Thanksgiving 2015

Today as I rest from rising early to wrestle a twenty something pound bird rubbed in olive oil and dusted with heavenly spices filled with memories, I think of what I have to be thankful for today. There have been so many obstacles over recent years, it seems hard to believe things are as good as they are. We have a place to stay with a roof and walls that keep the elements out. We have heat, and water, and lights. There will be good foods on the table at the house we go to today. Family and friends will gather. There will be laughter, stories, and falling asleep after eating turkey. Memories will be made afresh. There many far worse off, and many far better off, and none of that matters. Our Father Yahuah (Lord) loves each and every one of us. His heart and His love is just that big that He can do that. Today I want to place a scripture here that when it is read, it inspires people to believe just one more time.

Psalms 105:1 O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.
2 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.
3 Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.
4 Seek the Lord, and his strength: seek his face evermore.
5 Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;
6 O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen.
7 He is the Lord our God: his judgments are in all the earth.
8 He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.

Today, let our hearts sing with thanksgiving.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are King. We look and see Your kingdom, and not the world around us. We praise the name Yahuah! Send us today Your overwhelming provision. Forgive us our sins. Heal up our hearts that hurt from days gone by. Heal our minds that we might think only on your scriptures. Deliver us from the evil that is round about us. So many have stolen so much from Your people and even now continue to steal from us. Rise up, my King, and deliver Your people! Come with a strong hand and an outstretched arm to destroy these evil works. Grind them to powder. Return one hundred time one hundred fold to Your people that which has been stolen. Come quickly, deliver us today. We ask these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). Amen.

When Help Comes

It has always been interesting to me that we are sometimes surprised when the tide turns when we are in some type of struggle. We call to God for help. Then we are surprised when it arrives. There are also times when the battle rages long, and we refuse to surrender. We actually fight right into the point of victory and watch as that victory unfolds. For me, I have experienced both. Most recently I experienced the latter. While the battle still rages for us, we are experiencing some victories. We are looking forward to that total deliverance. I suspect that there are many in that situation. These victories do make me feel thanksgiving.

Psalms 118:1O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.

Our Father, Yahuah (Lord), makes us to be victorious.

Psalms 115:13 He will bless them that fear the Lord, both small and great.
14 The Lord shall increase you more and more, you and your children.
15 Ye are blessed of the Lord which made heaven and earth.
16 The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.
17 The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence.
18 But we will bless the Lord from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the Lord.

He cares for us.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are our King. We praise the name Yahuah! Let Your kingdom reign here. Send us today that Your overwhelming provision such that we cannot hold it all. Forgive us our sins. Heal up our minds and hearts that we can have Your understanding. Deliver us from the evil that steals from us even while we sleep. Crush the works of the thief that steals from Your people Father. Come with a strong hand and an outstretched arm. Smite the works of evil that are destroying Yoru people. We ask all these things in the name of Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). Amen.

Giving Thanks Always

There are many scriptures that speak to the idea of us giving thanks to God for all that He has done for us. Many of them can be found in the Psalms, where actual songs to Yahuah (Lord) have been documneted. David was noted for having written and sung manhy of these to God. If we think about it, that makes sense. As a shepherd, he would have spen many hours alone with only animals for company. He sang to God in those times. He knew Yahuah was always there to hep him. And he continued this practice after becoming king.

Psalms 100:1 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
2 Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5 For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

The list of times that David has written about how good it is to Praise Yahuah (Lord), when to praise Yahuah (Lord), all the great reasons to praise Yahuah (Lord), etc. And David was not perfect. He had a major moment of not following God’s ways when he had another man’s wife killed in battle so he could have his wife. Yet, David repented and turned back to God. One of his most famous psalms, one many of us have sung, is about that time.

Psalms 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

David knew that only Yahuah (Lord) could and would forgive him. He trusted in Yahuah to take care of him. And he was always thankful for all that God did for him.

Today, let’s sing thanks to our Father.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You are our King. We need Your kingdom here with us. Praise the name Yahuah! You alone are worthy to be praised. Send us today Your overwhelming provision. Forgive us our sins. Heal us up from the inside out. Help us to have a thankful heart, and to believe and trust in You. Deliver us from the thief that has been and continues to steal from us, even in the night. Rise up and defend Your people, O Mighty King! Rise up, Yahuah, we cry to You alone for our Shalom (peace and completeness) from the thief and destroyer. Come now and crush that work. Deliver us with a strong hand and outstretched arm, even today. We ask all these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). Amen.

