of hope

Father,

Hope.

It's the first word we often ponder during the Advent season and yet this year it feels strange to even think about hope with so much despair and conflict all around us.

So we lament. We cry out to You.

But in this, there is hope.

Because we wouldn't cry out to You if we didn't hope You would hear us. If we didn't hope You would fix what was broken and right what was wrong.

Lord help us see hope in a new way this Advent and Christmas season. Remind us to find hope in what You have done and what You are doing, and to find hope in the promises You have made for our future. Remind us that we are secure in our place as Your children and that our union with You is at Your gracious and loving hand. 

Remind us that our hope is not in the things of this world, but in the person of Jesus Christ who will come again. For this, we wait and hope.

Amen

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First Week of Advent

Father, as the Jews of old looked in hope for the Messiah, so we look forward to the return of our King to set all things right. We anticipate with a hope that will not make us ashamed, a hope that is sure. May that hope be rekindled in our hearts this season. Amen

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LEAD ME DAILY

What a loving Faithful Father,

Mighty God who knows each need.

All His paths are truth and kindness

When we daily let Him lead.

Father God, I stand before You,

Pardoned, cleansed, and reconciled;

Help me live as in Your presence

Caring Father.  Your trusting child!

~Ken Bible(1984 c)

Maranatha Worship Bible

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The Good Life

“….my cup overflows."  Psalm 23:5 (ESV)

Thank you Father for the good life that overflows with, not just your promises and blessings, but especially for your presence that fills every part of it. It is a new birth into a new spiritual life in Christ.  It is in total contrast to the natural life in which we may obtain some good material possessions, but is not life itself. The spiritual life, which is ours through faith in Christ, is true life itself. Father you have given us so many Scriptures that bear out the comparison and distinction of both. 

Ephesians 2:1 (NIV)
     ”As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins…..”   This is the natural life that makes dead toward God. 

Luke 12:15 (NIV)
      Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."  This is the deception of the natural life that distracts us from God. 

Ephesians 2:4-5 (NIV)
     ⁴ But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵ made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved.  This is the spiritual life which makes us alive to God.

1 John 5:11 (NIV)
      And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son;”   This is everlasting life. 

John 10:10 (NIV)
     ”I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”  This is overflowing life. 

John 17:3 (NIV)
      “…..this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ,”   This is relational life.

John 10:28 (NIV)
     ”I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.”   This is secure life.

2 Peter 1:3 (NLT)
     ”By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life.”   This is practical life.

Father throughout the Scriptures you give multiple details of this good life. All we can do is to gratefully say the Apostle Paul: “Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!”  2 Corinthians 9:15 (NLT)

Amen!

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with thanksgiving

Teach us Lord to see the world as your sanctuary.

Help us Father to walk as people who are thankful.

Open our eyes Jesus to all that we have in our lives.

Lead us Holy Spirit in the ways of thanksgiving.

We offer our bodies and our minds to your service.

Amen

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On this Thanksgiving Day

Dear God, on this Thanksgiving Day,

I want to pause and thank you for the blessings surrounding me.

For another day, for family, friends, for food on the table.

You are the source of all good things and praise you for the simple things that bring us joy.

Help us keep our eyes on you this day and everyday so our lives may be filled with praise and joy.

Amen.

-prayer from Christianity Today

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True thankfulness....

So often our thankfulness is based on good circumstances. Positive outcomes. Pleasant situations.

But truthfully? Our hearts of thanksgiving should be focused solely on Christ and Christ alone.

True thankfulness is not based on anything other than the fact of God’s goodness. 

True thankfulness is not based on anything other than the knowledge of God’s mercy and grace. 

True thankfulness is simply knowing that regardless of any situation or trial, we serve a loving and merciful and good God... and that He is all we need in our lives.

For that alone, we can give thanks...

