Thanksgiving is obviously a time in America where we take time to be thankful for the heritage and for the work of God to give us a land in which we can worship, raise our families and have our freedoms. The traditions reflect the early settlers sharing a meal with grateful hearts. We still gather to eat and spend time with people we care most for. It is a great tradition and one we look forward to every year. But today, I want to focus on another Word of of thanks!
Perhaps as you read this Good eNews, you are in the middle of circumstances that you feel leave you no reason for giving thanks. As I write to you, our own family has two very precious parents who are battling health issues and it seems hard to be thankful for these circumstances. Yet, we read in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 where Paul tells us give thanks to God in ALL circumstances. I believe all still means all today and that leads me to today’s Good News!
Did you know that when we who are in Christ, give thanks to God even when we ____(are sick or afraid, feel anxious, tired, alone, without hope or can’t seem to know what to do or how to pray), we cause our spiritual enemy to flee? Did you know that? We are told to “resist the devil and he will flee from you!”
How do we resist his attempts to kill the body, steal our joy or destroy our lives with difficult circumstances? WE THANK GOD ANYWAY! We stand firm in our unwavering trust of our mighty God who gives us peace that surpasses all understanding and gives us peace of mind…even when the world would say or do otherwise! So we say, THANK YOU!!! Thank you God that even though _____________(fill in the blank), You are GOOD! You satisfy me! You are enough! You are my God and I trust you! Thank you for being with me in this valley. Thank you for your love and for the hope I have in Christ Jesus, the hope of the world, no matter what we see, hear or feel. THANK YOU GOD! YOUR WILL BE DONE…in me!
Won’t you give it a try? Thank you God for________!
“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 [the Revealer and Mediator of that will].”
__________
“Praise the Lord, oh my soul, all my inmost being, praise His holy name” Psalm 103:1-5 (NIV)
A practical way to activate your thankful heart is to lift a voice of praise to the Lord. Your spirit, sourced by the Holy Spirit, should tell your soul what to do, just like David did. “PRAISE THE LORD, OH MY SOUL….”
Sing a song to the Lord and shift your focus of thanksgiving to God. Shift the atmosphere around you and experience the Joy of the Lord who is your strength and peace!
Friend, thank you for continuing to open these monthly words of Good News the Holy Spirit gives me to share with you. Each time I sit to write, the Lord fills me with His words, His comfort, His joy, His peace and His message He wants me to share. I pray that as you read His Word and mine, that you will know you are loved and there is hope for you no matter what your circumstances seem to be at the moment. Lift up your eyes to the Lord and put your trust in Him! He is mighty to save. He is the source of our comfort. God is the one who will turn your sorrow and mourning to moments of joy. He will fill our hearts with gladness as we keep our hearts turned towards Him, and as we remember that He fulfilled ALL His promises in the life of Christ, the Hope of all the world! Thank you for your prayers for our family! I pray blessings upon you and your family as well. This good news of Thanksgiving needs to be shared! So share your thanks with others & perhaps you’ll share this eNews too. Thank you!
As always…If you have a specific prayer request you’d like to me to pray, I’d be honored. Just reply to this email.