1. "In Every Thing Give Thanks"
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” I Thessalonians 5:18
November. Again. Can you believe that November is here? Day upon day, week upon week, and so the months have steadily passed. November makes me think of Thanksgiving, and Thanksgiving makes me think of God, the only true God, a loving God who has guided me through another year and supplied all my needs. And this year He has given me two more grandchildren to be thankful for. I hope you will join me as we take time to give God thanks, not just one Thursday in the year, but everyday. It will make us more appreciative of the blessings God has bestowed on our lives. Happy Thanksgiving!
2. November 1
I am thankful for God's Love
If you were asked the question, "What are you most thankful for?" what would your answer be? It didn't take me long to think about my answer. I am most thankful for God's love. He loved me so much that He gave His Son to die for me. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) I was lost with no way to merit God's favor. I had nothing to offer God, for all things are His. I had no righteousness in myself, "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." (Isaiah 64:6) God, in His great love, reached down to where I was and gave His Son, the precious Lamb of God, to be my sacrifice. So today, first and foremost, I am thankful for the love of God. "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:" (Ephesians 2:4-8) “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” II Corinthians 9:15
3. November 2
I am thankful for my Godly Heritage
As I share things I am thankful for through the month of November I am sure that some will be repeating ideas that I have used in recent devotionals. It has not been too long since I talked about my Godly heritage, but it is something that I praise the Lord for, and I am happy to give thanks for this important part of my life again today. I could have been born anywhere in the world, but by His grace He let me be born in America, a nation founded on Godly principles. I could have been born to any family, but through His tender care He let me be born to a Christian Mom and Dad with Christian grandparents. I am so thankful that God let me be trained up in a Christian home. My parents took me to church from the time I was born until the day I got married. They taught me to pray and read my Bible. They taught me right from wrong. They didn't just tell me what to do, but they taught me how to follow the Lord. I heard them pray, and saw their faith as they trusted God through hard times. I have heard it said that God does not have grandchildren, only children, and I understand that a person doesn't go to heaven just because his parents are Christians. But I praise the Lord that my parents and grandparents were saved, and they led me down the right path. I was saved as a child when my grandfather was preaching about the rich man who died and went to hell in Luke 16. My heart was young and tender and the Holy Spirit showed me I was lost and on my way to hell. I accepted God's gift of salvation that day as I cried and prayed, believing in my heart that the Lord would forgive my sins and give me a home in heaven. I praise the Lord for my Godly heritage and I try to be a Godly mother and grandmother as the example we read of Lois and Eunice in II Timothy 1:5. “When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.”
4. November 3
I am thankful for Changing Seasons
We had some errands to run Friday and I noticed that the leaves on the trees have turned to their beautiful autumn hues of yellows, oranges, and reds. I am thankful that I live in an area where the seasons change. The weather is turning cooler, and it may be dreadfully cold a few months from now, but we know that spring will come and the summer sun will shine hot again. We can be sure of this because God set the lights in the sky in motion to guide the seasons on the fourth day.
"14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:
15 And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.
16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also." (Genesis 1:14-16)
After the great judgment of the flood God made this promise, "While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease." (Genesis 8:22) I am thankful that I live in North Carolina where I can experience each of these seasons. Each one has special blessings and brings its own joy. Enjoy the fall! And be thankful for the change of seasons.
