Thankful Life - August 26, 2013

August 26, 2013

People say hurtful things, sometimes out of anger - sometimes because of their past - sometimes in love and correction. It has been a lot of years of allowing myself to fall into hurt over words. This weekend, I had a revelation and am being moved to evaluate all things according to God... in the midst of a firestorm of words, I must put on His shield... allow the filtering, protection and discernment of the Spirit to look through the unnecessary words and fight through to the helpfulness of the underlying message.

I don't think it will always be 'easy', but it is completely possible - the Holy Spirit is our helper in all things toward God... this one, He can fully do and is capable of guiding.

"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted

And saves those who are crushed in spirit."

~Psalm 34:18 (NASB)

"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to 

you; not as the world gives do I give to you.

Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it 

be fearful." ~John 14:27 (NASB)

Day 1003 of Giving Thanks

I can only come to You knowing how grateful I am... if I forget LORD, help me and forgive me. For all I want is to show gratitude more deeply with every day that passes.

We have to walk every day in faith... stepping in knowing that HE IS WHO HE SAYS HE IS... and us not always 'believing' it. BUT, we cannot dismiss His Word, His promises, His provisions... You are a child of God, He loves you, there is no reason to doubt... so when we doubt, we have to remember it is one of two things; an attack of the enemy or just bad habits. For the most part, it is our own habits that hinder our walk...

So, what do we do? We trust, moment to moment... breath by breath.

If you don't let go, you will not change. He will strengthen you to do it, but you cannot resist His input... We become what we tell ourselves. We are what we focus on most...

If you keep telling yourself "I can't", than you won't...

What are some of the verses that keep you going in the midst of doubt or fear?

Belief, one breath, one moment at a time. We tend to make excuses rather than believe our Creator's promises.

Help us LORD. Help me LORD!

If you are feeling discouraged, depressed or in despair, pray for others as you need to be prayed for... pray in whole heart for those suffering as you are suffering. In whole heart, cry out to the LORD, for He is faithful and loves you so much... in despair, empty of ourselves, we can know His desire is for us to recognize that HE ALREADY FILLS US...

O' Lord Jesus, thank You for the amazing gift of the Holy Spirit, where we can understand Your promises... we love You Father, and desire to know You more, love You more deeply and trust You, believe, believe... believe.

“The righteous cry, and the LORD hears And delivers them out of all their troubles.” ~Psalm 34:17 (New American Standard Bible)

How beautiful Your Word Father. How wonderful Your promises and encouragement. Thank You that I am Yours.

"But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel,
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name; you are Mine!" ~Isaiah 43:1 (New American Standard Bible)

Let us be aware of all He is for us, and all He says we are.

"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;" ~Romans 12:10 (New American Standard Bible)

What does this verse mean to you? 

Let's take it a little further. " Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love;[a] give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the [b]saints, [c]practicing hospitality."

Footnotes:
[a] Romans 12:10 Or outdo one another in showing honor
[b] Romans 12:13 Or holy ones
[c] Romans 12:13 Lit pursuing

I hunger and thirst for You Father and daily, I am quenched in new ways... the living Water of my Redeemer for whom, there is no match.

Thank You Father for truth and conviction of the deepest levels. I love You.

© 2013 Giving Thanks Daily

Day 1002 of Giving Thanks

We can ask God, "What are you doing LORD? I don't see You in this... help me SEE YOU".  We must wait, listen and seek... HE IS FAITHFUL, even and especially in our little faith.

“To Do” lists, expectations, responsibilities... This is our life today, and what God wants is for us to give Him our lists, expectations and responsibilities first. He will order the list, His promises will confirm great expectations and the Holy Spirit will convict us to love one another as He loved us first.

Our Father we thank You for being faithful and trustworthy, and loving us Your servants. Thank You that we can walk this path protected, carried, guided and in full light as You promise.
Thank You for loving us, pursuing us and never leaving us. For this is what you promise. Amen.

Reading Isaiah 42 and I just love God and His works. Today, even as I may not "feel" good, or "sense" Him right in my midst, He has shown over and over that I am not alone or on my own. We serve an amazing and awesome God... Let us be obedient, walk in His light and presence, while loving once another, and glorifying Him for the good of the Kingdom... we do this brothers and sisters BY KNOWING THAT WE ARE HIS. Knowing whose we are, and who we are because of Christ in us.

Let us pray for one another today. What is your praise or request to lay before our King?
So many emotions and feelings have been swept under the rug, so to speak over the years. There are so many heart-wrenching moments that I have had to just push through. Living in this world that is so cold, disconnected and uncaring, coupled with all the pain from a past can leave one feeling down and in complete despair. Our LORD tells us to live in today, let the past go and know that our future is secure as His children. So, I continue to ask myself, what does my past hold that my God can't remove? NOTHING, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. "So, let it go", I say, "LET IT GO". Then, be still and KNOW THAT HE IS GOD!!!

Did you know that the Holy Spirit works out much while you sleep, while you are awake? We are to follow our King, in thought and action. Let us be aware of our every thought... holding them captive, abiding in Him.

In every way LORD let us be like Christ...

Father, we pray for our brothers and sisters, for rest and completion of Your work in their lives. We pray for the work of our Lord Jesus to hold her every thought captive according to Your will. We pray that Your amazing power and strength will move every mountain that is keeping them from breaking free from despair... heartbreak and guilt... I am not sure what their needs are LORD God, but You as our Creator and Comforter and Healer do... in all You are LORD, through our Lord Jesus we pray. Amen.

God’s Promise concerning His Servant
Let us praise!
"Sing to the Lord a new song,
Sing His praise from the end of the earth!
You who go down to the sea, and all that is in it.
You islands, and those who dwell on them.
Let the wilderness and its cities lift up their voices,
The settlements where Kedar inhabits.
Let the inhabitants of Sela sing aloud,
Let them shout for joy from the tops of the mountains.
Let them give glory to the Lord
And declare His praise in the coastlands.
The Lord will go forth like a warrior,
He will arouse His zeal like a man of war.
He will utter a shout, yes, He will raise a war cry.
He will prevail against His enemies." ~Isaiah 42:10-13 (New American Standard Bible)

Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to direct your faith, or are you?

Sometimes we fight through scripture, when really He desires us to rest in Him as He works us through His Word. That is what I find anyway. When I read, and read, and read, and find confusion... I know I must stop, pray, ask, discern and often leave it for a while... singing, praising, worshiping and pondering is what I need. And, when I come back and read again, I am renewed and His Word flows over all of my senses. And, as I read through and contemplate all that is going on in my life, all that God is revealing at this time, which is His time; the now.

So much of these past few years have been an amazing growth opportunity; an opportunity to forge new ways, which are His… to allow Him to construct with me what my unique design is intended for. To have the masterpiece established and authenticated in His amazing way.

Oh our Father is so amazing. He is so loving and tender. May we learn and grow to worship You in new and beautiful ways. May we come to know You are for us, even in and especially in the "heat of the moment", "in the middle of a storm", "through trials" and "in all circumstances"... For You are God... and You are all we can hope for. Thank You Father for Your love, tenderness and perfect will for our lives. “For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].” ~ Ephesians 2:10 (Amplified Bible)

Christ-like, new me… “if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.” Ephesians 4:21-24 (New American Standard Bible)

We can ask God, "What are you doing LORD? I don't see You in this... help me SEE YOU".  We must wait, listen and seek... HE IS FAITHFUL, even and especially in our little faith. Today, I trust, listen and believe… greatly, I do all these things and act, watch, wait and move as He directs.

©2013 Giving Thanks Daily

A special moment with my Father! (Testimony Series) - by Mary Fox

A special moment with my Father!
by Mary Fox

As most of you know my father went through a difficult and painful month after being diagnosed with a bowl obstruction and had to undergo a major operation. At the age of 89 and never having been admitted to a hospital in all his life, this was a big deal for him and for all of us who love him dearly.
The whole journey has been nothing less than amazing, painful and loving!

During the 5 weeks that he was away from home and in the hospital/rehab centre my father and I grew very close. In fact, the bond between us was quite incredible!  We came to a point where I instinctively knew what he wanted (ie. food, rest, pain relief etc).  He didn’t even have to speak. The trust that he showed me was truly amazing.  We sort of ‘got each other’.

