"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointedme to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me tobind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedomfor the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaimthe year of the LORD's favorand the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion — to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair."~fromISAIAH 61 Bible verse for this Blog
APOLOGY to READERS who followed a SEARCH to HERE & didn't find it
On July 18, 2017, I drafted almost 3000 blog posts that I had published since 2008 when I began blogging, rather than edit each one. So if you clicked here from somewhere else and ended up with the post unavailable or error, I am sorry but this is why. It'd be too much work for me to go back and fix them. There's an explanation on7/19/17as I'm still learning.
[This is the 2nd blog post in my series: T.H.A.N.K.S. ...]
Continuing with
Days 11-20
Psalms 107:8-9
T - Thank God for one thing (given) H - Hymn for Him/Song Psalms of Praise A- Adore Him an Attribute of God N - Name of God (El Shaddai, God Almighty) K - Kind Act to do S - Supplication: how He can or has supplied
[Box acronym explained a bit in previous post but]
For today's blog post, I'm hoping to explain more of my acronym. Since the "T" is self- explanatory (because I give one for each day or you can certainly choose one thing of your own), let's start with "H" for a Hymn for Him ... starting out with just a few Hymns and then sharing some links for more. If a Hymn doesn't sound familiar or come to you as you meet with God, then maybe a Song will, but that's also why I opened this up to Psalms of Praise (which means from the book of Psalms in the Bible). As we take time to thank God, it's a way to come into His Presence and honor Him with worship; it's a form of thanks to sing or recite from our hearts or His Word and pray the words back to Him. There is a Hebrew word that includes Thanksgiving Hymns and other names that refer to "thanks" or "thanksgiving" - it's Hodayot.
Lifeway Worship has an album "Top 20 Hymns of Thanksgiving" (available on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, etc.) which pretty much covers the ones I know best and seem to be the most familiar. Here are a few:
"Great is Thy Faithfulness"
"All Creatures of our God and King"
"Now Thank We All Our God"
"I Stand Amazed" (How Wonderful)
"We Gather Together"
I'm sure that this helps you start thinking of many hymns/songs; but if not, here are the promised links and of course, there are plenty :
{this would give you one for each of these 30 days of T.H.A.N.K.S and we already did 10 days, so you have plenty to choose}
PSALMS: Included in each day are Scripture(s) verses - many of them are from Psalms. So here is a short list of some powerful thanksgiving praise: Psalm 7:17; Psalm 9:1; Psalm 35:18; Psalm 106:1; Psalm 100:4; Psalm 95:2; and Psalm 107: 8-9 in the image on top.
"A" for the Attributes of God is to let Him know that you are aware of them in Him and how much you Adore Him because of His ... Faithfulness, Holiness, Greatness, Merciful, Just, Unchangeable, Eternal, Wise, Powerful, etc. (many of these are in the Hymns and Songs). In fact A.W. Tozer wrote a book "The Attributes of God"(which is what you get first in a search). I really like this image. Yet as I read through these 17 more carefully, it left me with some questions, even though I know these are characteristics of God, I'm sure there are more.
Perhaps this image will inspire you and you might have some questions too.
"N" stands for choosing one of the many Names that refer to our One God. There are many songs about these also and it just helps to Thank God that HE IS who His Name says He is - like "Jireh"; or the one I gave in the acronym "El Shaddai"; or "Adonai"; "Jehovah Nissi"; "... Shalom" - there are many resources available, even a Bible "Names of God", where the Name is expanded from Yahweh or Jehovah or Lord, God Almighty to an even more specific one.
Here is a good link to help you with both the Names & Attributes: Navigators "Praying the Names and Attributes of God" ... I suggest trying this because it has helped me focus and feel closer to God and truthfully allows me to worship Him with a heart filled much more in gratitude to recognize God as GOD - Father, Son and Holy Spirit through all these many facts, shows me how I truly can trust and believe that He's not only in control, but He's got all this covered & I just really need to thank Him for the Immensity of His aMazing capacities and ways, far beyond my own and even what I might imagine. How can this not increase your awe and respect as you realize and acknowledge by giving Him THANKS!?
I hope that the last two letters ("K" and "S") are not overlooked because this is where you choose to decide how to go beyond yourself and apply with acting in KINDness and asking for God to supply your needs but also the needs of others. I think this just comes naturally from spending time with God and is simple enough to understand without me giving examples. It's letting God know that you intend to show your thankfulness in a tangible way.
