God inhabits the praises of His people.Psalms 22:3
We can often get wrapped up in our own feelings and absorbed with things that are going wrong in our life. It’s easy to get discouraged, depressed or angry at the changes going on in the world but there are so many things to be grateful for in life.
The most important words you can speak to someone is “I love you”“Forgive me” “I’m sorry” “Excuse me”“Please”“You’re welcome” and “Thank you.” We can often take these words for granted. Unfortunately, respect for others well-being is being lost in our culture.
It’s the little things that mean so much and we don’t realize it until there’s a major disruption or shift that changes your perspective in life.
When you’re truly grateful and appreciative, you’re content despite everything not going your way or meeting your expectations. Any form of bitterness or complaining is replaced with the fruits of the Spirit which are evident in your actions: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, long suffering, and self-control.
We can get consumed with the start of the holiday season. Our focus is diverted to dinner parties, celebrations and gift giving. We are stretched in many directions and feel overwhelmed with the responsibilities and our to-do lists, not to mention the unexpected distractions. It may have been a challenging year, but God is on the throne, and He is worthy to be praised!
As we embrace the holidays, let us slip away for a moment to spend time in the presence of God with thanksgiving for who He is in our lives. May your heart overflow with gratitude as you reflect on the blessings and promises of God.
May the peace of God be with you through this holiday season and always.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Prayer
Thank you for your love and protection that surrounds our family and friends, workplaces, communities and churches. We are thankful for everything you do in the natural and spiritual realm (seen and unseen) that is evidence of you working in our lives for your perfect will. May our faith be strengthened and may every need be met according to your perfect plan and purpose for our lives.
Thank you, Jesus for bringing us through this year and may we walk continuously in your grace and mercy overcoming every challenge and battle we face for we are victorious in Christ Jesus!
Amen and Amen.
Bible Verses – A Moment of Meditation and Thanksgiving
18 In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thess 5:18
Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psalm 106:1
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Phil 4:6
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” Col 3:15
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. Col 4:2
The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. Psalm 28:7
Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Heb 13:15
I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving. Psalm 69:30
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17
We’re living in some pivotal and turbulent times and it’s going to require a higher level of faith to get through the challenges coming upon the earth.
Faith requires extreme patience. Just because prayers are not answered on your time schedule does not mean God’s word will not come to pass.
We must continue to build our faith on a firm foundation that does not shake in times of turmoil and tribulations. Changes are happening swiftly and unexpectedly, so adaptability, wisdom, resilience, and self-control are in high demand, especially on how you handle situations and current circumstances.
You need to know when to move swiftly or slow down. Faith requires you to move in tune and in alignment with the Holy Spirit. Taking time to be still in the secret place with the Lord as well as reading the Word of God will equip you to build and maintain a strong relationship with the Lord.
Most people live in a tangible world, so they panic when they do not have the latest gadgets or when they don’t have enough or lack the physical or material things that are needed for survival. However, God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory. Phil 4:19
Living in the supernatural requires a different perspective and belief. In Hebrews 11, there are countless events that took place that required faith.
The basic principle of faith requires us to stand in the unknown and to move forward even if you do not know or understand the outcome.
“Faith is the evidence of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen.”
Heb 11:1
The world was created by the Word of God so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. Heb 11:3
“The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Gen 1:2 It was through the breath of God that He made something out of nothing.
“And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, “This is the way; walk ye in it.” when ye turn to the right hand and when ye turn to the left. Isaiah 30:21
Faith Requires Action
Faith is based on relationship, not on religious practices or legalism. “By faith, Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death and was not found because God had taken him for before he was taken, he had this testimony that he pleased God.”Heb 11:5
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Heb 11:6
We simply cannot claim we have faith and sit back and wait for God to give us what we need or want. God does not move in vain prayers. Our true motives and intentions are revealed through our heart.
Although there will be distractions and obstacles thrown in our path, we must actively move forward despite feelings of fear, weariness, or doubt. We must be obedient to move according to the specific instructions that the Lord has given us.
There are endless events that took place which provided the evidence of God manifested.
“By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.”Heb 11:7
Sometimes, the Lord will tell you to do something that you do not understand but you should not question but move in obedience even though you may not understand. It will all unfold in God’s divine timing.
“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place which he would receive an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise. Heb 11:9
Faith is a terrifying process. It is not easy. It is like walking on a tight rope blind-folded on a high-rise building. Despite how many times the Lord reveals himself as faithful, there are times when you will still question if He will come through in a time of need. You must reflect on the times that He carried you through difficult situations and your faith will be strengthened through every trial.
