Friday, April 25, 2014
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Day 17 Counting of Blessings
224 Beth Moore and her writing--allowing God to use her and her team.
225 Beth Moore Bible studies
226 "Believing God" by Beth Moore, which I started yesterday
227 The upcoming summer study by Beth Moore, "Children of the Day," which I will also take part in, even as I finish up "Believing God."
228 For God to speak to me as clearly as He did yesterday.
229 For God to speak to me as clearly as He did today.
230 For a profound revelation God gave me in the middle of the night.
231 Bojangles grilled chicken bites
232 A loved one had a safe trip
233 For our friends, M, T, I, and N. They are supreme blessings in our lives.
234 Zack had dementia earlier today and is better now.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Day 16, Part 2 Counting My Blessings
I am thankful, Lord, for...
212 The Spring
213 Spring flowers
214 The color purple, violet, lilac, plum, and all the shades in between
215 A mind to use so I can be mindfulness about counting my blessings
216 Mindfulness
217 This day
218 Coffee
219 Time with You, Lord
220 Reading a good book
221 Inspiration
222 Helping me, Father, through this life-change-on-a-dime-moment over the last week
223 Words of comfort and inspiration found in the Bible, the Word of God
AYOAGT Day 16: How Do I/We Offer Thanks Each Day for a Year?
AYOAGT Day 16: How Do I/We Offer Thanks Each Day for a Year?
April 23, 2014, Wednesday, 829 a.m.
HOW DO I/WE OFFER THANKS EACH DAY FOR A YEAR (AND MORE) ANYWAY?
How am I supposed to live 1 Thessalonians 5:18 and Philippians 4:6 every day, all day and night long, moment by moment? This is the question.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 / New Living Translation (NLT)
18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
-- NLT: Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Please look up this verse at this link. Every version says it a little differently. Read this link for a fuller understanding of 1 Thessalonians 5:18:
Philippians 4:6 / GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)
6 Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks.
-- GW: Scripture is taken from GOD’S WORD®, © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group.
And, look this up as well for all English translations of Philippians 4:6:
How do we, and how will I, live these verses every day and night, in each moment, for at least a year (if not for the rest of our lives, as those verses instruct)? Simply. We just start.
Yep. Just begin.
Try to count at least three blessings, and things you thank God for, each and every day. Do this for the rest of your life.
That’s it.
It isn’t any more complicated or profound than that.
It’s okay to repeat things you are thankful for, if you really are grateful for it when you write it down.
I also advise looking around, where you are, and you’ll see things you are thankful for, or what you see will trigger something or someone else you’re grateful for and you can then write it down.
Also, as you go throughout your day, expect God to reveal His glory to you. He will pour on the blessings, as He always has. You just need to be open to see them and receive them. Intentionality is the key. Write them down as you see ways in which God is present, and working, in your life, around your life, and through your life--and through the lives of others.
You have the potential for writing hundreds down each day if you carry your gratitude journal with you everywhere you go--and watch, wait, and listen to God and the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
God has divine appointments set up for you to see Him working and to bless you through His work and glory. Keep these appointments all day and night long. Don’t miss out.
Also, if you don’t know what to thank God for, go through your gratitude journal. Seeing your list will remind you of things you are thankful for today and will stir up new ones.
Look around. Listen. His glory, and work, is all around. You just need to be open and be intentional.
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Day 15 When God Blesses
Day 15 When God Blesses
We should never be surprised by God. He is God. He can do what He wants, when He wants to do it, how He wants to do it. He is the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe. He is God.
But, aren't there times when He acts and we sure don't expect it? And, He acts in a way we should know to expect, but we are still taken aback?
And, then there are the times God blesses your socks off, in extraordinary ways, you know you don't deserve at all. But, because of His grace and love, He does it anyway. That's what happened to me yesterday.
Lord, I am thankful for:
198 How You answer prayers I didn't even know I had.
199 How You remind me You are still in control.
200 For opening my heart and mind up to remember, and perhaps learn in a whole new and deeper way, how I am utterly, totally dependent on You--not on people, self, circumstances. You. And You alone.
201 The reminder You are the only One whose promises are guaranteed.
202 I do not deserve one blessing, yet You so profoundly and profusely bless me every day all day long, even when I feel kicked.
203 How turning to You alone is the only answer, for You are the Answer.
204 The sun still rises each morning.
205 The sun still sets each evening.
206 You can still use battered and bruised people who are hardly eloquent or wise.
207 How You love me.
208 A new vision
209 Your vision
210 Another new beginning
211 You are God. There is none like You.
(Image credit: Microsoft images online 2008-2014)
Monday, April 21, 2014
When You Need Wisdom
I am still writing and taking part in "A YEAR OF ALWAYS GIVING THANKS: THE JOURNAL OF MY JOURNEY, PART 1." That will not change for the next year and more.
