Thursday, November 29, 2012

Give Thanks Day 25 - Day 29 ~ 5 in 1 (Part 2)



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This is part 2 of my 5 in 1 post of my 30 Day Give Thanks Challenge. Part 1 has Day 20 - Day 24. So, this post will cover Day 25 - Day 29. Then I will be caught up. Let's get started. Shall we?!?

I'm going to share five of my favorite scriptures that I am thankful for. I have to read them from time to time, when I need to recollect myself and gain some perspective sort of speak.



Day 25 - I am thankful for Matthew 6:25. Sometimes I tend to worry more often than I should. But when I read Matthew 6:25, it gives me the reassurance that God knows very well what we need; And that we should not worry because He got us cover.


 
"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life,
what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body,
what you will put on. Is not life more than food and
the body more than clothing?" (Matthew 6:25)



Day 26 - I am thankful for Psalm 27:14. This scripture reminds me to wait on the Lord. It also reminds me that in the midst of my waiting not to lose heart, maintain a positive attitude, and be of good courage. A delayed gratification is more appreciated and long lasting than an instant gratification. So, if you are waiting on something, just be thankful to the Lord and you will be blessed.




"Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the LORD!" (Psalm 27:14).



Day 27 - I am thankful for Hebrews 11:1. Faith moves mountains. Faith gives confidence as well as reassurance. Faith is believing without seeing. Jesus said that we are blessed when we don't have to see in order to believe. Hebrews 11:1 reminds me that I can claim ownership on whatever I am believing in God before it is manifested. I don't need concrete proof in order to believe. I just have to believe in my heart and have faith that it is done in the name of Jesus.



 
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,
 the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1)




Day 28 ~ I am thankful for 2 Timothy 1:7. When going through certain situations or have to make a life changing decision, it can be very scary. Fear may even try to sit in spirit and try to overshadow your fear. But I am quickly reminded by 2 Tim 1:7 that fear is not part of our spiritual DNA and is not of God.




"For God has not given us a spirit of fear,
but of power and of love and
of a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7).





Day 29 ~ I am thankful for Mark 11:22. Sometimes we do not speak to our mountains as Jesus commanded. There may be times when we try to tackle the mountain ourselves by climbing it, compromising with it, or even simply tryimg to ignore it. But Jesus doesn't want us to do that. He wants us to take full authority in His name by speaking to it and commanding it to go away and never to return. Mark 11:22 reminds I can have what I say by the power and full authority in the name of Jesus.





"For assuredly, I say to you,
whoever says to this mountain,
'Be removed and be cast into the sea,'
and does not doubt in his heart,
but believes that those things he says will be done,
he will have whatever he says."
(Mark 11:22)







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Give Thanks Day #20 -Day #24 ~ 5 in 1 (Part 1)



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As some of you may know, Designer's Original is doing a 30 Day Give Thanks challenge. As you can see, I am a wee bit behind. Nonetheless, I have all intention for making up for lost times. So with that being said, I decided to do 5 thanks in 1 post. This is actually part one because I have 10 days I need to catch up. So without further adeiu, here's part 1 of my 5 in 1 deal.




Day #20 ~ I am thankful for music. Although I am a lover of most genres of music, nothing does my heart good like christian/gospel songs. I love to sing songs of praises as well as songs of worship. When I am feeling down for whatever the reason, I like to get in my car and just drive, while my music is on full blast. Sometimes I even like to walk on the trail near my home with my music sounding in my ears. This is great spiritual therapy. It's one of the many ways for me to release the cares of this world and give them to God. So, if you ever feeling down, listen to one of your favorite praise/worship songs; And if need be, sing your heart out and give it all to Him in the name of Jesus.







Day #21 ~ I am thankful for God being a burden carrier. Though I have tried many times and failed, I cannot get through life's let downs, frustrations, and even overwhelming circumstances without Him. Sometimes, God reminds me through the Holy Spirit that I just need to let Him handle my burdens;  But, all I have to do is cast them on to Him. One thing I know sure, burdens can break you and weigh you down in the worst way spiritually. That's why it's so important we never try to carry them ourselves, but give them all to Him; And just be thankful that we serve a God who will carry the load for us everytime.




"Cast your burden on the LORD,
And He shall sustain you; He shall never
permit the righteous to be moved,"
(Psalm 55:22).





Day #22 ~ I am thankful for Mom being blessed with another year of living. November 22 was her bday; And she is 66 years and proud of it. She still looks and no one can't tell her that she doesn't have it going on. And what's even more amazing is that she give all praises to God for her good health. And for that, I am even more thankful.