This connection didn't just happen. I had to ‘be with him’ constantly.  I was committed and devoted to doing everything I could to see him return home and to have the strength he had prior to the operation.  As a result, I spent hours, days and weeks by his side, giving him as much nourishment as I could, massaging his feet, stroking his hair, whispering words of encouragement to him and praying for him. My love for him grew so much, as did the pain and heartbreak when we didn’t see the results we were hoping for.

One day whilst driving home from hospital, feeling tired and totally exhausted but ready and anxious to return to my dad, I sensed God interrupt my thoughts. I ‘felt’ Him whisper the following "I want you to minister to Me like you are to your father." BOOM!! I felt such conviction in my heart and I just sat in shock as I pondered the mystery of how I could so easily neglect my Abba Father in heaven.  Oh, to have a greater devotion to Him, how precious that would be -  to know instinctively what was is on His heart, to serve Him without compromise, to never leave His side and to minister to Him with such love.  This is what I believe our Heavenly Father trulydesires -  that we love Him with all our heart, mind and soul..”

I had to pull over to the side of the road.  I needed a moment to try and fathom the enormity and the honour of my Father’s request.  To be honest, I burst out crying because I saw in a new light my need to repent.  I saw how shallow and half-hearted my devotion and worship had been.  I was completely undone!  Oh, how many opportunities I must have missed to spend time at His side and to get to know what He is thinking and feeling and wanting me to do for His glory.

It is becoming increasingly clear to me that intimacy with our Lord is our primary calling, our highest form of ministry.  I am so grateful for this amazing lesson. Isn’t it just like God to gently minister to us and reveal Himself to us in the midst of such painful and difficult times?

Our God is so awesome! He is so worthy of all our love and devotion.



©2013 Mary Fox, Ps139 group
Mary is an amazing woman of God, wife, mother and sister in Christ. Her devotion to our Father is such a wonderful example in my life. She is a writer and edifier for Ps139 group and teaches daily on the Equip His People page. So many are blessed in so many ways.

Day 1001 of Giving Thanks

“If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.” ~2 Chronicles 7:14 (Amplified Bible)

The enemy has really worked hard this week to keep me down, but to no avail, I am victorious! It has been a week of new pains, old memories, new struggles and old insecurities that fell flat with His urgings with every raring of those unwelcomed feelings, even up to this afternoon, I could sense God moving mountains right before me. I lived many years in fear, as many do – even those who belong to Christ – how can that be? In one of ‘those moments’ earlier, I heard His voice once again, “you’re good Shawn – I will carry you the distance”. I have diligently prayed over the past few months to be encouraged, when I am down, or start to go down that path, and God has been faithful and daily carries me the distance.

As I sit and 'take in' the world around me, I am at peace. As I see the evil and chaos that this world delivers, I am assured in so many ways. He is my strength, my comfort, my peace. He is truly all I need.

The LORD has been so encouraging to me in every way through His children... I love the days when I get to talk to supporters at my job. I am so humbled that I get to have access to so many wonderful and amazing people on a daily basis. I have been working toward the discovery of my Chief Definite Aim and I know this for sure, it involves people. I believe God has revealed my purpose through all the things I do.

These are extremely busy times at work, and I expect to see God daily as I seek Him. And I am thankful for the many moments He reveals Himself in my life. And in the midst of all the busyness, yesterday was a day of praise, prayer and laughter... a day of accomplishment and satisfaction at a really deep level.

Just a few weeks ago, I was overwhelmed with how much had to be done (all around - personal and work life)... but as I know so well, the LORD has this, He knows what I need and I expect to see Him move mountains in me over the next week or so. It's like He whispered it to me today... "you're good Shawn - I will carry you the distance... ". So humbling isn't it?

“This doesn’t mean, of course, that we have only a hope of future joys—we can be full of joy here and now even in our trials and troubles. Taken in the right spirit these very things will give us patient endurance; this in turn will develop a mature character, and a character of this sort produces a steady hope, a hope that will never disappoint us. Already we have some experience of the love of God flooding through our hearts by the Holy Spirit given to us.” ~Romans 5:3-5 (J.B. Phillips New Testament)

God's at work for sure. I have been praying and seeking to see a miracle in several areas; my Chief Definite Aim and my health. As I prayed about the work we do on Facebook, blogging, Ps139 group pages, etc. I don't see conversions or transformations, but it doesn't mean they aren't happening. God confirmed His work through me is important and that is enough.

I am definitely not a Pollyanna, but I do love life, spending time with others and staying ‘in the mix’ of things. I come from a long line, as well as great examples of fighters; that’s not the challenge, I can fight through most any situation, it’s the being still and leaning on God that has been  I have been asked, "How do you keep going, stay positive, on fire for the LORD"... simple answer, "God". And to add to that simple answer, “He knows my voice, I know His promises and I call on Him to reveal all of them for me”. I often request from Him, "Let my life be a prayer", and He is faithful, for there is much to pray about and for. I stay in the Word, desire to know Him more deeply and the only way to do that is by hearing Him, listening for His comforting presence. I was in a place yesterday morning where I just couldn't stop praying. I was overwhelmed in my heart, in my surroundings; I had a sense of heaviness from the desire to do something else in my life than "just this", and God exchanged my dismal heart with one filled with Him, and the desire to serve Him more.

And His blessings continue. Every day you can see Him working in your life! Every moment is a gift from above. Rejoice. Rejoice in Him.

Wishing I had hours to write today... I am so encouraged and amazed by His grace and goodness toward me. If you doubt God's love, there is so much hope in the gift of the Holy Spirit. I am committed to sharing what I have and continue to learn through His work in me...

I know that as I write, pray and share, I too am ministered to through what God shows me. That is His daily gift. In His work through my life, I see hope and every day, I pray for others to see hope in our God as well. I am burdened by the broken, the weary and unable to move forward or to heal.  As I said, He gives up much to pray for an about, we just have to be aware. Our thoughts toward Him will change our life from devastation of moments to determination and drive. That too is a daily gift that just like salvation, we have to accept and open it fully to appreciate its power.

© 2013 Giving Thanks Daily

A Step to Extraordinary - In the Word with Tina Bale, TjB

Taking that next step to extraordinary:

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding" ~ Proverbs 9:10 (New King James Version)

This is one of my favorite verses in the bible because it breaks down how our mind (which is a battleground) effects our daily thinking.

It starts with that flicker of awe. You know that moment when you look closely at the petals on a flower or the intricacies of how a humming bird flies. At those moments your eyes, heart and mind are awakened with that sense of awe of how detailed God is!

From there we can see our own image and how before we were conceived we had no form! WOW! We seem to have come from nothing yet here we are, but WHY are we?

The why is the beauty of the next part of this verse for us, we are because HE/our Heavenly Father is detailed and intimately planned us to be. You see that just. like those flower petals and the beauty of that humming bird tells us that God did not merely 'throw us together' on a whim...WE, each of us, WERE PLANNED!

Now if we put this all together:
God is AWESOME, His works are amazing and purposed!

When we search these things and study who God truly is it is truly intimidating. There is no limit to what HE is or can do. In this we are gaining WISDOM.

Next is in the searching of His word and the examples that are played out in scripture we see that these regular everyday people were capable of extraordinary things because they had true UNDERSTANDING that if God wants something done then DONE it is! Like you and I, like the flower petals and the humming bird God is able to back up His vision and plans.

He has PLANNED great things for each of those who fear Him and love Him.

Search Him and see what He wants for You next. What is the step you will take today toward EXTRAORDINARY?

The humming bird is so tiny yet nothing compares with it's speed and grace. The flower is beautiful and fragrant however part is planned with distinction and function. The beauty even has purpose on its own, yet together it is stunning!

YOU, my friend, are STUNNING! There is purpose in every aspect and angle of who HE (our living God) has thought & planned you to be. 

Take that step, see God is AWEsome, search Him and find YOUR purpose!

© 2013 Tina Johnson Bale, Ps139 group

Day 1000 of Giving Thanks

This journey has changed my life forever… He has changed me. I am grateful that “it is finished”, regardless of my circumstances; “it is finished”, even in the storm; “it is finished”, thank You LORD!

 “All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before Him those who cannot keep themselves alive. Posterity will serve Him; future generations will be told about the Lord. They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it!” ~Psalm 22:29-32 (New International Version)
Yes our God is WOW... He brings His promises to light during struggle, increases our faith and provides miracles in ways that only HE CAN. We manifest through our words... our thoughts.
So many say, "He will not give you more than you can handle", I will phrase it the way I hear Him tell me every day... He does give me things I can't handle, so I will COMPLETELY SUBMIT TO HIM.

