Thanksgiving

THANKSGIVING

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Chord Progression: (C  F  Bdim  Em)    (Am  Dm  G  C)

UNFATHOMABLE

screen-shot-2016-12-07-at-11-12-21-amYour splendor covers the heavens (Hab 3:3).

You are magnificent—

costly and sumptuous (ref#110, p1341)—

so worthy of notice (ref#110, p927).

 

The earth is full of Your praise (Hab 3:3).

You are above understanding—

unfathomable (ref#110, p1457)—

outstanding and famous (ref#110, p927).

 

Your brightness is brilliant as the sunrise (Hab 3:4)—

very astonishing—

wonderful and extraordinary—

tremendous (ref#110, p1425).

 

You are exalted in Your power (Job 36:22)—

notable and remarkable (ref#110, p927).

You are prodigious—of great supremacy;

You are breathtaking with great command (ref#110, p1073).

THANKSGIVING

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YOU TEST ME THEN RESCUE ME

screen-shot-2016-10-21-at-2-13-43-pm “Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be,…for this is the will of God for you…’ (1 Thes 5:18 AMP).

Through my God I shall do valiantly, for it is He Who shall tread down my enemies (Ps 60:12). Though You are high, You regard the lowly (Ps 138:6). You rend the heavens and come down (Isa 64:1). You provide a way of escape for me (1 Cor 10:13).

Even though You test and try me, bringing me into the net, laying crushing burdens on my back, letting men ride over my head, yet You bring me out to a place of abundance (Ps 66:10-12). You reach down from on high and take me—drawing me out of deep waters. You rescue me from my strong enemies for they are too mighty for me. You bring me into a broad place because You delight in me (Ps 18:16,17,19).

Therefore I will come into Your house and perform my vows to You (Ps 66:13). A day in Your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere (Ps 84:10). I shall be forever praising You. Great is Your faithfulness. Your love never ceases; Your mercies never come to an end (Lam 3:22-23).

You are my portion, I will wait for You; my hope is in You, for You are good to me (Lam 3:24-25). You give me reason to ceaselessly praise You.

THANKSGIVING

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THE SPIRIT’S WORK

screen-shot-2016-10-21-at-1-07-40-pm“That [Spirit] is the guarantee of our inheritance [the firstfruits, the pledge and foretaste, the down payment on our heritage], in anticipation of its full redemption and our acquiring [complete] possession of it…” (Eph 1:14 AMP).

“The work of the cross creates a position and achieves a salvation by which sinners can be saved; the task of the Holy Spirit is to reveal to sinners what the cross has created and achieved so that they may in fact receive it and be saved” Watchman Nee (ref#101, p11).

FATHER, I thank You for providing the condition that led me to believe in CHRIST so that I am now “…stamped with the seal of the long-promised Holy Spirit” (Eph 1:13 AMP). This was just Your laying the groundwork for Your indwelling in me (ref#101, p13).

I thank You, SPIRIT, for energizing my personal spirit so that CHRIST is formed in me (Gal 4:19). You give me “the essential nature of God” and the “quickening life of the Son of God” Oswald Chambers (ref#83, p89). Praise to You for I am “lifted to the domain where Jesus lives” Oswald Chambers (ref#83, p89). You SPIRIT, reorient my affections and renew my will. You transform me so profoundly that I no longer live, but CHRIST lives in me (Gal 2:20).

THANKSGIVING

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PATIENCE IN FULFILLING YOUR PROMISES

screen-shot-2016-10-21-at-11-53-13-am“Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.  For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past, or like a watch in the night” (Ps 90:2,4 NRSV). “…with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day” (2 Peter 3:8 NRSV).

FATHER, I, who am stuck in a world of time, marvel at Your patience in bringing Your promises to fulfillment. I thank You, FATHER, for setting in ink Your activities, the things that You will not leave undone (Isa 42:16) so people down through history can read about those activities.

You call forth and guide the destinies of generations from the beginning. You are the first—existing before history began, and continue to be with the last. You are “I AM,” the ever-present, unchanging GOD (Isa 41:4).

You recorded, through Isaiah, prophecies 800 years before You fulfilled them. Your prediction, so long ago, of Your Son coming to set up His kingdom of righteousness, allows me to see how You obligate Yourself to watch over Your children. I feel Your love as I read Your Word.

“…I am God, and there is no one like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My purpose shall stand, and I will fulfill my intention,’ …I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have planned, and I will do it” (Isa 46:9-11 NRSV).

