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.
11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believedRom 13:11
When I was leaving work, I was so frustrated and aggravated that it took two hours instead of my average half-hour to forty-five minute commute. Nothing feels worse than wasted time.
Time is a commodity. It’s more valuable than money. Money can be lost or gained but time cannot be replaced. Only with God, who is not restricted by any single moment, can redeem the time.
When I was younger, I never understood or realized the value of time but as much as I feel that time was wasted, there is a divine timing and purpose for everything. Despite the setbacks, delays or stagnation, there is purpose in all of it.
There was a recent plane crash in Brazil reported on the news. The video featured the plane spiraling out of control. They interviewed one person who was late for his flight and was not allowed to board the plane which saved his life.
There were also countless stories that took place during the World Trade Center attacks where people did not go into work that day or was running late which saved their lives.
9 A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.
Prov 16:9
So whether commuting in traffic or traveling abroad, timing can literally be a matter of life or death. You must trust that every delay, missed opportunity or setback will train, equip, guide, protect, develop or teach you something that will move you forward to the next phase of life. However, we must be diligent and wise on how we use or spend our time.
Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.
Prov 21:5
There are three major time wasters that you should pay attention to.
Procrastination
Procrastination is a definite time waster because you continually put off what needs to be done. When you deal with procrastination, there is an underlying issue that needs to be addressed whether it’s emotional, psychological,or mental.
When you deal with uncomfortable or overwhelming feelings, you tend to put things off. This is the devil’s playground because he never wants to see you accomplish anything. His main mission is to kill, steal and destroy which also includes stealing your time.
4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
John 9:4
Laziness
Slothfulness is another time waster. You cannot accomplish anything if you’re lazy or weary so having stamina, energy, and enthusiasm is a priority in completing tasks. Motivation and inspiration is based on feelings which are fleeting so you cannot depend on it. You should have persistence, determination and resilience which overrides tough situations and the challenges of life.
Depression
Depression is not often looked at as a time waster but it definitely is one of the most deliberate weapons the enemy uses to steal your time. When you’re in a heavily burdened state of mind, it is an emotional state that bears you down and is a hinderance to your progress. It steals your time from being productive. When you have no desires or interest, it can take a toll on your overall well-being.
You cannot move forward if you have low energy, defeating thoughts or a negative outlook or attitude. It will suck the life out of you due to the low-level thoughts and emotions. You should replace your defeating thoughts with the Word of God, which is health and healing, substance and life.
Lastly, you should also consider your environment. What do you watch or listen to on a regular basis? Who do you spend time with? Being selective on your daily activities and with whom or spend your time reveals your priorities.
If this message has helped or encouraged you, please share with your connections or leave a comment.
I would like to leave you with a few Bible verses to stand on for any season in life.
May you be blessed!
Daily Meditation
Eccl 3:11
11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
Eccl 3:1-8
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
Jer 29:11
11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. (KJV)
Prov 27:1
Don’t brag about tomorrow, since you don’t know what the day will bring. (NLT)
Psalms 31:15
15 My times are in Your hands. Free me from the hands of those who hate me, and from those who try to hurt me.
Psalms 90:12
12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. (KJV)
Esther 4:14
14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (NIV)
2 Peter 3:9
9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (NIV)
Eph 5:15-17
15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. (NIV)
1 Thess 5:1-3
Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. (NIV)
Joel 2:25
25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. (KJV)
James 4:13-17
13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. 17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them. (NIV)
Writing with Purpose 