"Let Every Thing That Hath Breath
Praise The Lord" Psalm 150:6
1. A Time To Give Thanks
I like to designate the first few weeks of each November to giving thanks. I set aside this time, as a time of praise and thankfulness to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I want to open with the very last verse of the book of Psalms, because it seems to sum up all the verses of praise in that wonderful book. "Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD." (Psalm 150:6) I chose this verse because I would like to hear from you! There are many things that I am thankful for, and I am ready to praise the Lord for all His goodness, but I hope that some of my readers will send me messages of Thanksgiving and praise to share with others. Are you still breathing? Then, this Psalm is for you. In Psalm 146:2 we also read, "While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being."
2. All Of Nature Praises The Lord!
Every thing that has breath is to praise the Lord, but that is not all. The scriptures tell us that everything that God created praises the Lord.
"Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and every thing that moveth therein." (Psalm 69:34)
"But I am the LORD thy God, that divided the sea, whose waves roared: The LORD of hosts is his name." (Isaiah 51:15)
"Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together" (Psalm 98:8)
"For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands." (Isaiah 55:12)
"Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein.
Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD, because he cometh to judge the earth.
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever." (I Chronicles 16:32-34)
"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork." (Psalm 19:1)
"And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out." (Luke 19:40)
"3 Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.
4 Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.
5 Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.
6 He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.
7 Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:
8 Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:
9 Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:
10 Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:
11 Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:
12 Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:
13 Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven." (Psalm 148:3-13)
3. Give Thanks With A Grateful Heart
Thank you Sally, for these thankful thoughts...
Hi Beverly,
So many things to be thankful for and I believe each of us fail daily in giving God the thanks He so deserves. I have a sign on my kitchen wall that says “Give thanks with a grateful Heart” I don’t think a day goes by that I don’t see those words and I am so grateful for what God has done for me and my family, what He has seen us through day to day. I also have a 5 x 7 picture frame on the window sill over my kitchen sink, that I see as I wash dishes, or just standing there looking out the window. Right now looking out the window and see the wonderful colors of the fall season. Its so awesome!! The scripture framed is “I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD” 2 Samuel 22:50. I see this several times a day. I’ll sometimes rephrase it and say to God “O LORD, I give thee thanks.”
What a mighty, wonderful, merciful, great God we serve.
God Bless!
Sally
4. Praise The Lord For Giving Light To The Gentiles!
I remember reading my Bible one day and I came to a verse where God said that He would give a light to the Gentiles, and the Holy Spirit showed me how wonderfully amazing that was. Salvation was for the Jews. If God had not given His Son to be our salvation, we would have no hope. We would be lost without any way of salvation. We would be afraid to live, and terrified to die. Today I praise the Lord for shining His Light down on me, and showing me the Way, the only Way, to be saved. I want to return to Luke 2. As Simeon talked to Mary and Joseph he said, "For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel." (Luke 2:30-32) Simeon was not the only person who proclaimed that God would send His Son as a Light to the Gentiles. We read in Isaiah...
"I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;" (Isaiah 42:6)
"And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth." (Isaiah 49:6)
'And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising." (Isaiah 60:3)
Paul and Barnabas also preached about Jesus giving Light to the Gentiles after the Jews rejected Jesus.
"For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth." (Acts 13:47)
"That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles." (Acts 26:23)
Thank you, Lord, for Light! "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." (John 8:12)
5. Praise The Lord For Giving Understanding Of His Word
When the time had come for Jesus to die on the cross, He tried to prepare the disciples, but they didn't understand. "Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men. But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying." (Luke 9:44-45) They looked for Jesus to set up His kingdom. "...because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear." (Luke 19:11) In the same chapter, as Jesus rode into Jerusalem, they praised God with loud voices, "Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest." (Luke 11:38) It would have been hard to understand all the words and parables Jesus told them. It was most devastating to watch Him die on the cross. But, after He rose from the dead and appeared to them, He explained the scriptures and gave them understanding. "Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures," (Luke 24:45) We have an advantage because we have the entire Word of God that we can read. We have preachers and teachers, and Bible study guides, that help with our understanding. King Solomon was the wisest man and he told his son to seek wisdom and search for knowledge and understanding. I praise the Lord that we can pray and seek wisdom and understanding as we read His Word. God's Word tells us of the troubles that will come in the last days. We don't have to live in fear of all the irrational behavior that is going on today because we have the scriptures and the words of our Savior, "I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:20) Thank you Lord, for wisdom and understanding of Your Word.
"1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding." (Proverbs 2:1-6)
6. The Voice Of Praise
I am happy to share this verse of praise from my Uncle Larry Beasley.