However, I am now working on this for a personal Bible study, but will also turn it into a Bible study I will share in time on this blog.
With everything that's happened, I think I am setting the Romans study to the side for now. I am not in the place to write it right now. I'm far too emotional and would butcher writing the study or in personally taking place in the study. Therefore, I will wait. I need to deal with what is right now--and that is dealing with life challenges and when god has said no or wait.
Let's face it. I am desperate for wisdom. But, I'm not desperate for just any wisdom. I want wisdom that will carry me through every day for the rest of my life. Philippians 4:4-13 is precisely the passage I so desperately need right now--and every day.
Out of Order
I apologize. Every now and then these blog posts will be out of order on this blog.
(The good news is they will be in order on wattpad and in the published version of this blog book.)
Day 13 Grieving and Cumulative Nos from God
Day 13 Grieving and Cumulative Nos from God
Journal April 20, 2014, Easter Sunday, 107 p.m.
I have taken four days to try to process the latest of seven major life-changing nos God has said in my life (maybe caused and/or maybe allowed) in my life over the last year or so. Each no has been highly painful. They have had a cumulative effect.
I'm not sure if they're permanent nos or no for now, as far as three of them. But, I know four are, in fact, permanent nos.
The truth of the matter is I am four days into my latest round of grief and I am still not sure what to think, how to feel, what to do, etc. I am rather lost and am confused. I'm still grieving.
Day 14, Part 1 Verses to Cling to When in a Time God Says No or Wait
Day 14 Verses to Cling to When in a Time God Says No or Wait
Psalm 46:1-3 / Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
For the choir director. A song of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth.
1 God is our refuge and strength,
a helper who is always found
in times of trouble.
2 Therefore we will not be afraid,
though the earth trembles
and the mountains topple
into the depths of the seas,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with its turmoil. Selah
-- HCSB: Scripture quotations marked HCSB are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
Mark 10:27 / Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
27 Looking at them, Jesus said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God, because all things are possible with God.”
-- HCSB: Scripture quotations marked HCSB are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
Philippians 4:4-13 / Expanded Bible (EXB)
4 ·Be full of joy [Rejoice] in the Lord always. I will say again, ·be full of joy [rejoice].
5 Let everyone see that you are ·gentle [kind; considerate; patient]. The Lord is ·coming soon [orclose at hand; L near]. 6 Do not ·worry [be anxious] about anything, but pray and ·ask God for everything you need [or make your requests known to God], always giving thanks. 7 And God’s peace, which ·is so great we cannot understand it [transcends/surpasses all comprehension], will ·keep [guard] your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
8 [L Finally; In conclusion; or Now then] Brothers and sisters, ·think about [focus your thoughts on; fill your minds with] things that are true and honorable and ·right [just] and pure and ·beautiful[lovely] and ·respected [commendable]. If there is anything that is ·good [morally excellent] and worthy of praise, ·think about [focus your thoughts on; fill your minds with] these things. 9 Do what you learned and received and heard ·from [L in] me, and what you saw ·me do [L in me]. And the God ·who gives [L of] peace will be with you.
10 I ·am very happy [L rejoiced greatly] in the Lord that you have ·shown [renewed; revived] your ·care [concern] for me again. You continued to ·care [be concerned] about me, but ·there was no way for you [you had no opportunity] to show it. 11 I am not telling you this because I need anything. [L For] I have learned to be ·satisfied [content] ·whatever the circumstances [or with whatever I have]. 12 I know how to live when I am ·poor [in humble circumstances], and I know how to live when I have plenty. I have learned the ·secret of being happy [L secret] ·at any time in everything that happens [or in any and all circumstances], when I have enough to eat and when I go hungry, when I have ·more than I need [plenty; an abundance] and when I do not have enough. 13 I can do all things through ·Christ, because he [L the one who] gives me strength.
-- EXB: Scripture taken from The Expanded Bible. Copyright © 2011 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Psalm 105:1-6 / GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)
1 Give thanks to the Lord.
Call on him.
Make known among the nations what he has done.
2 Sing to him.
Make music to praise him.
Meditate on all the miracles he has performed.
3 Brag about his holy name.
Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
4 Search for the Lord and his strength.
Always seek his presence.
5 Remember the miracles he performed,
the amazing things he did, and the judgments he pronounced,
6 you descendants of his servant Abraham,
you descendants of Jacob, his chosen ones.
-- GW: Scripture is taken from GOD’S WORD®, © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group.
Please Bear with Me
Please bear with me.
While I'm dealing with some " personal stuff" on my end, I may not be able to comment or respond to your emails or comments in a timely manner. I'm trying to devote myself to bible study and prayer. I will respond hopefully tomorrow or Wednesday. I also will not post as many "AYOAGT" themed posts, but will most likely share some of the things God leads me to during my prayer time and time in the Word.
(Image credit: Microsoft images online 2008-2014.)
Sunday, April 20, 2014
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