Sunday Scripture

 

Delightful graphic by Abby at Little Birdie Blessings

I've decided to take a break from the Psalms study to focus on Thanksgiving.  Again today, I'm sharing some insights from a Thanksgiving/fall study with Good Morning Girls that I did back in fall of 2013.  Sadly, it seems that this little but oh-so-meaningful 2-week study -- Focusing our Hearts on Gratitude -- is no longer available.  If anyone is interested in the Scripture verses to do your own little study, just let me know and I can send you the references.  

The verses I chose for today are from Day 4 of the study.  We were to read 1 Thessalonians 5:12-18, and the verses to SOAP were 16-18.  ( Just a reminder that the S is for Scripture -- just write it out -- and the O is for Observation, the A is for Application and the P is for prayer -- concerning how you'll apply this verse or praise for what it means to you.  And if you've never tried this simple method, I hope that you will give it a try and see if you find it as helpful as I do.)

So without further ado, here is my very simple study of 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18:

S=  "Rejoice evermore.
"Pray without ceasing.
"In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

O= This letter was wrtiten by Paul to the believers at Thessalonica.  C.I. Scofield says, "Timothy's good report of the faith and love of the Thessalonians and their tender regard for Paul prompted the apostle to write this touching and intimate letter in which he commends them for their steadfastness, reminds them of truths he has taught, and clears up questions about the Lord's return."

The instructions Paul gives in this last chapter of 1 Thessalonians are brief and to the point.  The verses I am looking at give some pretty all-encompassing direction:

🍂 Rejoice evermore.

🍂 Pray without ceasing.

🍂 In everything give thanks.

I could summarize this as: "Never stop rejoicing; never stop praying; never stop thanking God."

Paul tells us too why we should thank God in every circumstance: this is His will concerning us.

A= The application to my life is pretty obvious.  

🍂 I'm to be continually rejoicing.  This isn't easy.  Life is tiring and some days and circumstances are hard.  Yet I'm commanded to rejoice evermore.

🍂 I'm to be continually in the attitude of prayer.  To me this implies staying "prayed up", keeping short accounts with God, confessing sin as I'm aware of it, so I may remain in constant communication with Him.

🍂 I'm to be thanking God in every circumstance of life, acknowledging that it's His will for me.  He allows these circumstances for my good and His glory.

P= "Lord, these are tall orders you have for me in this passage.  These "100% words" -- evermore; without ceasing; in everything -- are quite a challenge.  I can only rejoice continually and give thanks in everything in Your strength.  I praise You that Your strength is made perfect in my weakness. 

"Help me, Lord, to keep short accounts with You so that I may be in constant fellowship with You throughout each day, maintaining an attitude of prayer.  I praise You for the privilege of prayer and for the clarity and practicality of Your Word!  In Jesus' name, Amen."

And there is our very simple study for today!  I know these are a good bit more basic than the Sunday Scriptures I've shared in recent months, but I do hope they'll be a blessing and an encouragement to someone. 

Sunday Scripture

 

For the next couple of Sundays, I've decided to take a break from the Psalms study to focus on Thanksgiving.  I'll be sharing some insights from a Thanksgiving/fall study with Good Morning Girls that I did back in fall of 2013.  Sadly, it seems that this little but oh-so-meaningful 2-week study -- Focusing our Hearts on Gratitude -- is no longer available.  If anyone is interested in the Scripture verses to do your own little study, just let me know and I can send you the references.  

The verses I chose for today are from Day 3 of the study.  We were to read Colossians 3:12-17, and the verses to SOAP were 15-17.  ( Just a reminder that the S is for Scripture -- just write it out -- and the O is for Observation, the A is for Application and the P is for prayer -- concerning how you'll apply this verse or praise for what it means to you.  And if you've never tried this simple method, I hope that you will give it a try and see if you find it as helpful as I do.)

