A Gratitude Acrostic to Direct Our Minds Toward Heavenly Blessings

 

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

As we enter this time of national Thanksgiving, our hearts turn to reasons to be thankful. Of course, we should be thankful every day because we have been blessed by God beyond what we could ever imagine.

We have been given everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). But these gifts are not automatic. It is our responsibility to accept what Jesus died to give us and live in the victory He won. As you meditate on what these verses can mean to your life, ask the Holy Spirit to give you insight and application for every problem you may encounter. We can be thankful IN (not for) all things when we know the Lord will never leave us or forsake us.

Here is an acrostic to direct us to Scriptures that guide our minds toward heavenly blessings and gratitude from our heavenly Father.

Goodness – Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. (James 1:17 NKJV)

Revelation – But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. (1 Corinthians 2:10 NKJV)

Attitude – Let Christ himself be your example as to what your attitude should be. (Philippians 2:5 PNT)

Treasures – But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. (2 Corinthians 4:7 NIV)

Instruction – Those who listen to instruction will prosper, those who trust the Lord will be joyful. (Proverbs 16:20 NLT)

Time – For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (2 Corinthians 6:2 ESV)

Understanding – The beginning of wisdom is: Get [skillful and godly] wisdom [it is preeminent]! And with all your acquiring, get understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation]. (Proverbs 4:7 AMP)

Deliverance – He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love. (Colossians 1:13 NKJV)

Everlasting life – For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 NKJV)

The Bible is so full of reasons to be thankful. These verses can’t capture the vast supply the Lord has given us. What can you add to this acrostic to show us more reasons to express gratitude?

Join the conversation and share your thoughts. 

A gratitude acrostic to direct our minds toward heavenly blessings (click to share on X)

As you enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner, may you remember that Jesus is there with you at your table too. Here is my most recent Crosswalk article, "10 Examples of Jesus Ministering to People Over Meals."  https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/examples-of-jesus-ministering-to-people-over-meals.html  May your Thanksgiving celebration be filled with joy and peace.

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Image by Jasmin_Völker_Fotografie from Pixabay

Autumn Can Show Us How to Let Go of Our Comfort Zone

 

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

Each fall season, Ken and I, along with some friends, take a motorcycle trip to the mountains to view the spectacular color of God’s artistry among the trees.

From year to year the color varies dependent on the weather conditions of summer. But they are always a reminder of the creative power of our Lord. Pictures do not capture the brilliance of nature’s paintbrush. The shimmery golds, dazzling oranges, and fiery reds feed our eyes and minds with the amazing creative power of our Lord.

These leaves eventually detach and fall to the ground. The crunchy tree material drifts in spirals to the forest floor to decay and become part of the soil that will nourish new seeds in the spring. The beauty served a purpose for a time, but only lasts for a season.

What can autumn teach us about letting go of our comfort zone? Like the trees release their leaves, we can learn to release our own desires in favor of God’s desires.  

We can grow attached to accomplishments or places of knowledge with God. We may want to stay where it is comfortable. We don’t want to let go of what is familiar. But to expand and receive new levels of inspiration, we must follow the Creator’s leading.

We should periodically examine our lifestyles and find out if we have adopted some routines that may not be healthy. We may have developed eating habits that we aren’t conscious of, attitudes that are not holy, or lack of diligence in some of our work.

This is the time to step out in faith and obey the Lord’s leading for a direction we may not have been before.

To live in our identity in Christ means we live like He did. We follow His teachings through His commandments. Sometimes we may feel as if this is an impossible task. But He doesn’t expect us to do this through our own power.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)

What kind of habits did Jesus live by?

He knew when to draw away from other people to be alone with His Father.

Prayer and Bible study can draw us closer to our Savior. We can hear His voice clearly when we take the time to listen.

Regular church attendance brings us into fellowship with other believers.

Falling leaves can remind us to let go of the past, live in the present, and pray about the future. Our heavenly Father always has new revelation, knowledge, and assignments for us as we seek to follow His will. (click to share on X)

What do falling leaves remind you of? Join the conversation

 

 

What Does God is a Consuming Fire Mean?

 

What Does God is a Consuming Fire Mean?

