Along with the gathering of family and friends around a bountiful table of food and conversation, many take this opportunity to remember their blessings. This short Thanksgiving devotional with Bible verses and tips for giving thanks this day and the year through is a good place to start.
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Psalm 91
Psalm 91 is one of the most encouraging passages of scripture to me. After completing the book, Living the Cross Centered Life by C.J. Mahaney, our community group Bible study is finished the year studying Psalm 91. It is a beautiful Psalm and I am sharing each verse with a photo of a blossom from my garden this past spring.Great is Thy Faithfulness
Think on These Things thoughts from John…Have you ever questioned God’s faithfulness? Did you ever think that He has left you or forsaken you? These are questions we sometimes are uncomfortable voicing or admitting. As you contemplate your answer, think of times of disappointment, loneliness, grief or despair. This is when we are most vulnerable to the thought that God had forsaken us. God uses His Word and sometimes a person, a quote, a book or even a hymn to remind us that He is and will always be faithful to His children. One of these classic hymns is my focus on today’s post… Great is Thy Faithfulness.Continue Reading
It is Well
Centered in Prayer Quote from Anne Graham Lotz
“If prayer is our compass in life, then the needle that points north is the focus of our faith in prayer on the living God.” This quote is just one of several that I that have really liked from a new book I am reading. The Daniel Prayer, Prayer that Moves Heaven and Changes Nations by Anne Graham Lotz is part of an online Bible study I have recently begun.
He is the “North” on our “compass. “He is the center-point. When our prayers are focused, regardless of what life throws at us, whether it’s a long, hard climb to the top of our profession or career, or the steady trail of perseverance as we set out to achieve our goals, or the confusion and lost feeling that can envelope us when we find ourselves in a thicket of problems and pressures and pain, if our prayers are focused on the living God, they will make a difference. (Page 65)
Of the many things that come across my Facebook homepage, this one caught my attention. It came from Gateway Online Bible Studies. I signed up and really glad I did. It is an online study, free and short, just 6-sessions where Anne teaches how to pray powerfully and passionately. Each week she shares a video about the lesson. The series can be used in small group setting or done individually, which is what I do. The book and study guide can be purchased through the online site but I got mine from Amazon. There is a link below if you want to take a look.
Known to me only because of her dad, Billy Graham, I was not familiar with Anne. Viewing her videos and reading this book, I am impressed with the way she speaks with clarity and her knowledge of scripture.
Using the life of Daniel as an example, Anne covers the following topics.
- Preparing for Prayer
- Prompting in Prayer
- Pleading in Prayer
- Prevailing in Prayer
- Battling in Prayer.
In her real and down-to-earth manner, Anne includes personal stories and gives an approach to Bible study that challenges the reader to hear and apply God’s Word in a systematic way. First by listing the facts, then asking yourself what does it mean, next thinking about what is means in your own life and finally how you might respond to the Word.
With a little practice I can see that I am gaining a deeper understanding of the passages I read and study.
Well, I didn’t intend for this post to be a promotion for this study as it turned out to be. Just thought I would share something I think valuable and that you would like to know about.
As you may have noticed, my husband John is becoming more involved here at Grateful Prayer Thankful Heart. I love that we work together so well as a team. He has volunteered to write our Think on These Things Sunday Posts. It has become his lunch hour project while he is at work. Right now he is fighting a nasty sinus and ear and eye infection but I want to thank those of you who have commented or sent him a note. He appreciates each one and finds it to be a great encouragement. It seems like our days are filled with new and stretching opportunities. John will be back with his thoughts next week because he is so much better at it than I am. I’ll head back to the kitchen with my recipes and leave (most of) the faith posts to him 🙂
Perhaps you will take a moment to join me in praying for our nation as we celebrate the 4th of July this week. I can’t think of a better verse to pray than this one as we look at the great needs of our land.
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14
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Bloom Where You Are Planted
A Post from John…
When I first read this phrase, it struck me with the thought that the place where you and I find ourselves in this vast world has been ordained by God’s sovereign will. It may be in a major city with millions of people, or a very rural town with people few and far between. It may be in a different country with mountains all about or even in a flat, dry desert region. Countless possibilities. It’s where God has ‘planted’ us and His good intentions are for us to prosper and thrive where ever we find ourselves.