"The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD." (Jeremiah 33:11)
Just reading this verse gave me joy in knowing that our Lord and Savior will soon come for His bride! Are you ready? "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely... He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus." (Revelation 22:17 & 20)
"1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son." (Revelation 21:1-7)
7. Praise The Lord For Healing Our Broken Hearts
Yesterday a person really dear to my heart told me that she was broken. I told her that I had also been through times that I felt broken. The last twelve months have been very trying for me, physically, emotionally, and mentally. And it seems that when I begin to feel like I am starting to rise above my weariness something else happens that takes me back to my knees. Down on my knees, where I can pray and talk with my loving Savior. Even in our brokenness we can offer a sacrifice of praise. "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name." (Hebrews 13:15) When Mary wanted to offer her sacrifice of praise to the Lord, she had to break the alabaster box to release the precious ointment. When Gideon's army wanted to reveal the light, they had to break the pitchers. When Jesus wanted to feed the five thousand, He broke the bread and the fish. I believe that God can still use us when we feel broken, and He also can heal our broken hearts. Psalm 147:3 gives us hope when we are broken. "He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds."
"1 Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.
3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
4 He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.
5 Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.
6 The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.
7 Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:" (Psalm 147:1-7)
8. Praise The Lord For The Greatest Friend I've Ever Had
We heard a song recently and really liked it. Michael learned it and sang it at church Sunday. "He Has" was written by Mark Wheeler and the first line of the chorus says, "Oh, and He has... been the greatest friend that I have ever known." I am thankful for this precious Friend, my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13)
"He Has" by Mark Wheeler
I've not always been faithful, but He has,
I've not always been graceful, but He has,
I've not always been true, but He's always come through,
He has, yes, He has
I tell Him I'm not strong, but He says "I am"
And I say I can't go on, but He says "I can"
Well, I've not loved everyone, and I've not always overcome,
But He has, yes, He has.
CHORUS
Oh, and He has...been the greatest friend that I have ever known,
And He has...paid the debt on Calvary all alone,
Oh, and He has...given me a melody in song,
Oh, He has, yes, He has.
I can't see what's ahead, but He has
Oh, I can't conquer death, but He has
When I'm tempted to sin, and I fail the test again,
He passed, yes He has.
9. Giving Thanks Always
Michael is sharing his message of praise and thanks in our devotional today...
The Bible is very clear about how we should be thankful. Ephesians 5:20 says "Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." That is simple, but not very easy to do. I am not a "super spiritual" Christian that can be spotted running circles around my car praising the Lord when my car is broken down on the side of the road. And yet I am learning to be thankful for all things. And the reason is given in Romans 8:28: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." There is a deep sense of contentment that comes from knowing that God is in control, and that even the things that seem bad can "work together for good." Yesterday someone told me that a relative of theirs works in the hospital, and that while I was there last December there were three "Code Blues" announced because of my condition. It is a little easier to be thankful for "all things" when you have come that close to death. I can "Amen" the words of Phil Vassar in his country song "Stand Still" where he said, "I know my finest hour is the one I'm living in!" So, like the children's song, I confess that "He's Still Working On Me!" And who knows, maybe I will one day reach the place where I can be spotted beside the road changing a tire and praising God at the same time. After all, that flat tire might have spared me from a horrible wreck a mile down the road. What a blessing to have a Saviour who is also my Deliverer, even when I do not know I am being delivered. Praise God for His mercy and grace--not just for a few things on Thanksgiving Day, but for "all things" every day!
10. I'm Glad I Know Who Jesus Is!
A group of women at our church used to sing the song, "I'm Glad I Know Who Jesus Is". And that is my praise today. I am so glad I know who Jesus is! I just finished reading the four gospels and the Lord showed me something that I hadn't noticed before. As I finished the book of John, I read about Annas and Caiaphas, and I remembered that I had read about them earlier. We find them in the beginning of John the Baptist's ministry. They heard the message of salvation. "Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;" (Luke 3:2-3)
We find Caiaphas after Jesus resurrected Lazarus from the dead. He was the high priest and through his prophecy it seems that he should have known who Jesus was.
"47 Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.
48 If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.
49 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,
50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.
51 And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;
52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.
53 Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death." (John 11:47-53)
Caiaphas prophesied that Jesus should die for the people. But, did he really know who Jesus was? Look at the verses about Caiaphas that take place after Jesus was taken. These verses show that Annas and Caiaphas had a part in condemning Jesus.
"And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year. Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people." (John 18:13-14)
"19 The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.
20 Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.
