Praise Posts 2022 - #10 – Thankful for The Will of God

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT

 

I must end this year’s Praise Posts with this scripture; because for me it epitomizes the definition of Thanksgiving. In every circumstance we are in, we can find an opportunity to be thankful.

 

Maybe we’re down to just being thankful we are breathing. I guarantee there are those who would love to breathe!

 

Actually, for the Christian the whole point is this: You are exactly where God wants you to be in the present moment.

 

That truth may be a tough pill to swallow because sometimes we wish we were anywhere but here.

 

God has a purpose for us right where we are. He is working all things for our good. He is molding and making us each day more like the image of Christ.

 

And in His timing, we are going to look back and see how He brought us through this journey. Every. Step. Of. The. Way.

 

Thanks for stopping by my Journey. I pray a blessed season of thankfulness for you, both now and throughout the Christmas season.

 

The Journey will be quiet through the month of December; though I may pop in and repost a few Because He Came Advent posts here and there.

 

I will begin posting new content in January of 2023. I’m excited for this time of seeking God and preparing for the next leg of the Journey.

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

Previous Post: Thankful Dead Things Can Be Resurrected

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Praise Posts 2022 - #7 – Thankful I’m Called By Name

But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel,
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name; you are Mine!
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they will not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched,
Nor will the flame burn you.
Isaiah 43:1-2 New American Standard Bible 1995

 

Such richness in Isaiah! Here we see God speaks to us as both Creator and Redeemer. He is personally invested in us – He calls us by name.

 

Yes, this is written to the children of Israel; but when we accept Him as our Savior, we became part of Abraham’s seed as well, and we, too, are heirs to the promises of God.*

 

I’m so thankful to serve a God who is a personal God – I’m not just one of the masses. He knows me by name, and He even knows how many hairs are on my head.**

 

What’s even more comforting, God promises to be with me in the toughest of circumstances. Whether it’s flame or flood, He promises to be with us.

 

What more could we ask?

*Galatians 3:8-9, 29 

** Luke 12:7

Welcome to Praise Posts 2022!
 
In the midst of the crazy world we live, I’m more grateful than ever for the Word of God. Scripture gives me a firm foundation to stand upon when everything else seems shaky. It seems each day I crave His Word even more, and it speaks to me even more plainly than it ever has.
 
With that in mind, I’ve decided to make this year’s Praise Posts all about scripture. Beginning November 14 and running through November 24, I am planning to pick out 10 scriptures that meant the most to me in 2022 and do a Praise Post each day on one of them. I hope you’ll join me each day by posting one of your favorite scriptures in the comment section.

 

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy.

 
Previous Post: Thankful for Home

I'm linking up with Inspire Me Monday

Praise Posts 2022 - #1 - Thankful for Rest

 

I’m thankful for the assurance of rest. I’ve been on a journey for quite some time learning what rest actually means.  I’ve learned God created us to rest every seventh day. It’s His gift to us; but very few take advantage of it.
 
Rest is more than dozing in your favorite recliner wrapped up in your cozy afghan.
 
Rest is freedom from fear and worry. How is that possible in the world we live in currently?
 
Only through God!
 

… God is your confidence in times of crisis, keeping your heart at rest in every situation.
Proverbs 3:26 TPT

When you know your God, it’s a lot easier to trust when trials come your way. If you have been reading His Word, you know how capable, how loving and grace-filled He is. If you’re listening for His still small voice in your spirit, it’s a lot easier to tune out the voices of panic.
 
There is no place safer than walking with your God, the God who has promised to never leave you.

Welcome to Praise Posts 2022!
 
In the midst of the crazy world we live, I’m more grateful than ever for the Word of God. Scripture gives me a firm foundation to stand upon when everything else seems shaky. It seems each day I crave His Word even more, and it speaks to me even more plainly than it ever has.
 
With that in mind, I’ve decided to make this year’s Praise Posts all about scripture. Beginning November 14 and running through November 24, I am planning to pick out 10 scriptures that meant the most to me in 2022 and do a Praise Post each day on one of them. I hope you’ll join me each day by posting one of your favorite scriptures in the comment section.

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy.

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I'm linking up with Inspire Me Monday

Next on the Journey

Dear Readers, I wanted to pop in and let you know I’m recovering well from my recent bout of COVID. As I wrote in my last post, I’m taking some time off to mend and fill my spiritual tank. I did manage to finally finish my series at Jerralea.com, A Rich and Satisfying Life, with my 28^th post, A Recap of a Rich and Satisfying Life, but since then, my keyboard has remained silent. I’m not ready to post regularly again yet; but I do want to let you know of my plans for November posting.

