12 Days of ThanksLiving, Day 10: The Gospel

Day 10: The Gospel

“The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Meto preach the gospel to the poor: He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; 19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.”

Gospel [gos-puh l] noun

Definitions:

the teachings of Jesus and the apostles; the Christian revelation,
the story of Christ’s life and teachings, especially as contained in the first four books of the New Testament, namely Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John,
something regarded as true and implicitly believed,
glad tidings, especially concerning salvation and the kingdom of God as announced to the world by Christ.

Many people believe the truth of the Gospel pertains to a moment of decision; when Jesus is accepted as Savior. While the life- giving words of the Gospel are the key to salvation, they also unlock the plan for daily life. As Christians we have the privilege of speaking the Gospel into our everyday trials and tribulations and our greatest challenges and hardships. Let the truth of the Gospel transform your life from day one until Jesus calls you home.

ThanksLiving for the Gospel

I am so thankful that the Gospel is our hope for eternity and for the everyday. What are some ways you can let the Gospel transform your daily life? Perhaps we can try one of the following suggestions this week.

Offer tangible help to the brokenhearted. Be the hands and feet of Jesus by taking a meal to a grief-stricken person, offering time to listen, sending a card, or calling.
Pray for those caught in sin or addictions. While we cannot force people to give up drugs or alcohol, we can fervently pray that they will be convicted of their sin and see their need to be set free.
Volunteer your time. Many churches and ministries need help with their programs. Consider serving in a food pantry, volunteering at a pro-life clinic, teaching a Sunday school class, or working at a homeless shelter.

More Gospel ThanksLiving

1 Thessalonians A Life of Faith, Part 3: The Gospel a Bible study by Mary Kane

Comment

Please leave a comment below in the Comment Section about how the Gospel has impacted you to live a life of ThanksLiving.

gospel. Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/gospel (accessed: November 24, 2014).

By Mary Kay Kane

12 Days of ThanksLiving, Day 8: Purpose

ThanksLiving, Day 8: Purpose

“But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.” Exodus 9:16

purpose[pur-puh s] noun

1. the reason for which something exists or is done, made, used, etc.

2. an intended or desired result; end; aim; goal.

3. determination; resoluteness.

4. the subject in hand; the point at issue.

5. practical result, effect, or advantage: to act to good purpose.

Purpose? What purpose?

I remember the day clearly. I was about 12 years old, I went to the kitchen to get a snack. From out of the clear blue sky, a question hit my mind, What is life all about? Why am I on this earth?, and more importantly, What is my purpose? As far as I could tell, I didn’t really seem to have a purpose. I wasn’t particularly gifted or good at anything.

These questions hounded me day and night for years. While I suffered much anxiety and fear from these questions, they ultimately led me to a saving relationship with Christ.

God’s purpose

One of the Greek words for purpose is prothesis. At its root, prothesis means to set forth to be looked at, to place in public view. According to this definition, part of our purpose in Christ is to make manifest the power of God in our life. We are to shine forth how He has redeemed, restored and shaped us into the image of Christ. We place ourselves in public view when we purposefully use our gifts to speak God’s truth to the lost of the world. How are you using your gifts to show the world there is purpose to your life?

A ThanksLiving life of purpose

We have all been gifted by God to do very specific works in very specific places. No, you don;t have to go start a world wide ministry, God already has a world wide ministry going on. You need to find ways to use your gifts right here, right now. Ask your self two questions:

What’s in your hands? (ability to clean, bake, caregive, write, speak, teach, sing, encourage, fix, sew, etc.)
Who needs it? (your family, neighbors, church, the elderly, your local school etc.)

Now, go find a way to give it. In your giving and serving you will find your purpose.

Give Thanks for Purpose

Purpose of Life: Dear Father, we give thanks for You have called us to live a life of purpose. Thank you we have a reason to get up each day and we have important work to do for Your kingdom. We also give thanks because You use all things for Your purposes … good things, bad things, hard things, painful things. You even re-purpose our failings and mistakes to work for our good and Your glory. Father, You have specifically gifted us to be fruitful and effective ministers of your Word. We are Your hands and feet. Please send us and use us according to Your purpose. We thank you for the gift of purpose.

More ThanksLiving Purpose

One Anna, One Purpose a Bible study by Mary Kane

On Purpose a short Bible study by Mary Kane

Comment

Please leave a comment below in the Comment section on what God teaches you today about purpose.