Crisp fall air invites us to gravitate toward campfires. Logs crackle and gray, oak-scented smoke spirals to the sky.

Give me a marshmallow and a hot dog, please.

Fall also brings Halloween. For weeks Halloween decorations have abounded in stores, yards, and porches. This is not an attack against those who like Halloween. But I am not one who likes this day because of the evil origins.

I know kids love to dress up and get candy. Who doesn’t like sugar? Children aren’t thinking of what all this means, they just want the goodies.

But some of the decorations can make a believer cringe. I think this day is observed as fun because the meaning is not taken seriously. A lot of people don’t believe the devil is real. And if they do, he is considered a cartoon character in a red suit with a pitchfork.

Lucifer, an archangel, fell from heaven when iniquity was found in him. He wanted God’s position. He is now known as satan, the fallen spirit. He is the father of all things evil. Demonic origins are behind Halloween and the devil rejoices when we are deceived into thinking this is just a fun day. Rather than giving glory to a fallen angel, we can glorify God by thanking Him for the fire of His Holy Spirit. 

What does it mean that God is a consuming fire? For our God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29 NKJV). What does His fire consume?

How to Resist Compromise in a World Filled With Peer Pressure - Lessons from the Book of Daniel

 

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

Compromise. It’s one enemy we all face at some point in our lives.

People break their word, fudge a little on taxes, don’t tell the complete truth or go along with the latest craze, even if that craze is destructive, because it’s the cool thing to do. And compromise can go further. It can lead to crime and immorality and start a never-ending spiral of disintegration in life.

How can we resist compromise in this world filled with peer pressure?

Announcing the book launch of Redemption, the Heartbeat of Christmas

 by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

Hi friends,

This is a special blog post to inform you of the launch of my book, Redemption, the Heartbeat of Christmas: What the Birth of Christ Means to the World. The book will release on October 21, and I am seeking help to get the word out.

If you would be willing to join my launch team, please fill out the google form at this link:

https://forms.gle/BU7h4xwkzEKVxZrUA 

You will receive a link on joining the Facebook page and how to share information. Also a digital copy of the book will be provided to those who sign up.  

It's not difficult. All you need to do is share a meme or two once or twice a week to your social media followers. I will be conducting drawings for prizes and we will have fun getting to know each other better. 

I appreciate your help as we get ready to spread the word about our Savior's birth.

Blessings to all of you, Barbara Latta

Can Time Be Redeemed?

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (Ephesians 5:15–16 NKJV)

How many of us have looked back through the years and wished our lives had been different in some way? Probably all of us.

What do you think Ephesians 5:15–16 means? We can’t go back and live the past again. Time can’t be placed in a piggy bank and saved like money. Hours can’t be earned like our salary.

Minutes are not retrievable like lost coins. Time passes and disappears. Because of this we can look back and feel guilt and shame over unproductive days or wrongs we have done.

Can time be redeemed?

5 Ways to Scripturally Combat Negative Emotions

 

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

The temptations from the enemy have not changed since mankind fell. He whispers through TV, radios, and electronics with headlines, debates, opinions, advertisements, and entertainment that compete for our attention with engraved invitations to participate in the banquet of worldly living.

Words can come from our own minds due to past experiences. Other people may say things that don’t intend harm, but we can take their conversations the wrong way and create assumptions that hurt our hearts.

How do we resist letting these thoughts grab our minds?

Why Do We Fall Into Envy and Jealousy So Easily?

 

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

Why do we fall into envy and jealousy so easily?

Envy or jealousy: that green-eyed monster that can plague us to the point of stress and depression if we allow the talons to grip our thoughts.

Why do we fall into envy or jealousy so easily?

Is there a difference in these two words?

How to Focus on the Goodness of God All the Time

  

How to focus on the goodness of God

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

When we don’t get our way about something, or we experience a bad situation, our minds don’t think about the goodness of our heavenly Father.

Our humanity defaults to negative thinking unless we make the effort to turn our thoughts the opposite direction. Much like we change the channel on the TV when the broadcast is not favorable, we can flip the switch on thoughts.