FATHER, I marvel at Your plans that You drop into a time-locked world so I, who live on this earth, may marvel at the revealing and then the summation of Your promises. Thank You for giving me what I need.

THANKSGIVING

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THANKS FOR TRIBULATION

screen-shot-2016-10-21-at-9-28-07-am“Some of you set sail in big ships; you put to sea to do business in faraway ports. Out at sea you saw God in action, saw his breathtaking ways with the ocean. With a word he called up the wind — an ocean storm, towering waves! You shot high in the sky, then the bottom dropped out; your hearts were stuck in your throats. You were spun like a top, you reeled like a drunk, you didn’t know which end was up. Then you called out to God in your desperate condition; he got you out in the nick of time” (Ps 107:23-28 MSG).

FATHER, I have called to You in my distress and You have answered me. I am not grateful for tragedies themselves, but I would not trade the insight, character, and strength they have procured for me for anything (ref#132, p25). I have to admit that most of what I really need for success in this life and the next come through my most difficult and painful experiences (ref#132, p24).

I thank You for the irreplaceable seasons of personal and spiritual growth through trials. I thank You for Your steadfast love and the wondrous works to me. It’s a joy to extol and praise You to everyone (Ps 107:31-32).

THANKSGIVING

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ELECTION

screen-shot-2016-10-20-at-4-27-07-pm…FATHER, Your Scripture presents a history of man in a state of sin and rebellion and Your plan to bring man back to Yourself (ref#63, p490). Before creation You selected from the human race those whom You would redeem, justify, sanctify, and glorify in CHRIST (Rom 8:29-30) (ref#56, p1630).

“…man is free in that he can and does choose what he desires or is inclined to choose. But man lacks the desire for Christ and the things of God until God creates in his soul a positive inclination for these things” R. C. Sproul (ref#80, p165).

Without Your gift of electing me I would have been unable to choose You for I simply would have not been interested. My nature from birth was to sin constantly.

Therefore I write this page thanking You for loving me and making it possible for me to love You. I also thank You for the opportunity to exercise my faith (ref#152, p136) as I pray You elect all my family, friends, and my enemies.

You forgive me and give me membership into Your family, as well as grant me growth in the Christian life. You keep me faithful to Yourself throughout life as I purpose to respond to You in faith and repentance (ref#63, p669). Thank You, FATHER, for giving me reason to live.

Blessed are You, LORD—

You daily load me with benefits.

You are my GOD of salvation;

and to You belong escapes from death (Ps 68:19-20).

 

The pillars of the earth are Yours,

and on them You have set the world.

You guard my feet

for not by might shall I prevail (1 Sam 2:8-9).

THANKSGIVING

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I AM IN THE TRAIN OF JESUS THE CONQUEROR

“…thanks be to God, Who in Christ always leads us in triumph [as trophies of Christ’s victory]…” (2 Cor 2:14 AMP).

screen-shot-2016-10-19-at-4-45-56-pmFATHER, I am on earth for one purpose—to be a captive. “We are here to exhibit one thing—the absolute captivity of our lives to Jesus Christ”  Oswald Chambers (ref#7, Oct 24th). I thank You, FATHER, for triumphing over me through CHRIST. He defeats my fallen, evil nature. Contrary to earthly living where to be in the train of a finite man would be the most miserable, but being conquered and being made to walk behind CHRIST is my most glorious lot JFB Commentary (ref#17, [2 Cor 2:14]).

“Paul regarded himself as a trophy of God’s victorious power in Christ. His Almighty conqueror was leading him about, through all the world, a sample of His triumphant power…to subdue and to save” JFB Commentary (ref#17, [2 Cor 2:14]).

It is my joy that You took me, a rebel and changed me to a captive. Being CHRIST’s captive is my position now in life (ref#7, Oct 24th). I have no joy that is not connected with CHRIST—no success which I can not trace to Him (ref#16, [2 Cor 2:14]).

“…I am in the train of a conqueror, and it does not matter what the difficulties are, I am always led in triumph” Oswald Chambers (ref#7, Oct 24th). FATHER, I thank You that I have been captured making me able to display the victory of CHRIST.

THANKSGIVING

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YOU TEST ME THEN RESCUE ME

screen-shot-2016-10-18-at-4-25-19-pmThrough my God I shall do valiantly, for it is He Who shall tread down my enemies (Ps 60:12). Though You are high, You regard the lowly (Ps 138:6). You rend the heavens and come down (Isa 64:1). You provide a way of escape for me (1 Cor 10:13).

