Category Archives: Thanks & Praise

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February 7, 2014

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God's Grace & Love, God's Plan, Joy, Thanks & Praise

It’s a Wonderful Life

You have done many miraculous things, O Lord my God. You have made many wonderful plans for us. No one compares to you! I will tell others about your miracles, which are more than I can count. [Psalm 40:5 (GW)]

I’ve heard people complain that life hasn’t turned out the way they had expected. I respond, “Thank God!” If we’d gotten exactly the life we’d expected, we would have seriously short-changed ourselves. We could never have imagined all of the blessings that would come into our lives: the joy, love and laughter that have been ours. Of course, we made more than our share of mistakes and experienced heartbreak and disappointment along the way. Moreover, it is likely that the future will bring its share of difficulties for us as well. Yet, along with those difficulties will come unimaginable blessings as well. Let us lift our hands and thank the Lord for the life with which we have been blessed. Let’s raise our voices and sing, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow!”

Life does not have to be perfect to be wonderful. [Annette Funicello]

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February 5, 2014

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Faith & Hope, Thanks & Praise

From a Senior Citizen in Christ

2014-2-5So we do not give up. Our physical body is becoming older and weaker, but our spirit inside us is made new every day. [2 Corinthians 4:16 (NCV)]

Lord, you may not change through the years but I surely have. Although I may tire more easily, please keep my spiritual life robust and lively. As my body becomes weaker, please make my faith stronger. May the fact that it is increasingly harder to get on my knees (let alone get back up again) never keep me from prayer. My heart will always kneel before you in praise and thanksgiving. Thank you, God, for all that has been and all that is yet to be.

My body and my mind may become weak, but God is my strength. He is mine forever. [Psalm 73:26 (NCV)]

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January 30, 2014

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God's Grace & Love, Thanks & Praise, Wisdom & Guidance

Let us Give Thanks

Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. [Colossians 4:2 (NLT)]

Heavenly, Father, thank you for the many blessings in our lives: our health and homes, family and friends. Most of all, dear Lord, thank you for your unfailing love. Open our eyes and give us grateful hearts, not just for the joys of life, but also for the stumbling blocks we encounter. Teach us to turn them into stepping stones so that we can better serve you.

 

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January 18, 2014

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Prayer, Thanks & Praise, Trusting God

Pray About Everything

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again – rejoice! … Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. [Philippians 4:4,6-7 (NLT)]

Thank you, Lord, for all that has been and all that is yet to be. My future is in your hands. Reassure me so I don’t lose faith when it seems you are deaf to my pleas. Help me refine my requests so that my desires match your divine will. In you, O Lord, I place my trust in you. Fill me with your peace.

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January 17, 2014

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God's Grace & Love, Thanks & Praise

His Grace Rains on Us

So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. [Ephesians 1:6-8 (NLT)]

It was a sudden cloudburst and we were caught in a torrential downpour. Taking cover in a bus shelter was useless; rainwater poured through the roof and gushed over the edges in sheets. Almost immediately, the streets flooded; the water rose over the curb and cascaded across the sidewalk, soaking our feet. We were drenched within minutes. Having read this verse from Ephesians that morning, I couldn’t help but picture God’s grace coming down in buckets like that rain. There is no escaping God’s showers of blessings; He loves us that much!

That evening, the sky seemed clear and I stepped outside to enjoy the evening air. As I held out my arms and lifted up my face to the stars, I felt a fine mist. It reminded me that sometimes we see God’s love showering down upon us and other times we need to step out in faith to receive His blessings.

I will cause my people and their homes around my holy hill to be a blessing. And I will send showers, showers of blessings, which will come just when they are needed. [Ezekiel 34:26 (NLT)]

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January 15, 2014

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Joy, Thanks & Praise, Today: Make it Count

Good Morning

2014-1-15Hallelujah! Praise the Lord, my soul! I want to praise the Lord throughout my life. I want to make music to praise my God as long as I live. [Psalm 145:1-2 (GW)]

Thank you, God, for this new day and your many gifts that are hidden in it. Open our eyes so that any discontent becomes delight. Let any grumbling turn into gratitude and any complaints become praise. May we see your glory in everything; fill us with joy in your presence.

Shout happily to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord cheerfully. Come into his presence with a joyful song. [Psalm 100:1-2 (GW)]