5. November 4
I am thankful for a Loving Christian Husband
As I continue with my praise and thankful heart to the Lord I need to say that these thoughts are not in order of importance or value in my life. If they were, then the thankfulness I have for my husband would have been just under my thankfulness for God's salvation to my soul. Jesus saved me and has blessed me with a good life. A great part of that good life has been shared with my husband, Michael. Early in our marriage I thought how cool it would be when I could say that I had been married half of my life. Well, that passed years ago and we celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary this year. God has brought us through some challenging times, which brought us closer together. We have continued through "the richer, and poorer, and in sickness and in health", and plan to stay together "til death us do part." I am thankful to be married to a Christian man who loves me and takes care of me. "What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." (Mark 10:9)
6. November 5
I am thankful for a Song In My Heart
I have been having a little trouble with my asthma and the medication sometimes makes me hoarse. After church yesterday morning I was having trouble talking. Michael and I were planning to sing during the evening worship service so I prayed that the Lord would help me be able to sing. And He did. I opened my mouth to sing and was immediately thankful that God had answered my prayer. I have been singing all my life and I am thankful that God has given me a song in my heart. "Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:" (Psalm 147:7) The book of Job tells us that the stars sang at God's creation. "When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?" (Job 38:7) And during our hard times God gives us a song in the night. "Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life." (Psalm 42:8) I have fond memories of sitting up during the night, while the house slept, rocking my baby and singing softly. Yes, I am thankful for a song in my heart!
7. November 6
I am thankful for Religious Freedom
Right around the time when I first became old enough to vote people spoke of a "Moral Majority." Especially in our demographic area, most people were morally good people. We felt safe to play in our neighborhood and many didn't even lock their doors. My sister and I walked to school, through fields and woods, when we were just in the first and second grades. Times have really changed and I am appalled at the sinfulness that has covered our land. We are watching our rights and freedoms being taken away and we need to take a stand. Today I want to encourage you to get out and vote. Vote for those who want to do what is good and honest for the American people. People in many countries do not have the religious freedoms that we enjoy and some of our rulers would like to take away our freedom also. We can still turn to God to cleanse our land. "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." (II Chronicles 7:14) Pray for our country. Pray for our leaders. And vote for those who follow after the ways of God.
"1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;" (I Timothy 2:1-5)
8. November 7
I am thankful for Food
Michael and I went to the grocery store Tuesday afternoon and we found everything we were looking for. We started in the produce department where there were beautiful fruits and vegetables. We were also able to pick up some canned and frozen vegetables. My garden did not produce very well this year, so I am very thankful for the canned tomatoes and beans. There is also bread, meat, and dairy products. The food is not free, and sometimes it costs more than I am expecting, but I am thankful for our food. The very first prayer I learned as a small child goes like this...
"God is great. God is good.
Let us thank Him for our food.
By His hands we are fed.
Give us, Lord, our daily bread. Amen."
I know there are many who are hungry, and I am not bragging that I have done anything to be so blessed. But I want to thank the Lord for His blessings on me, in giving me food each day. Jesus taught the disciples to pray, "Give us this day our daily bread." (Matthew 6:11) And we have the Psalm of David to remind us to be thankful for God's blessings. "I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me." (Psalm 13:6) Pausing to pray before we eat is also a witness to those around us.
9. November 8
I am thankful for the Time I Spend With Mom
I had plans yesterday, but the plans were changed, so when Mom called I asked her if she wanted to go shopping. My Mom enjoys shopping, and it was a beautiful, warm, sunny day, so she said, "Yes." We had a great day together. We found some things we were looking for, and looked at some things we were not looking for. Mom and I have spent a lot of time together, especially after my Dad died in 2002. She and I both plant a garden each spring, and we enjoy comparing notes and sharing vegetables. She is handy with tools and helped me put down my flooring, along with many other small projects around the house. She joked that after we practiced on my floor, we could put down hers, which we did. She taught me to cook and sew, but I don't think I will ever be able to make a chocolate pie as good as hers or be able to do such detailed sewing as she can do. We have taken several short trips together and enjoy talking together. We often discuss questions we have about scriptures and stories in the Bible. I like going to church with Mom and hearing her teach Sunday School. I remember her teaching us her flannelgraph lessons on Saturday nights when I was small. I am thankful for the time I spend with Mom. I am so blessed. "For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;" (I Thessalonians 3:9)
10. November 9
I am thankful for Family
In November of 1980 I first became a Mom and that year I hung the first Christmas stocking up for my new born son. I added another stocking each Christmas in 1983, 1985, 1987, and 1990. As my children married, their spouses became a part of our family and I hung stockings for them. I continued with the tradition as we accepted our daughters in law, and our son in law into our family. I am thankful for our family... but it doesn't end there. In 2006 I became a grandmother (MeMaw) and have added more and more stockings to our collection. We are adding two more this year, for a total of 21. I am so excited! I have been collecting small toys and things for several months and will soon be ready to hang and fill them. I know that they don't need a stocking at my house, but this has become a tradition that I enjoy and a small way that I can remind them that I love them. I am so thankful for my family. When I think about family my love reaches out to my sisters and their families, aunts and uncles and cousins. And I don't want to forget my mother in law and Michael's side of the family. I hope that you will get to visit with some of your dearest friends and family this Thanksgiving or Christmas. My blessing today is Psalm 127:3, "Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward."
