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Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Thankful Life – November 25, 2013

My King is SO EXTRAVAGANT.

Don't we all want the good things from Jesus? Don't we all want the blessings that He so lovingly gives? Do we pray for submission and obedience? Why is it so hard for us to submit to Him, and let go of ourselves and to be obedient?



Let us stand in prayer for those who desire all that He has.


"I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken." ~ Psalm 16:8 (New International Version)

I have been completely stripped away and left naked; and His is the only robe that can carry and cover me appropriately. What is it that He has cleared away for you and restored to better than before? What baggage do we all carry? How do we leave it behind without running back to pick them back up? Don't we find that we can lay down the baggage much easier than leaving it behind?
Let us not be people who say, but people who give… give it all to Him. Allow the Spirit to move you toward complete healing and all that He has for you. He is all we need – when we submit and obey. Often, in the past, I saw those two commands as ‘giving up’ something that I wanted or felt I needed to comply… Today, I see submitting as allowing myself to see God and His promises before the desires of the flesh; and obeying as allowing God to do what God does. Again, you can’t get much greater than that.


“I thank my God always for you because of God’s love and kindness given to you through the Messiah Yeshua, in that you have been enriched by Him in so many ways, particularly in power of speech and depth of knowledge." ~1 Corinthians 1:4-5 (Complete Jewish Bible)

I am needy LORD... yet, there is no one around to fulfill that need. Help me to run to You on all occasions, during every crisis and in all the moments where need surfaces (which really is all moments). Help me to see You through the noise of this life, and the distractions that are everywhere. I am needy LORD, and You are the fulfiller. We are all in the process – the phases and steps of the journey shift, move, and advance as well as retreat... He's got this... just remember whose you are. In this process we engage with one another and that is our design. We are designed for relationship – first and foremost with our heavenly Father and then with others.


©2013 Giving Thanks Daily

 

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Thankful Life – November 23, 2013



WOW, nothing too big for God.... especially a wayward heart. Inspired.... God speaking - time to pray BIG, speak little and wait.

My normal days are still quite wonderful. Even in the normal and ordinary of the every day. A wonderful life.

He is for you... and you have been created to live in His light, in His power and strength... to love one another, live for Him and know His goodness. Let us not love this worlds and the things in it, but love Him exclusively and live rightly...

"Never give your hearts to this world or to any of the things in it. A man cannot love the Father and love the world at the same time. For the whole world-system, based as it is on men’s primitive desires, their greedy ambitions and the glamour of all that they think splendid, is not derived from the Father at all, but from the world itself. The world and all its passionate desires will one day disappear. But the man who is following God’s will is part of the permanent and cannot die." ~1 John 2:15+17 (J.B. Phillips New Testament)

See “the world” for what it is.... And see God for who and what He is. There is nothing like knowing the living and true God – and nothing like living for my Creator and King.

"As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more." ~Psalm 71:14 (New International Version)

Today started out normally for a Saturday. I was able to sleep in a bit and spend some time with my hubby before meeting up with my best friend and daughter for our 5 mile walk. Fortunately, I was able to fight through a case of ‘exhaustion’ and make it through. Our little routine is great. Walk, coffee, chat and encouragement for one another. Can’t ask for better than that. Tonight, as I settle in and really ponder all that there is to be grateful for, my heart keeps coming back to the wonderful life I have… not perfect, not flawless, not without challenge, but wonderful, nonetheless.

“Here is a last piece of advice. If you believe in goodness and if you value the approval of God, fix your minds on the things which are holy and right and pure and beautiful and good. Model your conduct on what you have learned from me, on what I have told you and shown you, and you will find the God of peace will be with you.” ~ Philippians 4:8-9 (J.B. Phillips New Testament)




Wonderful Life!
This life is not promised as perfect, but as joyful when we can W.elcome challenges and O.stacles with open arms and hearts. When we can knowingly count on the promises of our heavenly Father… with the understanding that with Him, through Him and because of Him, we want for N.othing. And, in the strength and power of the Spirit, the D.esires of our heart, according to His will are ours wholly. We can truly live E.xpectantly and R.ealize the daily blessings and F.ortunes of forgiveness that are extended so freely and amazingly. I am grateful for the U.nending love and tenderness that
He so desires for us to experience. I am grateful for the treasures that overflow and overwhelm my
L.ife in the here and now.
 
We are told to L.ove one another and live for the Kingdom I.ntentionally with our eternal perspective and understanding that our F.ulfillment comes only from our Father. I am grateful that I can E.xperience His best daily! The truly is a wonderful life, one that I am fortunate to live out. It is a daily prayer to do it well… Thank You Father for all that You have done, and all that You have promised.
 