My prayer a few days ago...
“Praying for vision in many ways today. Vision to see with God's eyes, all things to do with my job (and the way I am to make a living). Moving toward my Chief Definite AIM in mind, in prayer and on my heart”. And today Father, I am so grateful for the correction with my eyes... and moving toward my Chief Definite Aim daily...

He gives rest to the weary, strength to the weak, peace to the restless, grace to all who know Him... That's me LORD... thank You for being all I need. My writing is His way of working out His details in me - daily... through His promises and so much hope.

Don't miss that part of your walk. It's the best part of walking with the LORD... leaning on and growing. He loves you beyond measure, without ceasing, unending grace is yours through the blood of Christ. Praise Him in your trials... Praise Him in your struggles... He knows your tearful moments, your triumphs and your times in crying out to our Father.

Remember the enemy will do all things to keep God's people away from their work... don't ever believe he will let up... the closer we are to God, and cling to God, the harder he works to devour us, to keep us from ministering to others... he works diligently to keep us in despair.

We are protected, however, he does penetrate in our moments of weakness. Trust we have a mighty God, believe we are His... but pray for protection, clarity and discernment... in the good moments and through the tough times.

Are you struggling tonight… you must know whose you are… know Him, and get to know who you are through Him. Call on Him, over and over. Be encouraged by knowing who you belong to – if you do not know, you can – call on Him, over and over. He answers.

"deliver me from my enemies..." ~Psalm 18:6
"You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble..." ~Psalm 32:7
"The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them..." ~Psalm 34:17
"I cry out to God Most High, to God, who vindicates me..." ~Psalm 57:2
"For I know the plans I have for you..." ~Jeremiah 29:11

Praying, praying, praying.

I am grateful that “it is finished”, regardless of my circumstances; “it is finished”, even in the storm; “it is finished”, thank You LORD!


© 2013 Giving Thanks Daily

Day 999 of Giving Thanks

Yesterday I came home early from work, dealing with a migraine and all the symptoms that went with it… I was going to ‘tough it out’, but felt led to ‘go home’. I arrived at home and my mom (Chris’ mom) shared a need for prayer for a family member. Being home was where I was supposed to be. It gave me the opportunity to pray for and with my family in a time of need. To provide possibilities to a situation, based on my own experiences. I am grateful for prayer, for our God who loves us so deeply, He ‘thinks’ of all things and how they work together. I am learning, although it is a tough lesson for those who are stubborn (me), to listen, let go and allow the Spirit to work things out before I lose it in circumstances. There is a calming lately, and I love asking my Father, “How LORD”, rather than, “Why”.

“LEAN ON, RELY ON, AND BE CONFIDENT”, that says it all. We love You Father, help us to do all these things. Confidence of the Holy Spirit, dependence on the perfect plan and guidance through the lessons of life, hardship of circumstance and the love of our Father, and through all things because of Jesus. Let us lean on, rely on, and be confident. Your will LORD God, Your purpose... Amen. (Psalm 37:5)

Father, I am so thankful for the good days... I am grateful for Your merciful strength that flows through me in times of great need. It has been very long days with work and with things going on with the family. I am grateful that I have made it through and although I am tired, I seem to be no worse for the wear. ;)

I praise You and am greatly humbled as I live out this life that truly allows me to depend so beautifully on You... I depend on Your strength, grace and mercy daily, I depend on You and You alone because You are perfectly trustworthy.

Prayer for Protection, Guidance and Pardon.
A Psalm of David.
"To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
my God, in You I trust,
Do not let me be ashamed;
Do not let my enemies exult over me.
Indeed, none of those who wait for You will be ashamed;
Those who deal treacherously without cause will be ashamed." ~Psalm 25:1-3 (New American Standard Bible)

He will see you through brothers and sisters...He loves you beyond measure, without ceasing, unending grace is yours through the blood of Christ. Praise Him in your trials... Praise Him in your struggles... He knows your tearful moments, your triumphs and your times in crying out to our Father.

The world delivers so much that looks good, seems right and brings comfort, but know this - these things are temporal and unsatisfying long term. There is a different choice of what is GOOD, is RIGHT and brings COMFORT, it's a perfect God who truly thought of and knows our true needs.

GOD IS TRUSTWORTHY, GOOD, RIGHT AND GOD IS OUR COMFORT. 

Don't be deceived, trust the LORD your God for what has b...
I wanted to share one more thing, in regards to standing strong, the why is easy, OTHERS NEED YOU TO CONTINUE IN PRAYER, it has eternal ramifications… keep praying for your family. Stand in faith, believe and allow yourself to change in the process and revel in those changes toward God.

Alone in your faith? That's what it feels like when you are the only believer in your household, when your ability to see change seems to fall straight to the ground. Defeat seems to be all around, as you see the enemy 'work your house'... Can I say, FIRMLY -
THINK DIFFERENTLY.
ACT DIFFERENTLY.
PRAY CONTINUALLY.
LIFT YOUR SPOUSE IN PRAYER, and all those in your household who do not know our Father in heaven, our Lord Jesus and walk in the presence of the Holy Spirit.
You are FAVORED and have the advantage.
Your family needs you to be STRONG IN THE LORD.

Don't give in to the lies of the enemy, and GRAB ON TO PRAYER DAILY, ALL DAY PRAYER, MOMENT TO MOMENT PRAYER... HIS WORD.

Grab on to His promises. Live in the light of the gift you received and live like eternity is at stake, because it is for your unbelieving family and friends. It is, and God, Son and Spirit are the key to their eternity.

Keep praying, stand firm in your faith... NEVER ALLOW THE ENEMY TO TAKE HOLD in your household.

© 2013 Giving Thanks Daily

Day 998 of Giving Thanks

We work on God’s foundation!

“In this work, we work with God, and that means that you are a field under God’s cultivation, or, if you like, a house being built to his plan.
"I, like an architect who knows his job, by the grace God has given me, lay the foundation; someone else builds upon it. I only say this, let the builder be careful how he builds! The foundation is laid already, and no one can lay another, for it is Jesus Christ himself. But any man who builds on the foundation using as his material gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay or stubble, must know that each man’s work will one day be shown for what it is. The day will show it plainly enough, for the day will arise in a blaze of fire, and that fire will prove the nature of each man’s work. If the work that the man has built upon the foundation will stand this test, he will be rewarded. But if a man’s work be destroyed under the test, he loses it all. He personally will be safe, though rather like a man rescued from a fire.” ~1 Corinthians 3:9-15 (J.B. Phillips New Testament)

We are all designed with a purpose and our heavenly Father pursues us, draws us nearer and nearer to that purpose. It is when we begin to live in His will we see all those things - strength, power, discernment and clarity through the work of the Holy Spirit.

Walking in His light takes one thing... us listening to His commands and believing His promises. Let it be done LORD, through our actions according to Your will.

I am beginning the discipline of getting up earlier. It seems I am tired if I don't sleep, tired when I do... so, in an effort to be the best I can, do the best I can and give the best I can, I am going to get up and get moving earlier.

As I sit here, trying to read, but very little response from my eyes to focus - I pray. Tears mighty and holy God come and seem to lift the weariness. I realize I push, when I should submit... I take on when I should set boundaries... Help.

God I ask for YOUR STRENGTH and YOUR CLARITY as I set out each day to do what I am responsible to do. Help me Father to push through when I am able, and rest when I am supposed to. It is so hard to tell which is which. My body is tired and I am unable to wrap my mind around what I need to hear and do at times. Help me LORD for I am ready to hear You on this, see Your path and to deeply know Your purpose. How do I rest when so much is before me to do - job, household.... responsibilities? How do I move out of exhaustion and into rest? How do I minister and witness in these times of low energy? How do I step out of this and into all that is You and Yours? I AM READY FATHER. I AM READY.

There are so many blessings right before us. Don't miss them because you are focusing on something in the past. The past does not matter when it comes to your future. You are forgiven, healed, favored and blessed in ways beyond measure by the power of the Holy Spirit and the work of Christ... don't dismiss this truth in thought or in action. Step in and believe.

I think at times we focus so much on what we could have changed, "only if...." and we waste our energy in that way. If we ponder on "whose we are", and His promises, WHICH ARE TRUSTWORTHY, we can see our life transform and our faith grow. Today is a day of believing.

Anyone with me on this?

Allow the Holy Spirit to move you to the breakthrough that the Lord Jesus already provided. 