21 Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.
22 And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?
23 Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?
24 Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest." (John 18:19-24)
After Jesus rose from the dead and 5,000 people were saved from the preaching of the gospel, we find Annas and Caiaphas again, and they still don't seem to know who Jesus is. "And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?" (Acts 4:6-7) They had so many chances to know Jesus. They were the high priests. But I think this is the last mention of Annas and Caiaphas, and they are still questioning who Jesus was. I am so glad I know who Jesus is!!!
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 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)
12. Praise The Lord That He Is The Alpha And Omega
I believe the Bible, from the first to the last. Genesis begins, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." Four times in the last book of the Bible the Lord tells us He is the Alpha and Omega. "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty." (Revelation 1:8) Today I am thankful that my God is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end! If we know God was in the beginning and created all things, which we do... and we know that He will be there until the end to take care of all things... which we know... why should we worry about the middle? I want to share John 13:1-5, just before Jesus gave His life on the cross.
"1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;
3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;
4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded."
Verse 3 tells us that Jesus knew "that he was come from God, and went to God;" so He was willing to be a servant to the disciples. In knowing that He came from God and went to God, Jesus was willing to leave His heavenly home to come to earth as a man, and suffer, and die so that we might live. I am thankful that God is the beginning and the end, and everything in between. We don't have to worry about how this year will end, or how the virus will end. I like how Paul put it in Romans 14:8. "For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's." Also in Philippians 1:21, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Jesus is our beginning and our end, so let's serve Him in the middle, until He calls us home.
13. Praise The Lord For His 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)
14. Praise The Lord For His Church
Today is the Lord's Day and I want to praise Him for bringing me up in church and giving me the desire to worship Him as I grew older. I enjoy hearing the Word of God preached by our pastor, and am thankful for the promise of Jeremiah 3:15. "And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding." The people at our church are my Christian family. If you stopped going to church during the Covid pandemic, I hope you will soon find your way back to the house of God. "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD." (Psalm 122:1)
Thankfulness
Michael asked his students to write a little about Thanksgiving and I want to share a few of those...
15. Thankfulness by Lindsey
Do you ever look around your room, or your backyard, or your family, and you just feel so thankful and blessed with what you have? I do. I am just so thankful that I have a warm, cozy bed to sleep in every night, and a roof over my head, knowing that when I go to sleep, that I am safe. I am also blessed to wake up in the morning to my little, lively dog jumping on me showing that he's excited to see me. And then I go to my clean kitchen and eat a nice breakfast. I love having my friends come over to my house. It only takes one friend. And I go to church every Sunday with my family, without being afraid to praise God. But the two things I am most thankful for is knowing that my family love me and put me to bed every night. I am thankful to be able to pray to God, and thank Him for everything He gives me.
16. Thankfulness by Payton
God thank you for letting me wake up this morning and for a loving, kind family. I couldn't ask for a better mom and dad. They love me so much. I'm also thankful for a beautiful home and bed to sleep in. I'm thankful for food on my table to eat, and the clothes I have on my back. The Christian school you allow me to attend. None of this could be possible without you Lord. Thank you! Amen, Payton
17. I Thank God by Trentity
I thank God for giving me a family to take care of me and for always being there for me when I need someone to talk to. I am also thankful for Hayworth Christian School, the best school ever, because without this school I would have to go to a public school and not be able to learn about God every day. Another thing I am thankful for is the Bible because without that I would have no clue what God's Word is. Lastly I am thankful for food, water, clothes, and everything you need to survive, because without that I wouldn't be alive today.
18. Dear God by Levi
Dear God,
I am very thankful for being able to be in America because I can worship God freely and not have to worry about someone knocking at my door asking if I am a Christian. I would have to go through that. I am able to go to a safe Christian school where I can learn about God and I am not bullied for my belief. I am also thankful for my family. They may be hard on me but I am thankful for that because a lot of kids don't even have families and I have the best mom and dad because they do everything they can just to make me happy. I am especially thankful for my sister for being my best friend. We may fuss but I would die for her and I hope she would do the same for me. She is the best sister I could have ever asked for. I am very thankful for being alive and I hope I never turn away from God. These are some of the things I am thankful for.
19. I'm Thankful For by Hailey
There are lots of things to be thankful for. It's very easy to focus on the negative, but we really need to focus on the positive. I am thankful for my family. They have sacrificed so much for me and I thank God for them daily. I am also so thankful for my friends and the friendships I have made at this school. I am also so very thankful for the friendships I have that aren't even at this school. I thank God He has given me an able body to be able to do things. I also thank God for my mind and the ability to think. In conclusion, I have been blessed numerously. I have also been blessed in lots of other ways. But these are just a few.