Previous Links

purpose. Dictionary.com. Collins English Dictionary – Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition. HarperCollins Publishers. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/sacrifice (accessed: November 15, 2014)

“Exodus 9 (New King James Version).” Blue Letter Bible. Sowing Circle. Web. 22 Nov, 2014. <http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Psa&c=111&p=0&rl=0&t=NKJV>.

by Mary Kay Kane

12 Days of ThanksLiving, Day 7: Redemption

Day 7: Redemption

“He has sent redemption to His people: He has commanded His covenant forever:” Psalm 111:9

redemption [ri-demp-shuh n] noun

an act of redeeming or atoning for a fault or mistake, or the state of being redeemed.
deliverance; rescue.
atonement for guilt.
repurchase, as of something sold.
recovery by payment, as of something pledged

Redemption is one of the most beautiful words in the whole of human language. The fact that One would atone for the sin of another is inhuman … in fact, it’s divine. In Hebrew the word redemption transliterates as peduwth, which means, “a division or distinction; from the primary sense of cutting.” Cutting. The cutting of the whip in the flesh of Jesus … the cutting away of the bonds of sin from our hands and feet. The cutting away of old habits, attitudes and mindsets of the old life. The cutting away of sin and shame by the cutting of Jesus. Redemption enables us to live a lifestyle of ThanksLiving as God created us to be, righteous and free.

This ThanksLiving, let’s give thanks to God for His gift of redemption.

Redemption of Purpose: Father, Your Word says we are Your workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which You prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Thank You that You created us on purpose, for purpose. We confess we have used our gifts and talents for our own purposes. Please redeem every sinful act. We ask You to recommission our lives for Your purpose. Thank You for calling us to live effective, significant, purposeful lives for You.

Redemption of our Mind: We thank You, Father, that You have given us a sound mind. Your word says, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. May we use our mind as tools to pursue You rather than instruments of sin. Please redeem every sinful habitual thought pattern by the truth of your Word. Thank you that You train our mind to think Your thoughts, that we might not sin against You.

Redemption of our Past: Dearest Father, we thank You that in Christ Jesus we have been completely redeemed. You have bought us back from the bondage of the Enemy with the precious blood of Christ. We are now free to live as slaves of righteousness. Where we have squandered our talents and treasures on sin and pleasure, Your Word promises to restore the years “the locusts have eaten.” We give thanks that You give beauty for ashes. Every act and deed of our past has been redeemed for our good and Your glory. We truly thank you. Help us to focus today on redemption as part of our lifestyle of ThanksLiving.

More Redemption

Redeeming the Time a blog post by Jane VanOsdol

Walking with God a Bible study by Mary Kane

Comment

Please leave a comment below in the Comment section on what God teaches you today about redemption.

redemption. Dictionary.com. Collins English Dictionary – Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition. HarperCollins Publishers. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/sacrifice (accessed: November 15, 2014).

“Psalms 111 (New King James Version).” Blue Letter Bible. Sowing Circle. Web. 22 Nov, 2014. <http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Psa&c=111&p=0&rl=0&t=NKJV>.

12 Days of ThanksLiving, Day 5: Restoration

Day 5: Restoration

“Return to the stronghold, you prisoners of hope, even today I declare, that I will restore double to you.” Zechariah 9: 12

Restoration: [res-tuh–rey-shuh n] noun

a putting back into a former position, dignity, etc.
something that is restored, as by renovating.
the act of restoring; renewal, revival, or reestablishment. the replacement or giving back of something lost, stolen, etc.

The Garden of Eden. A place of joy, fellowship, righteousness and purity. It was the ultimate place to easily develop a lifestyle of ThanksLiving — until it wasn’t. Man gave away the blessing of Eden by believing a lie of Satan. God waits to restore His blessing to man when he believes the truth of the Gospel. The enemy comes to kill, steal, and destroy. But God comes to replace, renew, revive, rebuild, re-purpose, recycle, and restore.

I love to watch home restoration shows where the designer comes in and restores a home not only to the beauty and purpose that the builder had in mind for it originally, but also often even better than what was first imagined. As we take a closer look at this theme, we see that restoration is what God imagines, yes, plans for us.

Double Blessing

But wait- not just restoration, check the verse above–restore double. The Hebrew word for restoration is shuwb, which means to return, to go back, to turn away from sin, to turn back to God. Restoration only comes through God and the power of His Word. According to the definition, our responsibility is to turn from sin, and turn to God. Speak His Word into your broken places, and let the ThanksLiving lifestyle of restoration begin.

Pray For Restoration

Restoration for Relationships: Dearest Father, because of our sin, we have many broken, damaged relationships. First and foremost is our relationship with You. Thank You that by accepting Jesus’ death on the cross, our relationship with You is restored. We pray for Your healing in strained relationships with our spouses, parents, friends, coworkers, in-laws and siblings. Your specialty, Lord, is bringing dead things to life. Please restore our relationships. We give thanks for Your goodness and healing. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Restoration for Hearts: Father, we give thanks that You provide restoration for broken hearts. Our hearts have been shattered because of our choices, the choices of others, sickness, death, and job loss. Your Word promises that You use ALL things for our good. Please restore our hearts to health so they will beat only for You. We thank You, Father. Amen.

