Showing posts with label Thanksgiving. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thanksgiving. Show all posts

Sunday, March 6, 2022

Using The L.O.D.E: Changing Hurry Into Hurray!




When Man-Generated Hope Is Gone
Christ-Gifted Holy Faith Working 
And
Enduring 
Allows Us To Change 
"Please Hurry, Lord!" 
To "Thank You, Lord! Hurray!" 

Beloved, 

Our Depending Upon Self In Matters Of Faith 
Is 
Akin To Running Behind A Fuel-Less, Driver-Less
Engine-Less, Moth-Balled Vehicle! 
It Ain't Going Nowhere And Neither Are We! 

Our God Alive, The Lord Jesus Christ
Is 
The True Strong-Hold
Our Impenetrable Shelter
Our Perfect Refuge 
And
He Gives To Each Of Us 
A Measure Of His Faith Each And Every Day 
To Use To Trust Him At His Eternal Aka Can't-Fail Word! 

Dear Ones, 

The Day That We Truly Understand That Self 
Is 
A Willing Sinner 
And
Accept With Unadulterated Joy That 
Jesus Christ The King 
Is 
Our Only Savior 
Is
The Day That There Shall Be Our Joyful Celebration 
In Recognition Of The Fact That 
It Is Indeed The Mighty God That We Serve! 

All Of Us Who Choose To Trust The Lord 
And
Wait Upon Him 
Shall Surely Renew Our Strength! 

We Will Be Like Those Who
- With Prayer And Supplication With Thanksgiving - 
Will Light The Fire
And 
Place A Pot Of Water On To Simmer 
With The Full Expectation That 
Soon The Ingredients Necessary To Cook A Substantial Meal 
Which Will Do A Body Good 
Shall Surely Appear! 

Remember, Remember
Don't Ever Forget ...

Sinful-Self Is Destructively Used By Satan
But
The Faith-Fuelled Saint Aka Sinner-Saved 
Willingly, Wisely, Serves The Eternal God 
Lovingly, Obediently, Devotedly, And  Enduringly! 

Let Us Daringly Endeavor Today 
To Fully Let Jesus Christ's Gift Of Unfailing Faith 
Lubricate Our Lives! 

Peace!













Monday, August 17, 2020

Mercy ... For Me And Thee!


Psalms 27:7 Inspirational Image


The First Facet Of Almighty God's Character 
As Revealed To Moses
As He Abode Safely In The Cleft Of The Rock 
Secured By God's Own Hand
Was Mercy! 

Just So You Know
Mercy Includes Loving-Kindness
Grace, Compassion
And 
Forgiveness
And 
No Human Born Of A Woman Has Any Right 
To The Great And Known-Immense
Known-Infinite Mercy Of The Eternal God! 

Mercy 
Is 
A Gift Freely Given To Us Bold, Brash Sinners 
Who Deserve God's Justice! 

Beloved, 

Think On This: 
We Cry Out To The Lord To Hear Our Prayers 
And 
We Ask Him To Also Have Mercy On Us! 

Also Is Interesting In That It Means That 
We Have Hope ... Expectation ... That 
This Great God Will Add The Blessing Sought 
Because 
He Is Well Able! 

Be Wise ...

There Is The Day Coming 
When All Who Refuse The Free Gift Of Mercy-Now 
Will Plead For Mercy-Then 
But
Almighty God's Justice
Unmixed With Almighty God's Mercy
Will Be Thoroughly Poured Out! 

Soooo ...

Let's Not Be Amongst Those 
Who Know Not The Lord Christ ... The Truth,
Who Made Peace With The Father For Us 
So That We May Enter His Gates With Thanksgiving 
And 
His Courts With Joy-Filled Praise! 

Mercy 
Is 
A Rare Quality Which 
Is 
Found Only In Our God Almighty
Mighty To Save Us! 

Be Ye Armed And Thrilled ...

Humble Yourself And Pray
And 
Also Plead For The Forgiving God's Free Mercy 
To Bountifully Rest Upon You Today!  
Peace With Almighty God Is Free!