I thought it was important for me to explain this acronym format so that the rest of the 20 days of the 30 are possibly more fruitful and challenging by trying this out as an encouragement in your Prayers of Thanks and expanding your communication with God (which is all our prayers really are) but don't forget the listening part or the "pause" throughout your day when God will speak or maybe prompt you with "here's a good time to practice that "K" and show the same Kindness to someone else who needs to be blessed through you" from God. I need this too.
I strongly recommend that if you need more examples of using this Prayer Prompt Acronym that you return to the comments of the first blog post for Days 1-10 from KT (Anonymous) only because Blogger does not allow her to post otherwise; and I have no idea why or how to fix it. Anyways, KT faithfully participated by sharing every single day with the most beautiful prayers which flow from her precious spirit and heart following this T.H.A.N.K.S acronym in each one. I do hope that you go back & pray these (or check 'em out at least) so that her prayers may help you like each one helped me & truly blessed me daily! Great examples that showed me that my acronym does work! So thank you KT, hopefully this encourages others to participate & give this a try too! There is not any set formula to give thanks to God, He just wants to hear from you and this tool of an acronym is only to help you focus on God first in your prayers because He is so worthy & deserving of our thanks for each 'one thing' given & so much more!
NOVEMBER 11 - 20
Day 11 Thank God for Your Future. Jeremiah 29:11, John 10:10, Romans 8:28
Father Almighty, You are Omnipotent, all -powerful! You are Omniscient - all knowing and Omnipresent - all present. Thank You for being available everywhere and at all times. There's a quote currently used that says "I may not know what my future holds, but I know who holds my future." How we thank You for the truth in this and that You do hold our future. Thank You for always working, even when our present circumstances seem hard yet we need to trust that You will work things for our good now and in the uncertainty of the future. Thank You for preparing us for great things to come. I ask for more patience and increase faith when doubt or hopelessness creeps in. I thank You for Your unseen hand. May I give the same encouraging words to someone else facing difficulties. I give You praise with the words of Psalm 121:1-8 and Psalm 18:2 while I sing of Your Strength and trust You as the "Way Maker"! Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come—remind us that You are the Lord of past, present and future, and help us to turn all of those over to You.Thank You that our future is in Your hands and that I can be confident in this assurance.
Day 12 Thank God for Prayer. Psalm 34:15-18, Philippians 4:6, Matthew 7:7-8, Romans 8:26-27
Day 13 Thank God for His Provision. Philippians 4:19, Matthew 19:26, Psalm 34:10, Matthew 6:25-26
Day 14 Thank God for Our Gifts. 1 Peter 4:10, 1 Corinthians 12:4-5, 1 Corinthians 14:26
Day 15 Thank God for Forgiveness. Matthew 6:15, Luke 17:4, Acts 2:38
Day 16 Thank God for Children. Psalm 34:11, Luke 18:15-17, John 1:12, Ephesians 1:5
Day 17 Thank God for Your (True) Identity. John 15:15, Romans 3:22-25, Romans 8:35-37
Day 18 Thank God for the Bible. Psalm 18:30, Psalm 33:4, Psalm 130:5, John 1:1
Day 19 Thank God for His Peace. Isaiah 54:10, John 14:27, Philippians 4:6-7
Day 20 Thank God for Your Freedom. Romans 6:6, Romans 8:1-2, 2 Corinthians 3:17, 2 Corinthians 5:17, James 4:7
... on the YouVersion app of Bible reading plans. However, this past week I had some problems with You Version and I'm unable to sign in there. So I went directly to Sue Boldt's website (blog) and discovered Morning Moments of Prayer, filled with a very grateful heart to God. I'm not sure if Sue plans to share her "Thirty Days...", this devotional there, and her Christmas one, but they are both available to purchase with all proceeds going directly to their ministry of reaching the world for Christ, which means I have found a way to still do this, just not on You Version. However, I will not be sharing Sue's devotional here.
For my blog posts of Gratitude every day in November, I will give a Prayer Prompt to Thank God and some Scriptures. Although every day of the year, our prayers should be filled with THANKS to God, it's extra important this month. I like acronyms, so I came up with one for THANKS. I'm not sure how it'll work or if the format fits you & your style of praying, but I'll share it anyways:
T - Thank God for one thing H - Hymn for Him/Song Psalm of Praise A - Adore Him for an Attribute of God * N - Name of God ** K - Kind Act you do S - Supplication: how He can or has supplied for yours or others needs
The initial THANKS will be for November 1st to the 3rd, then I will repost later on Thursday with the ones for November 4th - November 10th added.{did this 10/31} So all of Days 1-10 are here now.
