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Thanksgiving Friday!

Happy Friday!

I'm so thankful for God's presence. Every time I felt like I was slipping, I reached out for His hand, and He was there to hold me and carry me through. It's so good to know that our Heavenly Father is always there. We are never forsaken. We are never left alone. Thank You, Lord, for always being there for me.

I'm also grateful for a sound mind. I was debating withdrawing from my class, but I decided to stay with it. I am getting some of the best grades that I've ever gotten since starting school! Even with all the distractions and things going on, I have been able to keep up my studies and have been working hard. Hard work pays off! Thank You, Lord, for giving me a sound mind, a mind that's willing to work, and a mind that is able to learn.

Finally, I'm thankful for the love that has been shown to me this week. It's like everywhere I turn, there is someone there showing me love and warmth. I am taking notice of how great this feels, and I am definitely going to pay it forward. I want to make sure that someone else feels the kind of appreciation and care that I've been given.

What are you thanking the Lord for this week? What amazing things has he done for you? Make sure you take some time and lift up some praise and thanksgiving!

Verse of the Day: Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. Psalm 30:4

Life In The Spirit

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:25

As believers in Christ, we have received the precious gift of eternal life. We are no longer bound to sin and death, but we are able to live a redeemed and everlasting life. Because our spirit man has been transformed, our outer man should reflect that change as well.

Since we have accepted the Lord as our Savior, we were blessed with the Holy Spirit as our guide and comforter. In the same way that He has quickened and changed us internally, He would like to do the same externally. Our every day life should be influenced by the Holy Spirit that dwells inside us.

In order to live by the Spirit, we have to acknowledge the Spirit of God in everything we do. Our every step should be made in light of the Holy Spirit. When we face challenges and decisions, we should allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us along the right path.

When we allow God's Spirit to lead us, wonderful things happen: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22, 23

As we follow the Spirit, we are changed and become more like Him! Soon we will be living and acting in ways that reflect His living on the inside of us. We will be showing outwardly the blessing that we received inwardly.

Today, allow yourself to walk after the Spirit. Keep yourself attuned to God's voice, make choices in line with God's Word, and show the fruit of the Spirit as you go about your day.

Verse of the Day: For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. Galatians 6:8

Following God's Instructions

We serve a detailed God. When He does something, He does it well. Often, when the Lord needed someone to help facilitate His plans, God gave detailed instructions on what He wanted them to do.

Noah was given exact measurements and dimensions for building the ark. The people of Israel were given express instructions regarding the construction of the tabernacle, the dress of the priests, and how to go before the Lord in worship. When God was leading Gideon, He showed him exactly how to pick out the troops who would lead Gideon to victory.

If God has placed a dream in your heart, you can be sure that He has a detailed path of how to get you to your destiny. All you have to do is follow what He tells you. Tune your ear to hear the voice of the Lord, and you will not be led down the wrong way.

Many of God's instructions may seem incorrect.

I imagine the servants who filled the water pots with water were wondering how Jesus was going to get more wine if the pots were already full. Yet, when they went to serve, wine had shown up!

I'm sure both the people of Jericho and the nation of Israel were curious as to how God was going to lead the Israelites to victory over such a strong and powerful country. Yet, when the Israelites obeyed God and lifted up a mighty shout - the walls of Jericho came tumbling down.

When God gives you instructions, follow. Don't hesitate, second guess, or ignore His requests. We serve an all-knowing God. You can trust His every word. He will lead you to an expected end of victory. All you have to do is follow after Him.

Today, listen to the Lord's voice. Do what He asks of you no matter what it is. And then watch how the Lord brings you to your destiny in Him.

Verse of the Day: Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him. Deuteronomy 13:4

Worthy Walk

Paul exhorted the Ephesians to "walk worthy" of their calling in God. He asked them to remain humble, patient and loving towards one another. He told them to make every effort to stay united and peaceful.

Are you walking worthy of what God has called you to do?