Faith Triumphs in Trouble
I am a witness of the active presence of God moving in my life. Through extreme difficulties and turbulent storms, the Lord provided peace, strength, favor, protection, and provision. The faith journey is not for the weakness of mind or faint of heart. It takes stamina, power, and endurance through the Holy Spirit. It is not by might, nor by power but by my Spirit, saith the Lord.Zech 4:6 You simply cannot walk by the flesh but only by His Spirit. It’s like building muscles when you work out on a regular basis. It begins to strengthen as you endure the pain.
The Test of Faith
You will be tested severely by the hand of God. Your character, beliefs, values, ethics, integrity, perceptions, attitudes “Your Core” will go through the fire. You cannot escape this life without going through trouble. It all serves for a higher purpose according to His will.
“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”
Romans 5:3-5
“When thou pass through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; when thou walk through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. Isaiah 43:2
It is by faith that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego did not serve false images and gods, nor worshipped the golden image and was protected in the fiery furnace. It is by faith that Daniel survived the Lion’s Den. Daniel 3 and 6
In these last days, we will be severely tested as well. We must hold onto these examples of men of great faith who endured perilous times. There is strength in unity, and we must learn to unite despite our differences.
“A threefold chord is not easily broken.” Eccl 4:12
Let us move with diligence, faith, and hope with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
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This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem: 2 In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. 3 Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 4 He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.
We have officially entered a new season and new year. We are in a midst of Winter which is always a tough time of year for me. I don’t like cold weather because it cuts me to the bone, plus the memories of shoveling waist high snow drifts during blistery snowstorms while frozen icicles formed on my eyelashes that crunched every time I blinked my eyes.
Hibernation and the postcard view was the only part I truly enjoyed but overall, winter reminds me of lifeless things. Autumn leaves fall and dry up, trees are bare and naked. The darkness and gloom of a grey skyline in the middle of the day turns jet black before you even leave work. Winter reminds me of the dead things until the transformation of Spring arrives adorning cherry blossoms, violet and tulips with a welcoming, cheerful sunrise and peaceful sunset. It is where everything dead instantly comes back to life once again.
Just like in nature where dead things are rebirthed, there is a resurrection in life. The Lord will breathe on everything that feels lifeless – discouragement, lack of enthusiasm or motivation, weakness, or stagnation. The Lord imparts new life by the breath of His Spirit.
7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. Gen 2:7
22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. John 20:22
The Resurrection of Christ
The birth of Christ and the Resurrection are the most miraculous events that existed. Through birth, a Savior was born and brought peace to the world and through death and the resurrection Jesus saved us from our sins and gave us eternal life.
“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Rom 10:9-13
The Resurrection of the Dead
In Ezekiel, there was a valley of dead bones. God said, “Can these bones live?” Immediately the dry bones came alive. Ezekiel 37
It was through the Power of God, Lazurus was raised from the dead.
40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” 41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42 And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” 43 Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” 44 And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”
John 11:40-44
It was through the Power of God, that a twelve-year-old girl was raised from the dead.
35 While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? 36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. 37 And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. 38 And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly. 39 And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. 40 And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying. 41 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. 42 And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment. 43 And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.
Mark 5:35-43
Many people may not believe this is possible but if you do not believe in the Lord resurrecting the dead than you do not believe in Jesus’ resurrection. Your faith is worthless and ineffective, and you are still in your sins. Your hope is lifeless. Life is fruitless and full of vanity.
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corth 2:13-14
The Resurrection of the Body
It’s difficult to comprehend and grasp spiritual life because we live in an earthly body and everything that we experience is tangible. We have fleshly desires and do not want to control the flesh or abide by the obedience of God. However, when you receive understanding and revelation of the Lord, you will desire to live for God. It is the fruit of building a relationship with Him.
24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Matt 16:24-26
We will one day transcend from a physical world to a spiritual one so while we are still here, we should bury all the dead things in our lives – bad relationships, sour memories, bad habits and attitudes , wrong mindsets, and tainted emotions like bitterness, jealousy, anger, hatred, lust, fear, worry, anxiety, etc. so we can grow and nurture the things that give us life, joy and peace.
Not all flesh is the same. People have one kind of flesh and animals have another, birds and fish have another. There are also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies. There are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial differs from that of the terrestrial. There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory. 1 Corth 15:39-40
44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.
46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. 47 The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. 48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man. 1 Corth 15:44-49
Our Final Victory
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So, when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 1 Corth 15:44-54
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We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Corth 5:8
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10
But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” Rev 21:8
Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19
34 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 35 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? 37 Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” Mark 8:34-38
Writing with Purpose 