"What are you thankful for today? Stop by Sonya's blog, Truth 4 The Journey, to find out how to share your gratitude and see what others are thanking God for today."

Today I am thankful!
1. I am thankful for my Heavenly Father!
1 John 3:1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.

2. I am thankful that He loved me first!
1 John 4:10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

3. I am thankful that He provides for me.
1 Timothy 6:17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.

4. I am thankful that He protects me.
Psalm 37: 27-29 Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever.
For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off; the righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever.

5. I am thankful that He is preparing a place for me, eternally!
John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

I pray that God will reveal to us who He is and all that He graciously does for us, daily!

WORD-FILLED WEDNESDAY

Please stop by AmyDeane's Blog for more words and images and consider joining her "Word-Filled-Wednesday" meme.


While waiting for my heart's desire, I sought the Lord for years. It was the hardest wait of my life thus far. At age 27, God brought His answer and satisfied my heart with Russell, a wonderful and godly man, who still brings me countless joys.

Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

I often forget the delighting myself in the Lord part. Sometimes I camp out at the second part- the desires of my heart. The Lord has reminded me time and time again that He is to remain my delight! So, today I purpose that again. Have a delightful day in our Lord!

THANKFUL THURSDAY

"What are you thankful for today? Stop by Sonya's blog, Truth 4 The Journey, to find out how to share your gratitude and see what others are thanking God for today."

Today, I am thankful for:

1. Focus on the Family- an organization that has helped my family and so many others

2. Our forefathers- those who died for the freedom we enjoy

3. Our military men and women today who still fight for our freedom and the freedom of others

4. THE TRUTH!!! I am thankful that we don't have to guess what is right and wrong. I am thankful that truth is NOT objective and NOT subject to our feelings or emotions. I am thankful that the TRUTH stands alone! I am thankful that Jesus is the TRUTH and that one day everyone will acknowledge Him!

5. I am thankful for how the Lord helps me each and every day in the smallest, yet sweetest ways. I am thankful for how much He loves me and how He has never, ever let me down. I am thankful that He knows my heart and cares for me. I am thankful that He leads and guides me and fills me with what I need for each day! I am thankful for His presence that never leaves me.

I am thankful that He loved me and called me when I was far away from Him! I am thankful for His unending pursuit of me. HE IS MORE MARVELOUS THAN WORDS!

WORD-FILLED WEDNESDAY

Please stop by AmyDeane's Blog for more words and images and consider joining her "Word-Filled-Wednesday" meme.

YES, JESUS CHRIST REIGNS! I am praying today that He will reign in all of our lives! May your experience His joy today! I love this picture, because it reminds me of the simplicity of our faith and the greatness of our God.

PSALM 97

1 The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice.

2 Clouds and thick darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

3 Fire goes before him and consumes his foes on every side.

4 His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees and trembles.

5 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth.

6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory.

MONDAY MANNA

Welcome to Monday Manna. The purpose of this meme is to get together and get to know Christ more through His Word. The first and third Monday of each month, anyone who wishes can post their thoughts on a verse Joanne introduced at her blog the Thursday before. It doesn't have to be a long post -- just a few thoughts, a picture you feel helps express it, a poem, a short story, a devotional.

TODAY'S MANNA:
You will be his witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. Acts 22:15

Today I am reminded of how God can rescue ANYONE! Of course, I am an example, and my husband, and many more. But, I remember two stories in particular.

One weekday I was sitting at church in the foyer praying with another lady. A man walked up to the door and knocked. As he entered, he told us that he had some needs and came to see if the church could help. Most of all, he shared his amazing testimony. His Christian sister prayed for him for 17 YEARS before he surrended to Christ as Lord. WOW! Talk about perseverance.

I remember another time being at a teacher's workday. A lady came over and said hello. I went on a school trip with her years agowhen she was not walking with the Lord. At that time, she "thought" she was a Christian, because she went to church:) She had recently given her heart to the Lord and entered into a RELATIONSHIP with her Maker! She was a changed person indeed! Her whole countenance had changed. She thanked me for my "witness".

The interesting thing is that I often fight discouragement in sharing my faith. (Do people really care? Am I really effective?) Sure, I love to talk about it and believe we are all called to preach the gospel. And yet, this Scripture refers to BEING a witness. We often don't know how our mere presence, our character, and our ways affect those around us. My husband, in fact, came to the Lord in part because of a Christian man, who worked in the Navy. This man never shared his faith verbally. Russell just knew this man was different. His lifestyle and gratitude were starkly different from many of the others and Russell noticed.

So, don't underestimate the power of your life. We are witnesses without words. We are effective! God is at work, even when you don't see Him! We are His light and we are desperately needed in this dark hour. I find that as I connect with the Lord daily, I taste of His goodness again. I am recharged and so is my "witness".

May you see and hear of God's greatness and continue to BE a witness, always.