Be encouraged. 

That you already have the strength. 

That you are already healed. 

That He waits for you to recognize His absolute and constant presence. 

That all you have to do is keep believing. Hold fast. 

Stand strong. 

Submit all.

New day, new you daily. By allowing God's grace empower you through His forgiveness, we can let the powerless times of our life, diminish. By embracing God's strength and power in the process, we can let it go completely and live rightly daily.

© 2013 Giving Thanks Daily

Day 997 of Giving Thanks

My flesh has many needs, most of which will not be met with the desires of the flesh... my spirit has one need that will replenish, refill and regenerate every part of me physically. Help us LORD to move out of the victim mentality and into Your VICTORY! Let us continue to praise You, believe You and trust You… let us rejoice, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.” ~Philippians 4:4 (New International Version)

Sometimes the biggest mountain in my way is me... help me remove me LORD. We are what we focus on... We manifest in our life (build, create) what we focus on most. When we talk about our pain, hurt, heartache, we believe that there is nothing else for us. For me, when I focus on the physical pain, I tend to 'feel' it more. I just keep pressing into our LORD. He is faithful, when we depend on Him, He delivers. Let the things that are not edifying to your life be the background, and let only God be the foreground.

 “A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked.
“For the LORD God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.
“O LORD of Heaven’s Armies, what joy for those who trust in you.” ~Psalm 84:10-12 (New Living Translation)

As I have prayed today, I was overjoyed with all the wonderful gifts and blessings I see all around me. I thank You Father for delivering in amazing ways and giving me the opportunity to see so much right before my eyes. Thank You Father for amazing days, even in the ordinariness of this life – I so appreciate the details you share with me, so often.  Thank You for Your Word, Your work, Your promises and the Holy Spirit; my Helper, my Guide and my Translator. As I read through Isaiah 6 tonight, THIS REALLY CAUGHT MY ATTENTION – 

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 
“Whom shall I send?  And who will go for us?”
And I said,
“I am here!
Send me!” ~Isaiah 6:8 (Lexham English Bible)

I WANT TO BE THE ONE THAT SAYS, "SEND ME"... without hesitation, "send me".

Praying you have a wonderful sleep with the guide of the Holy Spirit throughout the night. Father, Your protection and peace for our brothers and sisters tonight, through all of this journey, the days that are tough, the moments that are overwhelming, let us call to You, trust You and know Your presence. Amen.


© 2013 Giving Thanks Daily

Day 996 of Giving Thanks

Again, I sit here, with tears welling up and my heart just about ready to explode at God's amazing goodness. There are so many praise reports in my thoughts... so, LORD, thank YOU for loving us so much.

"So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you." ~James 4:7 (Amplified Bible)

God is our motive – pure of heart leading toward being Christ-like in every way... prayer is our vehicle, our conduit through the Spirit and purpose daily. We can talk about listening to God, or we can really do it... Get into the Word to hear His instructions and the love for His children.

You cannot control our circumstances, but you can control your thoughts, your actions or reactions, your attitude and who you run to in those circumstances. And it's our Father's strength through the Holy Spirit because of Jesus' work all our thoughts, actions or reactions and attitudes can be rightly done.

Two weeks ago I had a coworker tell me, "you’re not gifted in counseling, why spend all this extra time online?" I reeled for 2 minutes, got angry for a half day and got focused again...

My friends, God is calling you to do something. My point here is that you can recognize it, but others are probably recognizing it too... It's time to stop sitting on the sidelines, waiting for life to happen. He's encouraging you to allow Him to work through what does happen. Be action oriented with your faith. Be still, but move when He speaks. Rest, but move toward Him in that rest.

If you are not hearing God, seeing Him work - ask yourself?

• Am I talking to my Father regularly? 
• Does my Father know my voice? 
• Are my thoughts moving toward His promises or stuck on my challenges? Are my thoughts stuck on my mistakes, mishaps, circumstances or past? 
• Do others know WHOSE I am, because of my joy and hope? 
• Am I self-centered, or reaching out to others? 
• Do I isolate myself? 
• Do I blame God, and/or others for where I am? 
• Do I believe there is hope, or just talk about it? 
• Do I minister outwardly the truth to others, but inside I am filled with fear and doubt? 
• DO I TRUST GOD? REALLY TRUST HIM? 

He is calling you, pursuing you. It's time to 'pick up', listen and get moving AND STEPPING IN, COMPLETELY, TO HIS HEALING? Friends, it's our own words, more than others that hinder our healing. Make today the day that you decide to observe, correct... and heal. Make today the day that You hear His encouraging words for your life... "I love you", "I am here", "you are already healed" and "you are mine".

Is anyone with me today?

When the LORD leads us to counsel others, we can notice similarities in our behavior and those we are working with. The hope is that it's past workings, but the truth of the matter is, God will use others to help us see ourselves. He is so good.

God’s new plan—righteousness by faith, not through the Law
"But now we are seeing the righteousness of God declared quite apart from the Law (though amply testified to by both Law and Prophets)—it is a righteousness imparted to, and operating in, all who have faith in Jesus Christ. (For there is no distinction to be made anywhere: everyone has sinned, everyone falls short of the beauty of God’s plan.) Under this divine system a man who has faith is now freely acquitted in the eyes of God by his generous dealing in the redemptive act of Jesus Christ. God has appointed him as the means of propitiation, a propitiation accomplished by the shedding of his blood, to be received and made effective in ourselves by faith. God has done this to demonstrate his righteousness both by the wiping out of the sins of the past (the time when he withheld his hand), and by showing in the present time that he is a just God and that he justifies every man who has faith in Jesus Christ." ~Romans 3:23-26 (J.B. Phillips New Testament)

Be encouraged through His promises. O' how He is faithful to those who abide.

© 2013 Giving Thanks Daily

In These Times by Ron McIntyre

From time to time I have noticed, and perhaps some of you as well, that names of false teachers, preachers and event leaders seem to find a way of getting their names on our pages.

We, as leaders, must have full discernment in being able to call out a person that fits this definition. Today there are many popular evangelicals that are deceiving the sheep with their false words of encouragement, false hopes and even outright lies that are a far stretch from what we are taught in the Bible. Prosperity teachers seem to really draw followers who believe in the name-it, claim it philosophy. Show me one place where we are told to claim anything that isn't spiritual in Jesus name. How arrogant to demand God do something because we claim it to be!!!

We hear those who preach peace through religion and that all religions should bond together, after all, we have the same God. THIS IS FALSE!!!!!

We hear that the gate is "wide"--Jesus said the "gate" is narrow--Who do you believe?

We hear that all we need to do is love and everything will be all right. Jesus said that we will suffer for His namesake.

My friends, the church today has become politically correct and attempts to reach out through programs while telling people what they want to hear. What about teaching what the Bible teaches and warns us about?

We hear that the church will save the world from hunger and solve health issues. Where in the Bible are we told that the church will solve all the problems of the world? The church is to take care of believers, that we are commanded to do.

We are told not to yoke with unbelievers, yet we see pastors sharing their stages with pastors and public speakers that do not share the same God as we do. There is one God, period. There is ONE way , period.

Do not be fooled because someone looks good, speaks well and quotes scripture. Do not follow someone because your common sense thinking tells you this must be true.-----Make your decisions only with facts, and the only facts are in the Bible. We are individually accountable and responsible for our own thoughts, words and actions. When we face the Lord, there will be no blame game. Read your Bible and seek wisdom from the Holy Spirit when you do, don't ever take the word of someone else unless you know it to be true.

The Old and New Testaments warn us throughout about wolves in sheep's clothing that will lead the sheep astray, I pray that no one here is following a false teacher in any way, shape or form. Some people know that a person is false but will still get in involved with their programs because they may do good for others. When you endorse a program, you endorse that teacher.

God the Father is our creator. Our Savior is Jesus. Our healer is the Holy Spirit by definition--not man!!!!!

Truth, joy and love,
Strength and Honor

Day 995 of Giving Thanks

"They are bowed down and fallen, but we are risen and stand upright.
O Lord, give victory; let the King answer us when we call." ~Psalm 20:8-9 (Amplified Bible)

Be encouraged. 

Be hopeful.

Be joyful.

All these things require us to be His wholly, or they are just emotions that come and go. But God never leaves; He has been here, will be here and always knows where you are too.