Now thinking back with me to what we learned in elementary school… once a plant is ‘planted’, it begins to grow and mature as it is fed and watered. In time, it begins to produce flower buds that will shortly ‘bloom’ and produce fruit, the very fruit that will contain the seeds that will produce more plants of its kind.
To me, this is a wonderful visual showing the goodness of God. His intentions are for us to not only be content wherever we find ourselves but also to help and encourage those around us. How do we find the desire, strength and ability to be a help to those we come in contact? How do we effectively encourage one another? The answers comes in the choice we make in the source of our ‘food and water’.
If we choose to ‘feed and drink’ on impurity, hatred, discord, jealousy, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy… the ugly things people do in this world… we will produce ‘bad fruit’. But if we are ‘feeding and drinking’ on love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, we will produce ‘good fruit’.
The Vine and the Branches
John 15:1-5
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
So, BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED and with God’s help, choose to produce ‘good fruit’, that you may help and encourage those that come into your path where ever you live.
Your decrees are the theme of my song wherever I lodge.
Psalm 119:54
God has placed you here for a purpose,
Whatever it might be;
Know He has chosen you for it
And labor faithfully.
anonymous
If you’d like to learn to make text mask like the ones used in these quotes, check out this easy step-by-step HOW TO MAKE A COOL TEXT MASK tutorial using PicMonkey.
Only the Best Dads get Promoted to Pop-Pop [Guest Post]
He is a PopPop for sure but he is also my better half. The guy who is my life partner, food taster, project helper and constant encourager. John is even getting more involved in my blogging endeavors and has agreed to write a guest post. I know you will enjoy a few thoughts this Father’s Day from a guys perspective.Continue Reading
Gosling Cuteness Overload
When a pair of fluffy little abandoned goslings come along, one can’t help but stop all activity and take in all their gosling cuteness. These two puffballs were found wandering between parking lot traffic at a local WAWA by our daughter. Of course she brought them home for us to see before taking them to a nearby wildlife refuge.
All Your Promises are Yes and Amem
For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 1:20
Have you heard this song titled, Yes and Amen? It was new to me until we sang it in church last week. I came home and looked up the words to mull them over. I don’t know about you but I appreciate reminders of God’s faithfulness to combat the daily discouragement and frustrations that can accumulate. You can read the lyrics and listen to a video below. It is a great worship song and one that will encourage you 🙂
Yes And Amen
Chris Tomlin
Father of kindness
You have poured out grace
You brought me out of darkness
You have filled me with peace
Giver of mercy
You’re my help in time of need
Lord I can’t help but sing
Faithful you are
Faithful forever you will be
Faithful you are
All your promises are yes and Amen
All your promises are yes and Amen
Beautiful Saviour
You have brought me near
You pulled me from the ashes
You have broken every curse
Blessed redeemer
You have set this captive free
Lord I can’t help but sing
Faithful you are
Faithful forever you will be
Faithful you are
All your promises are yes and Amen
All your promises are yes and Amen
Faithful you are
Faithful forever you will be
Faithful yes you are
All your promises are yes and Amen
I will rest in your promises
My confidence is your faithfulness
I will rest in your promises
My confidence is your faithfulness
I will rest in your promises
My confidence is your faithfulness
I will rest in your promises
My confidence is your faithfulness
Faithful you are
Faithful forever you will be
Faithful yes you are
All your promises are yes and Amen
All your promises are yes and Amen
All your promises are yes and Amen
Songwriters: Tony Brown / Chris McClamey / Nate Moore
Elements in the graphics in this post were from Free Graphic Blue Crush @ Twigs and Twine
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God speaks to me in Springtime
God speaks to me in springtime
When the earth is wet with dew
In the meadows and the prairies
As the grass comes poking through.
What Will You Say When the Question Comes?
Thoughts of Good Friday are on my mind. Thoughts of the immensity of what the cross means and what it means for me. Thoughts of a love that goes far beyond my ability to grasp. But it is real.