November 1 will be Day 1 and continue like that with each date as that Day. Each day has the "T" part of the acronym of what to Thank God for ... then the rest is the challenge part for you. I'm hoping that the Scripture readings will inspire and help. For the first 2 days I explain a little more.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (day 2)
NOVEMBER
Day 1 - Thank God for Your Salvation through Jesus Christ
"Thank Him that no
man, no thing, no power in hell can undo what He did on the cross. Thank God Almighty that you have been saved
from the sting of death. Thank Him that you will not be separated from our Lord, for you have been saved by the blood
of The Great I AM. Praise God for the blood of the Lamb! Ask that He would give you boldness to *share your testimony
of salvation with others today, that no one would perish and spend eternity separated from Him."
Psalm 62:6-7, John 1:14, John 3:16, John 6:47, John 10:10, Galatians 2:20, 1 Peter 2:24
In one of the devotionals that I'm reading for this year, I couldn't help myself from editing this again so I could add the prayer right here for today's THANKS {parts in () added by me}:
(for the "N") "Blessed Savior, Thank You for Your glorious gift of Grace! Your Word teaches that by grace I have been saved through faith. And this is not my own doing; it's not a result of my works.(Ephesians 2:8-9) Even the faith I needed to believe in You - to receive salvation - is a gift from You. Through Your finished work on the Cross, I've been given the astonishing blessings of eternal Life. (John 3:16) Help me respond to Your amazing generosity(for the "A") with a grateful heart. I can never thank You too fervently or too frequently for grace.
During this Thanksgiving season, I want to take time to ponder what it means to have all my sins forgiven. I am no longer on a pathway to hell; (Matthew 10:28) my ultimate destination is a new heaven and a new earth. (Revelation 21:1) This guaranteed heavenly inheritance gives me a great reason to rejoice every day of my life.
As I walk with You today, I'll try to thank You often for the matchless gift of grace. I pray that my gratitude for grace may increase my awareness of the many other blessings You provide - making me even more thankful. In Your gracious Name, Jesus" ...
(*for the "K" - share your testimony of salvation with at least one other and perhaps show some grace for the ones who make our lives a bit harder) (for the "S" - clearly we need to pray for the ones that still need the salvation of Jesus Christ; and our own need to be bold in this endeavor more each day and eternally grateful as we live and love as Jesus has shown us)
"Thank God for the precious gift of today, for today is the
day He has made, so let’s rejoice and be glad. Give thanks to Him for each minute He allows breath to fill your lungs.
Ask Him to reveal to you the things in life that you can let go of to allow yourself time for what really matters in life."
Psalm 118:14, Matthew 11:28, 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Day 3 - Thank God for your Friends & that He is your Friend; or ask Him to send someone special as a friend John 15:12-15, Romans 12:10, Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
1 Corinthians 1:4-5
Day 4 Thank God for Power Over The Enemy. "When
our hearts are full of praise, our lives are full of power." Ephesians
6:11-18, 2 Timothy 1:7, James 4:7
Day 5 Thank
God for His Perfect Timing. Romans 8:28, Colossians 3:12
Day 6Thank
God for Your Church. 1 Corinthians 14:26, Titus 1:5–9, Hebrews 10:25
Day 7 Thank
God for His Faithfulness Psalm 36:5, Psalm 86:15, Matthew 19:26
Day 8 Thank
God for Love. Psalm 136, Psalm 107:1, 1 Corinthians 13, John
3:16, 1 John 4:8
Since this is the year of mid-term Elections, I strongly sense an urgency to:
Thank God for our ELECTIONS and those candidates running in the elections as well as all who serve in our government. For God's Protection of every one!
Thank God for the freedom we have to elect our governing officials and that God's authority be over each one, for God's will & plan to prevail for our country; for the good over the evil; for the truth over the lies; for justice for all.
Day 9 Thank
God for Wisdom. Psalm
32:8, Proverbs 4:7
Day 10 Thank God for Annoyances. "Some days it can be hard to feel thankful But no matter the setbacks and aggravations, and no matter how we feel, one
thing remains the same--He is present in the trials we face. Even the smallest of trials do not go unnoticed by Him.
Thank Him for the hard stuff. Thank Him for using these things to strengthen your dependency on Him and your faith in
Him. Pray for trust in Him on the hardest of days and keep praises on your lips." {I've found this keeps us humble and looking to Him}
Isaiah 55: 8-9, 1 Thessalonians 5:18, James 1:2-4
I will need to do a new post for Days 11-20 and then a final post for Days 21-30 because of how long this would be otherwise. Just imagine if I had written more or a Prayer for each one.