Most years, I like to do a series of posts on the Journey during November about thankfulness. I call them Praise Posts, giving God glory about the little blessings in my life. I want my praises to be relatable, offering praise for things almost anyone can find if they search.

For example, the blessings of our five senses cannot be over-emphasized. The wonder of eyesight, the gift of touch, the soul-filling taste of good food, whispers of love from family and friends, the fragrance of rain-washed earth and budding flowers are all blessings filling our lives with joy. We should never tire of praising our Creator for them.

And of course, offering praise for the people in our lives more than the possessions we own, ought to be on our lips on the daily. (Although, I must say I am also thankful for my home, my car, my leopard-print possessions, etc. I am grateful God provided them for my needs and comfort.)

However, in the midst of the crazy world we live, I’m more grateful than ever for the Word of God. Scripture gives me a firm foundation to stand upon when everything else seems shaky. It seems each day I crave His Word even more, and it speaks to me even more plainly than I've experienced in the past.

With that in mind, I’ve decided to make this year’s Praise Posts all about scripture. Beginning November 14 and running through November 24, I am planning to pick out 10 scriptures that meant the most to me in 2022 and do a Praise Post each day on one of them. I hope you’ll join me each day by posting one of your favorite scriptures in the comment section.

Anytime scripture is released into the world, whether by writing on a page or screen, or spoken, it accomplishes something. It never returns void.

I’m excited to see what the Lord will do. See you November 14^th!

~~

I'm linking this post to Grace & Truth and Inspire Me Monday

Jerralea's Update

It's been a minute since I did a thankfulness post; but I'm thinking writing one is the best possible use of my time.

Easter weekend was a great time with family. Rory got to spend the night at MiMi and Papa's and she visited church with Brody and Baylee. We all had dinner together except Daniel who had to work; but later in the evening he joined us as we gathered again to eat leftovers and play games.

I love game night with the family!

Our family (except Daniel, who was working)

Our gorgeous daughters

Our adorable grands!

A slow recovery: I have not shared on the Journey in the last month, but my last post mentioned Jim going through knee replacement surgery. (You can read about it here, Spring and Making the Most of My Time.)

Since that writing, Jim fell and injured the knee and Doc had to do some of his work over again. Yikes!

I am thankful this time his recovery seems to be going better than last time (due to that modern marvel, the Continuous Passive Motion machine!). He's had to take far less of his pain pills and is making great strides in his therapy. So grateful!

What's saving my life right now is pick-up orders at Wal-Mart. It is saving me a couple hours a week of shopping and I am loving it. So. Much. (Of course, shopping never was one of my favorite things to do.) You do have to think ahead in order to get the most convenient time slot, but it's a good idea to think ahead about what you are buying for the next week's meals anyway.

Another thing saving my life is an odd-looking contraption that helps us get Jim's compression socks on. Getting those socks on daily was a chore I did not relish. It was definitely and upper body workout for me; but with this device, the socks go on as smooth as silk. (It did take a little bit of learning the best way to use it.) I'm happy to report he only has to wear the socks about another week.

My wireless headset is another thing for which I am thankful. I love on busy Saturday mornings, I can still listen to my favorite podcasts while doing things around the house. It was also very useful for Jim to use his while strapped into his CPM machine. He is more of a music person that a podcast listener; but it definitely helped him pass the time away.

I hope reading this helped YOU think of some things that brighten your life and made you thankful.

I'm linking this post with the community at Friday's Fave Five hosted by the lovely Susanne. You are invited to participate as well by sharing your 5 blessings for the week. If you don't have a blog, feel free to list your five in the comments below.

I'm also linking at Inspire Me Monday

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As my readers may have noticed, I've been mainly writing at Jerralea.com the last few months. However, Jerralea's Journey is such a part of my life, I've decided to keep both blogs active for the forseeable future. The Journey will be dedicated to family news and posts on reflection. Jerralea.com will focus more on lessons learned through bible study. I'll put links to both blogs in the hopes you will want to see all that God has been speaking to my heart.

Check out my latest post, Purging Progress and Pressing On

As always, I adore each and every one of you and I feel so blessed when you take the time to share and/or comment.

