

December 6

Peace Is Found in the Little Moments

This is a good reminder for this season:
"Slow down. Find peace in little moments. ..."
Take a breath. Close your eyes.
Thank God for His Peace
in this moment.
O Prince of Peace
I thank You for the little moments
when You fill me with
Your Peace.
I love that You are in every detail of my life.
Continue to reveal Yourself to me
in every little moment when I might not notice 
it's You - You touch my heart in so many ways.
I long to be close & meet You in these moments! 
*******
December 7

Peace Is Found in the Trials

Forgive me Prince of Peace
for not seeking Your Peace first when trials come.
I let the circumstances or situation overwhelm me.
Help me to realize that I need to come to You.
It's in the trials that I need You most.
Whenever I face any trial
remind me that I can find Peace in Your arms.

*******

December 8

Peace  Is Found in Serving Others

"There is no greater joy and thus no greater peace for the believer than to experience God. Those serving know immediately and profoundly that caring for another person is not a two-person relationship, it is a three person relationship. There is the one being cared for, the believer doing the caring, and there is Christ. Knowing this is priceless. Knowing this is peace." (notes from a sermon)
"Faithful Father, help me see the needs of those You have placed around me.Give me a heart to love & serve those You lay on my heart."Help me to serve others in peace and find peace by serving others.Remind me how I have seen that when we take the focus off ourselves (or our own problems) and place it on others by serving them,we are filled back up with peace and joy, as You tell us "whatever you do to the least of these, you do for me"Matthew 25:40, 45 (NIV)
December 9

Peace Is Found in Spiritual Growth

"... Jesus, I invite You to shape & refine me in ways that need chiseling.Cut, prune and remove"anything in my life- those things that give no purpose -(no growth)in serving You(and others)I give Youmy heart💙 Make me a channel of Your Peace

December 10

Peace Is Found in Remembering Who You Are in Him

Who am I without You, Jesus Christ!?
Praising You for who I am and all I have because of You!You created me with a plan and gave me purpose.I hold tightly to the truth but often I forget."In a world confused with their real identity,will You boldly declare who I am in You?"And never let me forget.
[if in doubt or you need to be reminded, scroll down my blog past all posts to the endto the declarations in a bell shape & the last image of Who we are in Christ Jesus]

"Breath as Prayer" by Jennifer Tucker
This is my new Christmas ebook! (blog & Advent podcast){sshhh don't tell Santa I peeked - it's in my Kindle, can't help it}

It's a fresh "Breath of Heaven" (song) but "Breath from Heaven" is available from Jennifer Tucker
I think I have foundPEACE in my JESUSrestored
andsome new ways to deal with my anxious thoughts in prayerpast anxiety/occasional panic attacks/ptsd from reoccurring 

Leaning into Jesus'PEACE
***and some
CHRISTMAS songs of PEACE
I thought I might share
"Let There Be Peace on Earth"
but instead I chose this


Prince of Peace

You can return to "Preparing My Heart with Peace" for more
{the main post for PEACE}

If you need more Peace, I encourage you to get
"Peace for Your Journey" (author's blog)
(the book is by F. Elaine Olsen)

"Breath from Heaven"

Jennifer Tucker

{I recommend signing up even though Advent is halfway over}

I have also been enjoying Sarah Young's 7 days of"Peace in Uncertain Times"

PREPARING MY HEART this ADVENT with PEACE (4)

Week of December 4 - 10
PEACE

"JOY is Found in the Wonders of This Season"

December 4

"PEACE is Found in the Wonders of This Season"

Isaiah 9:6-7a
Luke 2:13-14; John 14:27; Romans 15:13; Ephesians 2:17; Philippians 4:7
Christmas Peace verses 
So many Wonders to be found in this season!
with Hope, in Peace,filled with Joy & His Love

December 5

Peace Is Found in ...

December 6

Peace Is Found in ...

December 7

Peace Is Found in ...

December 8

Peace  Is Found in ...

December 9

Peace Is Found in ...

December 10

Peace Is Found in ...

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Tonight I light the Candle of Peace
the "Angel's Candle" which
reminds us of the message of the 
Angels
"Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men"

Luke 2:14

Jesus brings us Peace in many ways; Jesus gives us inner Peace (John 14:27), the Peace that comes from our assurance of salvation; Peace of mind knowing that God will heal this broken world; and that we await Jesus coming again. Shalom. Peace from God, biblical Peace comes as we trust in God & God's promises through a faith that is restful and tranquil, no matter what faces us in this world, His Peace surpasses it.