20. Thankfulness by Jessie
An important thing I am thankful for is my mom. We have been through a lot with my family and with each other, but even through it all she has been so strong and it helps us be strong and assured that we will be ok. I am also thankful that I go to a Christian school, with all the stuff that is being taught in the public school system it's nice to be assured that you go to a school that you can talk about Jesus freely and have people around you that also love God.
21. I Am Thankful by Caroline
I am thankful for our church, and our youth. I never thought that a youth group of 6 people could go to 80 people. I also am very thankful for my school, and my teachers. This year is the first year that I have ever enjoyed going because of the people, and the teachers, and how it is Christian based. I have never seen a church, or a school like this, and I wouldn't change them for anything.
22. I Thank God by Campbell
I thank God that I am able to live in a nice house with my parents and my dog. I am thankful that God gave me the parents that I have. Also that I am able to go to a private school when most people in the world can't. I am grateful that my skin disorder is not near as bad as it could be. Also that I have most of my grandparents. I am glad that I am in a country that I can worship God freely and that I am not persecuted because of my faith. I am thankful that I have food and water. Also that God made me like I am.
23. I'm Thankful For... by Zoe
I'm thankful for... my mom and my dad and I'm thankful for being here. Also my school, my friends, pets. And I'm thankful for the food in the pantry. And most importantly my family. And I'm thankful for God watching over me and keeping me safe. Thank you, God.
24. I'm Thankful Today by David
I'm thankful today for several things. First and most of all I'm thankful for my family. I know several people who either don't have biological parents or are going through family issues. God has blessed me more than I deserve with a good family. Secondly, I'm thankful for the freedom to go to church. I have really been focusing on persecuted Christians. In my studies I have learned that more countries than we can imagine are persecuting Christians. Not only freedom to worship but freedom to witness. People get persecuted more for that than worshiping. God has really blessed me and I'm thankful for that.
25. Prayer With Thanksgiving
The student Thanksgiving papers have been such a joy to read and share and I have more, but today I wanted to share two special prayer requests. I am asking that you pray for my sister, Linda, and her daughter, Ashley. Three weeks ago Ashley was crossing the highway and was hit by a truck. Her injuries are severe. She is breathing on her own now, and able to talk, but we don't know the full extent of her injuries. I am asking you to pray for Linda today as she sits with Ashley in her hospital room. Linda said, "She doesn't know it's a holiday and she may not even know who I am but my daughter will not spend it alone." Philippians 4:6 encourages us to, "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." Some time during the day as you are giving thanks to God, will you send a prayer request to our loving God to help Linda and Ashley? This has been so stressful for our family and I am praying that the Lord will give Linda the peace and encouragement she needs to keep on going each day.
My second prayer request is for my cousin, Steven. His wife, Lori, died this week after fighting Covid for several weeks. He is now back in the hospital on a ventilator. He had a blood clot in his lung, which they tried to get, but part of it escaped. Please pray for him and his family.
Thank you.
26. My Devotion by Kaylee
Praising God is one of the most important things you can do. Some people only do it on Thanksgiving. I thank God every day or I at least try to. This morning I thanked Him for my mom's email because it started messing up and she couldn't do work. It sometimes is hard if you're having a bad day which is why I do it in the morning. I try to challenge myself to not forget. Just like brushing your teeth or brushing your hair you can make it an every day thing to thank Him. Either writing it down then praying for it or do it in the morning while praying. My church just recently handed out little booklets to write things to be thankful about. Everyday I challenge myself to write something new because there is never a time there is nothing to thank Him about. Whether it be waking up or a roof over your head or even the stray cat chasing rats, there is nothing you can't thank Him about. That is why Thanksgiving isn't the only day you can thank Him. I challenge everyone to write what you're thankful for at least 1 a day. And remember there's nothing you can't thank Him for.
27. Newly Healed by Cade
I'm thankful that God healed my grandparents. God didn't heal my grandparents the way we intended Him to, but they are healed. My dad's dad was very sick with pneumonia so God knew the right time to bring him to heaven and give him a new healed body. My mom's dad had Parkinson's and something wrong with his brain. He passed away with pneumonia and went up to heaven by God so He could heal him and give him a new healed body. My dad's mom had cancer for 6 years before she passed on. She also had pneumonia and that's when God knew when to bring her to heaven with a new healed body. This is not the way we wanted God to heal my grandparents, but heaven is the best place they can be. Their bodies are healed in heaven. Their sin is gone. My family and I are thankful that my grandparents are not sick and are in a better place.