Seed-Sower

 

NOVEMBER 24

But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience. Luke 8:15 NKJV

“But the seed in the good earth—these are the good-hearts who seize the Word and hold on no matter what, sticking with it until there’s a harvest. Luke 8:15 MSG

The seed that fell into good, fertile soil represents those lovers of truth who hear it deep within their hearts. They respond by clinging to the word, keeping it dear as they endure all things in faith. This is the seed that will one day bear much fruit in their lives.” Luke 8:15 TPT

Today, I'm praising God for the Parable of the Sower.

In recent months, I decided my life's work was to be a blessing hunter; sharing encouragement and the good news of a Shepherd who is interesting in all the details of our lives, both big and small.

Now, I want to add seed-sower to blessing hunter. I want to cling to the Word yet share it as well. I know wherever the Word goes, it will not come back void; but accomplish what the Lord wants.

My first order of business is know the Word; because how can I share it, if I don't know it? Then I must seize it, or take hold of it, and begin sowing it whenever possible. Fruitfulness is promised if I don't give up.

What can I do with my life that would be anymore worthwhile than being a seed-sower?

I used to dream of accomplishing great things; but now what fills me with passion is to be counted as a faithful servant of Christ. His "well done," will mean more than any earthly prize.

Praise Posts 2021 are all about praising God for scriptures that are meaningful to me. Currently throughout November,  I'm sharing a scripture that sparks gratitude.

I'm linking this post to Let's Have Coffee and Grace & Truth and Inspire Me Monday

First, Last and Always

 

NOVEMBER 12

My One Word for 2021 is seek and the scripture I'm focusing on is Matthew 6:33 -

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. NKJV

If you read all of chapter 6, you will see Jesus was saying some pretty radical stuff. He shared ideas that were counter-cultural: giving and praying in secret; forgiving; not working hard to end up with a big bank account. My goodness! He even wanted people to pray for just their daily needs.

All in all, He said 5 times in a chapter just 34 verses long to not worry. 5 times!

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. NLT

“So above all, constantly seek God’s kingdom and his righteousness, then all these less important things will be given to you abundantly. TPT

Love the Phillips translation of this passage:

“So don’t worry and don’t keep saying, ‘What shall we eat, what shall we drink or what shall we wear?! That is what pagans are always looking for; your Heavenly Father knows that you need them all. Set your heart on the kingdom and his goodness, and all these things will come to you as a matter of course.

The heart of this scripture encourages us to continually set our minds on Him. In return, we will have what we need.

Simple ... so why is it so difficult to turn our trust in our own two hands to the goodwill of the Father?

My prayer continues to be that each day I will think of Him first, last and always.

How about you?

Praise Posts 2021 are all about praising God for scriptures that are meaningful to me. Currently, I'm sharing each day a scripture that addresses our thought lives.

Sharing at Inspire Me Monday.

How Big is Your Cup?

NOVEMBER 7

 

You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows. Psalm 23:5 ESV

Right from the get-go, this verse tells me three important things:

• The dinner he feeds me is right in the presence of those who thought I'd never receive anything from God - much less a meal. And those enemies? Oftentimes, they are the voices in my own head.
• Anointing is for every sheep.
• He is a God of more than enough. He is the God of the overflow. There's no half-empty or partially full glass with God. He keeps filling until the receptacle can't hold anymore and everything near gets drenched.

Also, there is no limit to the size of cup you can present for filling.

Selah!

You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Psam 23:5 NLT

You become my delicious feast even when my enemies dare to fight. You anoint me with the fragrance of your Holy Spirit; you give me all I can drink of you until my cup overflows. Psalm 23:5 TPT

Photos are created in PicMonkey using photos from Jerralea.com or Jerralea's Journey or stock photos. Please do not copy. 

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I'm sharing at Inspire Me Monday

It's Praise Post Season

I just couldn't let November start without doing my Praise Posts!

I think I have posted 5 things a day for the month of November in 3 different years; so now it is a tradition. However; this year I thought the focus could be a little different.

It's no secret I'm a bible enthusiast. I want to give God praise for making His love letter available to me; and letting me be born in such a time in history when I can study His Word and access a wealth of resources. I am so blessed.

In November of 2021, I want to share one scripture a day with you and let you know why it is special in my life.

Just one a day. Easy-Peasy. 

You're invited to join me by leaving a comment sharing your favorite. If you feel led to write a post, feel free to leave your link to your post. I would love to read your words!

NOVEMBER 1

Today's verse is special to me. I discovered it in the Passion Translation right before my husband's open-heart surgery in February 2021. Of course, I had read it before. I knew what it meant; yet, it so clearly spoke to me the day I read it.