Psalm 20
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
“May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob set you up on high [and defend you];
Send you help from the sanctuary and support, refresh, and strengthen you from Zion;
Remember all your offerings and accept your burnt sacrifice. Selah [pause, and think of that]!
May He grant you according to your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans.
We will [shout in] triumph at your salvation and victory, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners. May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.
Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand.
Some trust in and boast of chariots and some of horses, but we will trust in and boast of the name of the Lord our God.
They are bowed down and fallen, but we are risen and stand upright.
O Lord, give victory; let the King answer us when we call.”
(Amplified Bible)

I can spend my life questioning why, or I can press into Him and thank Him daily for the good days... and the lessons of the bad. That is what He has desired for me to do. I love His ways. I don't always like the moments... but I love the outcome.

One day, one moment at a time... every day get better. That is the ticket.

“It is only when we obey God’s laws that we can be quite sure that we really know him. The man who claims to know God but does not obey his laws is not only a liar but lives in self-delusion. In practice, the more a man learns to obey God’s laws the more truly and fully does he express his love for him. Obedience is the test of whether we really live “in God” or not. The life of a man who professes to be living in God must bear the stamp of Christ.” ~1 John 2:3-6 (J.B. Phillips New Testament)

He loves you, has loved you, and will continue to love you as only He can. Be encouraged and know that He will never leave You. He is always available to His children and seeks all of us, just as He so lovingly pursued the Israelites. He desires us to know Him. His ability to related to us comes through Christ's humanity, with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Let us not doubt Him, but run to Him. Know that He is always for us. Father, thank You.

You are our hope.

You are our light. 

You are our salvation. 

You are our peace. 

You are our everything.

I hear over and over, “Be still... allow Him to be recognized”. Ask the Spirit (in you) to reveal our Father. Thank Him for loving you so much that He is present, available and approachable. It is because of the humanity of Jesus that we can relate so amazingly to our Creator. I so appreciate this. Please share your prayers and praise today. Let us all pray together to our Father who loves us so immensely.

LORD, You know my heart, my "responsibilities", my fear and my limitations - help me to set boundaries, grow in trusting Your strength and wisdom to be more of You, less of me... all of You, none of me, but wholly who You created me to be. O, I so desire to step into that faithfulness, and trusting attitude. I love You Father. I stand in faith today for the physical challenges to become my un-worrying stand. In Your precious and perfect promises I trust and abide daily, moment to moment. Amen."

© 2013 Giving Thanks Daily

Day 994 of Giving Thanks Daily

At some point you have to change your perspective.

God can do amazing things, but He leaves choice to you.... start every morning thanking God, giving thanks for the good things. Focus on that, rather than the negative.

I promise you will change. But better yet, God promises are greater. 

As you as you start changing your thoughts toward the good things, your circumstances won't feel this daunting. I have been there. I know this one. That is why I started giving thanks daily (my blog). I wrote every single day for over 600 days what I was thankful for before missing even one. Now I write as led, and have all the other pages. You have to choose to change things. But you have to follow through.

Decide to heal my friends. Believe and trust our Father that this is already accomplished, and it will be done.

Those who are depressed, take a step to move out of the darkness and into His amazing and tender mercies. If you are in pain, ill, struggling financially, with your job, your marriage, or just unsure why... keep moving toward God. The only way to heal is by His work in you... become your greatest advocate before Jesus' feet.

Do not allow the enemy to take hold of any part of your life; everyone has pain and the enemy will take even an inkling of pain and work and continue to work it to a gaping hole in your life (deceivingly through our own flawed perceptions).

The Holy Spirit is our strength, courage and He is your "pick me up" in times of trouble. You are all powerful through Christ... YOU CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST. You are loved beyond measure. Today Father, I give my fears, doubts, sorrows, physical pain and everything else that is hindering my growth and healing of this fleshly body. I boldly come to YOU in Jesus' name with not enough faith to do "all things" but depend wholly on You to give me more, help me believe more, trust You more, abide in You more, dismiss the holds in my life COMPLETELY. Mighty and faithful God I thank You that all this IS POSSIBLE. That I have all of You to hold on to, cling to, trust in... that You have already WON this battle, that I am a victor, never a victim. I am Yours, loved, cared for, protected and already delivered. Help me LORD... help me see, hear and do all that You place before me. Help me today take that first step, the next step and every step to follow in the days to come. Thank You for being with me, loving me and holding me. Thank You for salvation, Your mercy, Your favor and Your light that shines in every moment, EVEN MY darkest moments. Help my family do the same. Expectant LORD that You hear our cries, hear our prayers and answer every single one of them according to Your will and for Your glory. I love You our Father, I trust You, believe You and am ready to recognize every one of Your blessings and gifts. Help me to be grateful. Amen.

Those who are depressed, take a step to move out of the darkness and into His amazing and tender mercies. If you are in pain, ill, struggling financially, with your job, your marriage, or just unsure why... keep moving toward God. The only way to heal is by His work in you... become your greatest advocate before Jesus' feet.

Do not allow the enemy to take hold of any part of your life; everyone has pain and the enemy will take even an inkling of pain and work and continue to work it to a gaping hole in your life (deceivingly through our own flawed perceptions).

In the eye of a storm; in the heat of the fire; in the midst of heartbreak - let us come to You LORD in faith, in hope, in confidence that we can count on Your presence. As we hit our knees, let us know Your greatness, Your love and all that You promise. Help us Father to realize not just Your presence, but Your desire for us to recognize You throughout all of our moments and that you hold us in Your perfect embrace. Let us see You.

Psalm 90
Amplified Bible (AMP)
Book Four
"Let Your work [the signs of Your power] be revealed to Your servants, and Your [glorious] majesty to their children." ~Psalm 90:16 (Amplified Bible)

A Prayer of Moses the man of God.
1 Lord, You have been our dwelling place and our refuge in all generations [says Moses].
2 Before the mountains were brought forth or ever You had formed and given birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting You are God.
3 You turn man back to dust and corruption, and say, Return, O sons of the earthborn [to the earth]!
4 For a thousand years in Your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night.(A)
5 You carry away [these disobedient people, doomed to die within forty years] as with a flood; they are as a sleep [vague and forgotten as soon as they are gone]. In the morning they are like grass which grows up—
6 In the morning it flourishes and springs up; in the evening it is mown down and withers.
7 For we [the Israelites in the wilderness] are consumed by Your anger, and by Your wrath are we troubled, overwhelmed, and frightened away.
8 Our iniquities, our secret heart and its sins [which we would so like to conceal even from ourselves], You have set in the [revealing] light of Your countenance.
9 For all our days [out here in this wilderness, says Moses] pass away in Your wrath; we spend our years as a tale that is told [for we adults know we are doomed to die soon, without reaching Canaan].(B)
10 The days of our years are [a]threescore years and ten (seventy years)—or even, if by reason of strength, fourscore years (eighty years); yet is their pride [in additional years] only labor and sorrow, for it is soon gone, and we fly away.
11 Who knows the power of Your anger? [Who worthily connects this brevity of life with Your recognition of sin?] And Your wrath, who connects it with the reverent and worshipful fear that is due You?
12 So teach us to number our days, that we may get us a heart of wisdom.
13 Turn, O Lord [from Your fierce anger]! How long—? Revoke Your sentence and be compassionate and at ease toward Your servants.
14 O satisfy us with Your mercy and loving-kindness in the morning [now, before we are older], that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
15 Make us glad in proportion to the days in which You have afflicted us and to the years in which we have suffered evil.
16 Let Your work [the signs of Your power] be revealed to Your servants, and Your [glorious] majesty to their children.
17 And let the beauty and delightfulness and favor of the Lord our God be upon us; confirm and establish the work of our hands—yes, the work of our hands, confirm and establish it.

I am so grateful for God’s influence, and my changed perspective… and ever growing desire to please the LORD. I love You Father, I love Your Word... I desire to abide, love others greatly and deeply.

© 2013 Giving Thanks Daily

Wow - new book coming by Colleen Marquez

My friend Colleen’s new and first book will be released in the Fall of this year. I truly am surrounded by some amazing and talented people, who God has used in amazing ways.  As children of God we have all been adopted, that is our perfect example... and in this life, we see exemplary examples of adoption - courage, hope and inspiration all the way around. A gift for Little Tree, her new book is a children's story about an apple tree who couldn't bear fruit, until the farmer uses his wisdom of grafting to bring fruit to her branches through the gifts from the other apple trees in the orchard.