Thankful For Truth

It is very good to know that among the many challenges we have to face in keeping the faith, we are not faced with having to keep up with something that is not true. Things that are not true tend to be wearying. They slow us down. They make us question ourselves and others. They are like a tremendous burden to carry. On the other side of this is the truth. It may not be pretty, but it has not the burden of doubt and unbelief with it. Recently a friend relayed to me a story from his own life. He had a friend that asked him over time for support in the form of making untrue statements. Each time my friend tried to wrestle with how to tell those untrue statements, it was like a weight for him. Each time he told his friend no, there was a challenge and an attempt to make my friend out to be the bad guy. Each of those times my friend said there was this terrible burden associated with the request as he tried to carry it. Each time they got past the request, and he stood up for the truth, a great burden was lifted. Even most recently when he drew a boundary of truth around himself and his family, clearly stating what he was willing to do and not do now and in the future to his friend. What our Messiah said is true today for us as well.

John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

We are freed by the truth. We are fortunate that He leads us with truth at all times.

Psalms 25:1 Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
2 O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.
3 Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.
4 Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.
5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
6 Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.

Today, let’s be thankful that we only have to serve the truth.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are our King. We need to have Your kingdom appear. We praise the name Yahuah! Send us today Your overwhelming provision. Forgive us our sins. Father, we need strong deliverance. I am reminded of Your people in a land of bondage. We are in such a land today. The bondage is not physical for most of us, or at least not yet. But the bondage is very powerful to the point of making people willingly accept it. We need your deliverance from such bondage. Please rise up and deliver Your people Yahuah (Lord). Crush and grind to powder the works of those that would steal and have stolen from us, and that even now keep us in bondage. Anoint Your people Father. Bless the work of our hands as you have promised. Bring in an abundance to repay all debt. We ask that now, in this place, in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). Amen.

Thankful In Distress

We are allowed the privilege of serving the Living God. I say it like that because it can help to cause a reset to our thinking. It is important, whether good times or bad, for us to properly set our thinking upon the mindset of our starting point. We do not start with ourselves. We are not set the rules. Gods has set up the universe and everything in it. He made the playing field. It ALL operates according to His rules.

Psalms 68:32 Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the Lord; Selah:
33 To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens, which were of old; lo, he doth send out his voice, and that a mighty voice.
34 Ascribe ye strength unto God: his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds.
35 O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.

Psalms is a great source of both comfort and strength. It provides reassurance, and direction for praise and thanksgiving. Yahuah (Lord) alone is worthy of all praise and honor. Today let us offer up the sacrifice of praise that can only come from the people that He created and cares for every day.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are our King. We love You. Praise and bless the name Yahuah! Let Your kingdom be here with us. Send us today your overwhelming provision. We need it today. Forgive us our sins. Your people are hurting Father. Some know You and some do not. Send Your Spirit among us. Heal the hearts of Your people. Deliver us from the evil one. He is stealing from and destroying Your people. Rise up and stop this. Crush this evil work that is stealing from You people. Destroy the works of the destroyer. Come now with a strong hand and outstretched arm. We ask all these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). Amen.

A Never Failing Father

When I think of all that our Father has provided, it comforts me. It may not be that life is comfortable at that moment. The comfort is in knowing that I have a Father like that, who has the ability, the desire, and the record of actually doing those things. I am thankful for so much. It does become overwhelming in a good way to give thanks. But this morning one thing stands out to be thankful for, to the Father Yahuah (Lord). It is that He never fails.

Dueteronomy 31:8 And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

It is His nature to be this way. This morning this one scripture means very much to me as I try to understand God’s ways like Moses did.

Psalms 103:7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are the King. We love You and we long for Your kingdom here. Praise the name Yahuah! Thank you for all You have done for us and given us. We ask You send today Your overwhelming provision. Please forgive us our sins. Heal our hearts. Help us to help others find Your healing. Deliver us from those that even now are stealing from us what You have provided. Destroy their works. We ask all these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). Amen.