Then Jesus put his hands over their eyes and said, “You will have what your faith expects!” Matthew 9:29 TPT

"You will have what your faith expects!" or as the KJV puts it, "According to your faith be it unto you." It means the same thing; but it resonated with me so much more in today's language.

From then on, instead of imagining the worst, I believed the best. The surgery was a success; but I do admit I got a bit rocky a couple days after his surgery when I realized he was one sick puppy. It turned out he was in A-fib and a procedure called an ablation must be done. 

He was taken to have the procedure done: I paced alone in his hospital room and recalled Matthew 9:29. God had my pastor call to pray with me at just the moment I needed encouragement. The next morning my hubs was a new man! I picked him up and brought him home that very day.

Thanks be to God!

~~

Your turn. What scripture are you thankful for?

~~

Sharing at Inspire Me Monday, Tell His Story, and InstaEncouragements Link-Up.

Lift

Have you ever felt heavy and burdened-down?

Contrast those feelings for times when you are light and care-free. The world is your oyster and you are so excited to open it up to see what "pearls" it might have for you.

I like feeling light way more than experiencing heaviness. I bet you do, too.

The best way I've found to feel the shackles of burdens dropping off is when I've spent time with God. I give all the frustrations, frowns and fretting to Him; and in exchange, I'm lighter. I've been lifted up. I've got direction now.

I'm more confident now that I feel I'm under God's watchcare.

I've also discovered the best time to make this exchange.

Yup, in the morning!

I know ... I love to sleep in. It's sometimes hard to get awake; but, oh my goodness, the day goes so much better when I lift up, or offer up, my soul at the start of the day.

There's a reason the Psalms tells us more than once to lift up our souls to Him. If we offer up whatever is bothering us, the Holy Spirit can lift us to a higher level of trust in Him.

Because we will experience His kindness and care.

Make me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning,

for in You I trust.

Show me the way I should go,

    for to You I lift up my soul.

Psalm 143:8 Tree of Live Version

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I just want you to know how highly I value those of you that make your way to the Journey to read my words! I believe encouraging others with the written word is a worthy calling. Thank you especially to those who respond. You make it worthwhile.

I don't want you to miss a post, so why not sign up to subscribe? It's easy-peasy. Just enter your email address in the sidebar right above my profile.

If a post resonates with you, please consider sharing by clicking one of the social media buttons at the bottom of this post.

You might be interested in this week's most-viewed posts:

Blessing Hunter

Serendipity

Fly Me Away

Jerralea, Juanita and the Reversible Coat

Increase: Blessed in 5 More Ways

I'm sharing this post with the communities at:

Five Minute Friday

Grace & Truth

Inspire Me Monday

Remember Me Monday

Tell His Story

InstaEncouragements Link-Up

Let's Have Coffee

Recharge Wednesday

#Tune In Thursday

Blessing Hunter

The other day (I'm trying to remember where) I saw the phrase, "beauty hunter."  Those two words really resonated with me because I feel it's important to look for beauty. There is so much ugliness in the world, it's a relief to feast my eyes and spirit on something beautiful.

The more I can incorporate beauty into my world, the better I feel.

As I thought more and more on the phrase, "beauty hunter," I realized I'm more drawn to being a "blessing hunter." 

Nobody's life is perfect; but I'm willing to bet there are more blessings than we all realize!

I decided to join forces today with some of the best blessing hunters I know, the Friday's Favorite Five gang. Each week, they find 5 blessings or highlights to their week and share them. Big or small, they give thanks for them all.

So, here's some of my recent 5:

Birthday season: Starting with my son-in-law, Daniel's, birthday on May 8, we run through July 15th celebrating birthdays (including Mother's Day and Father's Day). There is also one birthday in August, and two in September, and then we are done for the year. For a couple who once lived with ten long years of infertility, it is a delight to have daughters, sons-in-laws and grandchildren's birthdays to honor.

End of Rehab: May 26th was the last day for Jim to go to cardiac rehab. Although we enjoyed going together (I walked the track while he worked on machines and weights); we were glad to not have to make the drive and use up our afternoons two days a week. I also felt like celebrating because a couple times when Jim was in the hospital; it seemed almost impossible he'd be well enough to be done with therapy.

True Words!

Twins' Baptism: Just a few days before the twins' seventh birthday, they decided they wanted to be baptised. Baylee said, "MiMi, when I come up out of that water, I'm going to be a whole new person." What grandmother wouldn't cherish hearing such a thing? 