Saturday, March 7, 2020

VESPERS AT THE END OF THE SABBATH: PRAYING: The Way To Life

Preparing For Duty
And
Marked For Trial
- Being Informed Of The Dire Necessity Of Prayer -
Sought Assistance At Divine Support
A Subsidiary Of Amazing Grace Now
And
Surpassing Glory To Come! 

Wanting To Become Aka To Be Transformed Into 
Braced For Duty
And
Prepared For Trial
These Two Humbled Themselves
Watching And Praying
Praying Without Ceasing
And
In All Things By Prayer And Supplication
They Made Their Requests Unto
The True And Living God
In Their Lord Christ's Holy Name!

They Wanted The Benefits Of 
The Close, Personal, Relationship With Savior Of Man 
So They Adhered To 
And 
Met The Conditions Publicly Enumerated
And
With Working Faith
And
Living Hope 
They Fully Expect To Reap 
The Promised Immeasurable, Known-Eternal, Benefits!

Truth Be Told ... 

The Road Is Long, Narrow, Strait Aka Difficult
But
Glory Be To Jesus
That Same Road Is Straight
Because
The Map-Maker Is True, Faithful, Kind, Blessing, Giving
And
Forgiving!
He Is The All-Knowing One
And
He Is The Forever Friend
Who Heals Hurts
And
Mends Hearts And Lives!
With Him, They Choose To Abide!

Abide ... That's A Pretty Strong Word!

Indeed!
It's The Perfect Word!
To Abide, To Rest, To Be Safe
Sheltered, Protected, Provided For!

I Like It!

Along The Way, They Met Pray So Little
And
So Little Faith!
It Did Not Go Well!
They Refused To Let Prideful Self Get In Their Way
Of Moving From Certain Hope
To Assured Glory!
They Preferred Profitable Prayer To Unprofitable Pride!
They Understood ... Understand That 
To Live With Pride
Is 
To Live A Bold
And
Their Faith In Lord Christ Was Not Having It!

Amazing, Isn't It
When We Want What The Lord Has To Give
But Have No Pressing Desire
To Humbly Pray So That We May Receive 
The Available-For-The-Asking Blessing!

Don't Forget Being Stuck On Self The Sinner ...!

... And Don't Forget The Attitude Of
It'll Be There If ... Or When ... I Need It!

Been There, Done That, Foolish Indeed!

All I'm Saying Is That
We All Could Learn A Thing Or Three
From Good King David! 

I Hear That! 
He Knew How To Pray And ...! 

... He Also Knew How To Confess And Repent 
And 
To Give His God His Due And Necessary Praise! 

Listen To This:


Image result for psalm 66 18-20



King David Knew His Prayers Were Accepted
Because 
He Knew He Met The Conditions
And
In Gratitude, For Faith, In Need
And
To Give Worshipful Praise
He Prayed Continually! 

Brethren, 

Praying Is Not A Panic Button 
To Be Used Only In Cases Of Emergency! 

To The Committed-To-Christ Christian
Praying Is To Be The Reason For Living
The Way To Life
The Umbilical Cord That Connects Us To Our Lord
Our Creator-God, Our Redeemer, Our Provider
And 
Is To Be A Constant
Our Go-To ... Our Default Position
In All Things In Our Sojourn In This Life! 

Pray Without Ceasing 
Is Not 
A Challenge: It Is A Command! 

Pray, Beloved! 
Roundly Reject Sin! 
Utter Honest Praise! 
Give Heartfelt Thanks
And 
Be Truly Grateful! 

To Remember How To Pray To Our Father In Heaven
Remember The ACTS: 
Adoration
Confession
Thanksgiving
Supplication Aka Ask For What You Need

And 

Do All In Jesus Christ's Holy Name! 
Our Almighty God Is The God Holy:
Take Your Faith To The Throne!



Wednesday, May 9, 2018

PRAYER: I Will Not Rob You, Lord!