Day #23 ~ I am thankful for having such a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday. Besides, the wonderful, delicious, and finger-lickin' food that I cook :), my family and I had a great time just together. It was a day of relaxing, Pjs, full stomachs, and movies. It's a blessing when you can have that moment with your family and just simply enjoy each other's company without any drama or chaos. It was a great day!!!









Day #24 ~ I am thankful for access to the kingdom of God through Jesus. He is the key to the kingdom. That's why it's so important that when we pray, praise, worship, etc. to do so in the name of Jesus. He in turn will transfer it over to God. I am thankful for Jesus dying on the cross so that we can have a relationship God through Him.
Thank you JESUS!!!






"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth,
and the life. No one comes to the
Father except through Me.' " 
(John 14:6)
















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Monday, November 19, 2012

Give Thanks Day #19 ~ A Plan, A Purpose



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It's Day #19 of Designer's Original Give Thanks 30 Day Challenge. Today I am thankful for a plan and a purpose. And not just any ol' plan, but the master plan. Many times we have come up with our own plan for this and our own plan for that. When it comes to our plans, I think we often try to become independent from God and do things our way. Sometimes, it is not always done intentionally. 
 



But, regardless of how many plans we draft for our lives, God has the only plan we need. Once we decide to humble ourselves and not rebel against the plan God has for us, we will then understand our purpose. Where there is a plan from God, there is a purpose. We just have to trust in the plan God has us. Sometimes, we may not like it or even want it, but in end we will realize God's plan is exactly what we need.


"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)


"In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will," (Ephesians 1:11)



"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to [His] purpose." (Romans 8:28)





So, be thankful for the plan and purpose God has for you.  If you don't know what God has planned and purposed for you, don't worry you will in due time.  However, you must be humble, willing, obedient to His word.






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Sunday, November 18, 2012

Give Thanks Day #18 ~ Faith Triumphs Over Fear


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It's Day #18 of Designer's Original Give Thanks 30 Day Challenge. I am thankful that faith triumphs over fear. It has been said over and over again that fear retorts our faith. Though that statement is true, we have the power in the name of Jesus not to allow fear overshadow our faith. "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind," (2 Timothy 1:7).



"For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father.' " (Romans 8:15).

"The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?"
(Psalm 27:1).




Fear is not part of our salvation benefits. God wants to have faith in Him and His ability to turn our messes into messages. Fear is not one of the fruit of the spirit, but faith is. Faith conquers fear always, but you must believe that. So be thankful for faith triumphing over fear.  One thing I know for sure there is nothing to fear when you have the Almighty God, the Everlasting Father with you everywhere.






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Saturday, November 17, 2012

Give Thanks Day #17 ~ The Name of Jesus


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It's Day #17 of Designer's Original 30 Day Give Thanks Challenge. Today, I am thankful for the name of Jesus. There's just something about that name of.....Jesus. There is no other name like.......Jesus. There's power in the name of.....Jesus. Don't you just love the name of.....Jesus?




Jesus is the sweetest name. When we call out the name of Jesus, things begin to happen. Circumstances change; People are healed; The devil flees; I love calling His name. Sometimes, you may even have to cry out His name.



"Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father," (Philippians 2:9-11).




So thankful and give praises to His name. You cannot access the kingdom of God without doing it first in the name of JESUS.







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Friday, November 16, 2012

Give Thanks Day #16 ~ Joy My Strength




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It's Day #16 of Designer's Original 30 Day Give Thanks. Today I am thankful for joy being my strength. It can be very hard to find joy in a stressful circumstance. But that is exactly what the devil wants. He doesn't want you to find your joy because when you find your joy, you will find your strength. "Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength," (Nehemiah 8:10).




In order to see joy in a not-so-good situation, you must see with your spiritual eyes. When you look at difficult situations with your natural eyes, you will be blinded by fear. But if you look with your spiritual eyes, your eyes will be opened by faith. With faith, you can see the good in a bad situation and have joy knowing that God has already worked it out.







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Thursday, November 15, 2012

Give Thanks Day #15 ~ Psalm 23



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It's Day #15 of Designer's Original 30 Day Give Thanks Challenge. And today I am thankful for Psalm 23. Jesus is our shepherd; And we are His sheep that He cares for, directs as well as guides.



Psalm 23 is one of those passages that some parents insist on their child(ren) learning at an early age. Although I had to memorize psalm 23 when I was a little girl, it didn't become one of my favorite passages until later on in life....more like adulthood.



