Giving Thanks

As a nation, the United States just celebrated Thanksgiving Day. Many of us were blessed enough to sit down with our families, enjoy a tremendous amount of good food, and watch some good football games.

America is a free nation. We are not perfect, but we enjoy many freedoms that a lot of other people around the world do not enjoy.

The message of the Bible is that we should always give thanks - not just once a year, but everyday.

Consider the following Scriptures:

1. "give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:18
2. "Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name." - Psalm 100:4
3. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." - Philippians 4:6

As Christians, we have a lot to be thankful for. God sent His Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins, and was resurrected from the dead for our justification (Romans 4:25). We have a hope of spending an eternity with God in heaven, and we have a mission of trying to get as many people on earth to join us in this ultimate victory.

The Rewards of Rest

I am enjoying rest from graduate school for a few weeks. Rest is a gift from God. It is a time to relax, reflect, refocus, and renew commitments to fulfilling goals.

The Bible has much to say about rest for God's people.

"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him." ~ Psalm 62:5

"The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble." ~ Proverbs 19:23

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." ~ Matthew 11:28-29

"There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his." ~ Hebrews 4:9-10

Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.” ~ Revelation 14:13

The Benefits of Being a Child of God

God is my Father - Galatians 1:3-4
Jesus Christ is My LORD and Brother - Romans 5:1; Hebrews 2:10-12
The Holy Spirit is My Counselor and Intercessor - John 14:16; Romans 8:26-27
My Sins are Forgiven - Ephesians 1:7; Revelation 1:5
I am an Heir of God and a Co-Heir with Christ - Romans 8:17
I am a Slave of Righteousness - Romans 6:18
I am in the Kingdom of Light - Colossians 1:12
God Hears My Prayers - 1 Peter 3:12; 1 John 5:14
I have been Raised with Christ and Seated in the Heavenly Realms - Colossians 3:1; Ephesians 2:6
I am a New Creation - 2 Corinthians 5:17
I have Direct Access to God - Ephesians 2:18
I am in the Body of Christ - 1 Corinthians 12:27
I am Part of the Royal Priesthood - 1 Peter 2:9
My Body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit - 1 Corinthians 6:19
I am a Citizen of Heaven - Philippians 3:20
I have Eternal Life - 1 John 5:13

The Warrior's Prayer

Based upon the Holy Bible verses found at Ephesians 6:11-17, this prayer is for spiritual warriors.

The Warrior's Prayer

Heavenly Father,
Your warrior prepares for battle.
Today I claim victory over Satan by putting on the whole armor of God!


I put on the Girdle of Truth!
May I stand firm in the truth of Your Word
so I will not be a victum of Satan's
and his demons' lies.


I put on the breastplate of Righteousness!
May it guard my heart from evil
so I will remain pure and holy,
protected under the blood of Jesus Christ.


I put on the Shoes of Peace!
May I stand firm in the Good News of the Gospel
so Your peace will shine through me
and be a light to all I encounter.


I take the Shield of Faith!
May I be ready for Satan's fiery darts of
doubt, denial and deceit
so I will not be vulnerable to spiritual defeat.


I put on the Helmet of Salvation!
May I keep my mind focused on You
so Satan will not have a stronghold on my
thoughts.


I take the Sword of the Spirit!
May the two edged sword of Your Word
be ready in my hands
so I can expose the tempting words of Satan.


By faith your warrior has put on
the whole armor of God!


I am prepared to live this day, in spiritual victory!
In His most Holy Name!!!

Amen

www.savedbyhisblood.com/TheWarriorsPrayer.htm

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