Nov.26.03: Light For The Day - "Give Thanks to The LORD" -- 1 Thessalonians 5:18 "Give thanks in all circumstances,  for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." --------- Dear Lord, As I stop today to count my blessings,  I want to take this opportunity to thank You -  for my Salvation;  for my church, where Your Word is taught uncompromisingly;  for my country, where I can speak Your Name freely;  for eyes to see the beauty of Your creation,  for ears to hear the birds sing and children laugh;  for hands to work, and feet to get me where I need to go;  for providing for my needs.  Thank You Lord for my wonderful family;  for true friends, who stand with me in good times and bad;  for my Christian brothers and sisters, who pray with me and for me.  Yes, Lord, as I stop today to count my blessings,  I do have much to be thankful for!  In Jesus Name, Amen  -- Author Unknown ----------------- -- Psalms 28:7  "The LORD is my strength and my shield;  my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped.  My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song." ---------- Thank You Lord, For the beauty of the world around me For the precious people You place upon my pathway For the handicaps and the trials For Your Grace to meet each challenge For the opportunities You offer me each day Lord, help me not to leave for tomorrow What You would have me do today Take me where You need me to be Lead me to do what You need me to do Keep me ever mindful of the needs of others Guide me to be there for others, even as You Have sent others to be there for me And bring me to the close of the day With a grateful heart and time to pray Amen -- Author Unknown ------------------ -- Psalm 75:1 "We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks,  for Your Name is near; men tell of Your wonderful deeds." ------- Have you stopped to think about it? What do you have to be thankful for?  Like the words of this old hymn ...  Count Your Blessings  When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed, When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings, name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done!  Chorus Count your blessings, Name them one by one; Count your blessings, See what God hath done; Count your blessings, Name them one by one; Count your many blessings, See what God hath done.  Are you ever burdened with a load of care? Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear? Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly, And you will be singing as the days go by.  When you look at others with their lands and gold, Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold; Count your many blessing, money cannot buy, Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.  So, amid the conflict, whether great or small, Do not be discouraged, God is over all; Count your many blessings, angels will attend, Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.  -------------------- -- Psalms 118:19  "Open for me the gates of righteousness;  I will enter and give thanks to the LORD." ---------- I asked God for strength, that I might achieve; I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.  I asked for help that I might do greater things; I was given infirmity that I might do better things.  I asked for riches that I might be happy; I was given poverty that I might be wise.  I asked for power that I might have the praise of men; I was given weakness that I might feel the need for God.  I asked for all things that I might enjoy life; I was given life that I might enjoy all things.  I got nothing that I asked for, but everything I hoped for.  Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered; I among poeple am most richly blessed.  -- Author unknown ~  ---------------------  -- Psalms 107:1  "Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;  His love endures forever." ---------------------- A Thanksgiving Ode Thank you Lord for my daily bread Thank you Lord for a nice warm bed. Thank you for the earth and sky, Thank you for my seeing eyes. Thank you for getting me through my misgivings, Thank you for friends and Thanksgivings. Thank you for your trust in me. Thank you for all blessings and for setting us free. So all you people should feel very blest, For He loves even the sinner, and forgives us the best. Each day throughout the year give thanks for all the good things our God has done. For the Father gave us his only Son. Who died and arose for us, His battle won. --- Charmaine  ----------------- -- 1 Thessalonians 5:18 "Give thanks in all circumstances,  for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."