So without further ado, here is my very simple study of Colossians 3:15-17:

S= "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
"And whatever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him."  (Colossians 3:15-17)

🍁

O= Paul wrote this letter (while imprisoned in Rome) to the Christians in the church at Colosse.  It was written "to the saints and faithful brethren' at Colosse, but clearly applies to all Christian believers.  

In these verses I see some repetitions (and it's always good to pay attention to those): "be ye thankful" in verse 15; and "giving thanks to God and the Father" in verse 17.

The commands seem to apply not only to individual believers but to the body of Christ as a whole.  We are to: 

🍁 Let the peace of God rule in our hearts (v.15)
🍁 Realize we are called to this peace as a church as well as individuals (v.15)
🍁 Be thankful (v.15)
🍁 Let God's Word dwell in us richly (v.16)
🍁 Teach and admonish other believers and expect them to do the same for us (v.16)
🍁 Sing with grace in our hearts to the Lord (v.16)
🍁 Whatever we do in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to the Father by Him.

A= I need to let God's peace rule in my heart.  (It seems to me that if individual believers have His peace ruling in their hearts, there will more likely be peace in the church.) 

Sometimes it is all too easy to let something else, like worry, fear, anxiety, or some other emotion rule in our hearts.  But we need to let God's peace rule there.  In addition, I am to be thankful.  And I am very thankful for God's peace!

I need to let God's Word dwell in me richly. To me this means not only memorizing God's Word, but allowing it to become an integral part of my life by applying it and making it real in my everyday life.  Letting God's Word settle in and be at home in every facet of my life.

I also should be teaching and admonishing other believers and to be singing with grace in my heart to the Lord.  

It's interesting that I am to let God's peace rule in my heart and I am to let His word dwell in me richly.  These are both things I need to allow.  

And whatever I do, whether it's word (something I say) or deed (something I do), it's to be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, as a thank-offering to Him.  It's an important question to ask ourselves about a proposed course of action: Can I do this in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ? 

🍁

P= "Lord, I thank You this morning for the clear instruction from Your Word.  I pray that You will help me to daily apply all that I have learned.  

"Help me to allow Your peace to rule in my heart.  Help me to remember that I'm called to this.  I'm not to let anxiety, fear, worry, anger, frustration, or any other emotion rule in my heart -- only Your peace.  This seems like a tall assignment; yet, if I will only allow You to do the work in  my life, it is perfectly possible.

"Help me, too, to allow Your Word to dwell in me richly, to saturate my soul with it, so that when I am squeezed, it's Your Word that drips out.  Help me to daily memorize and meditate on Your Word, and to make it an integral part of my life.

And help me, Lord, to never forget that every bit of life is to be lived for Your glory, as a testimony to others and as a thank-offering to You for all You have done for me.

"I thank and praise You for how You will work, and for how you are working, in these areas!  I pray in Jesus' name, Amen."

And that's our very, very simple study for today.  I hope that someone has found it a blessing.

Sunday Scripture

As promised, I'm back with a Sunday Scripture post focusing on thanksgiving.  I mentioned Wednesday that that post, and this one, are from a Thanksgiving/fall study from Good Morning Girls that I did back in fall of 2013.  Sadly, it seems that this little 2-week study -- Focusing our Hearts on Gratitude -- is no longer available.  If anyone is interested in the Scripture verses to do your own little study, just let me know and I can send you the references.

 The verses I chose for today are from Day 6 of the study.  We were to read 1 Chronicles 29:1-20, and the verses to SOAP were 11-13.  ( Just a reminder that the S is for Scripture -- just write it out -- and the O is for Observation, the A is for Application and the P is for prayer -- concerning how you'll apply this verse or praise for what it means to you.  And if you've never tried this simple method, I hope that you will give it a try and see if you find it as helpful as I do.)