Her inspiration began through the heartache of infertility. Colleen and her husband tried for 4 years to have a baby, naturally and medically; they watched as all their friends as they began families and finally,  God used an amazing illustration to move them toward their own family.

Thank you Colleen for sharing your story in this beautiful and touching way.

Watch Now
Learn about the upcoming release and how you can get involved!

  an illustration from A Gift for Little Tree by Masako Dunn

"I have two fruitless tree stories. The weeping fruitless cherry tree story - where God restored my hope with a cherry on my fruitless tree, and then later, the three in one apple tree, which God used to explain to me how adoption was like a farmer's grafting. That story led us to adopt. Both stories were heart changing moments." ~Colleen Marquez

The Weeping Fruitless Cherry Tree Story
by Colleen Marquez

I cried when I realized the tree we bought for our front yard was a weeping fruitless cherry tree. Of course I had picked a tree just like me, fruitless and weeping as my husband and I struggled with infertility. We had chosen that tree to plant in our front yard to celebrate the close of escrow of the house we now could say we “owned”. Each day, as I watered it by hand, I saw lacy pink blossoms pop from the tree’s seemingly lifeless twigs. Beautiful but barren, I wondered, with inconsolable longing.

Then, weeks later, I discovered a tiny package of promise – sent just for me. As I examined the fading blossoms of my little cherry tree, something new caught my eyes. From a single shriveled blossom, grew a tiny green lump like a pea….or…was it a cherry?! I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. I cried out with amazement and a strange new hope hovered inside me.  How could it be? What could it mean? Could a fruitless tree really grow a cherry? What could God be telling me through this?! In the crossroads of despair and hope, I chose to embrace hope. I laughed, I cried some more, then I called my husband at work and told him through my tears. He loved me enough to agree with me that it must indeed be a sign of hope from God!

Every morning that followed that summer, I tiptoed barefoot through the muddy grass to our tree, to look at my little cherry. Day after day the cherry grew bigger and bigger. Later, it began to ripen and turn red, and I delighted in this visible sign of fertility and life. With fresh hope I began to believe it must be a sign I would someday have a baby to love. I couldn’t stop looking at that cherry for the joy it gave me was like nothing else before. Only God would have known what that small miracle of life on a simple fruitless tree would mean to me.

Even though it was the only cherry ever to grow on our tree, my hope persevered whenever I remembered it. After 2 more years of active waiting and praying, at last God answered our hearts’ desire by grafting life into our barren family tree through the gift of adoption. It was the moment I had waited for all my life!

As I held our beautiful infant daughter close in my arms I showed her the miracle tree that had renewed my hope 2 years earlier. I thought of the tears I had cried, and of all my days of despair, and I marveled in the miracle of God’s gift of life to us. It wasn’t the timing or the way I had imagined we would become a family, but it happened exactly the way God knew we would appreciate best.

With a single cherry, God brought refreshment and promise back into my heartsick spirit, and in His perfect timing, brought the gift of our precious daughter, and eventually, the treasure of our son, to the branches of our waiting arms.

It is hard to believe twenty years have passed since that cherry of hope lifted my heart. Our home buzzes with the busy lives of our high school senior daughter and third grade son, and I am grateful beyond words for the gifts of our children, and for their beautiful birth families. God truly answered the desires of my heart, beyond my wildest dreams. And it's my time to pray for others.

Today, our cherry tree's branches are once again bare and scraggly, dormant in winter. I think of those I know for whom this season is filled with the heartbreak of infertility: the hollow longing for children to love. But I am convinced that hope, like spring is just around the corner. And this year, as I watch for signs of life on our tree, as I've done every year for two decades,  I will pray God restores hope anew with the gift of a cherry on a fruitless branch in someone else's yard. May God's hope be yours this year. Truly, all things are possible with God. (Mark 10:27)

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.” ~Proverbs 13:12

After many years of infertility, Colleen and her husband Mickey are the grateful parents of two beautiful children, given to them by God through the loving arms of their birthparents. They live in the Bay Area, California.  Colleen's first children's book, A Gift for Little Tree - a parable about apples, adoption, and love will be published by Cupola Press in Fall 2013.  For more information - www.giftforlittletree.com

original article 
(c) 2013 Colleen Marquez

 

By His Stripes, for Steven

In the moments of despair, our humanity wants to give up or lay down... Let us do both. Give up all our insecurities and lay down our fears... all to Him. All to Him.

These words came to me as I prayed for my friend Steven (whose work I have shared here). Please lift him in prayer as the "Major Depressive Disorder" is a fight... We know that many great saints of the LORD had their "thorns", this is Steven's, and it is heartbreaking to watch him hit that moment when his thoughts move from Child of God to self-loathing. My friends, we cannot allow the enemy any hold in our lives - he takes liberty with every opportunity AND we have to fight back... CAN YOU STAND WITH US IN PRAYER FOR MY WONDERFUL FRIEND?

By His Stripes... eternity with Him - that is our freedom, and our plea mighty and faithful God is relief for Steven and this hold in despair. Father we thank You for Your work in him, the progress made, the less frequent episodes, but we do boldly pray for complete healing. In Jesus' name, in agreement with Angelo. We cry out Father, in hope for this life as well as heaven. We thank You for this man of God's words that minister to so many, that make so many unbelievers stop and think, and evaluate. We pray for the despair to be released in Jesus' name, in the power of the Holy Spirit, we pray that THIS MOUNTAIN be moved, that these thoughts HOLD YOU CAPTIVE - IN THE POWER AND FULL STRENGTH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, we stand and pray now. In the perfection of Jesus' blood we ask that all that is evil and negative be washed away, this we boldly and in full hope and whole heart, we pray.

"The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent.” ~Exodus 14:14 (New American Standard Bible)

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” ~ Proverbs 3:5-6 (New International Version)

“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”” ~Matthew 19:26 (New International Version)

“Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.” ~Psalm 37:7 (New International Version)

"Offer God a sacrifice of thanksgiving! Fulfill the promises you made to the Most High! Cry out to me whenever you are in trouble; I will deliver you, then you will honor me.” ~Psalm 50:14-15 (Common English Bible)

© 2013 Giving Thanks Daily

Day 993 of Giving Thanks

It is pride that keeps us from turning and running to Him... pride is a character of satan. Run from those urges and right into the arms of our Savior - "Come to Me". I love that assurance of hope.

If you are a believer, and spend most of your time finding what is wrong in others or their walk with Jesus, I pray that you are reminded daily (moment to moment) that we are all works in progress, that the only perfect person was Jesus, and He instructed us to love one another... please don't spend your time correcting others, when there are so many who need to be encouraged in their walk. It just makes sense to allow the Holy Spirit to lead us daily (moment to moment) toward our eternal perfection. We can watch others change around us, in amazing ways when they know they are loved.

I had someone say to me today, "Why are you doing all this extra stuff (meaning Facebook ministry)? You are not gifted in the area of counseling." Do you have people in your life telling you things like that, even though you know God has placed you right where you are? Maybe it's the enemy trying to feed you with doubt, when what you should be doing is seeking the peace of God.

Let God be a mightier presence in your heart, mind and soul than the naysayers that the enemy uses to distract you from your work for His Kingdom. Let God be the loudest voice you hear.

The Armor of God
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." ~Ephesians 6:10-12 (New International Version)

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” ~ Joshua 1:9 (New International Version)

Jesus said....“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." ~Matthew 11:28-29 (New International Version)

My heart belongs to Jesus, but He has given me the power to love in whole heart all that and all whom He loves - today, letting the Holy Spirit lead me in love, kindness and tenderness. Why?Because - His pain for our sins, our sins for His death, our death to sin to be His for eternity all because He was obedient and loved us so much. Thank You Jesus for loving me this much. Why? Oh, because He loved me first and loves me perfectly.

I believe He desires us to know Him, and will give every opportunity for those to come to Him... He continued to pursue the Israelites and they kept turning. But He still pursues, while giving us all the opportunity to keep praying, ministering and witnessing... what a wonderful thing that He pursues, wouldn't you agree?

I don't know about you, but I don’t always respond correctly, but I really work at learning from my mistakes... When a mistake happens, and others are the victims - I let the hurt party know immediately that I realize what I did... I apologize and ask them to forgive me. Does it work out every time? No, but I do grow from each experience. With a heart for God we do not intentionally hurt others, but we are going to cause pain. Father we pray for lessons to be lived out in victory - YOUR VICTORY - daily. We pray for discernment, strength and courage to do the right thing every time... yes, every time. We pray for wisdom, a heart after Your desires and will and grace given, as well as received. We thank Him for His continual pursuit of us and His love unending! WOW!