Psalm 23 is about having faith and complete trust in God, which in turn, becomes peace and confidence in the name of Jesus that He will take care of you. "Expect that Jesus, your Shepherd, will care for you. Rest, knowing that He will refresh you, walk with you, comfort you, nourish, and protect you." ~ The Spirit-Filled Bible.





Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.


He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths
of righteousness
For His name’s sake.


Yea, though I walk through the
valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.


You prepare a table before me in
the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.


Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.











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Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Give Thanks Day #14 ~ Peace



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It's Day #14 of Designer's Original 30 Day Give Thanks Challenge. Today, I am thankful for peace. I am thankful that the God I serve is the Prince of Peace. If it wasn't for Jesus dying on the cross, the Holy Spirit would not been part of our spiritual anatomy. The world cannot give me peace nor can it take peace away from me.



If you have a situation that is wreaking havoc in your life like a hurricane, tell it, "PEACE BE STILL." It's very hard to be calm about certain situations let alone sleep. But, David did just that because He knew that God was (and still is) a problem solver. You just have to allow the peace of God to reign over your circumstance. "I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety," (Psalm 4:8).



In the name of Jesus, be thankful for peace. "The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace," (Psalm 29:11).




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Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Give Thanks Day #13 ~ John 3:16





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It's Day #13 of Designer's Original 30 Day Give Thanks Challenge. Today, I am thankful for God giving His Son to die so that I may live. I would not want to see what my life would be like without Jesus because I know it would not be anything good. I can only imagine. I tend to have a vivid imagination. However, in this case, I don't want my imagination to become a reality, better yet, a nightmare.




That's why I know I need the Holy Spirit to comfort and to guide me so that I may live a life pleasing in God's eyes. I don't want God's sacrifice to be in vain. "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly," (John 10:10).







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Monday, November 12, 2012

Give Thanks Day #12 ~ Seasons




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It's Day #12 of Designer's Original 30 Day Give Thanks Challenge. I am thankful for the fall season. I am thankful for seasons in general, but fall is my favorite. I love the way the earth changes color from green to red to golden yellow or even a little dark purple. One thing I know for seasons change. 


Though it doesn't snow, but once in a blue moon in the south, I love seeing snow on the ground during the winter time. Spring is whem it seems like the earth comes back to life wintry long hibernation.  Birds begin to chirp.  Trees turn green again.  As far as summer goes, that's grilling, pool and family vacation time.  This the time to get out of the house and have fun!!


We are in a season for but a moment. With that being said, it's best to make the most of it. I rarely think about what I should have or would have done the previous season. It's easier to focus on the season at hand and make the most of it.


Now that it's fall, enjoy!! It will be over before you know it....until next year that is.





















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Sunday, November 11, 2012

Give Thanks Day #11 ~ Veterans




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It's Day #11 of Designer's Original 30 Day Give Thanks Blog Challenge. Today, we are thankful for veterans. I am thankful for all the sacrifices they made on behalf of our nation. I am also thankful for their family members. Our country is blessed to have dedicated soldiers. In the name of Jesus, I salute you.













 
 
 
 






 








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Saturday, November 10, 2012

Give Thanks Day #10 - Sharing



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It's Day #10 of Designer's Original 30 Day Give Thanks Challenge. Today I am just thankful for a being able to share. I took a few pictures outside my home. And I am thankful that I don't have to keep them to myself, but I can share them with you. Not only that, I was able to add a some embellishments on them. Be thankful and share a few encouraging words with someone.




















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Friday, November 9, 2012

Give Thanks Day #9 ~ Hope


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It's Day #9 of Designer's Original 30 Day Give Thanks Challenge. And today I am thankful for hope. Hope is the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best. Sometimes we hope our bills get paid; We hope we get that promotion; We hope that we a job; We hope that we lose a few pounds. We hope for a lot things.



The main thing is that we don't give up hope. In stressful, nail-biting, heart-wrenching times, we must put our hope in the Lord. "It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the LORD," (Lamentations 3:26). When you put your hope in the Lord, everything will turn for the best and the way God intended all the long.



In Psalm 71:5, David told God that He is his hope. "For You are my hope, O Lord GOD; [You are] my trust from my youth." 

Then He went on to tell God that his hope won't die. It will continue. 

"But I will hope continually, And will praise You yet more and more," (Psalms 71:14). 

Regardless of what we are going through, we must never lose sight of hope. 

We must always have hope in the name of Jesus.







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