Category Archives: Thanks & Praise

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August 3, 2017

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Faith & Hope, Fear & Doubt, God's Grace & Love, God's Plan, God's Promises, Knowing Him, Peace of God, Prayer, Thanks & Praise, Today: Make it Count, Trusting God

YOUR HEART’S DESIRE

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. [Psalm 37:4-5 (NLT)]

May he grant your heart’s desires and make all your plans succeed. [Psalm 20:4 (NLT)]

oxeye daisy
What is it your heart desires? A photo safari in Africa or a river boat cruise along the Rhine? A paid-off mortgage or an enormous IRA? A private chef, personal trainer, maid or someone to chauffer the kids to their assorted activities? To be free of physical ailments or pain? A better paying job, longer vacation, or nicer boss? Better behaved children, a more loving spouse, or an abundance of friends? Are these the things our hearts desire or do we really desire the things that will accompany them—things like love, security, joy, serenity, a sense of well-being and peace? When we commit everything to the Lord, we will have those things, even without the luxury items, vacations, ideal situations, money or even the health.

Concentrate on counting your blessings and you’ll have little time to count anything else. [Woodrow Kroll]

Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. [Psalm 73:25 (NLT)]

The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth. He grants the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them. [Psalm 145:18-19 (NLT)]

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July 12, 2017

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Church & Worship, Knowing Him, Love & Works, Prayer, Sharing Our Faith, Thanks & Praise, Today: Make it Count

31 PRAYERS

Hear my words, O Lord. Think about my crying. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God. For I pray to you. In the morning, O Lord, You will hear my voice. In the morning I will lay my prayers before You and will look up. [Psalm 5:1-3 (NLV)]

We thank God for you all the time and pray for you. [1 Thessalonians 1:2 (NLV)]

green heronAs I went through my prayer list this morning, I noticed that my prayers are very specific. I pray for those I know who are mourning, but they’re not the only ones dealing with loss. I pray for those I know who are sick and for my friends who are sitting at their loved one’s bedside, but they are not alone. Although I pray for a friend experiencing problems at work, another having financial difficulty, and a family in crisis, I know others must have the same problems. I pray for those I know who are struggling with addictions but can’t come close to naming all who need that prayer. I pray for my pastors and friends in the ministry but pastors (and congregations) everywhere need those same prayers. Unless I hear sirens, I don’t pray for first responders, but those firefighters and paramedics need my prayers more often than that. Some mornings I have enough trouble getting through my long prayer list, how can I add more to it? We’re told to offer prayers of intercession for all of God’s people, yet how can we do His work (or ours) if we spend all day in prayer? We’d be so heavenly minded that we’d be of no earthly use to anyone. Nevertheless, it’s not just my list of people who need my prayers. I suppose I could cover everyone else with a quick “God bless the world and everyone in it,” but that doesn’t seem heartfelt to me.

I thought of a friend who reads a chapter of Proverbs every day of the month. With thirty-one chapters, he finds it a good spiritual discipline. It occurred to me that I could do much the same thing with intercession. While I continue to pray for the unique needs of the people named on my prayer list, every day I could earnestly offer a general prayer for a different specific need.

It wouldn’t be hard to come up with a list of thirty-one intercessory topics, one for each day of the month. Off the top of my head I came up with the following: (1) government officials and their staff; (2) judges, juries and courts; (3) members of all branches of the military; (4) military families, veterans and wounded warriors; (5) law enforcement officers; (6) those who mourn or are in despair; (7) pastors and lay ministers; (8) churches, their members, and the expansion of God’s Kingdom; (9) missionaries and those who serve in developing nations; (10) the brutalized, oppressed, and persecuted; (11) the disabled and those with special needs; (12) businesses, bosses, and the nation’s economy; (13) our labor force and the conditions in which they work; (14) refugees and relief workers; (15) physicians, health care workers, and caregivers; (16) the destitute, those in financial difficulties, and the unemployed; (17) the environment, those who work to protect it, and the conservation of resources; (18) prisoners, their families and guards; (19) the ill, hospitalized, terminally ill, and their families; (20) students, teachers, school administrators, and school curriculum; (21) those damaged souls filled with anger, hate, violence, intolerance and prejudice; (22) the homeless and marginalized in our society; (23) the lonely, depressed and mentally ill; (24) those struggling with addictions; (25) the media and all who influence public opinion; (26) the family unit; (27) children; (28) charitable organizations, their supporters and volunteers; (29) fire fighters and EMTs; (30) Israel and other nations, both ally and enemy; and (31) peace within our borders and among all nations. That’s just my list and I’m sure it will be revised as the months progress. I’ve written that list in my prayer request book and plan on tackling a different concern each day of the month. I’ll be offering thanks and, depending on for whom I’m praying, plead for things like healing, wisdom, strength, skill, justice, truth, courage, compassion, comfort, safety, or protection. Adding one more prayer each day is feasible and lifting the concerns of others to God, even people I don’t know, is more than an obligation; it is an honor and a privilege.