In the words of an old hymn writer… What shall I do with Jesus? What shall my answer be? Question with question I answer, What will He do with me?
This hymn, written in the late 1800’s, caught my attention asking the question of utmost importance. A personal question. A question that can make us feel uncomfortable.
You have probably heard the Easter story. About forgiveness and redemption and that word no one likes to talk about, namely sin. It is a word that makes us want to walk away and think about other stuff. But sin is supremely important to God because it separates us and puts an impassable chasm between Himself and his beloved. Important enough to God that he provided a solution for it. A costly solution.
The Easter story tells of Jesus Christ’s journey to the cross, His glorious resurrection in triumphant over sin and death, His ascension into heaven where He reigns as our Lord and Savior. This gives us HOPE and JOY. We no longer have to pay the penalty for our sin. Jesus paid it in full. We can be forgiven and accepted and forever enjoy fellowship with God through Jesus. That is what Jesus meant when He uttered His last Words, “It is finished”. That heavy burden of sin we carry is dropped from our shoulders. That is amazing grace.
I hope you, dear reader, will take a moment to listen to the beautiful video below, listen to the words and if you haven’t already, consider the question, “What will you do with Jesus?” Because, neutral you just can’t be.
What Will You Do With Jesus?
Excerpt from David T. Clydesdale’s “How Great Thou Art”
Jesus is standing there in Pilates’ hall; friendless, forsaken, He’s been betrayed
by all. Suddenly comes the fateful call, “What will you do with Jesus?”
Now Jesus stands alone on trial, ready to face the crowd. To walk His
destined mile. In your heart you’re hearing all the while, “What will
you do with Jesus?”
Chorus:
What will you do with Jesus? Neutral you just can’t be. Someday
your heart will be asking, “What will You do with me?”
Will you deny Him just like Peter’s done? Will you reject Him? He is the
living Son. What will you say when the question comes? What will
you do with Jesus?
What will you do with Jesus? Neutral you just can’t be. Someday
your heart will be asking, “What will He do with me?”
What will you do with Jesus? Neutral you just can’t be. Someday
your heart will be asking, “What will He do with me?”
What will he do with me?
Below are the words of the original hymn. They are similar to the words in the video and were probably the inspiration for it.
Jesus is standing in Pilate’s hall
Author: Albert B. Simpson (1905)
Jesus is standing in Pilate’s hall–
Friendless, forsaken, betrayed by all;
Hearken! what meaneth the sudden call!
What will you do with Jesus?
Chorus:
What will you do with Jesus?
Neutral you cannot be;
Someday your heart will be asking,
“What will He do with me?”
Jesus is standing on trial still,
You can be false to Him if you will,
You can be faithful thro’ good or ill:
What will you do with Jesus? (Chorus)
Will you evade Him as Pilate tried?
Or will you choose Him, whate’er betide?
Vainly you struggle from Him to hide:
What will you do with Jesus? (Chorus)
Will you, like Peter, your Lord deny?
Or will you scorn from His foes to fly,
Daring for Jesus to live or die?
What will you do with Jesus? (Chorus)
“Jesus, I give Thee my heart today!
Jesus, I’ll follow Thee all the way,
Gladly obeying Thee!” will you say:
“This I will do with Jesus!” (Chorus)
What will you say when the question comes?
Neutral you just can’t be
someday your heart will be asking
what will He do with me
What shall I do with Jesus?
What shall my answer be?
Question with question I answer,
What will He do with me?
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Revelation 3:20
For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.
2 Corinthians 6:2
Trust His Heart
God is too wise to be mistaken, God is too good to be unkind, So when you don’t understand, When you don’t see His plan, When you can’t trace His hand, Trust His heart. These words were popularized in 1989 by Christian singer-songwriter Babbie Mason and are sometimes credited to Charles Spurgeon. Scroll to bottom of post to hear her sing this beautiful song.