Father,

I Desire To Do Right!
I Desire To Be Blessed
And
I Will Do All That You Ask
Through Grace 
And
In Faith
So That In Making Requests
For Your Favor, Lord
I May Always Be Bold!


Keep Me Humble, Lord!

You Have Said
Do Not Rob You
In Offerings And Tithes!



You Have Said
Freely I Have Received
Freely I Should Give! 



You Have Said
Prove You! 


Test You
To See What For Me You Will Do!

You Have Said
Give!
And
It Will Come Back To Me
Full Measure
Pressed Down
Shaken Together
And
Running Over!



You Have Said
When I Give
I Give To You, My God!



You Have Said
You Will Open The Windows Of Heaven
The Very Floodgates Of Blessing
And


Pour Out For Me, Personally
A Personal Blessing
That There Will Not Be Enough Room
To Receive It!


Father,
All That I Have Is From You


And
By Paying The Tenth Of My Increase
By Giving A Gift Of Offering Into Your Hand
I Am Returning Unto You
What Is Rightfully Yours!
Help Me Not Begrudge You Your Due!


Lord,
I Believe You Are Faithful
That Your Word Is True
That My Temporal Prosperity
Is Tied Up In Fidelity To You
And
Since You Have Also Said
That The Righteous Are Never Forsaken
That Our Seed Will Not Beg For Bread
I Cast My Care
My Lot
Upon You, Lord
And

I Do That Without Fear!

Father,

You Have Promised To Fulfill
The Desire Of My Heart
When I Do That Which Pleases Your Heart!
Please Bless Me, I Beseech You
To Ever Do Your Will!
Please Bless Me With All Blessing
And


Let Not My Heart For You
Ever Be Lukewarm!
Let It Ever Be Hot
Doing That Which Will Tell The World
That You Are In The Blessing Business, Still
And
Faithful, Still!


I Will Pay Your Tithe, Lord
For It Proves That I Believe 

That You Are The Almighty God
And
That I Trust You At Your Good Word!


I Will Give To You My Freewill-Offering, Lord
For It Proves
That I Believe That You Are Good
That Your Gifts Are Real
And
That My Heart Is Grateful!


I Am Trusting You, Lord
For I Love You
And
I Know That You Are The God Of Love
The God Giving
The God Able
The Holy God Real
The Only God Not A Fable!


Thank You, Lord
For Your Blessings Upon Me!

Thank You For Hearing
And

Answering My Prayers So Readily!
Thank You For Provision
For Peace
For The Ability To Sing Praise


And
To Say Heartfelt Prayers!

Thank You For Your Gifts Of Life
Liberty And Consuming Love!


Thank You For Length Of Days!
Thank For Your Sacrifice
That Has Changed Tomorrow For Me
To Be An Eternity Without Sorrow!
I Am Grateful That You Are The Eternal Power!


Please Hear My Prayer, Lord
And

Remember Those
Who Do Not Yet Know The Benefits 

That Come Of Truly Knowing

Obeying
Worshipping
Honoring
Glorifying 

And
Faithfully Following Thee!


In Jesus Christ's Name
I'm Calling, Father

For These Few Blessings
And

I Am Asking Also 
That I May Never Have So Much
That With You I Lose Touch
Forgetting
That All My Help
Comes From You

Almighty God
Faithful, Loving And Ever True!

Please Grant Me The Victory
Over Sin Death And Hell!
AMEN.



Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Doctor, Doctor: The Great Physician





I Went To The Soul Doctor!
He Said I Needed A Self Exam!
He Said I Needed A Dose Of Self-Discipline
AND
That Thereby
My Self-Respect Would Get A Shot In The Arm!

I Did Not Like The Sound Of That!
I Did Not Like Where This Was Headed!
I Could Feel A Head Ache Coming On
For I Had To Do Me Some Head Scratching
Which Was Going To Leave
My Big Pig-Headedness
Exposed
ANDMy Wilful Head
Quite Shorn!

If I Thought
That This Was All
Of My Denouement
I Was Operating Under A Misconception
- That Was Soon Made Plain -
For
Dr. Jesus H. Christ
- The Great Physician Himself -
Was In My Eyes
Shining The Bright Light!