So without further ado, here is my simple study of 1 Chronicles 29:11-13:

S= "Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory; and the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heaven and earth is Thine.  Thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and Thou art exalted as head above all.
"Both riches and honor come of Thee; and Thou reignest over all; and in Thine hand is power and might; and in Thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.
"Now therefore, our God, we thank Thee, and praise Thy glorious name." (1Chronicles 29:11-13)

O= These verses are part of David's prayer of thanksgiving on the occasion of the people willingly giving gold, silver, precious stones, and more to be used in Solomon's Temple.

One repetition that stands out to me is David's references to God as King:
"Thine is the kingdom, O LORD";
"Thine, O LORD, is the majesty";
"Thou art exalted as head above all";
"Thou reignest over all".

"Power" is another repeated word:
"Thine, O LORD, is the power";
"In Thine hand is power and might".

"Glory" is another repeated theme:
"Thine, O LORD, is the glory";
"We praise Thy glorious name".

Verse 11 begins with one-word descriptions of some of God's characteristics:
*  Greatness
*  Power
*  Glory
*  Victory
*  Majesty

Verses 11-12 continue on with some complete statements about who God is:
*  All that is in heaven and earth is His.
*  His is the kingdom.
*  He is exalted as Head above all.
*  Both riches and honor come from Him.
*  He reigns over all.
*  In His hand are power and might.
*  In His hand it is to make great.
*  His hand gives strength unto all.

Verse 13 notes that therefore -- because of all that is true about God as stated in 11-12 -- we thank Him, and praise His glorious name.  

A=  Because God is Head above all, I must always acknowledge Him as King and as sovereign over my life. 
I must never forget that everything I have is a gift from His hand.
I must always look to Him for strength, as He is the only true source of strength.

God is always deserving of my thanks and praise for all that He has done and for everything that He is!

P= "Lord,  I praise You for all that You are!  Yours is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty!  All that is in heaven and on earth belongs to You!  Yours is the kingdom, and You are rightly exalted as Head above all things!
"All that I have -- all that anyone has -- is from Your hand.  You are the Source of every good thing and of any strength that we have.
"Therefore, I thank and praise You, not only for all that You are, but for all that You have done and for all that You continue to do.  You are most worthy of praise!  In Jesus' name, Amen."

I hope that this fresh look at 1 Chronicles 29 was a blessing to you in this Thanksgiving season!  It certainly was to me -- and what a great reminder in these uncertain times that this Almighty God has all things under His sovereign control.

Thanksgiving Eve Scriptures ...

 Here's what I hope will be a special treat for some of my readers who have been enjoying the Sunday Scripture posts and hated to see them end.  I've put some thought and prayer into this and decided that my last Sunday post for November will be based on a passage I worked through during a Thanksgiving study in 2013.  Then, in thinking a bit more, I decided to choose a second passage from the study and use it for a special Thanksgiving Eve post.

This Thanksgiving study is an older, two-week one from Good Morning Girls.  I did a little research but, sadly, it seems to be no longer available.  I keep getting a "Page Not Found" message.  I'm so thankful that I was able to find the notebook in which I recorded my study, so I can share it with you all.

Although I love working on more in-depth Bible studies, these simpler ones are also a blessing to do, and I was very encouraged by this special Thanksgiving study.  Even though I can't give you the link, I hope that you will be blessed by what is shared here.  Maybe you would even like to start with the same Scripture, or even choose another passage on thanksgiving or thankfulness and SOAP it for yourself.

 I enjoy this SOAP method of Bible study, and the GMG studies use a very similar method.  I find this method a real blessing whether I am studying shorter passages or longer ones, so I hope you'll give it a try if you haven't ever done so. Just a reminder that the S is for Scripture -- just write it out -- and the O is for Observation, the A is for Application and the P is for prayer -- concerning how you'll apply this verse or praise for what it means to you.

Today's study is from Psalm 100,  verses 4 and 5.  We were to read the whole psalm (easy enough since it's just 5 verses) but to focus on the last two verses.

