Devot./Sermon/Petition

HI Folks,

I hope you had a super weekend.   Welcome to the first week of December!

 

I'm going to wrap up our Thanksgiving/gratefulness series this week.

 

My mom and I were watched  a sermon last Sunday (which I have included with this email)

where the pastor stated that as we move from the Thanksgiving season to the Christmas season,

it's easy to go from thankfulness to discontent.   Christmas always brings out the "I need this"  in us

as we look in catalogs and online for gifts,  instead of rejoicing and whole heartedly celebrating the birth of our Saviour!

 

This devot., once again, gives the reason behind why we should be grateful, why it's even good for us.

I have also included the sermon I was talking about by Andy Stanley (the devots. I send so frequently from https://www.intouch.org/    are from his dad-Dr. Charles Stanley's ministry.)   The sermon is about 20 minutes, but my and I thought it was very good.   Really shows how our hearts can become discontent with what we have, but also what we can do about fixing that.

 

Lastly, I have included a petition below for a Believer who has been imprisoned for their faith overseas.  I've mentioned them before, but it's the petitions signed, the prayers lifted up and the heat politically turned on toward the country holding them that makes a difference in their release or continued imprisonment.    Scripture begs us to not forget about them and think of ourselves as being bound in prison with them (Hebrews 13:3).

 

As you sign, pray and pass on, it's just another reason we can think of to be grateful-we are free to serve the Lord Jesus, but we are also free to be a voice for others who have risked their lives for faith in Him.

 

Pray you have a blessed, safe, and healthy week!

 

Devot. https://www.intouch.org/read/greatfl-hearts   (Used by permission.   Taken from https://www.intouch.org/)

Sermon: https://www.yourmove.is/episode/you-might-also-like/   (Taken from https://www.yourmove.is/)

Petition Below:

 

 

Christian Pastor John Cao – a U.S. permanent resident – has been wrongfully convicted and sentenced in China . . .

Take Action  |   Contribute   Share     f   Share this on Facebook     Christian Pastor John Cao - a U.S. permanent resident - has been wrongfully convicted and sentenced in China. After decades working in China and Burma (Myanmar), providing for the poor, sharing the love of Christ, and establishing schools for impoverished children, Pastor John was arrested and imprisoned by Chinese authorities as part of their increased crackdown on Christian pastors. Sign the Petition Now Pastor John's wife and 2 sons (all U.S. citizens from North Carolina) desperately want their father released and returned home to America. Pastor John has been unjustly targeted for his Christian faith and sentenced to seven years in prison. He's already been imprisoned for more than 20 months. His health is deteriorating, as he's lost over 50 pounds. He's forced to share a cell with a dozen inmates and only 1 bed. We're representing Pastor John's family, aggressively working internationally for his ultimate freedom. We've mobilized our resources across the globe and are urging China to release Pastor John and allow him to come home to the United States to be reunited with his wife and kids. Now he needs your voice. Sign our NEW Petition: Free Christian Pastor John Cao. Jay Sekulow ACLJ Chief Counsel

Devot. In Everything Give Thanks

Hi Folks,

I hope you are having a super weekend!  Below is a Read and Share devot. from https://www.dayspring.com.  I pray it blesses you this week.  

 

Lord bless you and yours!

 

Devot. https://www.dayspring.com/articles/in-everything-give-thanks?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=NEBNAEN20181119InEverythingGiveThanksArticles&utm_term=DaySpring%20Newsletter%20%2B%20Daily%20Devotion%20List  (Used by permission.  Taken from https://www.dayspring.com)

Devot./Sermon/Song and Article

Hi Folks,

 

I hope you had a very blessed Thanksgiving and each of us are thinking more seriously about how we can start to count our blessings, even little ones, though our day.  

 

I have several things of interest below: 

 

1.  A devot. encouraging the cultivation of a thankful/grateful spirit and why we should work on this area in our life.

 

2.  A sermon my mom and I watched Sunday on the same subject.   It's short, but spiritually power packed and it hits the nail on the head that we should cultivate a thankful heart!

 

3.  A link to my favorite Thanksgiving song which runs along the same vein:)

 

I also have an email article below on the young man that was killed last week by Indians on a remote island in India.

The news media makes him seem like he's a nut, but the article below gives a clear picture of this man, and the his heart he had for telling folks about Jesus.    He reminds me of missionary, Jim Elliot and how he gave his life in the exact same way:

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justin-taylor/they-were-no-fools-60-years-ago-today-the-martyrdom-of-jim-elliot-and-four-other-missionaries/ 

Read this article above when you have a chance and look at the short video given in the story on what happened after Jim was martyred..   AMAZING is all I can say....have to see the video to see what I mean, but God can bring eternal beauty out of the ashes!

 

I hope you have super and blessed week as you count and see all the blessings God has given you!

 

Devot. https://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/it-is-good-to-give-thanks

(Used by permission.   Taken from https://www.intouch.org/)

 

Sermon:  "God Bless Us All": https://touchinglives.org/resources/sermons/  (Taken from https://touchinglives.org/)

 

Song:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTpJxPyo3JE

November 21, 2018   Christian Martyr: John Allen Chau John Allen Chau, a Covenant Journey alumni, was martyred on November 17 by the Sentinelese tribal people on the island of North Island. "When I heard the news of John's death, I couldn't believe it. I was numb. John loved people, and he loved Jesus. He was willing to give his life to share Jesus with the people on North Sentinel island," said Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Covenant Journey. "Ever since high school, John wanted to go to North Sentinel to share Jesus with this indigenous people," said Staver. Based on information that has become available since his death, it is now known that... || read more ||     +   +   +   +   +   +   +   +   +   +   +   +   +   +   +   +   +   +   +   +   + ©2014-2018 Christians In Defense Of Israel. The mission of Christians in Defense of Israel (CIDI) is to strengthen your Christian faith and to inspire you to be a goodwill ambassador for Israel and the Jewish people. We accomplish this mission through education and immersive experiences in Israel. Christians in Defense of Israel is a nonprofit education organization. Privacy Policy. Christians in Defense of Israel PO Box 540209 Orlando, FL 32854 407-875-1948

2 Thanksgiving Devots.!

Hi Folks,

 

Well, here we at Thanksgiving Day!    Happy Thanksgiving to each of you!