Jesus, {Prince of Peace} We intentionally take this moment, and the days of this week, to sing praise and glory and honor to You for coming down from heaven to walk the earth we daily trod. Thank You for Your sacrifice, and the opportunity for new life it ushers into our souls as we turn to You for salvation. Thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit, living in every believer, discerning and empowering us to do work the Father has purposed for His Kingdom. We are overjoyed we get to accept adoption into the family of God! Praise and glory to You, Jesus! As we anticipate Advent, and the celebration of Christmas, we dream of Your coming to set the world at peace once and for all. We long to live with You eternally, and we love You with our whole hearts. Peace flows from You, Living Water, like a raging river to calm our hearts… in this year full of intensity and isolation, we know the peace we have is supernatural. Thank you for Peace, and perspective. We turn to You {and pray in Your Name Jehovah Shalom} most is from Meg Bucher, Advent Bible Study ...

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I will be continuing to add more the following days each day:

December 5th - 10th

Peace Is Found ...

Note to Commenters: this blog post is one that remains so it's not drafted when I move ahead to the next day.
***
CHRISTMAS songs of PEACE
I thought I might share
"Let There Be Peace on Earth"
but instead I chose this


Prince of Peace
PEACEis not just an Advent themePEACEis a Gift from God

In different places (books, online, etc.) the order of Advent themes varies and also I have found that even the themes vary from the traditional: Hope, Peace, Joy, Love; some have Faith for this 2nd Week. In fact, in an Advent devotional I'm reading again; I noticed this 2nd week as being "Preparation" (Isaiah 40:3). But for me, all four of the weeks preceding Christmas, known as Advent, is set aside to Prepare ... as in the continual titles of my blog posts suggests. So right after I started this "Preparing My Heart ..." series, I really began to think about what that might include. 

The first thing that came to mind was the song "Joy to the World" (which comes next week in my plan) because of the lyrics "Let every heart prepare Him room" ... since at the time that Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem during a census, there was no room anywhere for them or for Jesus Christ to be born. 

Now this brought me to my next thought: if I (or you) are expecting someone to stay at your home especially if the visitor is someone special - what kind of "Preparing" would need to take place; of their guest room or your entire house for that matter. {a little more on this later} 

Then my mind, ventured to one more thought (that I probably won't write more about) but if you (or someone close) was in need of a heart transplant, heart surgery or open heart surgery; what kind of Preparation would take place? What do we need to do to PREPARE our heart or to PREAPARE Him room?

I think that many of you reading this would find that these above situations call for special considerations of PREPARATION ... and if you were "preparing ..." your heart - your home or just a room; you would do even more if you knew that you were making space, cleaning, etc. for a famous person, a celebrity, royalty, so what should you consider necessary for the most famous One, the King of kings, the Messiah? For the One that you have waited for your entire life - to save you. 

Advent is this time ... it's a season of "Preparing ..." We are inviting Jesus Christ to dwell within our hearts. To return and save us. So you see this is time for major heart surgery & preparation; this is the time to make ready our place for Jesus, and for Jesus' second coming (but for some of you, it might be the first time you opened your heart for Him). We will not know the day or the time for His coming (contrary to what some say) Jesus tells us in Luke 12:40. Yet each of us realize that our end could come any time unexpectedly. So we must be ready & prepare every day. We need to empty out whatever is taking up the space and make room for Jesus. It's time to clean out whatever God reveals to you or what you know does not belong in those dark, secret places; filled with dust and probably cobwebs too. Stuff you leave hanging around that needs to be cleared out to make ready for the new. No superficial efforts - half hearted or swept under the rugs ... we need to put forth our best - our best efforts, our best attitude and make those changes. Our hearts need to pound with anticipation and expectation for the best results of just BE-ing in the Presence of the One who makes our heart beat! He loves us so much! He has given us endless Gifts! What Gift do you have for Him this Christmas? 

