It was You who set all the boundaries of the earth;
You made both summer and winter.
(Psalm 74:17)

Our first snow arrived last night.  It falls silently and softens the world around me.  As many times as I've seen the snow fall, it continues to bring a childlike joy and amazement.  Thank you, God, for each special flake.  :-)

Though you have made me see troubles,
many and bitter,
you will restore my life again;
from the depths of the earth
you will again bring me up.
(Psalm 71:20)

Snow is falling right now, giving the world a bright, fresh face, restoring the beauty that has been lost in the clouds.

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,  while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,
(Titus 2:11-13)

Isn't this a beautiful and hopeful scripture?  Our worldly passions will fade away and have no worth so don't give them undeserved value, especially as we enter the season of Christmas.

Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man’s eyes was a Sabbath.
(John 9:14)

We learn through scripture, that although the Sabbath is a holy day and a day of rest, we should still use our common sense as to what is acceptable behavior on the Sabbath.  Jesus "worked" on the Sabbath in the above scripture, but He was helping a man to restore his eyesight.  I think that if your action is God-pleasing, it really doesn't matter if it's done on the Sabbath as long as it glorifies God.  As always, it goes back to the heart of the deed and the motive behind your action.

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.
(Romans 13:8)

Watching all of the shoppers on TV this weekend just amazes me.  I guess I'm just too old..... maybe I'm wiser too.... but I can't see myself waiting in line to spend money that I really don't have anyway.  The rush of a good deal will come to halt with the arrival of the credit card bills next month.  

One debt that will remain with me forever is the debt to my Savior and there is no way I can repay that debt.  Thankfully, He doesn't expect repayment, but He does expect me to trust and obey.  This sounds easy enough in theory, but it's sure difficult for me to maintain with any consistency.  I'll keep trying......it's the least (truly the least) I can do.

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
(Hebrews 4:16)

Confidence during times of difficulty is difficult for me to maintain.  I have to keep my faith strong, knowing that God is merciful and has a specific plan for my life.

A psalm. For giving grateful praise.

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
(Psalm 100:1-3)

Happy Thanksgiving!  Regardless of your circumstances today, there is reason to be grateful and praise the Lord.  He is with us through thick and thin, the ultimate support today and beyond.  Thank you, Lord.

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
(Colossians 3:16)

God loves to hear our songs of gratitude and praise.  We are blessed in more ways than we even realize and a little song of praise is music to God's ears.

My comfort in my suffering is this:
Your promise preserves my life.
(Psalm 119:50)

These words stand out for me today after a rough night.  I knew that I wasn't alone though..... the Lord was there to comfort me.

Gracious words are a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
(Proverbs 16:24)

Even the word "honeycomb" brings peaceful visions to my mind while imagining the bees miraculously building their honeycomb in perfect hexagons.  Only God could have orchestrated such a work of nature.  This word, and of course, a million more along these lines, brings a calmness to the soul that is truly healing. 

For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
(Ephesians 5:5)

I had a little wrestle with my conscious this morning..... while tithing and picking out a recipient from the Angel tree...... I was concerned about my finances.  Being greedy and not relying on God's provisions is definitely sinful.  It's prioritizing money, which is making money an idol.......and it's all wrong, wrong, wrong.

The eyes of the arrogant will be humbled
and human pride brought low;
the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.
(Isaiah 2:11)

Pride is very difficult for me to control.  God hates for us to be prideful, yet I want credit for things I have done, recognition for deeds, whatever.  As long as I keep pride in my life, I dishonor God and displease Him.  Just one more sin (of many) for me to work on taming.......

In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
(Hebrews 12:4)

I can't imagine shedding one drop of my blood resisting sin.  First of all, I live in a country and in an age where this probably will not be an issue.  Secondly, I'm your basic coward.  Thirdly, Jesus has already shed His blood, knowing that I will always struggle with sin and can't be successful on my own.  His blood was shed for me...instead of mine......and in spite of my own sins and weaknesses. 

A happy heart makes the face cheerful,
but heartache crushes the spirit.
(Proverbs 15:13)

That happy heart comes from the peace of knowing God.

All these were fighting men who volunteered to serve in the ranks.
(1 Chronicles 12:38a)

RIP Kevin....

I will bless her with abundant provisions;
her poor I will satisfy with food.
(Psalm 132:15)

Just feeling extra blessed today.  Went grocery shopping today (senior day discounts!) and I'm just feeling very fortunate to be able to have enough food to sustain me (and then some) and enough money to buy provisions. 

All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.
(Acts 10:43)

The prophets knew, the disciples knew, and now we have the privilege of knowing too.......that Jesus Christ forgives our sins and the only "catch" is that we believe in Him, a very small price to pay.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
(Deuteronomy 31:6)

I guess we can't hear this enough.  "Be strong and courageous" is in the Bible twelve times, yet we often falter in our faith.  I'm not exactly strong and courageous, but I become stronger and more courageous in direct correlation with how much I turn my life over to God.

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
(Romans 15:4)

I continue to work on memorizing scripture.  My mind just isn't what it used to be, that's for sure.  It took me almost 3 weeks to memorize my most recent scripture.  One day I didn't know it, then next day, I did.  Poof....just like that.  God keeps us from giving up and rewards us for our effort.  I feel blessed.  On to the next scripture......

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”
And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
(Isaiah 6:8)

This scripture is engraved on the tombstone of my friend that was killed in Afghanistan last November.  A true servant.  Thank you to all of the military, past and present, who keep us safe at the risk of their own lives.  

The desire of the righteous ends only in good,
but the hope of the wicked only in wrath.
(Proverbs 11:23)

In other words....there is no hope for the wicked.

Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?”
For it is not wise to ask such questions.
(Ecclesiastes 7:10)

The past is just that.....the past.  We tend to romanticise and even forget the truth of the past.  The pain of the past softens, while the pain of the present is strong and vivid.  Receive each day as a gift from God and glorify Him in your thoughts and actions.  Learn from your past but be grateful for the joy of new beginnings.  It's a new day........

She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
(Proverbs 31:25)

For little baby Madison......who sets the bar for bravery, strength, and endurance.

Fall leaves,
Jesus doesn't!

(As seen on a church marquee today.)
   

So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.
(Daniel 9:3)

The sermon today was about fasting....mostly the way and the motives behind the fasting, not the actual act.  And it doesn't have to be food....you can fast from anything that takes you away from God.....everything from Internet use to watching TV.  I'll be fasting soon.....but it will be between my God and me, no one else.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
(2 Corinthians 13:14)

All of this is ours to receive.  We aren't worthy of these gifts, which makes it all the more amazing.  What a blessing!

Walk with the wise and become wise,
 for a companion of fools suffers harm.
(Proverbs 13:20)

I walked with my wise companions today and had a blessed, blessed day!

So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.
(1 Kings 19:8)

Talk about travel mercies!  One meal from God to give you the strength and endurance to travel 40 days.  Amazing!

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had,  so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(Romans 15:5-6)

I pray for endurance, patience, and an attitude that will glorify a merciful, gracious God.