Note: I fully realize 7-year-olds have a lot to learn about their spiritual journey, accepting Christ and being baptized. But it's a great start! Jesus wanted little children to come to Him!

Good report: I'm not one to go to the doctor. Hardly ever. But I did go last week and have bloodwork. It came back good. Whew!

Late Spring Days: This is the time of year when it feels good to be from the midwest. Not too hot, not too cold, and the humidity is still being nice to us. We've enjoyed T-ball games and the first lake trip of the year.

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I just want you to know how highly I value those of you that make your way to the Journey to read my words! I believe encouraging others with the written word is a worthy calling. Thank you especially to those who respond. You make it worthwhile.

I don't want you to miss a post, so why not sign up to subscribe? It's easy-peasy. Just enter your email address in the sidebar right above my profile.

If a post resonates with you, please consider sharing by clicking one of the social media buttons at the bottom of this post.

I'm sharing this post with the communities at 

Friday's Fave Five

Grace & Truth

Faith on Fire

Inspire Me Monday

Remember Me Monday

Tell His Story

InstaEncouragements Link-Up

Let's Have Coffee

Recharge Wednesday

#Tune In Thursday

Applying the Promises, Part 5

We have spent four weeks examining reasons why people hesitate to claim scripture for themselves. When all is said and done, the reasons add up to being comfortable where we are and not wanting to do the work of believing, or doubting the promises are for you, or not even knowing there are promises!

I shared with you in Part 3, the story of my husband's job search, and being led to read scriptures of provision during his interview. I believe this is the practical way to apply any promise.

First, find scripture that speaks to the situation you are in. We are so blessed to live in an age where we can search through BibleGateway or BibleHub and other resources and find our topic pretty quickly. If you are sick, search for healing scriptures. If you are in need, search for scriptures on provision. If you need direction, look for passages on guidance.

Be sure to read each scripture in context and ask yourself, is this promise for me? Study the word and see if it can be applied in your case. For example, promises to the royal line of David cannot be applied to someone not a descendant of David. But we New Testament believers can be grafted into the vine and claim promises for the Children of Abraham. (See *Galatians 3:29)

You have to do the work of studying. What are the conditions? Have I met them?

Once you've determined this promise is something you want to claim for yourself, I have found the best way is to write the promise out with your name in it and start meditating on that scripture, praying God will bring it to pass.

For example:

2 Peter 1:4 New Living Translation

⁴ And because of his glory and excellence, he has given Jerralea great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable Jerralea to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

I can become more like Jesus and escape worldliness. What’s the condition to this promise? Back up and read verse 3:

 

2 Peter 1:3 NKJV

as His divine power has given to Jerralea all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called her by glory and virtue,

 

Verse 3 actually gives us another promise – we have everything we need for a godly life. I receive these things as I grow in KNOWLEDGE of Him. How do I know more about Him? Read the Word, pray and listen to preaching. 

I have to do the work.

Here is another scripture passage a child of God can claim if she is obedient and walk in His ways, Deuteronomy 28:6-9:

Wherever Jerralea goes and whatever she does,
    she will be blessed.
“The Lord will conquer Jerralea’s enemies when they attack her. They will attack her from one direction, but they will scatter from her in seven!
“The Lord will guarantee a blessing on everything Jerralea does and will fill her storehouses with grain. The Lord her God will bless her in the land he is giving her.
“If she obeys the commands of the Lord her God and walk in his ways, the Lord will establish Jerralea as his holy person as he swore he would do. ¹⁰ Then all the nations of the world will see that Jerralea is a person claimed by the Lord, and they will stand in awe of her.

Wow, if you’re obedient, you can claim that promise, too! 

(Read the rest of chapter 28 to find out what happens if you're NOT obedient!)

Are you claiming your promised land?

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Did you miss any of this series? You can click on the following links:
Claiming Your Promised Land, Part 1

Comfort and Claiming Your Promised Land, Part 2

Are the Promises for Me? Part 3

Encounter or Experience, Part 4

 

 ~~~

I just want you to know how highly I value those of you that make your way to the Journey to read my words! I believe encouraging others with the written word is a worthy calling. Thank you especially to those who respond. You make it worthwhile.

I don't want you to miss a post, so why not sign up to subscribe? It's easy-peasy. Just enter your email address in the sidebar right above my profile.

If a post resonates with you, please consider sharing by clicking one of the social media buttons at the bottom of this post.

I'm linking this post with the community of writers at Grace & Truth, Inspire Me Monday

Tell His Story

InstaEncouragements Link-Up

Let's Have Coffee

#TuneInThursday