First of all, I ask you to pray much for all men and to give thanks for them. Pray for kings and all others who are in power over us so we might live quiet God-like lives in peace. It is good when you pray like this. It pleases God Who is the One Who saves. He wants all people to be saved from the punishment of sin. He wants them to come to know the truth. [1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NLV)]

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July 10, 2017

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Attitudes & Behavior, Fruit of the Spirit, God's Grace & Love, Holy Spirit, Knowing Him, Peace of God, Prayer, Thanks & Praise, Today: Make it Count, Trusting God

FIRST, LAST AND IN-BETWEEN

Be happy in your confidence, be patient in trouble, and pray continually. [Romans 12:12 (GW)]

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God’s will in Christ Jesus that you do this. [1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NLT)]

daisy fleabane“Let Christ be first in your thoughts in the morning and last in your thoughts at night,” were the words at the bottom of an Our Daily Bread devotion. A great way to bookend our day, it makes sense to have our first thoughts of the morning and the last at night to be of Christ. Nevertheless, I wonder about all those hours between the opening and shutting of our eyes. What should be first in our thoughts then?

I recently met a woman who said she’s been saying a short prayer before she starts any activity throughout her day, be it thanking God for the privilege of having clothes to launder, asking Him for patience while helping her son with his homework, or keeping her awake during a boring business meeting. Her prayers aren’t fancy; they are, however, heartfelt. “Help me… patience please…direct me…give me understanding…make me strong…show me how to share your love… inspire my words” and “Thank you, Jesus,” are all we need to keep Him in our thoughts all day long. One I frequently say is, “Lord, put your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth!” I only wish I used that one more often.

Jesus, as we move through our day, may your Holy Spirit keep our thoughts centered on you—whether we’re in the “ten items or less” line behind someone with a cart full of groceries, on hold while trying to reach a real person at Comcast, struggling to stretch our dollars to the end of the month or sitting in the doctor’s office hearing news we never wanted to hear. Thank you for the privilege of coming to you in prayer.

I need Thee every hour, Most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine Can peace afford.
I need Thee every hour, Stay Thou near by;
Temptations lose their power When Thou art nigh.
I need Thee every hour, In joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide, Or life is vain.
I need Thee every hour, Teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises In me fulfill.
I need Thee every hour, Most Holy One;
Oh, make me Thine indeed, Thou blessed Son.
I need Thee, oh, I need Thee; Every hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Savior! I come to Thee.
[I Need Thee Every Hour (Annie Sherwood Hawks)] 

At the same time the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we don’t know how to pray for what we need. But the Spirit intercedes along with our groans that cannot be expressed in words. The one who searches our hearts knows what the Spirit has in mind. The Spirit intercedes for God’s people the way God wants him to. [Romans 8:26-27 (GW)]

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July 3, 2017

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Attitudes & Behavior, Family, Friends & Fellowship, Joy, Sorrow, Grief & Regrets, Thanks & Praise, Today: Make it Count

NEVER TO FORGET

Oh, how sweet the light of day, And how wonderful to live in the sunshine! Even if you live a long time, don’t take a single day for granted. Take delight in each light-filled hour, Remembering that there will also be many dark days And that most of what comes your way is smoke. [Ecclesiastes 11:7-8 (MSG)]

viceroy butterflyIn a “Family Circus” cartoon, written by Bil and Jeff Keane, Dolly wakes up and says, “I hope today is one of those days I never wanna forget.” Amen to that, girl! Isn’t that what we all hope for every day? What will it take for Dolly to have one of those days? What will it take for us to have a day we never want to forget?

With far more days behind me than are ahead, I want every day to be worth remembering. Nevertheless, some days are better than others and get pulled out of the memory file more often. Oddly, they aren’t the red-letter days—the weddings, graduations, birthdays, performances or holidays. Maybe it’s the unrealistic expectations or busyness that often accompany special occasions, but we rarely enjoy them as much as we thought we would. The kind of days about which Dolly is speaking, the days we never want to forget, usually come when we least expect them.

I had one such day last week as the family gathered together in California. It wasn’t, however, the special anniversary dinner party hosted by our children when everyone was dressed up and on good behavior. It came later in the week when our children and grands frolicked in the pool and had a water fight. Armed with water blasters, the youngsters squealed with delight as they soaked their parents and were drenched in return. My eyes leaked joyfully as I watched my loved ones laugh and play; it was raucous, rowdy, chaotic and absolutely wonderful. That was “one of those days” and it has been tucked within easy reach in my memory file. Then again, seeing two goldfinches perched on my windowsill first thing this morning was memory worthy, as well. In the end, it’s really not the events that make the day; it’s our attitude toward them!

As for those days we’d rather not remember—I confess to having had days, weeks and even a few months I’d rather not remember. While not exactly forgotten, by the grace of God, those memories have lost their sting and hurt no longer. They’re simply “once was enough” experiences that helped make me who I am. Placed in the back of my memory file, they’re retrieved only when absolutely necessary. Until then, I’ll enjoy today and, with God’s love and guidance, make it one of those days I’ll never want to forget.