And ...

It Became Obvious
That There Was Going To Be
A Struggle To The Death
IF
I Desired To Attain
The Everlasting Life!

Dr. Jesus ...
Some People Called Him
Lord Christ!
Dr. Jesus Said:

Raise Your Daily Intake Of Self-Sacrifice!
Remove Self-Aggrandizement From Your Diet!
Add At Least Three Servings Of Prayer To Your Plate Every Day
AND
Keep In Constant Communion
With The Holy Spirit -
He Will Your Tried Spirit Cheer!

I Was Saying To Myself ...

Goody! No New Medicine Today!

When ...

Here Is Your Prescription
For Daily Therapy!
Psalms, Hymns, Spiritual Songs
Help To Make Your Walk Through The Vale Of Tears
Tolerable
Even Unto Easier!
Keep A Zion Song In Your Heart
As You Go On God's Errands
Each Day
AND
In The Name
- My Name -
That Is Your Hope For Surpassing Glory
Go To The Father
Without Ceasing
AND
You Will
In Eternity
Before The Great Throne Sing!

Cling To The Living God!

Cling?!

CLING.

... And Rest Easy!

The Holy Spirit, Here
Will Assist You! - Just Ask!
The Holy Angels Will Surround You -
This Labor Of Love
Is Their Beloved Task!
I Am Always Available! -
Just Say The Name!
Just Think On Me!
Just Reach Out To Me
AND
Get Up From In Front Of 
That Benighted Silent Teacher
You Call Must-See TV!

I Adjure You
To Help Somebody
To Give A Good Word
Point A Soul To Salvation
Get Out Amongst The Obedient Sheep
Walk Away From The Goat Herd!
You Are Known By The Company You Keep
If You Walk Together
You Agree
So
Choose Elevating Companions
AND
Don't Give Idle Words
Not Even A Single Moment
Of Game Play
AND
Do That That Is To The Good
Today!

Today?!

TODAY.

Much, Much, More Was Said
BUT
Sufficed To Say
I Left Dr. Jesus' Office
Committed
To Straight Walking
Faithful Working
Constant Fervent Praying
Joyful Thanksgiving
AND
Persistent Praising Of The Holy God
Each 
AND
Every Day!

Let Me Tell You ...

You Should Visit Dr. Jesus!
He Is Truly
A ... No!
The Great Physician!
I Love Him!




Friday, December 2, 2016

HAPPY SABBATH + Where Is The Everyday Thanks?!












Confession
Is Good For The Soul!

Unrepentance
Makes The Sinner Most Bold!

Comeuppance
Has For Herself A Lofty Place

AND

Life
Has An Uncanny Knack
For Dealing Disgrace 
To Those With Pride
Sowed
In Their Heart
And
Marked
On Their Face!


Food Shelter
Clothing Peace
Happy Children Health
License Land Lease
Work Water
No Sorrow To Bear!
Walks Through Willfulness!
Of Pettiness
AND
Foolishness
I Even Had A Substantial Share!

Thoughtlessness
Stinginess
Wildness
Waywardness
Faultlessness
Of Recklessness
I Can Tell You
I Spared Not A Tear!

You Could Have Been Dead!

Dead?! Me?!
You Must Be Kidding!
The World Was My Oyster!
My Life Was My Pearl
AND
I Wore It On A Gold Chain
AND
I Treated The Living God
As One Does A Churl!

But ...

The Day Came ...

...  And Someone Said:


It Would Be Better 

If People Would Try To Give God "Thanks!" 
On A Daily Basis 
Rather Than Waiting 
Until There Is Food Involved!

And Then ...

Contrary 
To My Perfect Conception Of My Life 
Comeuppance Was Glorified ...!

And I ...!

You Should Have Heard Me Praying:


Dear Lord,
Let Me Give You
Thanks And Praise Today
For I Don't Have Tomorrow
Far Less Next Week!
I Don't Know 
How The Tide Of My Life Will Turn
Or That I Will Be Able To Utter 
Even A Tired Mouse Squeak!