Let Him give us "an undivided heart" - "one heart" and put a new spirit in as He  removes hearts of stone replacing with hearts of flesh. [Ezekiel 11:19; 36:26]

{this points right back to my very first post where I voiced some of my concerns from a heart of compassion on the first day of Advent; perhaps you didn't like it or it hit a nerve or just didn't agree; that's OK with me, but it won't be for God}

All I know is that Jesus is coming and we need to examine our hearts to make room for Him, the proper space that only He can fill when we are empty of 'self' and ready for Jesus Christ to reign - when all our PREPARATION is complete so we can welcome Him and have room for Him because we opened our hearts and lives to His Holy Spirit bringing the Truth, filling us with His fruit & speaking life to one another in Love, Peace, Hope and Joy to the World. Let's do it! Let's do as Jesus; & be ready with our hearts prepared as we sing in harmony and one accord:

"Let There Be Peace on Earth"

and let it 

begin

with

me

God, You made room for me so I can make room for others.

Help me make room. Help me prepare my heart.

Show me how to prepare & be ready for

Jesus!

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Where have you found Peace in this season or in your life?

How do you make room for Jesus at Christmas?

In what way(s), have you prepared for Jesus' coming?

Are you ready?

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Reminder:

This Blog posts remains visible. It won't be one of the ones saved in drafts.

So you can comment here or later on December 10th,

but the rest of the week's posts move forward each day & then are drafted.

PREPARING ... with HOPE (3)

December 1 - "Joy Is Found in the True Meaning of Christmas"

the above was the original but for this week of HOPE

our Hope Is Found in the True Meaning of Christmas

Romans 15:13
Luke 2:1-20; Matthew 2:1-12; Isaiah 40:1-11
True Meaning of Christmas
John 3:16; Isaiah 9:6
This week Journal: John 1:1-14 in part or entirely through the weekAsk God to reveal who Jesus is in a new light.

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I will be adding the following days each day:

December 2

Hope Is Found in Seeking Rest "Lord, it is so easy to get wrapped up in the events and activities this time of year that I grow weary. I need Your help. Change my perspective and help me find peace and rest in You alone."

December 3

Hope Is Found in a Heart Full of Thanks  (and Praise)

with the November Challenge of T.H.A.N.K.S. our hearts know this full wellwe have foundHOPE

            

"O Holy Night"


Since tomorrow December 4 is Sunday ... it's already time for a new theme
PEACE
and 
lighting a new candle
now filled with 
HOPE
we add this for
Preparing our Heart(s)
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NOTE to Readers: I better explain this about posts & comments, that might look to you like they're disappearing. In a way, they are; because I have placed them in draft - to continue to advance to the next one. I think the comments remain with the post there. So fear not, you're not imagining that you read this & commented. The only ones that will not be drafted are the main ones on Sun. and the last of the theme because those will have all the previous ones added (I'm thinking, unless I chance republishing them). I hope I explained that clearly.

PREPARING MY HEART this ADVENT with HOPE

I do have a few ADVENT alternatives set aside: one that I have done before focusing on 20 Names of Jesus (so that's a good beginning) - it's a book & there is a You Version 5 day sample plan by Asheritah Ciuciu; another one is from an article I read that might be good for a weekly read on the 4 themes, perhaps on Sunday - very well written by Meg Bucher "4 Weeks of Reflection on Christ's Coming"; and another You Version 25 day plan "Making Space" by Susan Narjala, which comes closest to my desire to prepare my heart and soul for Jesus

Then I came upon another article that sparked a thought recently so I quickly copied the 25 prayer prompts for a heart posture ... that the author wrote for Joy. Yet I believe that each of the themes of Hope, Peace, Love and Joy can in used interchangeable with these thoughts of her prayer prompts. They were written with Joy but I think that you can insert Hope, Peace or Love, even though Joy fits best. You will see as you read each one and choose one of the four. 

When I read the following statement (italics & in the box), I became convinced to "step away" and "lay aside" any to-do list to pray using her prayer prompts, journal my thoughts or allow them to lead me to a Bible verse on Hope, Peace, Love & Joy to ponder daily ... 

"..This season – God is all we need. He is our hope, our peace, and our source of joy."... {my insert} and of course, "God is LOVE, whoever abides in love, abides in God & God in him/her" (1 John 4:16) ... so "Let’s offer God our gratitude and adoration with a humble heart that longs to connect more deeply with Him. In return, may we find the glorious gift of ..." Alicia Searle

"... Joy ..."or Hope or Peace or Love

"... let’s shift our gaze on the glory of our King and posture our hearts ..."