S=  "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.
"For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endureth to all generations."  (Psalm 100:4-5)

O= The psalm is titled "A psalm of praise."  The author is not named.  The psalm appears to be addressed to "all ye lands" (verse 1), but in reading on, it seems more as if it is addressing God's people (verse 3 -- "we are His people").  

I notice that verse 4 contains four commands:
* Enter into His gates with thanksgiving
* Enter His courts with praise
* Be thankful to Him
* Bless His name.

Then verse 5 alludes to three or perhaps four attributes of God:
* The LORD is good
* His mercy is everlasting
* His truth endures to all generations
(In the last one I see both His truth and His covenant-keeping faithfulness to His people.)

A=  I need to offer thanksgiving to God.  I am to praise Him, to be thankful to Him, and to speak well of His matchless name.

God is worthy of my praise for many reasons, but here I specifically see that I need to praise and thank Him because He is good, because His mercy is everlasting, because His truth is enduring and because His faithfulness is great.

P=  "Lord, my heart is overflowing with thanksgiving as I praise You for all that You are, and as I thank You for all that you have done in my life.
"Lord, You are good -- all the time -- and I praise You for Your goodness.  Your mercy is everlasting, and You have been abundantly merciful to me and to all of Your people.  Your truth is enduring and will never, ever change.
"Help me, Lord, to continue to encourage my friends to get to know You better.  And help my life to speak well of You and to live out thanksgiving daily, so that my friends who don't yet know You will see an accurate picture of You at work in my life. 
"Truly, You are worthy to be praised!  In Jesus' name, Amen."

There's our simple Thanksgiving study for today ... Look for another on Sunday.  

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!

An encouraging pre-Thanksgiving read

 

 Just sneaking in on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving to encourage my readers to celebrate the upcoming holiday with joy and gratitude.  It is so easy, in light of all of the difficulties folks are dealing with these days, to want to bypass this wonderful family holiday.  Last evening I read an article so encouraging that I wanted to share it with all of you.  Here is the link: Let's Make It Happen: Saving Thanksgiving from the Grinch.  The author is Jeff Minick.  

Whenever I'm browsing through the latest Epoch Times newspaper, I'm nearly always drawn to articles by Jeff Minick.  I so enjoy his writing.  He often expresses just what I would like to say if I were more eloquent. (If you wish to read more of his writing, you can check out his blog, Learning As I Go.  You can also look up his articles in The Epoch Times archives here.  I don't have time to read as many blogs as I would like, so I usually just read his newspaper articles.)

I hope you enjoyed this article as much as I did, and that you will make plans for a grateful celebration in some fashion or other.  Ours will include food, family, friends, music, games, and no doubt lots of laughter -- and for that (among many, many other things) I am very thankful.  Let's be sure we are not letting the Grinch steal Thanksgiving, but that we are celebrating with gratefulness and joy!

No place like harvest home

 

 Just a little post today to link up with Sandi's No Place Like Home party.  It's been a busy week and weekend, but I wanted to share a little something anyway.  I thought I would share some of the pretty autumn and Thanksgiving decor from around our home, since I haven't really posted about that this fall.

I've noticed around the the net (Instagram in particular, but some blogs too) that people are decorating for Christmas already.  In fact, I visited a friend yesterday who has all of her Christmas decorations up.  She has a small place so has not overdone the decorating, and it does look lovely, but that is just not me.  I begin decorating for fall in September, then in November I add a few more Thanksgiving type things.  I tend to do more Thanksgiving decorating if we are having folks in for dinner on that day.  This year we are going to our daughter's, so I have not done as much Thanksgiving decor as I otherwise might.

Does it seem to you, as it does to me, that Thanksgiving as a holiday tends to get overlooked?  That's really a shame, because it is one of my favorite holidays and I feel that it's one of our most meaningful holidays as Americans.  (Although this year is different -- Thanksgiving is being somewhat overshadowed by election drama, yet it's also in the forefront of our thinking since our officials keep telling us all to stay home.) Really, though, we have much to praise and thank God for even in the midst of all the craziness, and those fundamental blessings do not change regardless of our circumstances.  

