Much to be Thankful For....

Happy Thanksgiving!

What a wonderful time of year to gather together with family and friends and give thanks to God for His abundant blessings. Even if the blessing at times have seemed few and far, there is always reason to give thanks, especially that God sent His Son Jesus so we might have fellowship with Him forever! I am also thankful for my family, the books He has enabled me to write, the journey along the Appalachian Trail He helped me attain, the many blessings of items here in the house and plenty of food. The list goes on. It's so easy at times to forget to be thankful, especially when trials and tribulations are mounting. But that is the best time TO give thanks to the One strong enough to carry our deepest and heaviest burdens. And to keep being thankful every day, no matter what happens. His love is forever.

I'm Cranky...

Okay, I know you have gotten days like this. I'm sure I'm not the only one who gets them. We have had quite a November already - in fact I was telling my husband tonight that it's okay by me if November disappears (even though this month we celebrate his birthday and tomorrow is our 19th wedding anniversary - and of course, next week is Thanksgiving of all things!). But the month started out bad with family issues and still seems to be running the gauntlet of trials and tests. Appliances and cars exploding. Tax issues. Assorted health thingies (is thingie even a word?). I am like the little girl above, being served a dish of yucky, stringy green trials and tribs and saying with a pout, "I don't want any!"

I know last week I talked about the necessity of prayer. And that is still so important, especially when one is feeling the way I am tonight. But we are emotional beings. God made us that way. There will be times that,yes, we are feeling out of sorts. That the pressures are big and seemingly insurmountable. And the best thing to do is get real with them. Like I am doing tonight. Talking about it. Saying that this is tough and the way seems cloudy. I'm sure Job in the Bible felt the same way. He took his complaints to God. And God answered them, not only with quiet rebuttals but also by the miracle of restoration.

So in crankiness can come the hope of restoration. That I might be the deer panting, wondering, yearning to see the Lord. But hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him. For the help of His countenance. Psalm 42

The Effective Prayer...

If there is one thing I have learned over the course of the last week, that is the effective prayer of a righteous man...which the Bible says avails much.

Sometimes the prayer comes not in the way we think it should. But God's promise is that it will avail much if we are in a right standing with Him. That He hears and He answers. I had much to pray for this past week. For family issues, for our nation, for upcoming books and how to manage my time. For appliances and cars that are on the fritz. For so many things it seems to boggle the mind. But God it is not mind boggled by it. It is not above what He can and will handle if we surrender it to Him.

But the most important thing is to yield when prayer comes forth. And to accept help in prayer in times of need. I have been so blessed in recent days by the body of Christ - sisters in the Lord, coming forward to intercede along with me for these needs in my life. To take the time to pray in a car or on the phone or online. Wow, what a powerful thing that can be. To intercede on the behalf of others. To call to mind the needs of those above your own. Yes, I have been inundated it seems with a multitude of prayer requests. But I witnessed the love of others who come alongside to join in that intercession. To pray until answers are given. To stand firm, holding up my arms, if you will, doing battle in the heavenlies. How beautiful it is when brethren dwell together in unity. But especially in the unity of prayer. It cannot help but availeth much in these times that try men's souls.

The Time for Armor

Be strong in the Lord and the power of His might.

If there was ever a time for Christians to get on the whole armor of God and to stand fast against the wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6) now is the time. I have seen more happening in the spiritual world with spiritual battles than I can say. And not just with this upcoming election in a life or death struggle, but life or death struggles within families (I have a big one in mine right now) and in other areas. We are called to prayer, we are called to action, we are called as warriors to be on the offense and not the defense. To make a stand. To fight for what is right - the word of God. To do all we are called to do and then to rest in His hands for the outcome.

Don't be battle weary. Now is the time to clothe yourself in full armor and do battle. Fight against spiritual forces in heavenly places. We do not battle flesh and blood. And it requires patience, steadfastness, determination and faith to see this all to a victorious conclusion.