Category: Thanksgiving

Live Without Complaining

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Happy week of Thanksgiving!  I wanted to take extra time this week to be thankful.  I know this is something that I need to do more.  Gratitude is even proven to be effective in helping with health issues (there are many medical studies).

Today’s verse was chosen by a friend of mine when I asked for thankfulness verses.  I know how easy it can be to complain when days are tough.  I also know the struggle of putting negative things in their place.  I am not going to lie about challenges – pretending they are no big deal.  However, it is too easy to get stuck in negative thinking.  There is nothing worse than someone who is constantly negative.  Thankfulness can bring refreshing joy despite challenges. 

I will continue to spend my life working through how to be honest about negative things and grateful at the same time.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for providing instruction on how to handle difficulties.  Please forgive my complaining.  Please give me wisdom to deal honestly with trials, but not be trapped in grumbling.  Thank You for the many blessings You give.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Inexpressible Thanks

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I have had a few responses from others who shared their favorite verse about thankfulness.  Today I will share the verse my grandma sent to me. 

If you read all of chapter 9, you will find the concept of cheerful giving.  When we understand what God has done for us by sending Jesus Christ to die for our sins, cheerful giving is so much easier.   The Bible tells us that we are sinners – the book of Romans shares a lot about that.  We shouldn’t have too much trouble believing that when we look at the wrong all around us.  But I believe if we are honest with ourselves, we can see wrong within us.  That makes the joy of what God did greater.  Who can express the joy?  I am going to try throughout this month.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus Christ to die for me.  Thank You that everyone has the opportunity to know You and trust in Your Son.  The gift of salvation is indescribable.  I praise Your name!

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Thankfulness Continued

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Today I want to declare my thankfulness for the Bible.  The Bible is God’s word; breathed out by God for our benefit (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  I know many consider the Bible a good book, but not necessarily from God.  Many have rejected the Bible completely as though it is nothing more than fiction.  The Bible means so much more to many of us, because we have studied and lived the truth found in its pages.

I find it interesting that many philosophies of love, kindness, respect and other values are found in the pages of the Bible.  None of us will perfectly live out these values.  However, with the help of reading and studying of the Bible, we can continue to grow and learn how to live the best priorities. 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for providing and protecting Your word.  Thank You for allowing me the opportunity to read and study the Bible. Please help me to be faithful to the words You gave.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

If you have a favorite Bible verse of thankfulness, please comment below or send me an email (pleadinginprayer@gmail.com). I would be happy to include it in a future post.

Praise and Thanksgiving

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Many have used the month of November to focus on being thankful.  I have used the week of the Thanksgiving holiday for this, but I want to expand this year. 

Some days are easier to be thankful than others.  When I struggle to be thankful, I start with the fact that God saved me from my sins.  Romans chapter 3 tells me that I am a sinner.  In Romans 6:23, I find there is punishment for sin (death).  Romans 3 also tells me that I can be justified (saved) by faith in Jesus Christ.  If I continue reading Romans (10:9-10), I find that I need “to confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead”.  I acknowledge my sin to God and Jesus saves me. 

I am so thankful for salvation and what that means in my day to day life.  Not only did God save me, but He wants to sustain me.  I will share more of those items in future posts this month.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for saving me and sustaining me.  You have given me so much for my life now and for eternal life.  I cannot praise You enough.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Peaceful Protection

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Have you ever been anxious – silly question, right?  We have all faced anxiety at some point or another.  If you are living, you have opportunity for anxiety and stress.  It is the reality no matter what.

I am so thankful that God provided a way to end my anxiety.  As I pray with both thanksgiving and request, God will send His peace that provides protection.  He never fails.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for sending peace when I come to You in praise and pleading.  I ask for help now as I face the day to day challenges that You allow in my life.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

The Strength to be Thankful

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I have spent this week talking about areas of life where I have a hard time being thankful. When I struggle, I often go to Scripture – the Bible – to find real events that happened in the lives of men and women. These people had hard times, but still shouted praise to God.  When others are able to do that, I find more strength to do the same.  I hope this helps you.

Give thanks to the Lord! Call on His name! Make known His accomplishments among the nations.