In the past, I have focused on a Christmas Carol each day in my blog posts, and that was a good way to worship & prepare my heart. There are good plans available with You Version on this. It is a merrier way to get into the Christmas Spirit! Other years, reading plans, or Bible Studies have chosen to focus on the Characters in the Christmas story. One for this year is featuring 4 women in the lineage of Jesus, corresponding with the themes: Hope (Tamar), Peace (Rahab), Love (Ruth), Joy (Mary). All good ways for us to place Jesus in the center of this season. Yet for me in 2022, I'm really looking to prepare my heart for Jesus.  

So I have set up a blog post for each day with just one statement ... not a prayer prompt, because that is available in the excellent article cited above that at times gives a reflective question or a Bible scripture to reflect on. I was thinking that on Sundays, I will remind us of an Advent theme for that week as I light the candle on the Advent wreath (tradition for me) and share or link to a list of Scriptures on that theme. The problem is that this week is half over & Advent started on this past Sunday, November 27th, so I already should have done HOPE. 

Psalm 25:5

Meg Bucher called this first week of Advent: 

 

The Thrill of Hope 

and shared this prayer, that I say as I light the 1st candle of

HOPE

"God, Abba Father, Yahweh, Elohim and Jehovah. Jesus, Messiah and Savior, Light and Living Water. Holy Spirit, Advocate and Comforter, Breath and Strength. Glory to You for this day, which You have made. We will choose to rejoice and be glad in it. Through the chaos of these current days we vow to seek & focus on You & Your unchanging truth. You loved us so much, You sent Your Son to save us. Through Christ, we are all welcome to come to You. To be adopted into Your family. As we gaze at the landscape around us & the intricate uniqueness of our reflection, may we pause to purposefully give praise to You for Your miracles, Your blessings, Your grace, and Jesus. In Jesus' Name

25 Top Bible Verses about Hope
20 Verses about Hope (Gallery)
15 Bible Verses on Hope in Hard Times (Blog) 25 Hope in Hard Times (Woman's Day)
{of course, the same verses may appear on each of these sources}

Father, this Advent season I come before You with an open heart. I lay my heart before You, asking You to help me in preparing my heart. I long to hear from You. I long to behold Christ in all His beauty. Help me shut out the distractions so I can be fully devoted to You. I want to make room for Christ this Christmas & seek You.

The rest of the this week I will insert HOPE in place of the original word JOY used in article.


The Thrill of Hope - Christy Nockels

Advent Begins Today - November 27th - Are You Ready?

Thanksgiving was just a few short days ago and yet it's already time for Advent to
Prepare Our Hearts for Jesus
but truthfully
"I'm just not ready"
I love ADVENT! I love Jesus! I love the traditional themes of ADVENT: Hope, Peace, Love, Joy! And I love preparing my heart ... or better stated, I love God preparing my heart! each and every day ... BUT I should be doing this, like during the month of November, I focused on Giving Thanks or preparing my heart with thanks and praise, yet that should be a normal part of my every day walk with Jesus. And now during Advent, we are to be preparing our heart for Jesus (at Christmas) but also ultimately for His Return. Are you ready? It could be any day, any moment. 

So besides not settling on a plan (as of yet) for Advent 2022, I'm looking at the bigger picture or question of preparing my heart (and life) to be ready and more like Jesus {my greater concern is for those around me, not even knowing Jesus, as Lord & Savior or their need; not even thinking about His Return or Coming}.

I thought I was going to have a plan for Advent with an online Bible study, but I decided not to do it - the focus was the Women in the Bible in Jesus' lineage. Good plan - just not for me, this year or this time. I signed up, but "I'm not ready." I signed up, but as important as those women are in the Bible and for me to know about - it does not seem to fit with my own thoughts of "preparing my heart" for Jesus. Although the 4 women chosen are in the lineage of Jesus, and each women still corresponds to the 4 traditional themes; truly "I'm not ready".

Now, most of you that have read my blog or know me at all, know that I love Jesus completely - I'm a sold-out, born again believer and my passion is Jesus! My calling and mission is Jesus! But so is yours! Yes, first we need to have our own salvation taken care of but we are also to be concerned with and for others, one soul at a time. We are to witness, we are to share; but we are not responsible for saving the world, only Jesus can, by the power of His Holy Spirit. However, too many of us have made it our 'agenda' to nationalize Christianity. I'm sorry to have to use this traditional blog post to bring this up and address this issue; but I must. I have a great sense of urgency to start Advent with this angst. 