Father, My Heart In Me Burns!
Forgive Me For Taking The Life You Gave
And Doing As I Well Pleased!
Forgive Me For Eating My Daily Bread
Without Feeling The Desire To Say In Gratitude:
Thank You, Lord, For Filling My Need!

Lord,
I Have Been A Total Ingrate
Taking Your Bounty For Granted As I Overfilled
My Overflowing Plate!
Please
Accept My Contrite Heart's Apology!
Please Forgive My Descent Into The Realm Of Satan
That Greedy Reprobate
And Help Me To Walk
According To Your Calling
And Doing It Now
Rather Than When It Is Too Late
And
I Am Forced To Say:
Lord, Please Save Me Now!

Thank You For The Tears That Flow!
Thank You For The Grace You Bestow!
Thank You For The Mercies
Seen And Unseen
Known And Unknown
Unexpected And Unappreciated
And
Thank You For Christ's Sacrifice
That Makes This Wretch
By Confession
And Repentance
Forgiven
And
Clean!


It Is Good To Give A Gift 
Of Heartfelt Thanks
And Glorious Praise 
Unto Our Almighty God!
Amen!


Indeed!
Let Us, In Heartfelt Appreciation
- Today And Every Day -
Thoughtfully Say To Him 
Who Daily Provides:



"Father,
I Give Unto You My Heartfelt Thanks 
For All My Blessings
Even Though Your Giving
Is Not Dependent Upon My Thanks!"






Thursday, November 24, 2016

GIVING: Thanks!






I Could Live In The Elements!
I Could Live Out To Sea!
I Could Walk With That Damned Devil
AND
I Could Be Dead
Spiritually!

I Could Be Wise In My Own Eyes!
I Could Be Living Lavish By Lies!
I Could Be Working For Free For The Devil
AND
I Could Be Energetically
Denying Jesus Christ!

I Could Be Dancing With The Devil
I Could Have Shoes and No Legs
I Could Have Food But No Water
AND
I Could Be On The Street Corner Doing A Beg!

I Could Be On A Known Death Bed!
I Could Not Have Two Nickles To Rub Together
To Make A Thin Dime!
I Could Be Walking Forward Looking Backward
AND
Through Lack Of Faith
Be Ultimately Unable
To Cross The Separating Line!

I Could Be A Willing Sinner
I Could Be A Fake Saint
I Could Be Building Falling Bridges
AND
I Could Be A Self-Righteous Miscreant!

BUT ...

By God's Great Grace
AND
Jesus Christ's Sacrifice
AND
The Blessing
That Permitted Me
To Hear
AND
Heed
The Holy Spirit's Call
I Can
Give Heartfelt Thanks
Unto My Father In Heaven
By Whose Mercy
Today
I Have
Stomach-Filling Grub!

I Have Clean Water To Quench My Thirst!
I Have A Solid Roof Over My Head!
I Have Whole Shoes Upon My Two Able Feet
AND
A Clean Bed Upon Which I May Lie 
Without Fear Or Dread!

I Have Friends
AND
Family To Love Me!
I Have Faithful Friends
In The Body Of Jesus Christ!
I Have Work To Challenge My Mind
AND
I Have No Reason To Ever Behave
Like A Wild Horse's Behind!

I Am In Good Health
Which Is - Indeed - Great Wealth!
I Pray
AND
I Proselytize
AND
God Willing
No Matter How Much Christian-Killing
My Faith Will Never Be Placed
On An Old-Glory Shelf
AND
For This All
Almighty God Who Does
For Now
The Winds Of Strife Restrain
I Give You Thanks
With A Grateful Heart
Today
AND
I Beseech You
Please
Help Me To Never
Over Trivialities
Again
To Complain
AND
No Matter How Much I'm Goaded
Help Me To Never Jesus Christ's Holy Name
Profane!

Lord,
I Give You Praise
AND
I Give You Thanks
For
I Am Truly Blessed!
AMEN.