* examples: His faithfulness; His Righteousness (image)
** like El Shalom; Savior; Messiah; Redeemer ...
(day 2 example) Creator God, I thank You for this day and every day when I wake because You have made this day as a precious gift so I can rejoice and give praise. I thank You for my very breath each new morning and Your new mercies. Great is Your Faithfulness! Today as I go outside, I will thank You for the beauty in all of nature and replant a new tree to remind me of the need for good Light in my life (Your Son) the sun light that helps us grow and Living Water. Thank You that in Jesus Christ we receive both Light, Living Water and Life. Supply others in need of this fresh outpouring of You through me as I go about my day and share Jesus in a smile or a simple thank you. You made my day, help me do the same for someone else.
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GIVE THANKS
and
show our
GRATITUDE
for this November to our
God
and His aMazing Grace
Starting our THANKS GIVING and WORSHIP off with one of my favorites
{I kept these Prayer Prompts from a previous year in my Notes but I don't know who to give credit} I thank whoever you are or wherever they came from. No copyright infringement intent.
"Jesus Is the Loving Refuge Who Provides All You Need"
AMEN!
[This above Truth is the One that has kept me going year after year]
Yet, I still believe that Jesus expects me to do my part in every
RELATIONSHIP
DAYS 27 -31
Day 27 Jesus Speaks to Our Father about Us- Hebrews 7:25
Day 28 Jesus is Our Friend and Our Home - John 14:23 and John 15:15
Day 29 Jesus Considers Us His Family - Mark 3:34-35
Day 30 Jesus is Our Bridegroom - John 3:29-30
Day 31 Jesus Invites Us to Join His Mission - Ephesians 2:10
I have enjoyed every day with Jesus as my focus as my Loving Refuge, because He is and has been throughout my life. Each day points us toward a healthy RELATIONSHIP, shown to us through Jesus' example. However, DAY 30 stands out as the most significant for me personally. This Truth has been my saving grace since I first became aware of this for myself, and really needed it but also for His Church, relating to Jesus as Bridegroom. "...God planned all along to RELATE to His People as their Bridegroom (Isaiah 62:4-5)
"... The word translated as "complete" in John 3:29 and "full" in John 15:11 means filled up or perfected. This filling, perfect love is what Jesus our Bridegroom offers His people, His Bride. His spousal love isn't like that of the most devoted wife or faithful husband; those human examples are like Him. In fact, what spouses can offer to each other is a reflection of the majestic love that our King and Bridegroom Jesus shares with us, His people." ...
As you may already know or surmise, my earthly marital RELATIONSHIP of many years is and has not been this ideal RELATIONSHIP that God intends for marriages yet I am so thankful to God that He revealed that Jesus' love stands in the gap and He alone can bring the fullness of this joy into my heart (and He has). My spiritual marriage with Jesus has provided me with this closeness in our RELATIONSHIP; Jesus is a (com)passionate and protective Bridegroom, always ready to draw near to me, as His Bride. This is true for you, too! We, as His people, are the Bride of Christ!
{in my opinion, it's time to return to Jesus so that we, the Church, are known to act as we should, reflecting that Christlike love, in words and action daily, as we expect a Bride to be, holy, united and pure; following and devoted to Jesus alone; for we are not so righteous on our own, only through Jesus, as we reflect His love and grace in the way we love people - certainly not the violent, evil and bullying ways that are prevalent in our words and action in these days. We have fallen far from the kind of faith and love that Jesus has given us. We truly need to repent, which calls for a change of heart and these ways. God is calling all of us to be ...}
TAKING REFUGE IN CHRIST
After the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus shares a metaphor to guide us
in building strong
RELATIONSHIPS
in
Matthew 7:24-27
Consider reading and rereading this devotional that I've been sharing for October:
Toxic Relationships: Taking Refuge in Christ
by
Ellen Mary Dykas
or
Change My Relationship
365 Daily Devotions
for Christians in Difficult
Relationships
by
Karla Downing
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So now that I have shared my source; I may need to take down these last 31 days
if I have shared more than copyright allows.
I still am unsure of this, but consider this a warning
in case these posts go missing
I hope not - but what I shared from the book(s) is "boxed"
so that you know it is from the book, including the scripture verses given.
I needed to divide this last section into 2 blog posts for:
"Jesus Is the Loving Refuge Who Provides All You Need"
It's for days 22-31 but this blog post will just be
Days 22-26
Day 22 Jesus is a Refuge We Can Trust - John 14:1-3
Day 23 Jesus is Our Constant Companion - Colossians 1: 27 and Colossians 3:3
Day 24 Jesus is Our Redeemer Who is the Good News - Luke 4:18-20 NKJV
Day 25 Jesus Sees Us at Every Moment - Luke 19:3,5 and John 1:48
Day 26: Jesus Mercifully Listens to Us - Luke 23: 42-43
so the rest of these Days (27-31) will be in the next blog post
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As I glance ahead at these last 10 days, I realize this is the more spiritual side of this entire devotional of 31 days - where the 'rubber meets the road' - so to speak
where we actually deepen our
RELATIONSHIP
with Jesus
...as we learn that "Taking Refuge in Christ" is showing us the healthy ways that only Jesus can fulfill in us and be, as we will see the Perfect example in Him.