In this year, more than other years; but still for quite some time, there has been a movement throughout our nation that has profoundly impacted me, my prayers, my thoughts, my beliefs, my soul, my heart as I read and learn more watching the news. {I know we should stay away from those 'news' sources} BUT the Christianity that people, even Christian leaders; are nationalizing does not seem to be the Christianity that I know of following Jesus Christ and His example. I just had to get that out there, and I will not spend time elaborating or going into the details of this - not now, not at this time and not on this blog post. However, the Christianity that I have lived and known, believed in and followed, is stepping away from the Truth and the Church has become politicized which seems to be dividing our country now more than ever - not just is there political division but it is seeping through our churches. This causes me much heartache to even think or write these words finally. Yet preparing my heart for Jesus takes this very seriously and immensely concerns me with this shift and change in too many churches that were dear to me, because the Church I know and believe in follows Jesus and the main principles of LOVE, HOPE, JOY and PEACE. I frankly am saddened and notice too much hypocrisy among many Christians, who seem to have forgotten the two greatest commandments Jesus gave us in Matthew 22:36-40: 

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. ’This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'

I have much to learn of LOVE (I will admit) and I will not tell you or anyone how to LOVE, but what I am seeing and hearing from hypocritical Christians is not this.

The same can be said of each of the other major themes of PEACE, HOPE, JOY.

God is LOVE and He who abides in God, abides in Love ...  (1 John 4:12)(1 John 4: 15-16)(John 15:10) (1 John 2:6) and on and on ...

 I am the least likely to be lecturing any of us yet I can't honestly go on into this beautiful season of Advent without 'venting' my deep concern over all of this and continuing avoiding it. I will not be hypocritical nor judge others, I'm hoping I don't sound like that, but I have left this unsaid for far too long. So my words are not meant to judge but hopefully begin a change in our hearts, to be a change in our ways, to be a change in our thoughts, to be a change in the RELATIONSHIPS around us and how we treat one another. 

I hold onto the HOPE that anchors us to Jesus Christ (Hebrews 6:19). I hold on to the PEACE that Jesus is (John 14:27) and gives. And my faith in Jesus Christ anchors my soul. I really want to hold on to the JOY of Jesus along with the JOY of CHRISTmas and the JOY of Jesus, Others, You is not being seen by me and it really should be seen in all of the seasons but especially during Advent, especially to those in need - whether that is physical or spiritual; it's still a choice as we share JESUS! We are to be a Light of Jesus to the darkness in the world, but this world is getting darker and not much light is shining. Oh yes, I've seen the outreach of churches to the poor and needy (those impacted by the 'storms') but the hearts and the souls are just being temporarily cared for; and just like gratitude, the attitudes of people are not changing - they are becoming more hardened and disheartened. Even people, who use to regularly be involved in the Church are walking away. I recently read that there's a decline in our churches, and I completely understand why. We're NOT READY! Jesus has been waiting until we are and His Holy Spirit, gently still, is calling us to unity, not division.

I will keep HOPING and searching as I pray during ADVENT! As for now, my ADVENT plan remains semi-open and I will be MAKING SPACE ... for now. Just as there was "No Room in the Inn" for Jesus' birth - for Him with His earthly parents Mary & Joseph, who were seeking a SPACE to give Jesus a place to be born, I will MAKE SPACE this season for Jesus and pray that the Church also does; and the way that they share JESUS in this world definitely needs consideration and some adjustments. 

Each week, I will follow the tradition of Advent: HOPE, PEACE, LOVE, and JOY! And I will PRAY ... for the soul of each individual to "Prepare their Heart for Jesus" and PRAY for the battle of the soul of our nation and the world, because my heavy heart really senses hearts hardening and the window closing for our own attitudes towards Others but mostly towards JESUS! We are not meant to follow any one man; only the ONE, who became human to open the way to the Father, by paying the price for our sin ... His Name is Jesus! Let us follow Jesus and seek Him first!