Amen

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Thanksgiving

ALMIGHTY God, Father of all mercies, we thine unworthy servants do give thee most humble and hearty thanks for all thy goodness and loving-kindness to us, and to all men. We bless thee for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all, for thine inestimable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we beseech thee, give us that due sense of all thy mercies, that our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful, and that we shew forth thy praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives; by giving up ourselves to thy service, and by walking before thee in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost be all honour and glory, world without end.  Amen

Book of Common Prayer 1662

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GOD'S HAND ON ME

Psalm 139:5,6,10,11

"You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.  Your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast."

Oh gracious Father, Holy Shepherd, how grateful I am to be one of your sheep.  To know your care and passion for me.  That you know my name.  That you have laid your hand on me, and your hand will guide and hold me fast.  This knowledge is truly too wonderful and lofty for me to understand or comprehend.  But I take it by faith, and will rest in your arms and feel secure.  I love You.  Amen.

Amen

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I WILL CELEBRATE!!!

  

“…giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father

in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,” Ephesians 5:20 (ESV)

 Psalm 100:1-5 (NLT) 

     ¹Shout with joy to the LORD, all the earth!  ²Worship the LORD with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. ³ Acknowledge that the LORD is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. ⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. ⁵For the LORD is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

Father I am excited about giving thanks to you in spite of difficult circumstances and because of difficult circumstances. This is because you assure me that in both situations your purpose for my life will be accomplished: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NIV)

 So, Father, for everything and in all things I will celebrate “Thanksgiving Day” praising you in my Church, with my Family and for your Glory. As the Psalmist reminds us: “Praise the LORD! How good to sing praises to our God! How delightful and how fitting! Psalm 147:1 (NLT)

 In the name of Jesus who saves us so that we may sing the songs of salvation to our gracious and glorious Triune God. Amen.

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giving thanks for love and goodness

Love and goodness, they describe God at a very core level.

For these two words we give thanks to you Lord.

You are good. 

When we hurt, we can know that you have not caused the pain.

You are love. 

When all have abandoned us, your loving presence remains.

You are good. 

In times of great trial, we know that your plans for us are good.

You are love. 

In moments of doubt and confusion, you love brings clarity.

You are good.

Evil and temptation, in the end, will bow to your goodness.

You are love. 

Hate cannot stand against you. Love never fails.

Lord, we have hope because of your love and goodness.

Amen

 

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giving thanks for each other

I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. (Romans 1:8)

So often we all take the ones closest to us for granted. I know that pain has often caused me to neglect the giving of thanks for those who regularly bless me. In this simple verse Paul tells us to not neglect the giving of thanks for the faithful.

Father, I am sorry that I am so often preoccupied with myself and do not say thanks for those you have placed in my life. Thank you for them and the many others in the world who are faithful to You - even when life is so difficult for them.

Amen

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Rush in!

Today, let’s rush into the Presence of God and desire Him with all that is within us! Let’s rush to His side and cling to Him in expectation of an encounter with the Almighty One! 

Let’s purpose in our hearts to seek more. Pray more. Study more. 

It’s time that we make Christ our priority in all things...

He is worthy!!

Amen

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DAYSPRING, DAYSTAR

Proverbs 4:18 "The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day."

Christ, whose glory fills the skies,

Christ, the true, the only light.

Sun of righteousness, arise.

Triumph over shades of night;

Dayspring, From on high, be near,

Daystar, in my heart appear!

Visit then this soul of mine,

Pierce the gloom of sin and grief;

Fill me, radiancy divine,

Scatter all my unbelief:

More and more yourself display

Shining to the perfect day.

     ~Charles Wesley

Thank You Lord, for Your light of truth that makes my way both safe and pleasant.  With the light of Your presence You warm my heart.  With the light of Your wisdom, You enlighten my mind.  With the light of Your Word You illuminate my path.  How I long for the full light of that great and glorious Day when we, Your people, will reach our destination around Your throne.  There we will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for You, O Lord will give us light.  And we will reign with You forever and ever.  I love You.  Amen!

Amen

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