Nonetheless… there is nothing less than His best for me. Now, when I step into every day with this thought in mind, I will realize the ‘amazingness’ of every day – the wonderfulness of every moment – the blessings of this life, with the expectation of perfection in eternity. How could I not believe in the wonderful life of the here and now?

“Trust in the LORD and do good;
Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.
Delight yourself in the LORD;
And He will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the LORD,
Trust also in Him, and He will do it.” ~Psalm 37:3-5 (New American Standard Bible)


©2013 Giving Thanks Daily

Monday, November 18, 2013

Thankful Life - November 18, 2013



Today I have to step back and evaluate my heart... I not only became very anxious, but I also became a bit passive aggressive in my mood. Honestly, things were not going well, so I got grouchy... ARGH! Father, I so don't want to react that way. I want to react well, respond greatly.... and let go of the things that are said. Help me to adjust, re-approach and lay down my own hurt feelings to pick up Your armor, Your humility and Your ability through the Spirit to act rightly; beginning with rightly thinking!

As I drove home tonight, I examined… and He exposed! The war, at times, is the harshness of the flesh – the selfishness that misguides and misdirects my thoughts. As I sit here tonight, engaging and dwelling, I am reminded “Be gentle and forbearing with one another…” for me, it all comes down to thought, reflection and contemplation (you might even call it the internal complaining dialog). 
“Clothe yourselves therefore, as God’s own chosen ones (His own picked representatives), [who are] purified and holy and well-beloved [by God Himself, by putting on behavior marked by] tenderhearted pity and mercy, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of yourselves, gentle ways, [and] patience [which is tireless and long-suffering, and has the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper].
“Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has [freely] forgiven you, so must you also [forgive]. 
“And above all these [put on] love and enfold yourselves with the bond of perfectness [which binds everything together completely in ideal harmony]. 
“And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].
“Let the word [spoken by] Christ (the Messiah) have its home [in your hearts and minds] and dwell in you in [all its] richness, as you teach and admonish and train one another in all insight and intelligence and wisdom [in spiritual things, and as you sing] psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, making melody to God with [His] grace in your hearts.
“And whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus and in [dependence upon] His Person, giving praise to God the Father through Him.” ~Colossians 3:12-17 (New American Standard Bible)

I love His Word... the gift of life through our minds, into our souls... AWE... awesome God!!!!
"The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?" ~Psalm 27:1 (New International Version)
In the testing we see His strength. Perseverance is the finisher of work. His love gives us everything we need to accomplish this. And it's only when we believe His promises for life that “His will” will be done.

Father, it’s in my inward motives that I see Your love and tenderness so vividly. Help me to stay in tune with Your desires for my life, thought, action, reaction and motives… Purify me and let me dwell in the engagement. 

©2013 Giving Thanks Daily, Shawn Boreta

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Thankful Life - November 17, 2013

His Masterpiece… living toward perfection, but not perfect!


“Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” ~ Ephesians 2:9-10 (New Living Translation)

I have felt much better lately, and I know that there are several other writers here who are having more challenges. I praise God for His mercies for all of us; for the good days, amazing moments and times that need even more tenderness from our Father. Over the past few years I have gone from devastation and depletion of energy to a kind of normal - really, normal is something I am not familiar with, but something that seems normal in my head anyway. Last week I had a scare.... a run to the emergency room from work with chest pains, shortness of breath and other unexplained symptoms... no explanation for any of it, EXCEPT, enemy attack. Although, the doctors and tests revealed nothing of notability, there has been some aftermath from the ordeal... my normal tired was even more tired... and my rapid heart rate was a bit more rapid this past week - but I am truly grateful for the awareness that comes from the physical challenges that come up.

My heart is Yours LORD... fast or slow and I am grateful that You have it.

I find that I can get quite settled into my days. And when I am 'settle', I tend to become lax in my routine. I don't want routine, I want God. And, as I prayed a few weeks ago for the dryness to leave, I was urged on several occasions to let go and move in to being uncomfortable... needing guidance and prayer and His sustaining presence.

It's not that I crave physical challenges, it's that I seem to need them to be drawn in... so I welcome whatever He has that does just that. Thank You Father for creating me with need... moving me toward Your hope in times of challenge... and giving me new desires of my heart through trials.

So, what does His masterpiece in me look like? UNFINISHED… UNREFINED…. UNCULTURED…..

He is all I need, and all I need is to know my need for my King, my Savior, my Hope, my Redeemer and the love of my life.