TONIGHT
I LIGHT THE FIRST CANDLE of ADVENT 

I still haven't decided which one it will be: 

Hope, Love, Joy, Peace

nor in which order I will do them

Father, this Advent season I come before You with an open heart. I long to hear from You. I long to behold Christ in all His beauty. Help me shut out the distractions so I can be fully devoted to You. Amen



* Meanwhile, I will keep searching for the various plans for Advent to prepare hearts. 

T.H.A.N.K.S Prayer Prompt 30 Day Challenge - 3

T.H.A.N.K.S Prayer Prompt 30 Day Challenge -  1 (days 1-10)

T.H.A.N.K.S Prayer Prompt 30 Day Challenge -  2 (days 11-20) 

T.H.A.N.K.S Prayer Prompt 30 Day Challenge -  3 (days 21-30) 

this one today

1 Chronicles 16:34

T - Thank God for one thing -given daily H - Hymn for Him/Song Psalm of Praise A - Adore Him for an Attribute of God  N - Name of God  K - Kind Act you'll do S - Supplication: how He can or has supplied

{if you still have not gotten use to "thanking God" by using this prayer prompt, go back and read the comments in the previous ones - at least the first days 1-10, because a very special prayer warrior person has done so, very well and has shared some really wonderful & beautiful examples. These prayers have excelled any expectations I had and blessed me completely! What a God-send!}

from November 20th, "Precious Jesus, I've discovered that thanking You frequently not only awakens my heart to Your Presence but sharpens my mind. So *when I'm feeling out of focus or out of touch with You, I need to make every effort to thank You for something, There is always an abundance of things to choose from: eternal gifts - such as salvation, grace, and faith - as well as ordinary, everyday blessings." ... from Jesus Listens, Sarah Young

This was the perfect words to start off my day with THANKS to God! 11/20A beautifully penned reminder of exactly what I'm finding to be so true.I do hope it encourages you give thanks to God for these last 10 days of Novemberand perhaps it's become a good habit that you can keep going or *as this says.* above.

NOVEMBER 21 - 30

Day 21 Thank God for Your Job. (or ones you've had, or your retirement) Colossians 3:23, Luke 16:10

Day 22 Thank God for Public Servants. Galatians 5:13, Philippians 2:5-7, Colossians 3:23

Day 23 Thank God for Your Life. Psalm 27:4, Psalm 139:13-16, John 6:47, Ephesians 2:10

Day 24 Thank God for Your Family. Proverbs 1:8, Proverbs 22:6, Proverbs 31:15-17, Colossians 3:13

Day 25 Thank God for the Holy Spirit. Psalm 27:1, John 14:16, John 14:26, John 15:26, Mark 1;8, Romans 8:26

[MN sunset taken on November 19, 2022 from our hill's view]
It's definitely not Autumn in MN, winter cold & snow this past week!Such stunning beauty though to warm my soul and give God thanks!

Day 26 Thank God for His Help. Psalm 46:1, Psalm 121, Isaiah 41:13, Philippians 4:13, 2 Timothy 1:7

Day 27 Thank God for Our World. Psalm 8:3-4, Psalm 19:1, Psalm 95:4-5, Psalm 104:24-25

Day 28 Thank God for His Protection. Psalm 91:7, Psalm 121:7, John 6:40, Isaiah 58:8, Ephesians 6:10-18

Day 29 Thank God for Creature Comforts Psalm 84:12, Philippians 4:12-13, 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Day 30 Thank God for How the Story Ends Revelation 21:3-4, Revelation 22:5

ADVENT already is beginning next Sunday, November 27th this year


... so that means, I go from my 31 day journey in October "Taking Refuge in Christ" and seeking to be healthier in RELATIONSHIPS, and before we even finish this 30 day challenge of T.H.A.N.K.S., we will be rushing (it seems) into an Advent of Joy, Hope, Peace and Love to prepare our hearts for Jesus' coming at Christmas. This does not leave me very much room or time to sum up more about the One Word of 2022 for me - RELATIONSHIPS. I still have some saved over at YV which perhaps I can cram into the last week of 2022 between the SONdays of CHRISTmas Day and the one for New Year's Day 2023! Can you believe that already - all ready? Not too sure that I can or that it is approaching so quickly. I'm definitely not ready for this final season of 2022, nor am I even close to completing my work on RELATIONSHIPS, "I've only just begun" or barely scratched the surface, but I truly am learning much! Thankful that God chose that One Word for me to look at, evaluate and re-evaluate as I learn healthy ways to live my life for Him & with Him, which ultimately means better RELATIONSHIPS hopefully, from my end at least, putting into practice; and improving my life His way.  