The Intro to this section begins with a quote from C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity:
"... If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world. If none of my earthy pleasures satisfy it, that does not prove that the universe is a fraud. Probably earthly pleasures were never meant to satisfy it, but only to arouse it, to suggest the real thing. ... I must keep alive in myself the desire for my true country, which I shall not find till after death; I must never let it get snowed under or turned aside; I must make it the main object of life to press on to that other country and help others to do the same." ... C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
This is just a reminder because I added it to the end of previous blog post. I generally try to define/explain terms so I would like to do so for Relational Health:
"Relational Health refers to the capacity to develop and sustain safe, stable and nurturing relationships, which in turn prevent the extreme or prolonged activation of the body's stress response systems" Garner 2021
DAYS 17 - 21
Day 17: Stop Living for People's Love and Love Them Instead - 2 Cor. 5:14-15
Day 18: Live Hidden in Plain Sight - Col. 3:3; 2 Corinthians 2:14
Day 19: Practice Joy, Prayer, and Thankfulness - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Day 20: Set Your Heart on Heaven - Hebrews 12:1-2
Day 21: Anchor Your Hope in Jesus - 1 Peter 1:3-4. 13
I will continue to pursue Relational Health in my life.
"... To set our hearts on heaven, we must live now in light of where we are ultimately going. ... by "looking to" being fixed on) Jesus (Heb. 12:1), who is enthroned in heaven (Col. 3:1-3). This biblical truth has helped me so much in my RELATIONAL struggles."
Day 20 (quote above) ends with a prayer in ACT to consider praying:
"Lord, I confess that I think so much more about this life and what I see, feel, and hear. Help me fix my eyes on Jesus and warm my heart with love for Him. Give me a desire to be sober minded and alert to the enemy's schemes to hijack my focus off of You and onto this life. Most of all, Lord, deepen my understanding to set my hope fully on You."
Then on Day 21, we "Anchor ... Hope in Jesus" because we have a living Hope through our RELATIONSHIP with Jesus ... because "when we seek our living hope in an earthly RELATIONSHIP, we unanchor ourselves from Christ's promises, setting ourselves adrift in an unpredictable sea. A person's love, words of affection, need, and praise of us can never be "imperishable, undefiled, and unfading"; they don't have the power! We undo healthy hope we've placed on people by honestly expressing to God our pain, sin, and fears; renewing our thinking; practicing prayerful thankfulness; living through Christ's life and love...". I know what it is like to be 'unachored' and adrift in an unpredictable sea until I was tossed and turned enough to be awakened by Jesus - and the Truth. Thank You Lord Jesus, my Anchor, firm and secure is set in You, amid any tossing of waves that has crashed or may crash; my future hope is anchored upon the grace, love, mercy and peace of You, Jesus - our Lord.
Our Living Hope has a Name, His name is Jesus!
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It's taken me years to understand and become aware of dysfunctional behaviors,
which is long overdue.
I am far beyond thankful that I have been saved & in a wonderful
RELATIONSHIP
with
JESUS
as I'm
TAKING REFUGE IN CHRIST
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A dear sister and friend began a YV plan (20 day plan) on 10/17 and by mistake it appeared publicly when it was suppose to be with a group privately, but for me - it's a God-incidence and blessing, because it goes so well with this topic of Relational Health. It was provided from a Church in NZ and they started this series on October 17th with their first Message of a 7 week series until November 27th: Wellbeing:An invitation to a flourishing life. I recommend it and I will be doing it also along with the Church and YV plan. If you go to the website linked, you will find out more and they also offer a short "wellbeing self- assessment" free, through another church. Perfect timing for me (in the middle of this 31 day journey) to discover a continuation of seeking to 'live a flourishing life' (which for me, just means healthy, the way God desires me to in all my relationships and the rest of my life) so I will continue this journey through the different areas of well-being from physical {ouch}, emotional, and spiritual to relational, financial and even vocational well-being - since I'm retired, I have plenty of time to address and focus on these and perhaps I don't need vocational as much but God still may have a vocational purpose for me (beyond what I do or have done). We're not finished until God says we are 😉
