The 5W’s of Thanksgiving

As the month of November comes to a close I wanted to share my 5W’s of Thanksgiving. Enjoy and remember to be thankful each and every day for all your blessings.

Who should be thankful?

Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name. Psalm 18:49

To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.  Psalm 30:12

Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. Psalm 95:2

What should we be thankful for?

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. II Corinthians 9:15

We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; I Thessalonians 1:2

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. Hebrews 13:15

Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. Psalm 30:4

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 15:57

That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works. Psalm 26:7

When should I be thankful?

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. I Thessalonians 5:18

And to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD, and likewise at even; I Chronicles 23:30

Where should we be thankful?

Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name. Psalm 18:49

Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. I Chronicles 16:8

I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people. Psalm 35:18

Why should I be thankful?

O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever. I Chronicles 16:34

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. Psalm 139:14

Have a blessed day,
Donna

To thank and praise

And he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, and to record, and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel: I Chronicles 16:4

Every time I read this verse I smile. Imagine being appointed to a job where you thank and praise God. All day, every day thanking and praising God.

Well that is our job, how are you doing at it? I know I fail miserably but the God of many chances gently reminds me.

Each day is an opportunity to thank God. Thank Him for all He has done.

Here are just a few verses to get you started:

This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Ephesians 5:20

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. II Corinthians 9:15

And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long. Psalm 35:28

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. Psalm 139:14

Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah. Psalm 68:19

Get the point? Let’s praise and thank God.

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Lessons from a trip - Architecture

I had a great week with my daughter and her family. My husband and I drove to AL. We had a good time and I really don’t mind driving if we have the time. Total driving time is twenty hours so we stop and stay overnight and then continue the trip.

One of my desires was to go and view “Fallingwater”, my husband made reservations for the first day of our travels. “Fallingwater” is a home designed by Architect Frank Lloyd Wright in the 1930’s. The home is built into the rocks and over a water fall. The views from the house are spectacular and the design of the home was ahead of its time. Each part of the house and grounds surrounding the house “fit” together. F.L. Wright designed the whole image. While drawing up the blue prints everything was considered, the size of the house, the parcel the house was built on, the furniture so the views would not be obstructed, even the corner windows were built in such a way that they opened to the outside without a barrier (metal bars) to give a clear view of the nature without.

As we walked through the property and listened to our guide, I was thinking of a Great Architect. The Architect that created you and me, this Architect did not have a blue print; He did not need a drawing. God formed a man out of the dust of the earth and then breathed into his nostrils. The very breath of God went into his being and made him alive.

I love to look at different technologies and buildings that man has made but only One actually created from nothing. F.L. Wright was a great architect and had many unique ideas and techniques. All his abilities came from God.

As you go about your daily routine, take a moment and look at your hands, feet, hair, skin and marvel at how you were created. Thank God for the precious life He has given you.

And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. Genesis 2:7 

The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. Job 33:4 

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. Psalm 139:14 

As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all. Ecclesiastes 11:5  

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Confess, Worship, Praise

[1] Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackclothes, and earth upon them. [2] And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers. [3] And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the LORD their God one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the LORD their God. [4] Then stood up upon the stairs, of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani, and cried with a loud voice unto the LORD their God. [5] Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said, Stand up and bless the LORD your God for ever and ever: and blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise. Nehemiah 9:1-5

Here we have a picture of the children of Israel getting right with God. The wall is built and prepared with guards to protect the area. It is now time for the people to be “built up” in the Lord. It is time for them to draw nigh to God so He will draw nigh (get close) to them (James 4:8).

What were the steps that were taken to accomplish this task?

~ Fasted – The act of abstaining from food.

~ Stood and confessed their sins and the sins of their fathers.

~ Read the book of the law for ¼ of the day – earnestly striving to know what God wanted them to do

~ Confessed – asked for forgiveness

~ Worshipped God after reading the word and confessing their sin

~ Praised His glorious name

Each step taken was toward God and away from self.

Today as one speaks to a Christian most of the “buzz” words spoken are praise and worship. Not much is said in regard to repentance, confession, fasting. As with everything Christianity is not just one or two items, but a multitude of things that need to be together. One cannot truly worship and praise God without repenting (to turn away) of sin and asking God for forgiveness.

As with the Israelites of this time Christians need to be in tune with God. We need to examine ourselves and make sure our motives are right before God.

[23] Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: [24] And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24

Have a blessed day,
Donna

A time to reflect

November first, where did the time go? It seems like yesterday was the first of July. Time certainly does not stand still for anyone. This year has been a little trying; my husband had back surgery, was in rehab, returned to work, hurt his back again and now is back out of work. Through all this he has had a positive attitude. I have so much to be thankful for, not just today but every day.

Today’s five:

1. Missionaries – We had a missionary from Middle East African Partnership (MAP) visit with us on Sunday. Thanking God for sending people to work and share the gospel in the Middle East.

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! Romans 10:14-15

2. Tiptoes -Mark stood on his tiptoes. It may seem a little thing to you, but a great achievement to us. He has not been able to stand on his tiptoes for almost a year.

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. Psalm 139:14

3. Walking - Praising God that Mark is walking.

4. Venison chili – I didn’t bring lunch to work yesterday. When I got there a co-worker had made a big pot of chili to share.

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Psalm 103:2
5. Job – I have a job and am extremely thankful.

Take a minute from your busy life to meditate on what God has done for you today.

I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings. Psalm 77:12

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Today’s Five

1. God’s presence – He is always with me.

Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. Psalm 139:7-10

2. My body is wonderfully made.

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. Psalm 139:14

3. His protection

Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. Psalm 139:10

4. He knows what I will say.

For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. Psalm 139:4

5. God’s knowledge – He knows all about me. This is a scary thought. I need to be conscience of this all the time. With the Psalmist I say Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23 -24

O Lord, thank you for your Word. Let it indwell me; let it penetrate in my whole being.

Have a blessed day,
Donna