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Thankful Thursday ~ Advent Study

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. (John 1:9-11 ESV)

It sounds a lot like Christmas…around here. This year I am doing something totally different during the Advent season. I am participating in an Advent Bible study. The study is held by the “Good Morning Girls“; the name is “Keeping Our Hearts Focused on Jesus”. How fitting, don’t you agree?

I really like the study format and I am thankful that I came across it. Heather from Becoming Titus 2 Women posted about it on FB. I am very thankful that she did.

Like I said, I like the format. Angela from “Good Morning Girl” calls is SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer. I have never heard about this study style, but it totally works for me.

You see, I love Bible study, but sometimes I get so overwhelmed with the ‘home-work’, I quit halfway through. This is just the perfect amount of ‘home-work’. My favorite part though is that you write out every Scripture passage. There is a memory verse each week as well. I truly enjoy memorizing Scripture (gives me a weapon when the fiery darts of the devil start flying around). This week is Romans 15:13:

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Romans 15:13 ESV)

Love that Scripture passage. Although the study started on December 1st, I would really like for you to check it out. I am thankful for this study so that I can truly keep my eyes and heart focused on Jesus this Christmas; just as it should be.

What are you thankful for this week? Please do share with us by leaving a link to your Thankful Thursday post below.

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: Keep your heart focused on Jesus, the Reason for the Season.

Love & peace,
Iris

Thankful Thursday Participants

1. Mia / A Turbulent Heart
2. Advent: Zechariah
3. The One Condition to Obtaining True Riches		 4. LaughingLady
5. Daily Journey
6. What is Your Light Source in the Storm?		 7. lorig

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Thankful Thursday ~ Growing Through His Word

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
(Isaiah 55:10-11 ESV)

I have to admit, I do not use any reading plans. I have tried, tried, and tried again to stick to a yearly reading plan, but I have failed every time. I seem to loose steam by the time I get to the Old Testament book of Leviticus. However, I still am reading His Word. Sometimes I read an entire book, and find so many new nuggets that boggle my mind. Not so much that I do not understand, but that I find out something about God’s plan in the Old Testament that I had overlooked before.

Take the book of Daniel as an example. I read the book this past Summer again, and was I in for a ride. Although I have studied Daniel before, this time it really hit me that Darius and Nebuchadnezzar believed in the One True and Living God. How could I have missed this before. It is plain and simple written in Daniel 4 and 6.

Today I am thankful that the Protestant Reformation movement of the 16th century enabled the people to read and understand the Bible in their native tongue. Today we not only get the Bible in our native tongue, but even different translations that help us understand His Word better and grow.

What are you thankful for this week? Please do share with us by leaving a link to your Thankful Thursday post below. Please remember that in the month of November, my friend Laurie will host TT at “Women Taking A Stand“.

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: the Bible is available for you in different forms, read it and let God help you grow through it.

Love & peace,
Iris

Thankful Thursday Participants

1. Mia / Courtroom of Darkness
2. Six Crucial Prayers To Pray for Your Children (Includes FREE Printable)
3. Scripture Jewelry From Israel – The Perfect Gift
4. LaughingLady		 5. No Separation
6. bp
7. Meal Prep- Save Time and Money while Eating Healthy
8. Donna Reidland		 9. Blended Families Part 1 the Losses & the Gains
10. Shelly

Learn more about Thankful Thursday here.

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Thankful Thursday ~ Every Good Gift

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. (James 1:17 ESV)

Some people think that I am too tight with money, but I believe that I just watch out what I purchase and not go after my wants. Trust me when I say that there are many wants, but they are not necessarily a need.

Over the past 4 months I have been looking for a new vehicle. As I have mentioned before, I really want to get out there with my portrait photography, and I needed something more comfortable to ride around in the Metro Phoenix area. Not that my Scion xB was a bad vehicle, but I have outgrown it. The Scion was a little tight in the suspension (more like for 20-something people), and it was not comfortable on my back, coming back from a long day at work or from a photo-session.