The emptiness that comes from contentment is deafening for my heart and soul. It sucks the life right out of me… I desire to be drawn near, and nearer! My prayer tonight is, “Do this LORD in any and all ways You see fit; thank You Father for not letting me settle in to the world’s contentment and satisfaction; help me be like Christ, in desire, actions and appeal to others”. DAILY FATHER, LET IT BE YOU, THROUGH IT ALL!
“Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.” ~Colossians 2:8 (New Living Translation)
  
I have felt much better lately, and I know that there are several other writers here who are having more challenges. I praise God for His mercies for all of us; for the good days, amazing moments and times that need even more tenderness from our Father. Over the past few years I have gone from devastation and depletion of energy to a kind of normal - really, normal is something I am not familiar with, but something that seems normal in my head anyway. Last week I had a scare.... a run to the emergency room from work with chest pains, shortness of breath and other unexplained symptoms... no explanation for any of it, EXCEPT, enemy attack. Although, the doctors and tests revealed nothing of notability, there has been some aftermath from the ordeal... my normal tired was even more tired... and my rapid heart rate was a bit more rapid this past week - but I am truly grateful for the awareness that comes from the physical challenges that come up.

I find that I can get quite settled into my days. And when I am 'settle', I tend to become lax in my routine. I don't want routine, I want God. And, as I prayed a few weeks ago for the dryness to leave, I was urged on several occasions to let go and move in to being uncomfortable... needing guidance and prayer and His sustaining presence.


 ©2013 Shawn Boreta, Giving Thanks Daily

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Thankful Life - November 16, 2013


Thank You Lord for awakening the words again.


Living for Today


Somewhere with a past, a story, a heartache, a hardship, a shipwreck... and knowing that He is the shore that never changes... the ending that is always possible... the healing that overcomes all... the power and strength that is mine with the asking, and often without saying a word... that is my faith today.

Knowing that I have come from "somewhere" is often a challenge and requires a change of perspective... living for today while knowing that who I am through Christ is my source of freedom to live today... letting go of yesterday, because where we will be in eternity allows us to truly live today.

“If the LORD delights in my ways, He makes my steps firm; though I stumble, I will not fall, for the LORD upholds me with his hand.” ~Psalm 37:23-24 (New International Version)

If you are in pain, weary, afraid.... know this, you have a God who loves you perfectly, intentionally and will never leave you if you choose Him. He provided salvation through Jesus' death and resurrection from the cross - atonement through the greatest of sacrifices, derived from the most amazing love imaginable.

Have you chosen to accept His amazing gift? If you haven't, can you do it now? It's simple, just speak to Him - with an open heart, ask Him to be Your Savior, Your God, Your healer, Your everything. Acknowledge that you have sinned, will sin and cannot reach the Father by your own efforts and works, that His plan of salvation was and is the only way.

He has a way... He is your way.

He blesses my life! Today is the day (as is every day) that our LORD has made... let us rejoice... REJOICE!!

"But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.
So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.  Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” ~Colossians 3:8-17 (New American Standard Bible)




Praise Him - and today, extend that love.

My LIFE, my LIGHT, my HOPE, my SALVATION, my EVERYTHING... Lord Jesus, You are my eternity and assurance of love, tenderness and all that is good, pure and amazing. As I prepare for this very busy day, let me settle and be overwhelmed with Your goodness, NOT the busyness and pulls of this day. Steady me, my heart, my all today. Thank You for being with me, strengthening me and pursuing me through the moments when my thoughts are not pure, kind and edifying. I love You...

In remembering His love and living today, I am comforted through His Word yet again! "Here is a last piece of advice. If you believe in goodness and if you value the approval of God, fix your minds on the things which are holy and right and pure and beautiful and good. Model your conduct on what you have learned from me, on what I have told you and shown you, and you will find the God of peace will be with you." ~Philippians 4:8-9 (J.B. Phillips New Testament)

Deeply... I love You Father. Deeply.... I desire to know Your love and tenderness in NEW AND AMAZING WAYS...

Your love amazes me and Your grace intrigues my every sense - knowing that You have gifted to me what is not even possible, feasible or logical, and I thank You for that!! For loving me in the impossible ways, encouraging me through the help of the Spirit - oh how awesome the thoughts of You are.... how unfathomable Your love and tenderness are.... how truth moves through me as continued gifts from my Father in heaven, and only because of my Jesus' life, death and resurrection and continued life of salvation - my hope.... eternity which comes only through You! WOW... You are unforgettably generous - love and faith drive me closer - pain and frequency of need keep me humbled and engaged. GRATITUDE ALLOWS ME TO BELIEVE YOUR PROMISES, and I desire to be all of You - and seeing You move the flesh out and the Spirit in... I thank You, desire You, hold onto You... I love You Abba Father. You have a SAVIOR, WAITING AND READY TO RECEIVE YOU.

I am grateful daily, and today for His love and kindness... I am grateful that I can know the joy of this life because He gave His for me. My prayer is that if you do not know my Jesus, that you will by allowing Him to be revealed in your life, into your heart. If you are open and ready, He is waiting and available! JUST CALL TO HIM NOW. 
© 2013 Giving Thanks Daily

Shawn Delia Boreta

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