God has called each of us to a special, specific task. Our lives are meant to be lived fulfilling His purpose and plan. Yet, we have to make sure that we are living in a way that honors the call of God on our lives.

No matter what the Lord has placed in our laps, whether it is in or out of the church, we have to make Him proud in how we live it out. Everything we do should be done in excellence, for we serve an excellent God. Our attitudes should be full of love, because our God is a loving God. We should not have any malice or discord with our fellow man. The God we serve is a God of unity.

Each and every thing we do should reflect that we are called of God and living according to His purpose. People should look at us and see God's love emanating from our beings. When others interact with us, they should feel the spirit of God in how we carry ourselves and conduct business.

Are you walking worthy of what God has called you to do? Are you bringing the Lord honor in how you live? The Word of God says that we are to do everything to God's glory. (1 Corinthians 10:31) So, your every word, deed, action, thought, endeavor should be done in a way to glorify God.

Today, strive to walk worthy of what God has called you to do. Actively work to be humble, patient, loving, united and peaceful. God has given you something precious, so live your life honoring your gift of life.

Verse of the Day: I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3

Afternoon Ti: Working For the Good

This past week was a true week of faith for me and my family. We have had to stand, and having done all to stand, stand firm in the face of fear, doubt, and anguish. And as we stood, God proved Himself faithful. In the midst of our mourning, the Lord kept us with joy. In the midst of sorrow, we found we had peace. Where we should have despaired, we found ourselves full of His everlasting love.

Even though I may not be happy with or even understand God's decisions, I was reminded yesterday that all things work together for the good of those who love God.

I can only imagine how Abraham felt as he believed God for the son the Lord had promised him. Who knows what thoughts swirled through his mind as the years ticked away, and he still had no heir. Yet, Abraham believed God, and God stayed true to his word and gave Abraham a son in his old age.

Or, think of Noah, tasked with the feat of making something he had never seen for a phenomenon he had never heard of. Still, Noah worked faithfully in the face of ridicule from his neighbors believing what God had told him. The Lord sent the rain like He promised, and Noah was delivered from the flood.

Even Daniel had to trust that God would stand with him as he continued to worship the Lord in the midst of a pagan nation. And when his very life was threatened for following God, Daniel chose to lose his life because of how much love he had for the Lord. As a result, God honored his public stance and delivered Daniel from the mouths of the lions.

God works everything together for the good of those who love Him. It is up to us to cultivate that love, to deepen and strengthen it. God is always there willing to pour out His love for us, we just have to get in His presence and receive it. When that love is there, nothing can change, shake, or remove it. And that love will carry you through anything and cause you to overcome everything.

No matter what you may be facing, draw on the love that God has for you. Don't let circumstances pull you away from your relationship with the Lord. Press into His presence. Come closer to His throne. Continue in talks with Him, and allow Him to work everything out for your good. Allow yourself to experience the faithfulness of God.

Verse of the Day: And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Thankgiving Friday!

Me and my dad

It's a happy Friday again... No, it's a joyful Friday today! The joy of the Lord is my strength.

Today I celebrate my father's homegoing. I am so blessed. I am blessed to have had such a wonderful father in my life. I have learned so much from him. My faith, my view on family, my outlook on marriage... so many aspects of my life are colored by my father's tutelage and example. Thank You, Lord, for blessing me to have such a treasure as my own.

I'm also thankful today for my family. Both my blood relatives and spiritual relatives have been so supportive during this time. They have been such a strength to my mom, sister, and myself. I don't know how we could have survived this week without them. I am so honored to have them in my circle. Thanks, God, for giving them to me!

Finally, again, I am thankful for the Lord's perfect peace that has passed all my understanding! I can truly say that I have not been worried or agitated at all this week. That alone means so much. God, thank You for being there for me.

I thank God for you all as well, readers. I appreciate all of your prayers and words of encouragement during this time. God bless you all!

Today's verse of the day was one of my dad's favorites.

Verse of the Day: ...for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Matthew 17:20b