Restoration for Minds: Heavenly Father, we thank You for healing of our minds. Help us to think correctly so we may act correctly. Our minds have been influenced and damaged by lies we have been exposed to by the enemy and by our own choices. Please restore our minds so we will love You with all our hearts, souls and minds. Thank You that You have given us sound minds. May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our minds be pleasing in Your sight, oh God, our Rock and our Redeemer.

It is God’s will that you be restored in every area of your life. Go boldly forth to the throne of grace and ask God for the restoration that was provided for you at the cross 2000 years ago. Let restoration be part of your ThanksLiving lifestyle this year.

More Restoration

Prayer of Restoration a specific prayer by Mary Kane

Scriptures for a Sound Mind an article by Joyce Meyer

My Peace I Give You Part 2 a blog post by Jane Vanosdol

Comment

Please leave a comment below in the Comment section on what God teaches you today about restoration.

restoration. Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/light (accessed: November 18, 2014).

Hebrew definition taken form:

“Hebrew Lexicon :: H7725 (NKJV).” Blue Letter Bible. Sowing Circle. Web. 19 Nov, 2014. <http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H7725&t=NKJV>.

by Mary Kay Kane

12 Days of ThanksLiving, Day 4: God’s Word

Day 4: God’s Word

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1

God’s Word [wurd] noun

1. the Bible.

We need God’s Word

In Genesis 1:3, God speaks the universe into being. Sun, moon, stars, seas, plants, animals, people. Everything. Without God’s Word, nothing would exist. Furthermore, John 1:14 tells us Jesus not only speaks God’s Word, but He is The Word. “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” God sent Jesus to mend the break in the relationship between man and God brought about by our sin. Because of The Word we can have new life!

We still need God’s Word

Thankfully, God does not leave us as He found us, broken and bruised by sin and shame. After salvation, God’s Word continues to play a critical role in our lives. Through it God instructs, encourages, molds and disciplines us. He shapes us into His image through our obedience to His Word. Hebrews 4:12 states, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” By God’s Word and the work of the Holy Spirit, we are transformed to new creatures. For this reason, we can be truly thankful.

Pray God’s Word

To live a life of ThanksLiving, we need to pray God’s Word. I am so thankful for scripture and it’s power in my life. If you haven’t tried praying with God’s Word, now is a perfect time to start.

Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in finding a scripture for your prayer requests.
Pray your chosen scripture over your prayer requests.
Memorize scripture. The more verses you know by heart, the more effectively you can pray.

More of God’s Word

If you’d like to explore this theme further, please listen to How to Pray God’s Word .

Also, you must check out this beautiful Pinterest pin I found highlighting some of God’s Words.

Comment

Please leave a comment below about your thoughts on ThanksLiving: God’s Word

Previous Links

By Mary Kane

god’s word. Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/god’s word (accessed: November 18, 2014).

12 Days of ThanksLiving, Day 2: Cleansing

Day 2: Cleansing

ThanksLiving: living a thankful life

“These men called together their fellow Levites, and they all purified themselves. Then they began to cleanse the temple of the Lord, just as the king had commanded. … The priests went into the sanctuary of the Temple of the Lord to cleanse it, and they took out to the Temple courtyard all the defiled things they found.” 2 Chronicles 29:15-16

cleansing [klenz] verb

to make clean
to remove by or as if by cleaning “to cleanse from the soul.”

Being clean is something that many of us take for granted. I am very thankful for running water and soap that make it relatively easy to wash away dirt. A few years ago my son went on a fundraising hike across America to raise money for the burn unit of a local children’s hospital. As he backpacked his way from California to Florida, he often went several days without a shower or washing the few clothes he had. Dirt was a fact of life, and as his mom, I was dismayed at what became acceptable standards of “cleanliness” to him.

Thanksliving and cleansing

A clean body can help protect us from disease and discomfort. A clean home makes for a healthy environment for family and friends. Likewise, regularly confessing our sin keeps our hearts clean before God. Jesus is the One who purifies us permanently from our sin by taking that punishment upon Himself. Being thankful for His sacrifice is a wonderful way to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Pray for cleansing

Just as Hezekiah cleansed the Temple of the Lord from the idols that the people had brought in, we must get serious about cleansing our temples. In 1 Corinthians 6:19, God tells us that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, and that we are not our own. Jesus bought us for a very expensive price — His own life. Keeping that in mind, we may need to throw out some junk to make room for the holiness God desires.

Pray and ask God to show you if there is a habit or pattern of sin in your life that needs to go.
Find a verse of scripture that pertains to this struggle and begin praying it into your life.
Thank God for how He is already at work cleaning up and redeeming this area of your life.

If we are truly ThanksLiving, living a thankful life, we will thank God for the cleansing He provides through the cross and the blood of Christ.

More cleansing

If you’d like to explore this theme further, please read The Cleansing of My Temple.

Comment

Please leave a comment below on what God is teaching you about cleansing. We’d love to hear from you!

Previous Links

“cleansing.” Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 16 Nov. 2014. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/cleansing>.