11. November 10
I am thankful for The Holy Bible
I can't imagine how hard it would be to know God's will if we didn't have God's Holy Word. There are parts of the Bible that I don't understand but there have been many times that I read a verse and God enlightened my eyes and suddenly the Holy Spirit showed me something that I had not seen before. What if we had to rely on the preaching we hear to learn all that we need to know from God? What if the only Bible knowledge we had was that which had been passed down from our forefathers? The King James Version of the Bible that I read was published in 1611. That's just a little over 400 years ago. I am so thankful that God has given me His Word, that I can read and meditate on, and hide in my heart. If someone wrote me a beautiful love letter I would read it several times and cherish it. God's Word is His letter to us. "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." (Psalm 119:105) We should reverence the Bible as it is the living Word of God. Oh, how thankful I am for The Holy Bible!
"1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men." (John 1:1-4)
12. November 11
I am thankful for All Those Who Fought For Freedom
Today is Veteran's Day and I want to thank the Lord for all those who have fought for freedom. Many have died on the battlefield, and there are many more who came home with physical and emotional scars. Our verses from Ephesians remind us that we all should be fighting against the powers of the devil. Christians need to take a stand for what's right. I like those verses, "...and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore..." If we can't do anything else, let's take a stand, and stand therefore! Pray for those who are still fighting and be thankful. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13)
"10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;" (Ephesians 6:10-18)
13. November 12
I am thankful for A Warm Place To Sleep
Our temperatures dipped down below freezing Saturday night and it felt a little like winter has arrived. I don't remember much of fall. It seemed like we made a quick change from summer to winter. I am sitting at my computer after church on Sunday evening, in the warmth of my home. It is getting late and I will soon be ready for bed. I am so thankful for a warm place to sleep. I have a clean bed to sleep in, with electric heat that I can adjust to be just a little cool for a comfortable sleep. I have pillows and blankets and a roof over my head. Since I developed asthma a few years ago I sometimes have trouble breathing. During those times I get up and move to the recliner where I can sleep in a semi-sitting position. Even when I can't sleep all night in bed, I am so thankful that I have a place to sleep. I feel so sorry for the many who don't have this blessing in their lives. I lost my job a few years ago and I could be looking for a warm place to make it through the night, but God has always provided. Thank you, Lord! "I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety." (Psalm 4:8)
14. November 13
I am thankful for Helpers
In I Corinthians 12:28 Paul describes some of the gifts that people had in the early church. I know that our preachers and teachers are important and they will be rewarded for their service to the Lord. There are many helpers in the church that seem to go unnoticed, but they shall also receive their rewards. I want to look at the bigger picture today and talk about the gift of "helps". "And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues." There are many today who are blessed with the gift of "helps". I am especially thankful for doctors, nurses, caregivers, hospitals, and modern medicine that give us help during our greatest time of need. We live in a blessed age. There are many people who work around the clock to come to our aid if we have emergencies, such as those in law enforcement, and fire fighters. Those who work for power companies go out in the worst of weather to restore our electricity. Farmers and truckers work to bring food into our grocery stores, where more workers stock the shelves and ring up our groceries. There are people who can fix our cars, our washing machines, and even our hair. Think of someone who has helped you lately and thank the Lord for that person. It would be a good idea to let people know how much you appreciate their help. Be thankful for all the people who share their gift of "helps".