Babbie Yvett Robie Wade Mason was born February 1, 1955. She is an American gospel singer, songwriter, writer, and adjunct professor of songwriting at Point University and Lee University, and also a television talk-show host. Mason’s father was a Baptist pastor and she hails from at least five generations of ministers. Mason has also been the church pianist and choir director for the church her father pastored. source
Babbie Mason with Eddie Carswell wrote “Trust His Heart”. In an interview, Mason said the song was influenced by a North Atlanta pastor who “became inspired by the words that Charles Haddon Spurgeon had coined in his writings, ‘God is too wise to be mistaken. God is too good to be unkind. And, when you can’t trace His hand, you can always trust His heart.’”
Similar quotes are found in The One Year Daily Insights with Zig Ziglar and The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible.
Spurgeon’s actual wording is found in his sermon “A Happy Christian”:
The worldling blesses God while he gives him plenty, but the Christian blesses him when he smites him: he believes him to be too wise to err and too good to be unkind; he trusts him where he cannot trace him, looks up to him in the darkest hour, and believes that all is well.source
Trust His Heart
Babbie Mason
All things work for our good
Though sometimes we don’t see how they could
Struggles that break our hearts in two
Sometimes blind us to the truth
Our Father knows what best for us
His ways are not our own
So when your pathway grows dim
And you just don’t see Him
Remember you’re never alone
God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind
So when you don’t understand
When you don’t see His plan
When you can’t trace His hand
Trust His heart
Trust His heart
He sees the master plan
And He holds our future in His hand
So don’t live as those who have no hope
All our hope is found in Him
We see the present clearly
But He sees the first and the last
And like a tapestry
He’s weaving you and me
To someday be just like Him
God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind
So when you don’t understand
When you don’t see His plan
When you can’t trace His hand
Trust His heart
Trust His heart
He alone is faithful and true
He alone knows what is best for you
God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind
So when you don’t understand
When you don’t see His plan
When you can’t trace His hand
Trust His heart
Trust His heart
When you don’t understand
When you don’t see His plan
When you can’t trace His hand
Trust His heart
Trust His heart
Hard Work Brings a Profit
We had a blast of wintry weather this past week even though spring begins tomorrow. From my kitchen window I caught a glimpse of a little gray squirrel sniffing about the snow under the bird feeder.
What Time Will then Remain
How easy it is to focus on the hard and difficult things that face us each day and fall into a pattern of complaining even if it is just in our own thoughts. The little annoyances, the circumstances we have no control over and situations that seem overwhelming can cause us to forget the many blessings we enjoy.
I think this is why I resonate with these words by RC Trench.
When thou hast thanked thy God
For every blessing sent,
What time will then remain
For murmurs or lament?
R C Trench
Irish Blessings
March. A month of swings from wintry chills and springtime thrills. Snow boots and flip-flops (well almost). It is the month we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and think of shamrocks, leprechauns, Irish food, all things green and Irish Blessings. Some are sweet, some are funny and some are… well, so Irish.
faith looks up
So faith looks up and sails on, by God’s great Sun, not seeing one shoreline or earthly lighthouse or path upon the way. Often our steps seem to lead into utter uncertainty or even darkness and disaster. But He opens the way, making our midnight hours the very gates of day.
Let us go forth this day, not knowing, yet trusting.
King Of The World
Natalie Grant
source
Lyrics
I tried to fit you in the walls inside my mind
I try to keep you safely in between the lines
I try to put you in the box that I’ve designed
I try to pull you down so we are eye to eye
When did I forget that you’ve always been the king of the world?
I try to take life back right out of the hands of the king of the world
How could I make you so small
When you’re the one who holds it all
When did I forget that you’ve always been the king of the world
Just a whisper of your voice can tame the seas
So who am I to try to take the lead
Still I run ahead and think I’m strong enough
When you’re the one who made me from the dust
When did I forget that you’ve always been the king of the world?
I try to take life back right out of the hands of the king of the world
How could I make you so small
When you’re the one who holds it all
When did I forget that you’ve always been the king of the world
Oh, you set it all in motion
Every single moment
You brought it all to me
And you’re holding on to me
When did I forget that you’ve always been the king of the world?
I try to take life back right out of the hands of the king of the world
How could I make you so small
When you’re the one who holds it all
When did I forget you’ve always been the king of the world
You will always be the king of the world