"Thank You"

 Wednesday, November 13, 2024 (6:25 a.m.)

Holy God,

How to start? “Thank You” is always an option. Would I mean it? I think so. Let’s try.

Yep! Just thinking “Thank You” and I smiled. With a bit of a chuckle. Yes. Thank You. Thank You God!

We just can’t go wrong in thanking You. Truthfully. Authentically. Genuinely.

And just like that [SNAP!] You provide me with a section of scripture. Thank You Father.

Jesus speaking to the Samaritan woman at the well. John 4:23-24. “It’s who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That’s the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before Him in their worship. God is sheer being itself - Spirit. Those who worship Him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration” (The Message).

Blessed God, that is what I want my time spent with You to be. Honest. Simple. True. Worshipful. Adoring.

You’ve given us so much. Life. Breath. Your Son.

The Passion Translation says Jesus’ words this way, “From now on, worshiping the Father will not be a matter of the right place but with a right heart. For God is a Spirit, and He longs to have sincere worshipers who adore Him in the realm of the Spirit and in truth.”

Yes please Father. I long to worship You with a right heart!

The Living Bible poses the questions, “… is our worship spiritual and real? Do we have the Holy Spirit’s help?”

Contemporary English Version says, “… true worshipers are being led by the Spirit to worship the Father according to the truth.”

Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition uses adore and adorers in place of worship and worshipers.

And The Voice mentions the time that is “already here-when the importance will not be placed on the time and place of worship but on the truthful hearts of worshipers.”

All this because I smiled when I finally said, “Thank You” with a truthful heart. Thank You God. Thank You!

Use me as You know is best. Doing all You must that I serve and represent You well.

I love, need, trust and want You. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(385 words ~ 7:29 a.m.)

all God

 Tuesday, November 12, 2024 (5:00 a.m.)

Most Blessed Lord,

Thank You! There's been a lot of love expressed these past few days. Hugs freely given. Prayers requested. Memories shared. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.

It’s all because of You Dear Lord. We get to love, live, move and have our being all because of You.

In every wonderment that I attribute to You I am so often stopped in jaw dropping awe. Thank You Lord. I am aware of where we are. Look back from which we came. And am incredibly grateful.

Attempting to grasp a better understanding for the meaning of Paul’s words to the men of Athens (Acts 17:16-34) I turn to the “easy” versions of Your Word. Easy-to-Read and EasyEnglish. Thank You Father that we have so many choices.

Having found an altar inscribed “TO AN UNKNOWN GOD” (v. 23), Your apostle went on to tell them about You. “He is the God who made the world and everything in it. He is the Lord of the land and the sky. He does not live in temples built by human hands. He is the One who gives people life, breath, and everything else they need” (24-25a).

Blessed Father, thank You that this is the God You are! The One who “through Him we are able to live, do what we do, and be who we are” (28a). It’s ALL You Lord! All God!

Citing this same notice [“To the god that we do not know”] EasyEnglish Bible uses these words to share Paul’s message. “This shows that you want to worship a god that you do not know. Now I will tell you clearly about who this God is” (23).

“The true God made the earth and everything that is in it. He rules everything in the earth and in heaven… God did all this so that people would want to know Him. They would look carefully for Him and perhaps they would find Him. Really, God is near to each of us” (24a-27).

“Someone said this: ‘Because God gives us life, we are alive. Because of Him, we can move about. Because of Him we can be who we are.’ One of your writers has also said, ‘We too are God’s children’” (28).

No matter how many different ways I read Your Truth, I realize I am only scratching the surface of any understanding. Thank You that we are able to come before You just as we are. Actively seeking to know You better. To learn to love as You would have us.

Freely. No strings attached. Honestly. Openly. Willingly. You. Others. Ourselves. Wholeheartedly. Mindfully. Soulfully. And with all of our strength (Mark 12:30-31). Keep teaching us dear Lord.

I love, need, trust and want You. Do all You must to use me as You know is best. Thank You. Praise You. Amen. 

(482 words ~ 6:46 a.m.)

so many times

 Sunday, November 10, 2024 (4:43 a.m.)

Blessed Father God,

You blessed me again. So many times. In so many ways.

A successfully belated birthday meal. Prepared. Shared. Enjoyed. Simply. Lovingly. Gratefully.

Thank You God. Yes. Thank You!