 One of the very biggest blessings that my hubby and I remind one another of every day is the sovereignty of God.  Nothing about our current situation is a surprise to Him, and He is in full control of every aspect of it.  I sincerely hope that we all are praising and thanking God each day for the liberties we have enjoyed in our country up to now, and that we are faithfully praying for our nation.

Thankful .. that says it all!

Some vintage autumn goodness. 

Clay wall pocket on our porch

Pumpkin candle and holder -- a sweet gift from my sister-in-law

Vintage toy truck and jadeite mug from my childhood home!

 Sweet Thanksgiving card from our faraway daughter.

And there is my simple No Place Like Home for this week. Let's cultivate the Gratitude Attitude!

Hodgepodge for November 11

 Wednesday again!  That means it's time for the Hodgepodge, where Joyce poses the questions and bloggers fill in the answers.  It's great fun and also a good way to come up with an interesting blog post.  If you'd like to join in,  just head over to From This Side of the Pond and get the questions from Joyce, then answer them on your own blog. Here are the questions for this week:

1. It's the 11th day of the 11th month and bloggers often make lists on days like today. Let's go with a list of eleven things you're feeling grateful for today.

1. The fact that God is sovereign, all-knowing, all-powerful and in complete control of this election process and outcome.  I'm praying that the truth will be revealed.

2.  The fact that God is sovereign, all-knowing, all-powerful and is also in complete control of this "pandemic".  He is able to end it instantly if He so chooses.  There is nothing too hard for Him.  I'm praying that He will resolve it, and the election situation, in a way that brings glory to Himself and points the world to Him.

3.  The fact that as we stay our minds on God and the truths of His Word, we will be kept in perfect peace.

From Abby at Little Birdie Blessings

4.  God's Word and the wisdom and comfort it brings to our hearts as we spend time in it each day.  Want to be encouraged?  Start reading through Psalms.

Another from Abby

5.  How great I feel on the 40-day sugar fast!  Can't believe how much more energy I have.

6.  Being able to get out and walk on these glorious fall days!  My walking partner broke her arm a couple of weeks ago, but we've been getting out on the warm days and enjoying every moment.

7.  A fun phone chat with our granddaughter Emily this morning as we discussed the cross-stitch project we're both working on -- me here, and Emily in Nevada.  Local granddaughter Julia is doing the same project, and she and Emily have FaceTime stitch-alongs!

8.    Our little cottage!  We're so thankful for this little getaway place  in the woods and how peaceful it is there.  We still have lots of work to do on it, but we are so, so blessed to have this place.  Photo is from late summer.

 

9.  Finally getting the cottage to the point where we can stay overnight there.  We've stayed over three nights recently, thanks to the warm weather.  If not for that, this not-yet-winterized building would be far too chilly.

10.  Time with our friend Charlotte last week at her cabin up north.  It was quiet, peaceful, and media-free.  We literally sat and watched snow fall.  Great fellowship and food -- and I got a lot of crafting done, too, as we chatted.

11.  The gorgeous, warm sunny Indian Summer weather we've been enjoying for days now.  Most unlike our usual November weather.  Photo is from a previous year, but this is how it looks and feels right now.

2. What's something you decided to do or act on at the '11th hour'?  

I'm sure there have been many situations like that, but at the moment I'm having difficulty coming up with one that I can remember.

3.  Apparently the Kentucky Fried Chicken recipe contains 11 herbs and spices. What's a dish you make that calls for exactly eleven ingredients? Feel free to share the list and/or recipe. 

Hmmm ...  I'm sure I probably have a recipe like this, but do I have time to hunt it up?  Probably not.

One of the handmade cookbooks I often give as wedding gifts

4. Something you remember about your 11-year old self? 

I loved sixth grade and my wonderful teacher, Miss Baston.  She really sparked my interest in social studies and writing --  and the projects she assigned nurtured her students' creativity in a big way.