28. I Thank God by Carter
I thank God for my family, my school, my friends, my Bible, my teachers, churches, the government (even though it is not what you want it to be or who you want to be in control of it.) My pastor, my great church, my musical voice that God has given me. And last, but not least, I thank God for dying on the cross for my sins.
29. Thanking God by Aden
I thank God that I woke up this morning. I thank God for letting me go to a school that I can learn more about Him in. I thank God for all the blessings He's showed me and my family. I also thank God for the food I ate today and the water. I thank God for everything He has done for me.
30. Thanksgiving by Peyton
Thanksgiving is coming up and it's a time many people actually start giving thanks. However, we, of course should be thankful everyday just for waking up. Now some things I'm thankful for: One big thing I thank God for is leading me back down a better path. To elaborate a little, mental health is something you've all probably heard of or maybe seen someone close to you struggle with, but when it's yourself fighting eeveryday to find just one reason to stay here and not give up you see everything differently. This Thanksgiving honestly wasn't even happy. I've never liked holidays for the past two years but then you start to think about all the good things God has done for you, from the air you breathe to helping you find your worth. If you feel you have nothing this holiday, remember you have God and anything is possible through Him.
***Just a short note before our devotions by Hannah.
Thank you for your prayers for my cousin. I'm sad to say that Steven passed, less than a week after his wife. I'm sure their reunion in heaven was joyful, even though we mourn the loss.
31. I'm Thankful by Hannah
I'm thankful for my parents for taking care of me and keeping me safe. Also, I'm thankful for my teacher for teaching us new things, and about the Bible. Thank you to Jesus for keeping me and people safe and keeping my family safe. I hope you all are safe. Believe and be thankful to God. Be thankful to God for keeping you and me safe.
32. Thanks Or Praise To God by Kayla
I thank God for everything that I have and will have because of Him. I thank God a lot for helping me out of a very bad situation a couple years ago. It was a very tough time for me and my family but because of God I have been saved. I can now walk around and tell everyone that I've been saved by the heavenly Father and I don't have to worry about food or money, and I can focus on what I want to do with my life with God by my side.
33. I Thank God by Leo
I thank God for my sister's recovery after her car crash and that she is ok. I thank You for my family and all my good fortune and my blessings. I pray that my family can stop having bad stuff happening to them and that me and my family can all be blessed.
I'm thankful that I'm able to walk around and be able to not be sick and have a good doctor and have parents that have cars and are able to pay for stuff. But most of all I'm thankful for Jesus and redemption.
34. Thanks Or Praise To God by James
I have many things that I'm thankful for. God has given me the best life. He has given me a great Christian family. Parents who care about me. He has given me a roof to sleep under. I have food and water. I'm thankful that I have a Bible to read. I'm blessed to have a good school and good friends. He has given me help when I am distressed. He helps me on tests and quizzes. I'm thankful that He's always with me. He has given us a paid-off house and cars and there's still a lot more. Here are some ideas of what I'm thankful for.
35. "I Will Trust You, Lord" by Faye Micjan
I have been enjoying the posts lately of people being thankful. I would like to add one, if you don't mind.
It's been 6 months when the Lord pulled the rug from under me and sent me on this unexpected journey to another state, being born in Mi. 78 yrs ago, and my roots were deeply implanted, didn't need a GPS to find places to eat and shop, I was comfortable.
One day my brother took me to lunch and said, we are making plans to move to TN. but if you won't go with us, we won't go!!
I said, yes, I said no, I then said yes. I realized the Lord was in the entire situation, my journey was taking a detour....unexpectedly. Was I scared yes, so much packing to do, discarding so much of my life to move somewhere else was overwhelming. But a peace came over me as I pulled out of my driveway, and said good bye to the place that was comforting, the Lord had stirred up my nest and was moving me along to somewhere else that was very foreign to me, but my brother and sister-in-law were going through the same thing as myself.
So here we are, being so thankful the Lord knew exactly what He was doing, found a wonderful church with lots of new friends, (had made the statement before leaving, I'm going somewhere where I will be friendless, I've never felt that way before), But the Lord knew, and has not replaced my old friends back home, but has added an array of new friends that have welcomed me with open arms.
I'm thankful the Lord was leading and directing my life, and I obeyed, His kind and loving hand upon me. I'm home, tho I still use my GPS to find my way around, I'm where my Lord wanted me all along.
This is my new favorite song now. ("I Will Trust You, Lord" by The McKameys) I hope you like it as well.
Faye Micjan