© 2013 Giving Thanks Daily

Day 992 of Giving Thanks

I am grateful for His work for me... for us. I pray that we will all be with the Father in eternity. We must not be concerned with the outcome of this world, but the overcoming of it through Christ. Let us be ready to receive His coming again, by sharing His first coming and the need and reasons with others. Let us be people of action, and in tenderness reveal Him through our love of others.

We are such fickle people... are we really different than those who hailed Hosanna as Jesus entered the gates of Jerusalem? When push comes to shove, will be deny Him, claim Him, edify Him or be more like Him in times of trouble? Will we be the ones who cry out, "crucify Him" or weep at His feet? Let us pray for boldness and faith in amazing strength. His strength. Daily it is our plea and request Father.

We have to know:

Who He is and whose we are. 

We have to know: 

His promises. 

We have to know: 

That He is the way; the only way.

"I am the resurrection and the life... he who believes in me will never die". ~King Jesus

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.” ~John 3:16-17 (New American Standard Bible)

The LORD will draw you toward salvation... are you listening? He is calling. He is pursuing you. He desires you to know Him. His blood is new life for us. AWEsome God...

Father God, You are my everything today, tomorrow and yesterday. Thank You for loving me when I did not know this truth. And continuing to love me still.

The testing of faith... I think of Job, or the amazing saints today who fight daily in prayer for the life of their children or their spouse. I think those of faith being held captive in the middle east, and their families. All those who are being actively prosecuted for their faith today - these are exemplary examples of faith and dependence on our mighty God. Today as you go through your day, pray for them - allow the Holy Spirit to move and grieve your heart for these brothers and sisters in Christ. Allow the Spirit to share Jesus more with others, to step out of our comfortable environments, and into the work of our LORD in trust and in hope. Praise HIM FOR the ultimate work of the cross, the journeys yet to face, the lessons learned, the blessings from ashes, the stronger faith from trial. Praise your Creator, your Savior, your Comforter, your Healer, your King today. In the many moments of busyness, stop and praise; stop and pray; stop and reflect; stop and rest in Him.


The Christian can even welcome trouble - "When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives my brothers, don’t resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends! Realise that they come to test your faith and to produce in you the quality of endurance. But let the process go on until that endurance is fully developed, and you will find you have become men of mature character with the right sort of independence. And if, in the process, any of you does not know how to meet any particular problem he has only to ask God—who gives generously to all men without making them feel foolish or guilty—and he may be quite sure that the necessary wisdom will be given him. But he must ask in sincere faith without secret doubts as to whether he really wants God’s help or not. The man who trusts God, but with inward reservations, is like a wave of the sea, carried forward by the wind one moment and driven back the next. That sort of man cannot hope to receive anything from God, and the life of a man of divided loyalty will reveal instability at every turn." ~James 1:3-8 (J.B. Phillips New Testament)

Father, as we continue through our day today, remind us as we cry out, that we not only cry out for ourselves, but on behalf of others. In our own despair or worry, remind us that it's about serving You first and in the process, our needs will be met. Help us to expect You to work in amazing ways on behalf of us. We are victorious, let us live like victors.


"No, in all these things we are superconquerors, through the one who has loved us." ~Romans 8:37 (Complete Jewish Bible)


© 2013 Giving Thanks Daily

Dr. Godspeed - My Identity in Christ Steven Salazar

My friend Steven deals with major depressive episodes and this is one of the tools he is using to speak to the oppressive voice, the lies of the enemy. This is a very near and dear discussion to my heart. Although my depression has not been extreme, and I am so encouraged by this dialog. I pray for those in a similar fight, may the LORD reveal amazing healing.

Thank you Steven, and thank You Father for your faithfulness.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

My dialogue with Dr. Godspeed on My Identity in Christ
by Steven ChristAmbassador Salazar

Identity in Jesus
Me: Dr. Godspeed I am a great admirer of yours and I have a problem. I am a Christian, and I feel as though I am utterly worthless, stupid, and I am nothing. Sometimes I wish I would have died at birth. I need your help.

Dr. Godspeed: Gladly, first of all your assessment of your own identity is absolutely horrendous and fallacious due to these contributing factors; Satan's wanting you to negate your true identity in Christ, and your imperceptibility to the truth and your willingness to feed into these lies, without implementing the very weapon God had given to humanity and that is indeed the Holy Bible. Gods Word has an astronomical amount of information concerning the identity of those who are in Christ, Why don't you utilize these truths against the enemy? Why do you continuously give into defeatism? You're a Royal Priest, you were brought with blood of Christ, which means your value is infinite. With all due respect you're acting like an ignorant fool, like you weren't blessed with Gods word in the first place! I want you to name three "feelings" that have left you so systematically dejected in all aspects of life, and I don't want you to give reasons because your reasons aren't even factors to consider all that ultimately matters is what Gods word says. You'll see has we progress.

***Emotional Guide Vs Omniscient Guide***

Me: I am worthless. Everyday that I wake up, I feel like I am just a major disappointment to my family and definitely to myself.

Dr. Godspeed: You "feel?" Let us first address this word, "feel." You are basing your identity on a fallacious perception fueled not by the word of God which is truth, but by your own finite and faulty thinking! You want to know what the Bible says about considering your feelings as objective truth?! "Those who trust their own insight are foolish, but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe (Proverbs 28:26). "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it" (Jeremiah 17:9). "Whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything." (1 John 3:20).

Your emotions, or feelings aren't a reliable guide "especially" in this case and the Bible tells you this on several occasions. Emotions can be a manipulative tactic that Satan can implement; effectively separating believers from God, and what I mean by effectively, is it's success rate is paramount for those whom aren't implanted in the truth of their identity. My proof Satan's methodology is working is you. You're choosing an emotional guide over an omniscient guide. You have a choice of an infinite guide whom always desires the best for you, and a guide of near sightedness and a faulty perception; and you my friend are "choosing" the latter!

***Worthless or Worth it***

Me: So, my feelings are wrong? If I am not worthless, than what am I? I certainly don't feel any different. I am a train wreck. My life reflects and proves my worthlessness.

Dr. Godspeed: Well, you may not "feel" any different but if you believe the Bible is objective, absolute truth, then guess what your feelings are-- unreliable! Anyone can negate their accomplishments and arrive at a "seemingly" accurate conclusion that they are worthless; though it's just an erroneous argument built upon a distorted lens. You look at all your accomplishments and that presents a different conclusion; overwhelmingly shutting down the perspective that your worthless, that your value is nothingness. Let's look at the other side of the argument, in this case ironically, this side "Me" is arguing against your claim which would make my side the "negative" while your side is the "affirmative."

You're a military veteran who has served a tour in Afghanistan; 99 percent of the citizens of this nation can't even truthfully claim such an accomplishment! And within that situation you were proficient at your job, being a what was that called again, "Oh yes, Signal Support Systems Specialist." You managed to overcome an addition to alcohol and I know by firsthand experience that it's no easy task! You've overcome self harming, which again I can attest to the fact, that isn't a meniscal obstacle! And even on a daily basis you are overcoming your depressive disorder to study for your college endeavors; so I know you overcoming Major Depression isn't an impossibility for you, but for some reason you view it as implausible. And you have an illimitable amount of qualities; you're intelligent, handsome, your goals are selfless, you're incredibly talented, and so forth! You were definitely crafted to accomplish an incredible purpose! So look at your accomplishments and your aspirations to get a correct depiction of who you truly are!

Me: Hmm... I guess I really never thought of looking at my accomplishments; I guess I am guilty of just focusing on the negatives. Thanks!

Dr. Godspeed: And that was just from a temporal and worldly point of view which is ultimately meaningless when determining your value and identity! What does the objective and truthful Word of God, the Holy Bible say about your worth upon accepting Christ, and what is it based on? Let's see how God views you! "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light" (1 Peter 2:9) "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13). "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 2:10).

The objective, eternally truthful Word of God has spoken! You are counted worthy enough to be assigned as apart of the Royal Priesthood of God and you are actually Gods special possession! Who are you to say any different?! Did God say you were worthless?... No! Are you going to disagree with an all-knowing creator?! Let's, see, ah yes, you can do all things through Christ you strengthens you! Do you know the significance of that verse?! Obviously you don't. Christ Jesus is the creator of the universe and you have inherited his strength! And his strength and potentiality is illimitable! And the last and final verse recited, that totally affirms your objective identity and value is the fact God calls you his own masterpiece, that you were created in Christ to accomplish good works! You're his masterpiece, his crowning achievement, his magnum opus! Do you know the significance of this? Let's look up the definition of masterpiece, shall we...