I'm in the middle here, holding the toddler and the book.  I was 10 in this photo but would have turned 11 the next month.

5. The 11th of November is Veterans Day in the US of A. This is a day to honor those who have served their country in war or peace-dead or alive-although according to the government's website it's largely intended to thank living veterans for their sacrifices. 

Memorial Day is when we honor military personnel who died in service to their country. 

Share a thought relating to Veterans Day or tell us something about a Veteran you know-love-admire. 

Couldn't think of a better thought than this one from Gooseberry Patch

 6. Insert your own random thought here.

Not really random, but during my Bible time this morning, this verse came to mind:

 "Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass."  (Psalm 37:7)

Seems pretty relevant!

And there's my simple Hodgepodge for this week.  Happy Wednesday, all, and keep looking up!

Friday five for August 21

Time for the Friday five!  There have been many blessings this week, but here are just a few:

1.  Cooler weather for walking this week!  It's been such a blessing not to be dripping sweat as I walk.

2.  A great day with our friend Terry last Friday.  We went out for breakfast, then for a lovely walk in the New Hampshire Veterans Cemetery where her husband is buried.  Later, we went out for ice cream.  Just a wonderful day with a dear, dear friend and sister in the Lord.

3.  This is a huge blessing!  Yesterday, the power got hooked up at the little cottage we are renovating.  We started the process in June and it's been a long time coming.  So very thankful to have lights and electricity!

4.  Getting to see several of my cousins this week.  We visited one at our extended family's cottage on a quiet pond; the other two stopped by the homestead to pick up some things I'd set aside for them.  

5.  As of today, we have FINISHED cleaning out the homestead!  Hallelujah!!!!!  We still have outbuildings to finish, but the huge task of the house is done! (And incidentally, all of the photos here  -- except for the Veterans Cemetery one -- were taken around the homestead.)

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

A prayer on Sunday ~ May 31

Here's another of the prayers I've written while doing various studies from God's Word.  I believe that this one may have been written during a study of Ephesians.  Apparently I was to write a prayer expressing my thanks to God for the spiritual inheritance awaiting me in heaven.  You will note that this is a very simple prayer, but don't you also think that trying to thank God for all of the details of this inheritance would be an endless task?

Here is what I wrote:

LORD, 

I am so humbled by the prospect of the spiritual inheritance reserved in heaven for me.  Even going to heaven is so far above what I deserve!

You have given me so many blessings here in this life.  It's truly beyond what I could ask or think to have an inheritance awaiting me in heaven.  I am overwhelmed by Your goodness and generosity.  I thank and praise You for reserving this amazing inheritance for me!

In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

I mentioned before that I like to copy these prayers on pretty stationery and file them in the front of my prayer journal, where I have often prayed through them on a rotating basis.

The stationery I used for this simple prayer is one of my favorite designs, now long gone.  The artwork is by the incomparable Shelly Reeves Smith and depicts blue flowers, a mini greenhouse, and lots of lovely greenery.  It has a refreshing yet comforting look.  The saying lettered around the edge reads:

🌿🌼🌿

"The seeds of discouragement will not grow in the thankful heart."

🌿🌼🌿

And isn't that so true?  I find that sometimes I do feel a bit discouraged, especially during this difficult time we are all coping with.  Yet if I can pause and realize how very much I still have to be thankful for, the seeds of discouragement will not germinate and grow.

I have a quote in my prayer journal that goes something like this: "O Thou who hast given us so much, mercifully grant us one thing more — a grateful heart."   The source I copied it from says the quote is by Thomas Merton.  I  have seen this quote, or words very similar,  attributed to George Herbert,  Author Unknown, and I think maybe even to George Washington, if I'm remembering correctly.  Regardless of who said it, it's a good prayer and one that's important to keep in the forefront of our thinking.

God helping us, let's be sure that we are cultivating a thankful, grateful heart -- one in which the seeds of discouragement cannot get a foothold and take root.