my one word-thanks

my word for the day would have to be

thanks

it seems that that is what the Lord has been

trying to get through to me lately.

no matter what...we should be

giving 

thanks

not only 'in' all things, but 'for' all things.

what's that you say??? with an incredulous brow...

our Father knows every situation that will come our way.

He is the One...you know...that holds entire

galaxies together...that made every single thing we see...

with His Word...the Loving Father who is so

patient and kind to us, all the while

teaching us to be like His Son, Jesus Christ.

that Father.

He tells us in His Word:

1 thessalonians 5:18

'in everything give thanks for this is

the will of God in Christ Jesus

concerning you'

and

ephesians 5:20

'giving thanks always for

all things

to God and the Father in the Name of

our Lord Jesus'

we have a Father who fashioned all we

see and who has made His dwelling place

inside us-if we truly obey His Word;

we have

a Savior who has died and risen from death

and who has made His dwelling place inside us-if we truly

give our lives to Him;

we have the Holy Spirit

guiding and directing our lives and speaking

to our hearts every moment

and who has made His dwelling place inside us

-if we are truly yielded to Him ...

since our relationship with God the Father,

Jesus, the Son and the Holy Spirit is so intimate,

is there any situation that they

do not know about in our lives?

no

therefore:

even when I fall in the chicken coop;

even when I drop the full crockpot out of the

fridge onto my foot and ankle and then the floor;

even when my son is having hard physical difficulties;

even when things all about me seem hectic and tense;

even when prayers seem to bounce off the ceiling;

even when I cry out to God and I do not see an

answer for ever and ever so long;

even when...(you fill in the blank) ______________________.

we are called to put on the whole armor of God:

-our loins girt about with truth

-the breastplate of righteousness

-our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace

then he says:

above all

-taking the shield of faith, wherewith you shall be able

to quench ALL the fiery darts of the wicked

-and take the helmet of salvation,

and the sword of the Spirit, which is

the Word of God

-praying always with all prayer and supplication

in the Spirit, and watching thereto with all

perseverance and supplication for all saints.

ephesians 6:14-18

i heard a good thing this week. if we do not take the

shield of faith, we will not be able to overcome,

giving

thanks

to God and the Father

in the Name of the Lord Jesus,

always for all things, no matter:

who

what

when

where

why

how 

proves we believe God's Word.

then the rest of the armor, while dented

maybe a bit dinged here and there,

a spot of blood or two...

will be sure, along with the shield of faith-above all,

to quench 

the fiery darts of our enemies,

and even those circumstances in life

that would try to take our eyes off

what the Lord has done for us-

cause us to faint, lose heart

and to quit persevering...

giving

thanks

to God and the Father

in the Name of the Lord Jesus,

always for all things,

assures not only us, but also the

spiritual realm

that

we

have faith in

God...

and we

are

strong

in the

Lord

and in the 

power of

His

might!

give

thanks

Father, we are so thankful that we can come to you in our trials and testings and know that you hear us. we do not serve a dead god that is made of rock and wood, but a living God who is faithful and who promises us so many things that we can hardly fathom the love you have for us. we ask now that you would strengthen us in our hour of trial. help us to be mindful that you provide us with armor that we can use to quench the fiery darts of the wicked one and also your Word, the sword of the Spirit, to brandish that faith to all that which would come against us. You are a mighty God, help us to not forget all your benefits toward us. help us remember to give thanks for all things-because you are faithful! In Jesus the Christ's Name-Amen

Beloved-shout out thanks to God always and declare forth His grace, mercy and faithfulness via His Word-there at your home-sweet this very moment!