What are some of the things that you are thankful for?   For me, the everyday things that make up life are what I am thankful for-hot water, food in the fridge, clothes, a warm home, supportive, godly friends, my family.

But you know, our world has become so commercialized that we sale from Halloween right into Christmas.  Whatever happened to setting aside a day

to give thanks to God and acknowledging that we have been blessed by Him?

 

The sermon link below answers that question: "Whatever Happened to Thanksgiving?"   My mom and I watched it last Sunday morning and it was very good!  I would highly encourage you to watch it this weekend.

 

I've also included a 2nd link that also comes with a sermon, but I'm focusing on the sermon notes on the right side of the screen for our devot. this week.   I think it is powerful,thought provoking and could be a life changer for us, if we take it to heart.

 

I hope you and yours have a blessed Thanksgiving and inspire those in your life to express a heart of thankfulness to God for all He has blessed them with.

 

Consider inviting someone to your table, even this weekend, for a post Thanksgiving meal who is without family/friends in the area or doesn't have someone at all, has lost a lost one, has less than you do.   Pray, think outside the box (could be your mail lady, neighbor, the person you bump into at the store every two weeks and have chatted with a bit) and ask God how you could bless someone this Thanksgiving weekend.

 

Keep the folks out in California in your prayers-those who have lost everything, those who are rescuing human and animal life (and doing an amazing job!) and the firefighters.  Pray for God's grace on them this Thanksgiving.

 

Lord richly bless you and yours!

Thanksgiving Every Day:  https://www.intouch.org/watch/thanksgiving-every-day 

(Use by permission.   Taken from https://www.intouch.org/)

Whatever Happened to Thanksgiving?: 

https://www.intouch.org/watch/what-ever-happened-to-thanksgiving 

(Use by permission.   Taken from https://www.intouch.org/)

Devot. Give Thanks in Everything

Hi Folks,

 

I hope you had a good week!   

 

Our devot for today is a throwback to our previous devot.-giving thanks in everything. 

 

I know it's super though to be thankful all the time, but this devot. gives Biblical reasons why we should do our best to be thankful, for the little things and in everything.  

It's an encouraging devot. and I pray it would bless you this weekend.

 

Lord bless you and yours!

 

Devot. https://www.intouch.org/read/always-give-thanks-in-everything (Used by permission.  Taken from https://www.intouch.org/)

Thanksgiving Devot./A Prayer for Those Who Serve

 

Reply        

 

Hi Folks,   

 

I hope you had a good week!  

 

Thanksgiving is next week so we are going to jump right into Thanksgiving themed devots.    The title for today is Thanksgiving Day and Beyond. 

 

I have some questions I want each of us to ponder in regards to this Thanksgiving season:

~Do we count our blessings and give thanks more than on Thanksgiving Day? 

 

~Does Thanksgiving Day mean more than a good meal and family time? 

 

~Do we teach our children and grandchildren, the young people in our lives that this is a day to be thankful to GOD? To be thankful, even for little things or do we let them take  blessings for granted?  

 

~Do we lead by example or do we too take for granted all that God has blessed us with?

Throughout Psalm 107 is the resounding cry, "Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!"  (vs. 31).  Oh that we would give thanks, even for little things,and not just on Thanksgiving, but every day.   1 Thessalonians 5:18, "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

 

I pray this devot, will help each of us to think of thanking the Lord more.

 

Below the devot. is an article from  https://www.dayspring.com/ entitled, "A prayer for Those Who Serve", since this week was Veteran's Day.   If you or a loved ones has or is serving our country, THANK YOU from a grateful citizen!   You had/have the bravery to stand for our country's freedom, defend it and keep it and my family safe.  Thank you!

 

Lord bless and keep you and yours this weekend!

 

 Devot.  https://www.intouch.org/read/blog/thanksgiving-day-and-beyond (Used by permission.  Taken from https://www.intouch.org/)

READ & SHARE THIS PRAYER WITH OTHERS View in a browser     FOR MORE PRAYER INSPIRATION VISIT OUR ARTICLE LIBRARY     A Prayer for Military Families   by Paige  |  Prayer   Our hearts are filled with gratitude for the men and women who serve our country now and in the past, and for the sacrifices their families make so that we can all enjoy the blessing of freedom.     READ MORE

Devot. Humility

Hi Folks,

 

I hope you had a good week and are staying healthy and well.

 

The devot. for today is on the Biblical definition of "Humility."  This devot.  does a great job of clearly giving the Biblical definition and what it means to display it in everyday life. 

Pray you learn much!  

 

I also found 2 news links that gives an update on Asia.  Please continue to pray for her and  her family.

 

Lord bless you and yours this weekend!

 

Devot. https://www.icr.org/article/20259 (Used by permission.   Taken from https://www.icr.org/)

 

Asia: 

https://aclj.org/persecuted-church/christian-mom-asia-bibi-freed

(Taken from https://aclj.org/)