Masterpiece

1. a person's greatest piece of work, as in an art.2. anything done with masterly skill: a masterpiece of improvisation.3. a consummate example of skill or excellence of any kind: The chef's cake was a masterpiece.

Now, compare this to Gods inexplicable display of craftsmanship thus far! Creatio Ex Nilhilo! God created the entire universe; space-time, matter, and energy; the extreme fine tuning of the cosmological constant, the dimensions that sustains our spatial three dimensional cosmos; the imperceptible spiritual realm; the illimitable amount of planets and star within our spiral galaxy alone; I mean it's mind blowing the masterly craftsmanship and design of our universe, out of absolute nothingness! And when you compare us humans to the grand scheme of thing, we seem insignificant, but God out of all creation deemed "us" his masterpiece, his crowning achievement! And since God is Just, Righteous and Holy, he doesn't lie; he only knows truth; he calls us his masterpiece, and in actuality when you study our complex design, compared to the rest of creation we are definitely infinitely more magnificent; research our biological complexity; our intricately designed bodies both macro and microscopically down the compact language of our DNA. And this is further backed by God manifesting himself in the flesh, and actually suffering the most horrific death in all of history for our sake; for your sake! Don't you dare denigrate your worth and value; not after God proved your infinite value on the cross!

***Glorious Hope***

Me: *almost in tears* Alright, I think that's all I needed to hear. I really never gave that the consideration it needed. I am shocked. What about when I am experiencing hopelessness?

Dr. Godspeed: I noticed you purposely avoided saying "feelings of hopelessness." My dear friend, hopelessness is just a feeling, that's all it is. It's another false and distorted perception of reality. Is God going to abandon you? Is he going to leave you? Is he going to forsake his masterpiece? Here is what God says to you! "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you" (Deuteronomy 31:6). For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to proper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11). Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand" (Isaiah 41:10).

So, what in the world do you have to be hopeless about. Truthfully, and honestly a Christian has no valid or sensical reason for hopelessness; you have an eternal, infinitely benevolent, omnipotent, and omniscient God who is continually with you and wants what is ultimately best for you. God is telling you to be strong and courageous! He is telling you don't be afraid or discourage, he is with you and he will never leave or nor forsake you. Jesus said he would be with you, even to the end of age! God is right by your side, literally! Gods promises hold true 100% of the time and you said, he has plans prosper you, "not" to harm you! He will uphold you in his victorious right hand! This is a God who went to the cross and died for you! He has given you impeccable hope in his word, and he has preordained a future for you that is good, in this temporal existence and in the life to come as a joint inheritor in Gods glorious kingdom, how absolutely incredible is that! And again to supply you with that hope and that infinitely glorious future, he died for you! So why are you hopeless?

Me:I guess I am hopeless for no apparent good reason at all; I guess my hopelessness is due to an unwillingness to trust God. What if I don't deserve such hope, or such a future? I loathe myself, I don't deserve it. What do you have to say about self-loathing?

***Self-Loathing: Invalid***

Dr. Godspeed: *chuckles* You're missing the significance of it all. Firstly, we don't deserve what God did for our sake? It would have been perfectly justified for God to leave us in our ignorance and rebellion. Secondly, after everything I've explained to you, there's no sensible reason why you should loath yourself when God, adores you infinitely. And thirdly, even from a temporal perspective you are a shining example to the rest of humanity about perseverance, intelligence, and altruism! But let's take this back to a Biblical perspective, as it ultimately matters; why do you hate yourself when Gods word says; "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them" (Genesis 1:27). "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come" (2 Corinthians 5:17) "We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life" (Romans 6:4).

First off you were created in the divine image of God; just on that basis alone your worth is absolutely infinite! Why would you hate somebody whom God formed in the womb himself! "I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb" (Jeremiah 1:5) and before you were born you were chosen and preordained by God! "Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations: Before I was born the LORD called me; from my birth he has made mention of my name" (Isaiah 49:1). "Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes" (Ephesians 1:4). God, knew the mistakes you would make in life, and yet he loved you, and appointed you to an ambassador to his glorious kingdom!

So what, you've made mistakes, we've all have; some minors, and some grave; but you are a New Creation in Christ, the "old you" has gone! You were resurrected with Christ from the grave and have new life! You are seated, as we speak, in the heavenly realm with Christ! The Holy Spirit dwells within you conforming you into the image of Christ; you are judged holy and righteous even before the day of judgment. So past mistakes are inconsequential to your identity! This self-loathing and low self-conceptualization is due to unreliable and manipulative feelings brought upon by Satan and your willingness to believe him! You must change your habit of thought!

***The Road to Liberation***

Me: You're right. How does one go about doing that, I mean I've been fighting with this for quite awhile, but it has increased in frequency and intensity, right after I quit alcohol.

Dr. Godspeed: I am far from a neurologist, but I stumbled across a particular bit of information that fits this occasion. And I quote: Any pattern of thought or action repeated many times results in a habit with a corresponding neurosignature, or brain groove. The brain is composed of approximately 100 billion cells, called neurons. A brain groove is a series of interconnected neurons that carry the thought patterns of a particular habit. Attention feeds the habit. When we give our attention to a habit, we activate the brain groove, releasing the thoughts, desires, and actions related to that habit.

The good news is that the brain is malleable. We can change our thoughts and behavior by recruiting new cells to form new brain grooves. Every thought and action is recorded within the interconnected nerve cells, and each repetition adds new depth to the brain groove. If we repeat a thought and action enough times, a habit is formed. Continued repetition strengthens the power of the habit. Inattention and lack of repetition weakens the power of the habit. These principles apply to the formation of both good and bad habits. Positive thoughts and actions create good habits. Negative thoughts and actions create harmful habits.

I hope that answers your question efficiently. And what should you replace thoughts of worthlessness, hopelessness, and self-loathing with?... The emotional and spiritual revitalizing Word of God! I bet you didn't see that coming. *chuckles* Look, Steven, God delivered us his word for a gargantuan amount of reasons; and what you're currently going through now is one of them. Remember, the Bible is objective truth, God doesn't lie, he has nothing to gain for helping us, it's because he loves us that he revealed himself in his word! I gave you a great quantity of verses that can help you on your journey for emotional and spiritual revivification and there are literally hundreds more of those verses that directs a Christian in the aspect of finding his true identity. God is the most amazing guide ever! His word is more than enough! You need to stay grounded in it! The foundation of your identity and worth needs to be built upon the Holy Bible. "When" you accomplish that with the help of the Holy Spirit, you will definitely be set up for success in this life and the one to come.

Steven, as a fellow brother in Christ, I love you, God loves you; and God is hurting at the misery you're allowing yourself to go through. He wants you to realize your worth and actualize your potential that he has given you. I am not talking to you for no reason, our meeting wasn't a fatalistic, random cosmic occurrence; God wanted you to speak with me. I even hurt to the point that I can't breathe because of your pain, imagine how God feels. These words aren't my own. But they were given to me by the Spirit of Truth to deliver to you. God knows your infinitely valuable, he knows your potentiality is illimitable, and he knew your mistakes before you even committed them, and he still loves you and wants you reconciled to himself in a deep and meaningful way. God will "never, ever, ever" leave you nor forsake you!

***Prayer***

Let's conclude our meeting with a prayer led by the Holy Spirit.

Our Father in Heaven, we come to you in the glorious and victorious name of our God and Savior, your Son Jesus Christ whom died for us. Father we come to you to ask that your illimitable wisdom be imparted on Steven, that you guide him through his trails and tribulations. That you revitalize his strength, you align his perception of reality with your eternal and glorious word. Help him to realize his incredible worth. Help him to grow and depend on the amazing and remarkable hope that you've given us through your word, and through the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Help him to realize your absolutely wonderful love for him. My Father I thank you, that I met Steven, and I am confident that through me, you have illuminated his perspective to your ever-enduring truth. In Jesus' glorious and victorious name we pray... Amen.

©2013 Steven Salazar

You can read more apologetic writing at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Apolopedia-a-comprehensive-approach-to-Christian-Apologetics/163286163826705?fref=ts