1 Chronicles 16:8 NET

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good
and His loyal love endures.

1 Chronicles 16:34 NET

Enter His gates with thanksgiving,
and His courts with praise.
Give Him thanks.
Praise His name.

Psalm 100:4 NET

I will thank the Lord with all my heart!
I will tell about all Your amazing deeds.
I will be happy and rejoice in You.
I will sing praises to You, O Most High.

Psalm 9:1-2 NET

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His loyal love endures. Give thanks to the God of heaven, for His loyal love endures!

Psalm 136:1,26 NET

Praise the Lord, O my soul.
With all that is within me, praise His holy name.
Praise the Lord, O my soul.
Do not forget all His kind deeds.
He is the One who forgives all your sins,
who heals all your diseases,
who delivers your life from the Pit,
who crowns you with His loyal love and compassion,

Psalm 103:1-4 NET

God is so good.

Bad Weather Anyone?

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Living in Minne”snow”ta, I expect bad weather.  Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, we had a lot of heavy, wet snow.  I confess that after getting over 50” of snow last February (plus more the rest of the winter), I did not look forward to snow this winter.  So, in order to remember thankfulness this week, I had to do a lot of praying. 

I enjoy having snow on the ground in the winter.  The ground looks prettier – and let’s face it, who doesn’t like a white Christmas?  It is the difficulty of clearing the snow from my driveway that I don’t like.  It can be hard to do. 

When I encounter tasks like snow removal, that cause me difficulties, I spend time in prayer.  I have to admit, clearing my driveway at the end of a hard day can be therapeutic.  I can burn calories and negative emotions in the same shovel swing.

We know in this life there will be things that attack our attitude of gratitude.  We know from the Bible and many life blessings, that God is good.

God is so good.

When You’re Sick of Being Sick

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Health issues can be so heavy they topple us.  Some health issues are a tough inconvenience, while others change the course of our lives.  Being sick challenges our desire to give thanks to God.

While health issues can make it hard to be thankful, God has shown me ways to find gratitude.  I can start with the fact the Jesus Christ died for my sins. His gift of salvation is easy to be thankful for.

2 Corinthians 12:9 gives us help in our weakness.  “But he said to me, ‘My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ So then, I will boast most gladly about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in me.”

Health issues cause physical weakness.  When we lose what we are used to having, we are more likely to cry out to God for help. Then He shows us so much more to be thankful for.

God is so good.

Why Does Work Require So Much Hard Work

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Work can provide us with an income, a purpose, a ministry, but let’s face it.  Work can be hard.  I am thankful that God has provided jobs for me over the years.  At times those jobs have wonderful and other times I thought they were going to be the end of me.  Our work can be rewarding or painful. 

I have a very good job, but I still have bad days.  When life is tough, I look at reminders that God has given me along the way.

“A day hemmed in prayer is less likely to unravel.”  A good reminder for this year when prayer is what I am writing about.

Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”  When I look at my job as something that I do for Christ, I find it easier to be thankful.

God is so good.

When it is Hard to Be Thankful

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I have made a tradition of posting 5 days of being thankful the week of Thanksgiving.  I want to continue that tradition, but in a little bit different way.  This year, I am going to write about times when I struggle being thankful.  Don’t worry.  This won’t be a negative week.  I will also share what God has taught me about being thankful when it is hard.

Today I want to start with James 1:2 “My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials”.

I definitely struggle counting trials joy.  They hurt; they are uncomfortable; they are not easy to navigate.  I prefer what I know and understand.  Trials are territory that I do not know.  However, God tells us to “consider it nothing but joy”.  How do I go from the struggle to joy?  By looking at what James 1 tells us next.  Verses 3-4 say, “because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything.”  We can’t always see the benefit of the trial while we are going through it.  However, God has promised that our trials will help to perfect us. God always keeps His promises.  Read His word and talk to Him (pray).  You will see God’s faithfulness.

When I struggle with difficulties, I remember what God has said in His word and look back at how He has fulfilled that in my life.  That thinking draws me closer Christ and helps me think about how I can be thankful.

God is so good.