Pocket Thoughts - 11/22/24

Special Gratitude Edition

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy, and I will give thanks to Him in song.” – Psalm 28:7

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“As a matter of fact, God isn’t asking you to be thankful. He’s asking you to give thanks. There’s a big difference. One response involves emotions, the other your choices, your decisions about a situation, your intent, your step of faith.” – Joni Eareckson Tada

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“If I take the blessings in my life for granted, not really even thinking of them as blessings from God as I go through the dailyness of living, am I truly thankful to Him? I certainly appreciate them and am happy they are present, but do I give thanks to Him for them? I tend to go shallow and easy by thanking my wife, my friends and family for their love. To my wife for her commitment to our marriage, but I often do not go deep and thank God for his wonderful gift of moving her into my life.  He is the provider of my blessings, He chose her for me, and He provided my friends, my family, my health and wealth. I am thankful that my wife, my friends, and my family choose to be in my life, but this month I choose to go deeper and will be intentional to be thankful to the provider, the source of all the blessings in my life.” – Mark P.

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“When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory.’ ‘Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 15:54-57

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From a friend’s gratitude list…

“Finished with time to spare * green lights all the way * slowly catching up * restful weekend * Ann’s joy in Christmas decorations (even though she is disgustingly early) * cool morning * smoke alarm did not begin beeping in the dead of night * squeaky clean house when I came home * blissful nap * plump orange pumpkins * stamina to do what is needed * silvery morning moon wishing me good day * the smell of brisket slow-cooking * RAIN!!! * loose jeans” – Jane P.

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“The key to thankfulness is not to view God through the lens of our circumstances, but to view our circumstances through the lens of God’s love and sovereign purpose.” – Anne Graham Lotz

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Lord, You are intentional in the gifts and the timing of the gifts that You so generously and personally provide for each one of us. Thank You for knowing us so well and for caring so deeply about the details of our lives and our greatest desires and hopes. Thank You for our families and for the simple blessings of life that bring us joy. Thank You for victory through Jesus over our darkest fears and over death itself. May we be just as intentional in expressing our gratitude to You as You have been in pouring Your mercies and kindnesses over us. We love You and thank You in the beautiful Name of Jesus, amen.

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Pocket Thoughts - 11/25/24

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Pocket Thoughts - 11/18/24