You provided me with ample time management. There’s an interesting word. Ample. Enough or more than enough. Plentiful. Large and accommodating.

(5:57 a.m.)

Yep! Amply blessed. So many times. In so many ways.

The beauty of the sky just now. Enough to go out and get a better look. Thank You Father. Joy can be fun found in the simplest things. Like in making a typographical error!

Thank You Lord for the ways You have freed me from the fear of making mistakes. It has plagued me the majority of my life. I truly AM made new in You (2 Corinthians 5:17).

It’s only because of You I wake up singing and smiling. ♪If I get down, You pick me up From the ground, You give me love That don’t give out, giving no conditions You lift me Up and Up again♪ Thank You that You do!

Thank You that You provide everything we need to: ♪call the angels down… storm the gates of hell… tell the devil he don’t own my soul… take back what the enemy stole♪ It’s only because of Your love, Your plan, Your provision that we are able to ♪raise the battle cry… hold the banner high…♪

Yes Lord! It’s ♪With the power of the Holy Ghost We’re taking back what the enemy stole♪

Jesus said it Himself. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). Thank You that You did.

There’s a new opportunity today. Extended time with two grandsons. I look to You Lord. Fear of not being enough has gotten in my way in the past. I look to You “to take care of all our needs with the wonderful blessings that come from Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

Yes! ♪I speak the name of Jesus over all In our hurting, in our sorrow I will ask my God to move♪ (In Jesus Name). Remind me Lord. As many times as it takes. You are good, gracious, glorious, great (Psalm 145:5-8).

Our faith, hope and trust resides in You. Do all You must in turning us into Your people. Willing to live each moment as You would have us. Representing You well. You ARE the God of possible! Thank You that You are.

Use me that You, our God and Father, “be praised forever and ever. Amen” (Philippians 4:20).

(443 words ~ 6:49 a.m.)

Another song.

 Saturday, November 9, 2024 (4:02 a.m.)

Thank You Father!

Another song. Even before opening my eyes. Thinking I’d have no chance of knowing it. There it was!

♪Up + Up♪ by Colton Dixon. Thank You God!

♪Even though I walk through the valley sometimes It feels like I crawl through the valley But I got a promise that I hold on tight to I can’t lose when I’m right beside You♪ Yeah!

God You are so good. You provide our every need. Thank You that You do.

♪God, I know the plans You have for me When my cup is overflowing So while I’m in the in between I’ma live my life knowing

♪If I get down, You pick me up From the ground, You give me love That don’t give out, given no condition You lift me up and up again… Even on my worst day… You’re in it♪

Yes Father! Thank You that You are in every single aspect of all we encounter. You provide everything we need to worship and adore You.

By putting into practice the Truth and promises of Your Word, we truly are made new. “What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

I continue being amazed by all You are doing in, with, by, through and for me Father. Thank You for the changes You have made and are making deeply within.

Here, now, in and with this new life [self, humanity, person, renewal, new nature, re-creation] we are to not lie to one another. We are to be “done with that old life. It’s like a filthy set of ill-fitting clothes you’ve stripped off and put in the fire. Now you’re dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with His label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete…”  (Colossians 3:11a The Message).

I want to live knowing, trusting, believing ‘Christ to be all that matters and is equally available to all’ (11b). You are who has made/is making these changes in me. Thank You Father.

♪In the Eye of the Storm You remain in control And in the middle of the war You guard my soul You alone are the anchor When my sails are torn Your love surrounds me In the eye of the storm♪

Father, thank You for singing to me yet another song. One of hope. Faith. Tears. Pain. Heartache. Trust. Peace. All that we find in You.

Use me as You know is best. I love, need, trust and want You Lord. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(456 words ~ 5:42 a.m.)

Why?

 Friday, November 8, 2024 (5:40 a.m.)

Thank You Father!

I make mistakes that take me away from, not toward You. And still You sing to me. Thank You!

Not wanting to be awake yet I choose TV over time with You. Several programs in I realized the negative effect they were having on my heart. My soul. My mind.

Thank You that right in the middle of me thinking I had already wasted the day the lyrics started coming. ♪Yes I Will lift You high in the lowest valley Yes I will bless Your name Oh, yes I will, sing for joy when my heart is heavy All my days, oh yes I will♪

And just like that [snap!] I was smiling. Knowing. Trusting. Believing that no matter what, You are still good. Thank You God.

