Month: November 2017

November 30, 2017

Thanksgiving 2017-11-30

  • Journal

  • Read & Reflect

    Apostle Paul never got over the fact that that God not only saved him but also called him to serve him. This calling has been extended to all believers, and it’s a privilege and honor for which we should experience deep gratitude.

    1 Timothy 1:12–17 (ESV)

    12 I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, 13 though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent.  But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever.  Amen.

    2 Timothy 1:8–12 (ESV)

    8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power  of  God, 9 who  saved  us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.

    What are some lessons from today’s text, and how do they apply to your life?

  • Gratitude Journal & Prayer of Thanksgiving
  • Write down three things that you are thankful for.

By carmenhsu
November 29, 2017

Thanksgiving 2017-11-29

  • Journal

  • Read & Reflect

    Out of all that we thank God for, surely the people he used to bring us to salvation must be high on the list.

    Exodus 2:1–10 (ESV)

    1 Now a man from the house of Levi went and took as his wife a Levite woman. 2 The woman conceived and bore a son, and when she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him three months. 3 When she could hide him no longer, she took for him a basket made of bulrushes and daubed it with bitumen and pitch. She put the child in it and placed it among the reeds by the river bank. 4 And his sister stood at a distance to know what would be done to him. 5 Now the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, while her young women walked beside the river. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her servant woman, and she took it. 6 When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby was crying. She took pity on him and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.” 7 Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and call you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?” 8 And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Go.” So the girl went and called the child’s mother.  9 And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your  wages.” So the woman took the  child  and  nursed him. 10 When the child grew older, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses, “Because,” she said, “I drew him out of the water.”

  • Gratitude Journal & Prayer of Thanksgiving
  • Write a personal prayer of gratitude for all the people and circumstances God used to protect you and bring you to salvation. Write down three things that you are thankful for.

By carmenhsu
November 28, 2017

Thanksgiving 2017-11-28

  • Journal

  • Read & Reflect

    Something about the servant’s reaction tells us that he did not fully comprehend what had just happened. As we strive to appreciate what God has done, let’s focus today on the debt of sin that God has forgiven us out of his mercy.

    Matthew 18:23–35 (ESV)

    23 “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began to settle, one   was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’   27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow servant fell and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

    What are some lessons from today’s text, and how do they apply to your life?

  • Gratitude Journal & Prayer of Thanksgiving
  • Write down three things that you are thankful for.

By carmenhsu
November 27, 2017

Thanksgiving 2017-11-27

  • Journal

  • Read & Reflect

    Apostle Paul prayed that we as Christians would grow in the depths of our appreciation for the richness of our salvation.

    Ephesians 1:15–21 (ESV)

    15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for  you,  remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might  20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority  and power and dominion, and above  every  name  that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

    What are some lessons from today’s text, and how do they apply to your life?

 

  • Gratitude Journal & Prayer of Thanksgiving
  • Write down three things that you are thankful for.

By carmenhsu
November 24, 2017

Thanksgiving 2017-11-24

  • Journal

  • Read & Reflect

    Today’s passage continues the survey of what we should be thankful for. Consider all that Christ has wrought for you.

    Colossians 1:11–14; 21-22 (ESV)

    11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. …

    21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present   you holy and blameless and above reproach before him.

    Colossians 2:13–14 (ESV)

    13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

    What are some lessons from today’s text, and how do they apply to your life?

 

  • Gratitude Journal & Prayer of Thanksgiving
  • Write down three things that you are thankful for.

By carmenhsu
November 23, 2017

Thanksgiving 2017-11-23

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Hope you are able to spend your time off and spend Thanksgiving with family and loved ones.

  • Journal

  • Read & Reflect

    Above all, we are thankful for the cross Jesus bore: his body broken, his blood shed for our sins.

    Luke 22:14–20 (ESV)

    14 And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. 15 And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it  among  yourselves. 18 For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the  fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And he took  bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”

    Remember the body of Christ broken and the blood of Christ shed for you.

 

  • Gratitude Journal & Prayer of Thanksgiving
  • Write down three things that you are thankful for.

By carmenhsu
November 22, 2017

Thanksgiving 2017-11-22

  • Journal

  • Read & Reflect

    Consider the celebration over the lost son, and the heart of God expressed in this story.

    Luke 15:11-24 (ESV)

    11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons.  12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them.  13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

    17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.”

    In what ways were you the prodigal? How have you experienced being welcomed back by your Heavenly Father?

 

  • Gratitude Journal & Prayer of Thanksgiving
  • Write down three things that you are thankful for.

By carmenhsu
November 21, 2017

Thanksgiving 2017-11-21

  • Journal

  • Read & Reflect

    Consider the picture of the shepherd who goes after the lost sheep “until he finds it,” and the fact that he rejoices when the lost sheep is found. Thank God that he sought you, found you and rejoiced over you.

    Luke 15:1–7 (ESV)

    1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

    3 So he told them this parable: 4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?  5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”

    Write how you have personally experienced Luke 15:1-7 in your life.

 

  • Gratitude Journal & Prayer of Thanksgiving
  • Write down three things that you are thankful for.

By carmenhsu
November 20, 2017

Thanksgiving 2017-11-20

  • Journal

  • Read & Reflect

    The Christian’s contentment is based on the fact that Jesus is our Shepherd.

    Psalm 23 (ESV)

    The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
    2     He makes me lie down in green pastures.
    He leads me beside still waters.
    3     He restores my soul.
    He leads me in paths of righteousness
        for his name’s sake.

    4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
        I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
        your rod and your staff,
        they comfort me.

    5 You prepare a table before me
        in the presence of my enemies;
    you anoint my head with oil;
        my cup overflows.
    6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
        all the days of my life,
    and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
        forever.

  • What are some lessons from today’s text, and how do they apply to your life?

 

  • Gratitude Journal & Prayer of Thanksgiving
  • Write down three things that you are thankful for.

By carmenhsu
November 17, 2017

Thanksgiving 2017-11-17

  • Journal

  • Read & Reflect

    One of the fruits of gratitude is the experience of contentment.  Without  this, people find themselves yanked around by “many senseless and harmful desires.”

    1 Timothy 6:6–10 (ESV)

    6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into   a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

    Philippians  4:11–13 (ESV)

    11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

  • What are some lessons from today’s text, and how do they apply to your life?

 

  • Gratitude Journal & Prayer of Thanksgiving
  • Write down three things that you are thankful for.

By carmenhsu
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