A couple weeks ago I went with my best friend Lori to the Nissan dealership just a few minutes from work. She is so fun to hang out with and she is always honest with me. I told her that I was interested in the Nissan Rogue, but the price was a little out of my budget. We still took a short test-drive, and I knew right then and there that this was the vehicle I was searching for. Not only was the ride smooth, but as Lori was playing with the radio, my favorite song by The Afters “Every Good Thing” came on. Lori and I just started laughing and she said “if that is not a sign from above”…

There was still the issue with the financial part, but it all worked out well. This past week, Nissan offered incentives for the 2013 Nissan Rogue, and a very low interest rate (.9%). With my trade-in of the Scion I have the payment that I was looking for, and my insurance only went up by $3/month. So, my sweet friend, the below beauty is sitting in my drive-way.

My Nissan Rogue
.

I finally am comfortable again riding around the big city. And my boys think that I made an awesome choice and gave the car two thumbs up. Lori – we did great (who says women can’t choose the right vehicle :)).

What are you thankful for this week? Please do share with us below by leaving a link to your Thankful Thursday post below.

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: every good thing comes from above; and don’t let anyone tell you that you are too tight with money if you weigh you needs with your wants.

Love & peace,
Iris

Thankful Thursday Participants

1. Mia / Heaven’s Launderer
2. How to Hear God Speak Through the Bible
3. 5 Minutes of Praise Thursdays
4. Scripture Jewelry From Israel – The Perfect Gift		 5. When God Intervenes In Your Marriage
6. bp
7. Healthy Things Grow
8. Natasha		 9. Dear Church, Our Kids Still Need Jesus
10. Praise Him in the Calm
11. Her Family Call Her Blessed
12. My One Month Old Grand-daughter

Learn more about Thankful Thursday here.

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Thankful Thursday ~ Random

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:4-7 ESV)

There are so many things in my life that I am thankful for. Sure, there are some things I hope for, but all-in-all I am truly blessed.

I am thankful for the time I have in the morning with the Lord. This time is precious, because I get myself ready with His Word for the day ahead. Sure, I could sleep a little longer, but if I miss my morning time in His Word, my day is not complete.

I am thankful for other Jesus-Followers that encourage me. Today I received an email from one of our vendors stating that she too is a Christians, and that she is encouraged to see that I have Scripture references in my email signature. Oh yes, when you get an email from my work-email, you will see that I stand for my faith. And you will also find a cross and Scripture verses in my cubicle. If someone is offended by my display of my faith, well, they don’t have to come into my workspace. But I am always ready to share the hope I have (1 Peter 3:15).

I am thankful for the ladies of Laced with Grace. They all, in their own way, keep me focused on the things that are truly important in life, marriage, and family.

I am thankful for Facebook. Although I do not spend much time there, but I do post every day a Scripture verse that speaks to my heart in the morning. I know that I have friends on Facebook that do not believe in Jesus and His love for them. But maybe one day they will ask me about it 🙂 .

I am thankful for my beloved and the time we spend each day with each other. He is my best friend, and my biggest supporter. I cannot imagine spending my life without him.

What are you thankful for this week? Please do share with us by leaving a link to your Thankful Thursday post below.

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: rejoice in the Lord, always, for He is good and His love endures forever.

Love & peace,
Iris

Thankful Thursday Participants

1. When God Intervenes In Your Marriage
2. Scripture Jewelry From Israel – The Perfect Gift
3. He Never Sleeps
4. Mia / Widows of The World
5. From Sunrise to Sunset!		 6. Natasha
7. Intentional Rest – Sabbath Living
8. 5 Minutes of Praise Thursday
9. Julie
10. Follow Me Bible Study {Week 2} Be Transformed		 11. 6 Christian Friendly Fall Activities
12. bp
13. Lizzie

Learn more about Thankful Thursday here.

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