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 

—Colossians 3:15-16  

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Blessings on you and your families!

[image credit: Dayspring]

Sending this with a thankful HUG to you & for you!

NOT TOO LATE to GIVE GOD THANKS ... EVER

Each and every day, we need to prepare our hearts and attitudes with simple gratitude, no matter what the day holds or what we are facing or have been ... we can still say - "Lord, I give You thanks!"

[reminder: Sue Boldt shares "Morning Moment of Prayer" and has written "Thirty Days of Thanksgiving & Worship") if/when you find yourself unable to pray (and there are others available too]

[image credit: Sue Boldt]

I don't often interrupt a series, or a 30 day long challenge or journey, however the next blog post is NOT until November 20th; and so far not too many of you are adding prayers of THANKS; so as I read the following article by Holley Gerth, I was compelled to share it since it made me think of you (the ones not adding a prayer - at least here) (and perhaps you are praying and giving thanks, just not sharing - which is ok, because pray is between you & God) but maybe a daily prayer challenge online publicly is not to your liking or you are comparing, feeling inadequate or far from feeling gratitude right now because of life's circumstances - well, let me tell you that this is the perfect solution: to praise & give thanks to God - a simple quiet thanks is a start. 

I've been in that place of not thinking I could utter any prayer of thanks or praise because of this situation or that; in the midst of loss, grief, sorrow, suffering, endless circumstances ... and I still have some days like this but I am thankful that I have found giving thanks and praise just for 'one thing' opens my heart and the gates of heaven begins to pour back in & revive my aching spirit and heart - and we always have 'one thing', even if it's the same one: it's a new day and He gives us breath (I might add) & strength to face whatever this day holds and of course, if you know Jesus, then you know HE holds your future... and that's worth a bunch of thank you prayers of praise & thanks. Just say: I thank You Lord for this new day & that You hold me. I give You praise.

[image credit: Sue Boldt]

After reading this "7 Days of Preparing Our Hearts for Thanksgiving" by Holley ... that I received today in my Dayspring email, it was written back on November 7th, probably about the time when you, too were thinking that giving thanks really is a challenge to me because this year or right now __________ (fill in the blank). I'm hoping that Holley can encourage you to try this (for the next 7 days): 

"Let’s start giving thanks now so that we really are ready for Thanksgiving this year. What’s below is a quick and simple countdown that we can go through each day . .  1. November 18th – Who in your life are you thankful for? Think of at least one person. 2. November 19th – What is a memory that brings you joy? Look back and see God’s goodness in it all over again. 3. November 20th – How have you seen God answer your prayers this year? Pause and reflect on one “yes” you are living in now. 4. November 21st – When do you feel joy? Pay extra attention to one happy little moment in your day. 5. November 22nd – Where can you see God’s hand in your life?  Consider one way He is taking care of you. 6. November 23rd – Why did Jesus come for us? Revisit His extraordinary love. 7. November 24th – Give thanks for all of the above. "~Holley Gerth, Dayspring

Please follow the link to read Holley's words in its entirety!

... "We don’t have to feel guilty if thankfulness doesn’t come easily. God knows we’re human and He loves us that way. He’s the Giver of all good things — including the grace we need on the days when our attitude tries to compete with our gratitude."~ Holley Gerth

Of course, Dayspring has many more great articles, but I'd also like to call your attention to this one, if you missed it and still need encouragement:
"Begin Today with Thanksgiving"

"DON'T YOU KNOW IT'S TIME TO PRAISE (& THANK) THE LORD"
I know that sometimes some music will help, so let Maranatha Singers lead you into worship today.It's kind of a cheery song!
See you again to continue with our last 10 days on November 20th

T.H.A.N.K.S Prayer Prompt 30 Day Challenge -  3

(publishing days 21-30 on November 20th)

but for now

you can join us back here

T.H.A.N.K.S Prayer Prompt 30 Day Challenge -  2in our current one we still have a few moreTHANKStoGIVE

And a Happy Thanksgiving to Each of You!
{it's already next Thursday, followed by Advent starting already on that Sunday}
The seasons seem to be happening much faster (or is that just me?)