15. November 14
I am thankful that Jesus Did Not Save Himself
I just finished reading the book of Matthew and the last two chapters reminded me of how thankful I am that Jesus did not save Himself. "And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head." (Matthew 27:29-30) I thought of how Jesus could have lifted that reed high into the air and called for the angels to appear to that "religious" crowd. Not little cherub, baby angels like we see in paintings, but mighty warrior angels with their swords drawn. But, He allowed them take Him. He let them nail Him to the cross. He felt the pain and agony, and heard them mock Him.
"39 And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,
40 And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.
41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,
42 He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.
43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God." (Matthew 27:39-43)
Can you imagine the audacity of the priests and scribes as they yelled out, "He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him:..."? I am so thankful that God accepted His Son as the final sacrifice to save a lost sinner like me. Yes, the Son of God could have saved Himself... but He chose to die and save us instead. I could never thank Him enough.
16. November 15
I am thankful for Transportation
In pictures and movies Mary is shown riding on a donkey and Joseph walking beside her as they traveled to Bethlehem. This would have been a hard journey, especially since Mary was "great with child". Today I am thankful for transportation. My grandmother used to tell me how she moved into her house when she was eight years old with a horse and wagon. Her family walked through the woods and over the creek to go to church. She had no brothers, so she was the one who plowed the fields with a mule when her father got sick. She told me how she and her sister ran and hid under an apple tree the first time they saw an airplane fly overhead, afraid it would fall on them. During my lifetime rockets landed on the moon. The last century has brought about rapid changes in transportation. I am thankful for our automobiles. I can run errands in the cold and rain, but I can turn on the heat and drive in comfort. I can usually get where I want to go quickly. God has been good.
"And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child." Luke 2:1-5
17. November 16
I am thankful for Eyes To See
I was reading one day and I thought of how it is really amazing that I can look at some small characters on a page, and my brain processes those strings of letters into words and I understand them. I can look at some musical notes on a page and messages are sent to my fingers to press keys on a piano to play a tune. At the same moment my foot presses the pedal in rhythm to the beat. At the same time I am looking at the notes, my eyes see words and I hear the music and I can open my mouth and sing the song.
Our eyes are like windows that we open in the morning to see the light. "Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun:" (Ecclesiastes 11:7) Our prayer for our eyes today is two-fold. "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law." (Psalm 119:18) Use your eyes to read your Bible and see the things of God. Also, shield your eyes from the things you should not be looking at. "I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes:..." (Psalm 101:3) I am thankful for physical eyes to see, and also for eyes that open to us the window of knowledge and understanding.
"17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power," (Ephesians 1:17-19)
18. November 17
I am thankful for Prayer
Our verse of prayer and thanksgiving today is Philippians 4:6. “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Do you hear what Paul is saying in this verse? "Be careful for nothing", in other words, don't worry about it, talk to God about it with thanksgiving. It is an incredible thing that I can talk to God in prayer, any time, any place and about anything.
First, I see the privilege of prayer. In Hebrews 4:16 we read, "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." I serve a living God who hears me when I pray. I don't know any presidents or kings who would listen to anything I have to say, but I know the King of Kings and He knows me.
Next, I think about the power of prayer. We see the power of prayer in James 5:16-18. "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit." I firmly believe in the power of prayer. God has answered prayers in my life over and over again.
In Luke 6:12 I see the importance of prayer. "And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God." If Jesus, in His Almighty state "continued all night in prayer to God", how much more should we, in our low estate, need to spend time in prayer.
Last of all, and most important, I see the Person of prayer. We are to pray to God the Father, as we read in Matthew 6:6, "But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." Romans 8:26-27 tells us that the Holy Spirit helps us pray. "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God." It is also encouraging to know that Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior also prays for me. "Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." (Romans 8:34) I can pray on the mountain and I can pray in the valley. I can pray when the sun shines and I can pray in the storm. I am so thankful for prayer.