Even though You test and try me, bringing me into the net, laying crushing burdens on my back, letting men ride over my head, yet You bring me out to a place of abundance (Ps 66:10-12). You reach down from on high and take me—drawing me out of deep waters. You rescue me from my strong enemies for they are too mighty for me. You bring me into a broad place because You delight in me (Ps 18:16,17,19).

Therefore I will come into Your house and perform my vows to You (Ps 66:13). A day in Your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere (Ps 84:10). I shall be forever praising You. Great is Your faithfulness. Your love never ceases; Your mercies never come to an end (Lam 3:22,23).

You are my portion, I will wait for You; my hope is in You, for You are good to me (Lam 3:24,25). You give me reason to ceaselessly praise You.

THANKSGIVING

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LEANING ON GOD

screen-shot-2016-10-14-at-4-09-44-pm…FATHER, my enemy is strong and persistent, while I am weak and lazy. But, yoked with CHRIST I am able to overcome the devil. You have given me a Godlike heart and enabled me to walk beside CHRIST to work my heart’s righteousness out through my members (Rom 6:13). Thank You for giving me commands and making me able to keep them.

When my soul cleaves to the dust; revive me according to Your Word. When I have told You of my ways, You will answer me (Ps 119:25,26). Teach me Your statutes; make me understand the way of Your precepts, so that I will meditate on Your wonders (Ps 119:27).

When You will enlarge my heart, I’ll run the way of Your commandments (Ps 119:32). So, FATHER, enlarge my heart, I pray.

I weep because of grief. Strengthen me—remove the false way from me, then I will not be ashamed (Ps 119:28-29). You have ordained Your precepts that I should keep them diligently. Oh, that my way be established to keep Your statutes (Ps 119:4-5)!

When I look upon You—when I keep Your statutes, I shall give thanks to You with uprightness of heart (Ps 119:2). I will be blessed and give thanks when You will enlarge my heart (Ps 119:32). I will wait for You—enlarge my heart, please.

Deal bountifully with me that I may live and keep Your Word. Open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things (Ps 119:17-18). Crush my soul with longing after Your ordinances; make Your testimonies my counselors and my delight (Ps 119:20,24).

May Your lovingkindness comfort me according to Your Word; may Your compassion come to me that I might live (Ps 119:76-77). My eyes fail with longing for Your Word; my soul languishes for Your salvation. I wait for Your Word (Ps 119:82,81).

Revive me according to Your lovingkindness so that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth (Ps 119:88). Sustain me according to Your Word that I may live. Do not let me be ashamed of my hope (Ps 119:116).

Establish my footsteps in Your promise; don’t let iniquity have dominion over me. Redeem me from oppression that I may keep Your precepts (Ps 119:133-134). Your testimonies are righteous forever; give me understanding that my soul may live—that I may praise You (Ps 119:144,175).

I have gone astray like a lost sheep. Seek me for I do not forget Your commandments (Ps 119:176).

THANKSGIVING

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THANKS FOR ASSURANCES

screen-shot-2016-10-14-at-2-52-30-pm…FATHER, You have created an entire book describing the specific ways You approach Your lover (Song of Songs). You do everything but stand on Your head to get my attention. A devotional could not hold all the words of assurance You write attempting to prove Your love toward me. But, let me name a few that it may jog my memory and cause me to thank You for Your love that is as strong as death (Song 8:6).

Your love never wanes. When I am happy with myself or when I am disappointed with my actions, it doesn’t affect our relationship for You continually accept me. When I look within I exclaim there is nothing acceptable there but You look at me through CHRIST where everything is acceptable. I am Your “divine delight” (Eph 1:6) Charles Spurgeon (ref#34, Sept 23rd AM).

When my poor faith concludes I am a “baby Christian,” You assure me that I have just as much right to covenant mercies as advanced believers. I am completely justified—my justification is not a thing of degrees.

“…your right to covenant mercies lies not in your growth, but in the covenant itself. Your faith in Jesus is not the measure, but the token of your inheritance in Him” Charles Spurgeon (ref#34, Oct 19th AM).

FATHER, I did not choose You, You chose me (John 15:16). True, I did commit to You but You had my name written in Your book of life before You formed the world.

You have drawn me and will continue in Your faithfulness toward me. Your love is an everlasting love (Jer 31:3). You commit to me forever providing justice, fairness, love and kindness. You will be forever faithful to me no matter what I do (Hos 2:19-20)!

I thank You for all Your assurances You add to Scripture. Even if I am the weakest Christian, in JESUS I am Your child (Gal 4:7).