Despite the fallen world we live in, God made a way for His love to shine through and show us His mercy and grace. He is not the author of disaster, He is the answer to our ability to overcome.

The Bible contains numerous verses that reveal the goodness of God. When these Scriptures are scattered through the Word, we don’t always see how many times the benevolence of the Lord is recorded for us.

Here are 6 verses that show us how to focus on the goodness of God all the time.

Do You Ever Feel Unworthy to Ask For God’s Help?

 

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

What happens when we fail but we feel unworthy to ask for God’s help?

The Lord may have rescued us, but we fell into the same repeated behavior.

We can then feel guilty for asking for deliverance again.

We feel unworthy, condemned, and disappointed in ourselves.

If God Already Knows Everything, Why Do We Need to Pray?

 

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

Jesus’ disciples saw their Master spend time in prayer. On more than one occasion, He separated Himself and spent the night talking to God. These followers saw the fellowship Jesus had with the Father, and they wanted to know how to do the same.

These men asked Jesus to teach them to pray, and He answered them with what we call the Lord’s Prayer or the Model Prayer. His instructions, given in Matthew chapter six, were preceded by the following verses.

And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. (Matthew 6:7–8 emphasis mine)

Jesus told His followers, and us, that vain repetition is not the way to talk to God. Prayer is not a recited formula, but a heart to heart conversation with our heavenly Father.

Why would Jesus tell us to pray if God already knows what we need? Multiple verses tell us to pray through all occasions. The Lord wouldn’t tell us to pray if we didn’t need this powerful assistance. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Here are 7 reasons we need to pray:

An Independence Day Prayer to Heal Our Land

 

 by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

We celebrate our country’s birthday on July 4 because that is the day the Declaration of Independence was approved by Congress.

But we don’t often contemplate the suffering the revolutionary patriots experienced to give birth to this country. A good exercise, not only during an Independence Day celebration, but anytime of year, would be to research the sacrifices of some of our founding fathers and the soldiers who fought the Revolutionary War.

If we answer the following questions, we can learn how to pray an Independence Day prayer. We can find information we may not have known that can show us more reasons to be thankful. We can discover more about the spirit behind the forces who opposed them, and what we can do about this invisible enemy that still threatens us today.  

Why was America founded?

What Can We Learn From the Triumphs and Failures of Biblical Fathers?

 

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

I’m thankful the Lord tells us about the failures of some of the biblical characters. If we didn’t know about their struggles and sins, we would think they were perfect. This could make us feel like we could never be successful at obeying God.

These accounts were given to us as an example (1 Corinthians 10:11). We can learn from all the triumphs and failures of biblical fathers. The same lessons can apply to mothers, as well.

Here are few examples of how our ancient ancestor’s parenting mistakes brought consequences, but also how God’s mercy and grace brought redemption.

4 Lessons From a Clay Pot

 

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

I learned 4 lessons from a clay pot during a pottery demonstration.

I watched a potter spin the wheel with his foot. The talented hands worked the clay until it softened enough to form a pliable lump. Even though his hands moved and formed, the clay had to submit to the fingers pressing on it. If the clay was too hard, the bowl he wanted to create would not turn out like he planned.

The Practice of Biblical Meditation

 

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

As Christians, sometimes we hear the word “meditation” and we back off as if we are being pursued by a cult. We associate this practice with New Age religions. But is meditation a bad thing? 

The negative image comes from eastern religions that teach people to empty their minds, hum, and sit on the floor with their eyes closed.

But meditation simply means thinking about something. The difference in the benefit (or damage) is in what we think about. The practice of biblical meditation is in God's Word.

Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation. Listen to the voice of my cry, my King and my God: for to you I will pray. (Psalm 5:1 AKJV)

We can see from this Scripture that biblical meditation is thinking about God’s Word and praying.

2 Reasons Christ's Disciples Didn't Believe Mary's Resurrection Report

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

Even though Jesus warned the disciples more than once about the future suffering He would endure, they still didn't get it (Matthew 16:21).

Despite Christ’s warnings, His followers, like the rest of Israel, waited for a Messiah with military might. The Israelites conquered other nations and entered the Promised Land through war. Their history involved conquering and being conquered. Centuries later, when the Romans ruled over their country they assumed their long-awaited Messiah would rescue them through armed conflict.

