Thanksgiving: 30 Day Scripture Writing Plan - Day 3 & 4

Day 3: 2 Corinthians 4:15-18New Living Translation (NLT)

15 All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory.

16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are[a]being renewed every day. 17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

Day 4: Isaiah 12:2-6New Living Translation (NLT,)

2 See, God has come to save me.
    I will trust in him and not be afraid.
The Lord God is my strength and my song;
    he has given me victory.”

3 With joy you will drink deeply
    from the fountain of salvation!
4 In that wonderful day you will sing:
    “Thank the Lord! Praise his name!
Tell the nations what he has done.
    Let them know how mighty he is!
5 Sing to the Lord, for he has done wonderful things.
    Make known his praise around the world.
6 Let all the people of Jerusalem[a] shout his praise with joy!
    For great is the Holy One of Israel who lives among you.”

During the month of November, I am wanting to reflect and give thanks to God.  It is easy to get wound up into material things along with wants when so much of it is not even needed.  However, when you sit back, enjoy the moments, you realize how much you have around you.

 I have been concerned and frustrated over recent discussions regarding proposed district boundary lines for the middle schools.  It is easy to focus our attention to our troubles we can see now.  This reminds me of a passage from my Jesus Calling Devotional.

 "Follow me one step at a time.  That is all I require of you.  In fact, that is the only way to move through this space/time world.  You see huge mountains looming, and you start wondering how you're going to scale those heights.  Meanwhile, because you're not looking where you're going, you stumble on the easy path where I am leading you now.  As I help you get back up on your feet, you tell Me how worried you are about the cliffs up ahead.  But you don't know what will happen today, much less tomorrow.  Our path may take an abrupt turn, leading you away from those mountains.  There may be an easier way up the mountains than is visible from this distance.  If I do lead you up the cliffs, I will equip you thoroughly for the strenuous climb.  I will even give My angels charge over you, to preserve you in all your way.  Keep your mind on the present journey, enjoying My presence.  Walk by faith, not by sight, trusting Me to open up the way before you." 

 This passage reminds me to stop stressing over things I cannot control.  The passage always makes me wonder if new doors will be opening and what those paths may look like.  The scripture passages helped me remember to slow down, enjoy the moments, and to give thanks instead of worrying over details uncontrollable.