Julia Melatis – Author

1Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting.
2The LORD builds up Jerusalem;
he gathers the outcasts of Israel.
3He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
4He determines the number of the stars;
he gives to all of them their names.
5Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;
his understanding is beyond measure.
6The LORD lifts up the humble;
he casts the wicked to the ground.
7Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving;
make melody to our God on the lyre!
8He covers the heavens with clouds;
he prepares rain for the earth;
he makes grass grow on the hills.
9He gives to the beasts their food,
and to the young ravens that cry.
10His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man,
11but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.
Psalm 147:1-11 ESV23

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 25For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? 26For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
Luke 9:23-26 ESVThen Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen.
Matthew 21:21 NLT

25And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 26But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. 27But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
28And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 31Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Matthew 14:25-33 ESV

A FEW THOUGHTS

With the Thanksgiving holiday being this week I wanted to focus on thanks. Then when I was picking music I came across this song and I was blown away by what Holy Spirit was speaking to me. First listen to the song.

Giving thanks to the Lord is not merely the words of gratitude we speak about the things He gives us. “Thank You God for my family, friends, church, our jobs, home, cars, food, clothes,” and so on. We worship and show our gratitide to Jesus in our attitude and in our actions.
By how we:
– live our lives in public and in private.
– trust Him with all parts of our lives- work, recreation, as well as, spiritual, home and family.
– include Him in making decisions, not just the big ones.
– take care of what we’ve already been given.
-bless others.Have you ever thought about these things as acts of Thanksgiving. Some of them I have, but others I’ve thought they were things we should do, but not necessarily as a way of expressing gratitiude. When I think about it, everything in our lives, as disciples of Jesus, really should be an act of Worship and gratitude for what He has done for us, everything He continues to bless us with, walk with us through, burdens He shoulders, things He heals for us and more. Is there any reason not to trust Him? Any reason not to thank Him?

16Always be joyful. 17Never stop praying. 18Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT

I used to read verse 18 wrong. It says be thankful IN all circumstances not for all circumstances. No matter what is going on in our lives we can find something to be thankful for, even if it is nothing else than our salvation itself and who God is, for He is love and is always good, just, righteous, and holy. He has given us a hope for our eternal future that does not disappoint us. Can I get an amen?!

[1 Peter 1:3-9, 1 John 4:8 & 16, Psalm 135:3, 2 Thessalonians 1:6, Romans 1:17, 1 Samuel 2:2, Romans 5:5, Titus 1:2]

Father God, we do thank You for the abundant blessings and favor You have poured out upon us, Your children.
Some of us may have had a tough year, may still be going through it, or just starting a rough patch, but we know without a doubt that You are with us every step of the way. Remind each of us of Your Word in Psalm 139:5 (NLT) “You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.” Remind us, too, to ask You, “What do you want me to learn from this trial?” We are never alone and we need but seek You to find You, and to be still (stop striving) and listen to hear Your voice. May we remember to be thankful IN all circumstances and rejoice because Your presence and power are within us and this is Your will for us in Christ Jesus Our Lord.
Thank You, Lord, for all those who put their lives down (literally or figuratively) for us every day: every branch of the military, police, government agents, fire, forest/park rangers, emts/ambulance, tow truck drivers, highway workers, snow plow drivers, electric line workers, storm chasers, nurses & doctors, and others I may have missed, bless, protect, and favor them and their families, Father.
Thank You for others who work in service industries who also don’t get holidays off: food service workers, custodians, gas station workers, retail/grocery workers, and others. May we and those who use their services be kind and generous to them and Lord, please bless, protect, and favor them as well.
Thank You most of all for Your only begotten Son Jesus/Yeshua to come as a babe, live a sinless life, preach the good news of redemption, become our substitutionary sacrifice, and our risen King, so we can receive salvation and eternal life! What sacrifice! What a gift! We can never thank You enough! Help us Holy Spirit to live our lives as a continual act of worship and gratitude to Your glory and praise! In Jesus’ holy and precious name, amen.

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