My husband has started a weekly tradition of using temporary tattoo markers to put the first letter of each word of a Bible verse on our forearms to assist with scripture memory. Sorry that was a long sentence! Here are some pics from ours last week (Acts 1:8) and this week to help (1 Thes 5:18).
All four of us are having fun with this as my youngest is now identifying letters and sounds, making the markings recognizable. And my oldest still thinks this particular family activity adds to her cool factor rather than takes away! We’re definitely in a sweet spot this holiday season!
While gratitude is my response in general to this whole family ordeal, this week’s scripture of choice gives clear direction:
Whatever happens, always be thankful.
1 Thessalonians 5:18a
As we look back over this past year and gear up for the holiday season, may we view our trials and triumphs and upcoming ones with a thankful heart. Let’s not take the word ‘always’ lightly in this letter from Paul.
When blessings happen, always be thankful.
When success happens, always be thankful.
When weakness happens, always be thankful.
When trials happen, always be thankful.
What battles happen, always be thankful.
When illness happens, always be thankful.
Gratitude is definitely easier during those first ones rather then the lasts, but this scripture goes on to say:
Whatever happens, always be thankful. This is how God wants you to live in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
We can be thankful because of Christ Jesus. Rather you’d prefer to zoom into your specific day today or zoom out to view your life as a whole, I pray we all are left in awe at the continued work of Jesus in our hearts, our minds, our souls, our bodies, our families, our churches, our communities, and our world. Whatever happens, He is still Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, and Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). (We already have Christmas decorations up at our house so including this verse seemed totally appropriate.)
Personally, this year has included plenty of seasons of weakness, trials, battles, and illness. Way more than I had expected or desired. But this year continues to include blessings as well. And as my family enters the Thanksgiving holiday, our gratitude is much greater because of His work through our weakness, trials, and battles.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Our family verse included Jesus’ final words on earth and spoke to this power.
But the Holy Spirit will come on you and give you power.
Acts 1:8
Holy Barre (& Deeper Wells) has the opportunity to partner with two organizations who can relate to His power being made perfect in our weakness and who reflect a posture of thankfulness! If you’re in Central Oklahoma, we’d love for you to join us!
Hope Is Alive (HIA) Women’s Gathering: Sunday, November 26, 6:30-8:00pm at NW OKC. We’ll provide dinner for the female residents of HIA’s faith-based sober living homes, connect with them over soup, witness the most encouraging and authentic group meeting ever, and then lead the ladies through a time of worship, workout, and wellness! If you’d like to join us, sign up to bring something using this link, and we’ll be in touch – HIA Dinner Sign-Up.
(PS – Go ahead and mark your calendars ‘HIA Ladies’ on the 4th Sunday of each month in 2024! We’ll be burning bright with them regularly in the new year!)
SHINE YOUR LIGHT – Girls Gathering for Good with BRAVETELLER & Deeper Wells: Sunday, December 3, 1:00-3:00pm at Rankin YMCA in Edmond. We’ll gather at the Rankin YMCA on Keaton’s Court for a dance party, Holy Barre worship and stretch, wrap gifts for K Club cancer fighters, hear inspiring stories and make trucker hat charms. BRAVETELLER empowers, encourages and honors cancer fighters conquering mountains. Register through the link below to secure your spot. A portion of registration fees will provide gifts for K Club cancer fighters. Each participant will go home with a trucker hat and charm. We can’t wait to SHINE OUR LIGHT together while GIVING BACK during this special Mother/Daughter event. $25 per person. All ages welcome. Sign up today here!
We kicked off 2023 with a focus on freedom! And as we finish out this year, Christ’s message of freedom remains as we rejoice and move forward in thanksgiving! Hope Is Alive ladies are living boldly and beautifully in His freedom! BRAVETELLER encourages others to share their story of hope and freedom in seasons of weakness. Holy Barre exists to gather women together to move in His freedom and burn brighter together! Come join our freedom parties and ALWAYS BE THANKFUL!
Let’s conclude with this prayer from 1 Thessalonians, just a few verses down from 5:18.
We pray that God Himself, the God of peace, will make you pure – belonging only to Him. We pray that your whole self – spirit, soul, and body – will be kept safe and be blameless when our Lord Jesus comes. The one who chose you will do that for you. You can trust in Him.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving week! Next post we’ll kick off our Christmas series! We are thankful for YOU!!!
Burning Bright! 