Come with Thanks

Come into his presence with thanksgiving (Psalm 95:2).

Enter his gates with thanksgiving (Psalm 100:4).

Thanksgiving acknowledges God’s generosity and goodness.

Being Thankful is a Choice

I will give thanks to you, Lord,
with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonderful deeds (Psalm 9:1 bold mine).

We choose to be thankful to God.

A Secret Act of Faith

She joined the crowd pressing around Jesus, furtively touched his robe, and was healed.

Jesus commended her secret act of faith publicly when He said, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace (Mark 5:34).”

Secret faith can lead to public praise.

What I learned about prayer from Tessa Afshar’s The Way Home – 6

“Ruth made this promise to Naomi, ‘Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried (Ruth 1:16-17).’

We can turn Ruth’s words into a prayer. ‘Jesus, Where you go I will go and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God and Father will be my God and Father. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried.'”

*adapted from Tessa Afshar, The Way Home, p.256.

Follow Me

If Jesus knew we would do whatever He asked, what would He ask?

Am I willing?

Are you?

Chicago During Covid-19 #14

This is more than a sign speaking hope. The proceeds from its sale help provide for people in need.

If someone is poorly clothed and lacking daily food and you say, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled, without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?” So also faith by itself, if it does not have good works, is dead (James 2:16-17).

Let your faith produce prayer, and your prayer produce good deeds.

Chicago During Covid-19 #13

A cluster of daffodils looks like people longing to be free.

You can find true freedom during lockdown. If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed (John 8:36).

That is why we pray.

Chicago During Covid-19 #8

Chalk art that reminded me to choose joy.

Find joy through prayer. “In God’s presence there is fullness of joy (from Psalm 16:11).”

Chicago During Covid-19 #7

Flowers flourishing in an unlikely place, because they’re soaking up water and sunshine.

Pray that people will thrive during lock down, though reading God’s Word and Christian books*. Jesus said, “The very words I have spoken are spirit and life (John 6:63).“

*moodypublishers.com

Chicago During Covid-19 #6

Good work continues in locked-down Chicago. The ultimate good work is prayer. “Prayer is the work. Ministry is the fruit.”*

Let’s remain faithful!

*Ben Patterson, Deepening Your Conversation with God.