Sunday, November 3, 2019

Thankfulness Time. Rejoice!

Meditate on this:
This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24



Words of wisdom. This was a favorite verse of a dear friend of ours—John Foster—who went to be with the Lord several years ago and for whom Jerry had a lot of respect. It became my husband’s favorite verse and it changed his view of life—although he has always been a positive and jovial person. For that I am grateful. That’s why I fell in love with him…he had a sense of humor.

We will rejoice—today! What better way to prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving later this month than to rejoice; to focus on God and the wisdom that He shares through others to us. John was such a good example—man after God’s own heart. He encouraged his family, friends, and fellow church members with his loving ways, always guiding, comforting, and sharing his life, his time, talents, challenging everyone to seek God and to be the best that they could be. Just as we can model our behavior after John and Paul…and of course after Jesus himself, we can see patterns of behavior in others around us that inspire us to be better people.

Additionally, an all-time favorite expression of Jerry’s and mine came about after a discussion with our niece. It is a response to anything that one hears…and should direct our words and actions.
Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?
That is wise advice for everyone.  We should think about the wisdom in our thoughts, words, and actions as we consider the things for which we are “thankful” during November or anytime of the year.

For what are you “thankful” today? As I pondered my three “thankfulness” of the day I listed:
·         The ability to rejoice in all things.
·         Family and friends who show their love.
·         Creative gifts, like painting, that God has given me.

In her book One Thousand Gifts—A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are, Ann Voskamp challenged her readers to consider gratitude in their lives. expressing gratitude for simple everyday things—like light streaming in through a window and giggling children. She started a gratitude journal writing down three things each day for which she was grateful—and she suggested doing the same. I started a list…and it was amazing how the things I was grateful for just came tumbling out of me and onto the paper…beginning with “Freedom to worship God.” I am so totally grateful for that ability—not everyone in the world has that. Indeed, this is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.  Psalm 97:12 NKJV
Grateful? Thankful? What are your thoughts on these today?

Prayer ~ Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for [He is] good! For His mercy [endures] forever. - Psalm 136:1 NKJV. Thank you, Lord God, for all that You have given me, my family and friends, and for Your continued mercy in our lives. You give us hope, peace and joy everlasting.

Daily Bible Reading: Mark 11; John 12
© 2019 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version (NKJV).
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