The Potter’s Hands

This morning began in the black chill before the dawn. Our older laying hens had run their course and it was time to take them to meet their end. If you have never had the opportunity to chase chickens around a chicken coop in the dark trying to load them into a makeshift pen in a van, you have not completely filled your bucket list! The 40 minute ride in the enclosed vehicle was also interesting, but it was dark so they stopped making noise. But it was aromatically easy to tell they were still there. I chose to listen to some praise and worship music and talk to our Father. It caused me to reflect on how we view our circumstances in life, and who we really our. A scripture came to mind.

Romans 9:20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
25 As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.
26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.

Paul tells the Romans that God is in charge. He has made things to come to a certain conclusion. We can be thankful to out Father, because He has already destined us for peace, an eternal salvation, that begins the moment we turn to Him, confess our sin, and submit to Him as Yahuah (Lord) our King.

So, even in the dark in a van full of aromatic chickens at 55 miles per hour, one can be thankful that Yahuah (Lord) has a plan, and He is making things happen. Thank You, Father!

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are the King! It is Your reign and kingdom we seek. Praise the name Yahuah! Send us today Your overwhelming provision. Forgive us our sins. Help us to be free from sin. Heal our hearts and cleanse us. Deliver us from those that would steal what You alone have given to us. Crush their works today, Yahuah (Lord). We ask these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Lord). Amen.

Open The Door

This morning my thoughts were on life and all that there is in it, the good and the not so good. We can allow either of these to overwhelm us. What I mean is, it is not our emotions that we should allow to rule our thoughts and actions. What we need to do is take control of our thoughts and actions and let those rule our emotions. There is a way to do that. If we pursue God, to be in His presence, then we have opportunity to experience His grace, mercy, and deliverance. We can get to Him easily enough, for He is with us always. But there was a scripture I found this morning that talks about how to get into the gate, the opening, to His presence.

Psalms 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5 For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

When we do this, we are with Him. He longs for us to spend time with Him. He knows our needs before we do. He sets things right. He will always help us, but we have to be willing to receive that help. We have to be willing to enter His presence, through the gates and into His courts. We have to be thankful. And, when we stop to think about it, no matter what else is happening in life we are assured of a future with Him forever. Anything else is small by comparison. Today, let’s offer up the thanksgiving that our Father deserves.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are our King. Your kingdom is the only pace we want to live. We desperately need You. Thank You for Your love toward us. Thank You for never leaving us or forgetting about us. Bless Your name, Yahuah. Send us today Your overwhelming provision. We need it now. Forgive us for our sins, and thank You for helping us overcome so many temptations. Heal our hearts, minds, and bodies, that we might serve You better. Deliver us from those that would steal from us what You alone have provided. Even now the enemy is trying to destroy Your people. Rise up, Yahuah, and deliver Your people. We ask these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). Amen.

Thank You Father

The day today has been a long one. Fourteen hours of work and counting. But it is good. It makes me thankful that we have a Father in heaven that truly loves and cares for us. His name is Yahuah. Today’s title is a simple one for sure. And yet, today, it really says it all for me. I will end here with a simple quote from Psalms, and a prayer for peace for all of you in my family.

Psalms 150:1 Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.
2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You are our King. We love You. You make life worth the living. Praise the name Yahuah! Send us your overwhelming provision while it is called today. Forgive us our sins. Heal up our broken hearts, and deliver us from those that would steal what You alone have provided. Pleas come to our defense quickly, for our defenses are nothing without You. We ask all these things in the name of Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). Amen.

Pray For Children

For those of you that have visited here for the last few years you have heard me discuss a young boy that had eaten from a feeding tube his entire life. He was five then. He is now almost eight and is still struggling with these challenges. Today he has his tenth surgery and hopefully last to resolve these issues. Please pray for Caleb, and also for all of the little children facing surgeries today. Let’s ask the Father for His healing power and mercy.

Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Psalms 103:1 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

Today, let us intercede for those in need of physical healing.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are the King We need Your kingdom. We need You. Praise the name Yahuah! Send us today Your overwhelming provision. Forgive us our sins. Heal up our hearts and minds. Deliver us from the evil that is stealing from us what You have provided. Please move today for us. Please reach out to Caleb and all of the children that are having surgery today. Let these procedures provide such great results that even the physicians have to say it is a miracle. We ask all these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). Amen.