Thank You for reminding me to look for the lyrics that sang so encouragingly to me in the car the other day. Truth that bubbles its way to the top with a joyful beat.

♪Have you ever met those who Keep hummin’ when the song’s through? It’s like they’re living life to a whole different tune And have you ever met those that Keep hoping when it’s hopeless It’s like they figured out what the rest haven’t yet

♪The second you realize what you have inside It’s only a matter of time ’Til you sing, so the back row hears you Glide, ‘cause walking’ just won’t do Dance, you don’t have to know how to Laugh, ’til your whole side’s hurtin’ Smile, like you just got away with somethin’, Why? ‘Cause you just got away with somethin’ Ever since, ever since Grace Got You♪

Why indeed Dear Lord! Why? Because we are so incredibly blessed grace got us!

You love us. Each and every single one of us. We get to choose every moment of  every day that Your Truth alone is enough. For me, it is.

Why? Because I’ve seen You work. In my life, as well as others. You never fail. You are never late. ‘You work all things together for the good of those who love You and are called according to Your purpose’ (Romans 8:28).

The Message says it this way, beginning with verse 26. “Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.”

I’ve been watching the good things You’ve done in, with, by, through and for me these past four decades Lord. Not always trusting as much as I’d like to say I do. Thank You that every single time I realize I am smiling I am reminded that something good is happening right in that moment.

Why? Because You are so darned good! Thank You that You are.

Use me as You know is best. Singing. Smiling. Standing firm and staying my mind on You and Your Word of Truth and promises.

I love, need, trust and want You. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(567 words ~ 6:33 a.m.)

THE Way

 Thursday, November 7, 2024 (4:15 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Thank You that ♪Jesus Is Coming Back, Jesus is coming back And when the world gets complicated We’re gonna keep on celebrating ‘Cause we know That Jesus is coming back♪

Thank You that even though ♪the world has kinda lost its way, Crazy as it seems we know it’s gonna be okay… There’s something better, we got forever And it won’t be long ‘cause we know our help is on the way♪

And what way is that? THE Way! Jesus (John 14:6)

And here starts a different song. ♪Through every battle Through every heartbreak Through every circumstance I believe You are my fortress Oh, You are my portion And You are my hiding place, oh I believe You are The Way, the Truth, the life♪

Yes! Jesus, ♪I believe Through every blessing… promise… breath I take I believe You are Provider…Protector You are the One I love♪

Thank You that it’s because of who and all You are that we are to ‘keep our heads up’ and ‘never give up’ Why? ♪’Cause we know That Jesus is coming back♪

Lord, I am here to live for You this side of eternity. You are where my hope is. You (and Your Word) are the Rock on which I stand.

“I love You, LORD; You are my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the strength of my salvation, and my stronghold” (Psalm 18:1-2).

♪Christ my Firm Foundation The rock on which I stand When everything around me is shaken I’ve never been more glad That I put my faith in Jesus ‘Cause He’s never let me down He’s faithful through generations So why would He fail now? He won’t♪

Thank You Jesus! Thank You for Your love. Your Truth. Your Way!

♪I’ve still got joy in chaos I’ve got peace that makes no sense So I won’t be going under I’m not held by my own strength ‘Cause I’ve built my life on Jesus He’s never let me down He’s faithful in every season So why would He fail now? He won’t!♪

“Anyone who listens to my [Jesus] teaching and obeys me is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock” (Matthew 7:24-27).

♪Rain came and wind blew But my house was built on You I’m safe with You I’m gonna make it through♪

Jesus, thank You for speaking Truth through Your Word. And singing hope through others’ songs.

Keep building us Lord. Into the people You would have us be. Loving. Joyful. Peaceful. Patient. Kind. Good. Faithful (Galatians 5:22).

Mm. And here comes Your Truth for me even louder than before!

EasyEnglish Bible. Galatians 5:23-24. “We respect other people and we rule ourselves properly. God’s Spirit helps us live in that way. There is no law that says these things are wrong. We belong to Christ. As a result, we no longer obey our wrong human thoughts. We stop doing the bad things that our thoughts want us to do. It is like we have killed those thoughts on the cross.”

Yes! Please. I want to live like that! Make it so. Do all You must. 

I love, need, trust and want You. Use me as You alone know is best. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(573 words ~ 6:40 a.m.)