The Master Teacher tried to prepare His companions for what lay ahead. But they couldn’t even stay awake to pray with Him in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Mary Magdalene was the first one Christ appeared to after the resurrection, and He gave her the task of proclaiming the good news that He was alive.

She went to the hidden followers and told them she had seen the Lord’s immortal body. They still didn’t pay attention to this eyewitness.

When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it. (Mark 16:11)

Here are 2 possible reasons they doubted Mary's report.

How Does Perfect Love Cast Out Fear?

 

by Barbara Latta

What does the Bible mean when it talks about perfect love?

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. (1 John 4:18a NKJV)

I used to think the perfect love this verse talked about meant I had to display perfect love toward God and others for anxiety to leave me.

But after I heard someone explain this Scripture, the light came on in my mind. (Sometimes I'm slow!)

This verse speaks of God's love, not ours, because His love is the only perfection. We can't express perfect love no matter how close to Him we grow because we still have our flesh (mind and emotions) to deal with.

The second part of that verse says, But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. (1 John 4:18b)

How does perfect love cast out fear? 

Consistency is the Key to Success

 

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

Do you ever suffer with being wishy-washy, inconsistent in accomplishing goals, or procrastinate like Scarlett O'Hara?

I often struggle with these ailments and frustration follows because of uncompleted tasks.

When I prayed about my dilemma, I heard the Holy Spirit say, "Consistency is the key."

Consistency is the key. What does that mean, Lord?

4 Scriptures to Overcome Thoughts of Condemnation and Guilt

 

4 Scriptures to overcome thoughts of condemnation and guilt

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

Does your mind play games with your conscience over past sins? Do you suffer with guilt even though you know you are forgiven?

Sometimes the words of others can ignite those thoughts and bring the hammer down on any positive progression we have made in our souls.

I have heard these words from people before. "(Name of person) told me I have cancer because there must be sin in my life."

Or thoughts and accusations come after a disaster or tragedy such as, "This happened because of what I did." (Meaning they think they are being punished because of a past sin, not a consequence of a bad decisions such as having a wreck because of speeding.)

3 Ways to Win Spiritual Battles with the Sword of the Spirit

 

By Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

In ancient Rome, the army of Caesar was an institution to be feared. Everywhere they marched, these soldiers conquered. To resist them meant certain death.

They were heavily armed, trained, and disciplined. They had at their disposal an arsenal of weapons. Among these were various types of swords.

3 Benefits of God's Love

 

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

Love is the foundation upon which all biblical doctrines rest. It is the cement that holds all other revelations together. How can we trust our heavenly Father to save us, provide for us, or heal us if we question the depth of His affection?

We may not feel His heart at times, but that doesn’t change the truth. We should believe He is passionate toward us because He said so.

We love Him because He first loved us (1 John 4:19 NKJV). We can’t love God first because there isn’t anything in us to love Him with until we receive for ourselves the life He extends to us.

Herein is love, not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins (1 John 4:10). We don’t deserve His mercy, but He gives it to us because of His grace.

God's love gives us more than we can ever count, but here are 3 benefits we can live out daily.

Remedies for Emotions That Can Create Thoughts of Insignificance

Remedies for emotions that cause thoughts of insignificance

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

Have you ever felt insignificant? Hidden from God? That your life doesn't really matter?

The Bible provides examples of women who felt less than worthy. They didn’t feel as if their existence contributed to anything or anyone. Lives full of pain, despair, brokenness, and condemnation were all they knew.

Since the Bible does tell us about these women, we know their story is important. Their lives had a special meaning we can all learn from.

These biblical women are examples of how God overcame their difficulties and redeemed their souls. He will do the same for us with these remedies for emotions that can create thoughts of insignificance.

Start the New Year With New Thinking

 

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

Have you ever thought about what you think about? We may not realize it but our thinking does control our lives.

New Year's resolutions usually involve changing some type of behavior. Rather than a resolution, why not a renewal? Why not start the new year with new thinking?

A renewal of our minds can bring about changed behavior.

Where do thoughts come from?