19. November 18
I am thankful for our Church
We are entering Thanksgiving week and as I continue my custom of giving thanks for something each day through the month of November until Thanksgiving, I want to thank the Lord today for our church. I am so thankful that God put me in a Christian home where I was raised in church. The Lord saved me at an early age in church, and He has kept me in His love and care all these years. If you live near High Point, North Carolina, I would like to invite you to visit with us at Pine Grove Baptist Church. This has been my church home for over 30 years and the members are just like family. Pastor Jack Trip preaches the gospel from the Bible and his wife Linette is a dear Christian friend. I hope that you will be faithful to the Lord's house. A lady in our church told the preacher last week that she was surely glad that she went to church when she could because now it is hard for her to go. I want to be faithful to the Lord as long as I live and I can say like David, "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD." (Psalm 122:1)
20. November 19
I am thankful for A New Day!
Good Morning! If you are awake and reading this, then that means God saw you through another night. You have been given the gift of another day. A new day. You may have obligations, or physical restrictions, but you have a choice in how you will approach this gift of time. This is Thanksgiving week, so let's choose an attitude of gratitude. Be thankful for the food you have to eat. Be thankful for your family or friends. Be kind to those you meet. They may not know the peace that comes from knowing the Lord Jesus. Share the joy of the Lord. Bask in His love. "This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24)
21. November 20
I am thankful for God's Goodness And Mercy
Sometimes when I lay down at night and I have a little trouble falling asleep I try to pray and talk to the Lord. As I begin to thank God for what He has done for me during the day, the list grows and grows, and I think of the many, many ways God has blessed me. Today I want to thank the Lord for His goodness and mercy. There is a verse that is repeated four times in Psalm 107. "Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!" For God to tell us something more than once, He must want us to take heed to it. I don't know what may happen in the world today, but I know that God is good. I don't know how my health will be this winter, but I know that God is good. There are many things that I don't know... but I know that God is good! I praise Him today for His goodness and mercy. "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever." (Psalm 23:6)
22. November 21
I am thankful for Christmas
I have not put up my Christmas tree, and I have not really started my Christmas shopping, but I do have a few of my decorations out. I have been watching Christmas movies, and there are so many about people who don't like Christmas. Something happened in their past that took away their Christmas joy. Or, they get so wrapped up in the shopping and decorating and house guests that they are too stressed to enjoy Christmas. I love Christmas. I have so many Christmas memories and I tried to make memories with my children as they were growing up. When we were young, my sisters and I would dress up with towels on our heads and act out the Christmas story playing the parts of Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, and switching roles to be the wise men. At my grandparents' house on Christmas Day, my grandpa would read the Christmas story from Luke 2. In my favorite Christmas cartoon, Linus recites from Luke 2 and says, "That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown." I am so thankful for the Christ Child of Luke 2. It is amazing to think about how Jesus left His home in heaven, to be born in a stable and be laid in a manger where the animals were fed. I have several unique manger pieces displayed across my mantle. One is made of olive wood from Bethlehem. They all remind me of the Christmas story. I have a variety of musical decorations from the Charlie Brown Christmas story and for the last few weeks I have been getting them out of storage a few at a time while keeping the grandchildren. But most of all, I have love, joy, and peace in my heart because I know the Christ Child of the Christmas story. I am so thankful that I know the Christ of Christmas.
"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." (Luke 2:8-12)
23. November 22 - Happy Thanksgiving
I am thankful for Heaven
It will be such a blessing to gather with some of our family and share our Thanksgiving lunch with them. I look forward to the turkey and dressing, and the table will be filled with side dishes. There will be four generations of family around the table. And I am thankful! And I am thankful for the ones that can't come to our house today and I hope to see them again soon. There are also some who can't be with us because they have already completed their journey here below. And that makes me thankful for Heaven. Jesus said, "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." (John 14:1-3) I believe in God, and I believe in Jesus. He promised us a home in heaven and I know that when I go home to heaven I will see my blessed Lord and Savior, and I will see my loved ones that have gone on before me. And when the Lord comes again and calls us home to be with Him, that will be the most blessed Thanksgiving time ever! We can thank Him and praise Him through eternity as we rejoice with our loved ones.
Thanksgiving Time Again
