Tag: Thankful

The Fruit of our Lips

Posted on by Dorci

Sunday Praise and a Prayer of Thanksgiving

Posted on by Dorci

Dear Heavenly Father, we praise you.  We praise you for your sovereignty and your holiness. We praise you because you are worthy of all praise. 

Father, we always give you thanks, but during this week when we’ll stop for a day to observe all we have to be thankful for, before the turkey and the stuffing and the pie, we want to honor and bless you by thanking you for all you are and all you’ve done for us. 

For many it may be difficult to see what there is to be thankful for. Father, give us hearts that are softened toward you and willing to be thankful, even as a sacrifice to you. We pray that throughout the week you would put on our hearts all we have to be grateful for, for every good gift that’s come from you. 

Thank you for Jesus and for His sacrifice on the cross that paid for our sins, that He took the punishment that should have been ours. We are deeply and eternally thankful, Lord. 

Thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit who indwells us and leads us, teaches us, comforts us, strengthens us and fills us with your peace that passes all understanding. 

Thank you for calling us your children and providing us with everything we need. Thank you for being with us at all times, never leaving or forsaking us, but constantly shining your light and joy into our lives, especially when it seems as though the world around us is falling apart.  

Thank you for your faithfulness to keep every one of your promises, like preparing a home for us with you. 

Thank you for the people you’ve placed in our lives, for their love, the spiritual fellowship we share, and the friendship we enjoy. 

Thank you for every big thing and every small thing we can sometimes overlook in the busyness of our lives. 

Thank you for the sun and moon, clouds and rain, breezes and fresh air, flowers and trees, lakes and oceans, sunrises and sunsets, and even for the pets that make us smile. 

Thank you for blessing us so abundantly. 

And Lord, thank you for prayer. Thank you for allowing us, through Jesus, to come before you with every need, every desire, every fear, every hope, and for hearing us when we do, and for answering us according to your perfect will.  

Thank you, Father. Help us to be a people who are always mindful of your blessings and overflowing with thanksgiving. 

In Jesus’ name we pray, amen. 

 

Thankful Thursday – Good Medicine

Posted on by Dorci

 

“A merry heart does good like a medicine…”  
Proverbs 17:22

Today, and every day, but especially in the middle of this mess, I’m so thankful God’s given us a sense of humor to lighten our hearts, change our countenance, bring us together, and remind us there is still joy. 

What God revealed to Solomon when he wrote the proverb, modern medical science now understands. 

Laughter causes us to take in more oxygen, stimulates our organs, improves the function of blood vessels, and increases the endorphins released by our brain. It stimulates circulation and relaxes the muscles. 

It can help fight stress, relieve tension and pain, and lift depression. 

And yeah, it can burn calories. It might not be a lot, but I’ll take it. 

 

Thankful Thursday – Mercy

Posted on by Dorci

“Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”
 1 Chronicles 16:34

There is so much going on in the world right now that our minds can get pulled into a million different pits, so I thought it was important to start Thankful Thursday again.

I don’t have to tell you how despairing and overwhelming the state of this world is in right now. 

But God’s mercy endures, now and forever, and when we remember that, and give Him thanks, we will have hope. 

The words of David recorded in 1 Chronicles were part of a psalm spoken when the ark of the covenant was returned after battle to its rightful place in the tabernacle. God’s glory had been restored among His people.  

Today we’re facing another kind of spiritual battle, and the enemy is doing all he can to hijack the glory of God from this world. 

But God’s glory now lives inside His people. We are His tabernacle. 

And we know that “All the promises of God in {Christ} are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.”  2 Corinthians 1:20

In Him we have His immeasurable love and grace and mercy and forgiveness. 

In Him we know He will lead us, give us wisdom, and provide for us. 

In Him we know our eternity is with Him. 

This life is short, and one day, when this battle is over, all wickedness will disappear, and His glory will reign forever more, where we will live in eternal peace and safety and love. 

So, wherever your thoughts have roamed to today, let’s focus them back on our merciful Heavenly Father, who already has the victory (and so do we!), and give Him thanks.  

What are you thankful for today?

 

I Would Rather

Posted on by Dorci