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for the gift of this day—guide us in our walk so that we make it a day truly worth remembering.

Seize life! Eat bread with gusto, Drink wine with a robust heart. Oh yes—God takes pleasure in your pleasure! Dress festively every morning. Don’t skimp on colors and scarves. Relish life with the spouse you love Each and every day of your precarious life. Each day is God’s gift. It’s all you get in exchange For the hard work of staying alive. Make the most of each one! Whatever turns up, grab it and do it. And heartily! This is your last and only chance at it, For there’s neither work to do nor thoughts to think In the company of the dead, where you’re most certainly headed. [Ecclesiastes 9:7-10 (MSG)]

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June 23, 2017

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Bible Stories, Church & Worship, Joy, Knowing Him, Nature, Obedience, Prayer, Thanks & Praise

A FRAGRANT OFFERING

Offer the other lamb in the evening, along with the same offerings of flour and wine as in the morning. It will be a pleasing aroma, a special gift presented to the Lord. [Exodus 29:41 (NLT)]

But the internal organs and the legs must first be washed with water. Then the priest will burn the entire sacrifice on the altar as a burnt offering. It is a special gift, a pleasing aroma to the Lord. [Leviticus 1:9 (NLT)]

GARDENIAThe gardenias were blooming. The aroma of those beautiful flowers filled the air as I walked that morning and I paused in my walk just to inhale and relish the pleasant scent.

In the Old Testament, the Hebrews were instructed to offer sacrificial burnt offerings on their altars as gifts to God, making a “pleasing aroma to the Lord.” As a vegetarian, I found it difficult to picture how the odor of burned meat could be considered pleasant. That morning, however, I finally understood the verse’s meaning. It wasn’t the sacrifice of meat that smelled good to God; it was the prayers that accompanied the burnt offerings that made the pleasing aroma.

As I breathed in the scent of the flowers, I wondered, “Is this how God feels when He hears our prayers?” I want my prayers to be as fragrant and pleasing to God as the gardenias were to me. Perhaps gardenia isn’t your favorite scent; maybe it’s the aroma of fresh baked ginger cookies or, in my husband’s case, fresh cooked bacon. Either way, let your prayers be as pleasing to God as your favorite aromas are to you! By the way, I have a sneaky suspicion that praise and thanksgiving smell best to Him; whiny complaints probably smell a bit like burnt toast!

O Lord, please accept my prayers as a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. May you always find them sweet smelling.

Accept my prayer as incense offered to you, and my upraised hands as an evening offering. [Psalm 141:2 (NLT)]

And when he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. [Revelation 5:8 (NLT)]

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June 2, 2017

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Attitudes & Behavior, Challenges & Difficulty, God's Grace & Love, Holy Spirit, Joy, Peace of God, Prayer, Sorrow, Grief & Regrets, Thanks & Praise, Today: Make it Count

INTO THIN AIR

The Lord has given, and the Lord has taken away! May the name of the Lord be praised. [Job 1:21b (GW)]

tiger swallowtail butterflyAfter struggling with the writing of a devotion, it was finally finished. Thankful, I listed its completion in my gratitude journal that night. The next morning, I discovered it was lost—vanished into thin air and nowhere to be found (and believe me, I tried)! Looking back, I probably cut the devotion from my “Work On” file but got distracted and never pasted it into my “To Post” file. Unfortunately, by the time I discovered my error, both files had been saved in versions without the words over which I’d labored so long. When it became clear that those paragraphs truly had vanished into the black hole of my computer, I was annoyed with myself and upset, upset enough to want that thanks entry crossed out in my gratitude journal!

“Hold it!” said that inner voice. “Do the troubles of today negate the joys of yesterday? Just because you no longer have something, is that reason to stop being thankful for once having it? Remember, thanking Him for everything means for both gain and loss!” Oops. Sometimes, God teaches me lessons the hard way!

We all make mistakes and sometimes those mistakes cause us to lose far more than several hours and a few paragraphs—we can lose friendships, marriages, custody, jobs, health or houses. Sometimes, errors can be repaired and lost things recovered but not everything can be mended or retrieved. Nevertheless, we must never stop being thankful for what once was, no matter how briefly we held it. It’s not God’s fault when we mismanage His blessings. That we can learn from our mistakes is more reason for gratitude!

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for all that has happened in our lives—the good, the bad and everything in between. Some events were welcomed as beautiful gifts and others were less appreciated as lessons, but we were blessed by them all.

I’m most proud of the blessings that God has bestowed upon me, in my life. He’s given me the vision to truly see that you can fall down, but you can still get back up. Hopefully I’ll learn from my mistakes and have the opportunity to strengthen and improve the next thing I do. [Martin Lawrence]

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God’s will in Christ Jesus that you do this. [1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (GW)]

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God—those whom he has called according to his plan. [Romans 8:28 (GW)]

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