Annual Bible Reading Plan:
EZK.37
JHN.12
2024 Thanksgiving Month Day 13:
Give Thanks for the “Clean Heart” and “Steadfast Spirit” God Gives Us (Psalm 51:10-15)
(Memorize verses 10-12)
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You.
14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, The God of my salvation, And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips, And my mouth shall show forth Your praise.
Reflection:
Today we continue to meditate on Psalm 51, David's famous penitential psalm. After pleading for God’s forgiveness and cleansing from his sins with a sorrowful and repentant heart, he begins to ask God to create in him a “clean heart” and to renew a steadfast spirit within him, so that he does not lose the presence of the Holy Spirit. This shows us how deeply David understood the corruption of his old nature and his inability to overcome sin, as well as how much he valued God’s presence and the work of the Holy Spirit in his life! Thank the Lord, because of the salvation accomplished through the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus on the cross, you and I, under the New Covenant, have received a new life—a new creation—from Christ by faith, possessing the “clean heart” and “upright spirit” that David desired. Moreover, the name of the Lord Jesus is “Immanuel,” ensuring that we will never lose God’s presence, as our bodies have become the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). For this reason, let us cherish and thank God for the new life He has given us and His eternal presence with us throughout our earthly lives. Just as the hymn "The Power Is in the Blood" expresses, “No more sin stains, just life flows,” when we live out the new creation life in Christ, we will surely experience the victory of being “without sin stains” that David longed for!
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Monday, November 11, 2024
Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 12
Annual Bible Reading Plan:
EZK.36
JHN.11
2024 Thanksgiving Month Day 12:
Give Thanks for the Cleansing and Forgiveness of Sin (Psalm 51:1-9)
(Memorize verses 1-2, 7-9)
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.
1 Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me.
4 Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight— That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge.
5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.
6 Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice.
9 Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities.
Reflection:
This is the first half of one of the most famous penitential psalms among the seven penitential psalms. This song often helps us, in our weakness, sin, and guilt, to turn to God with a sorrowful and repentant heart, receiving timely forgiveness and release from Him. David's experience of forgiveness and cleansing, resulting from his genuine and heartfelt repentance, shows us that when we have fallen into weakness and sin, we must not only come before God with a broken heart of repentance but also prepare ourselves with a grateful heart to experience His grace of forgiveness and the power to cleanse our sins. Thank the Lord, what God is like our God, with such abundant mercy and grace to forgive, willing to blot out and cleanse us from all our sins, and to revive our bones, which have been crushed by condemnation! Because of the redemption of the Messiah, we are cleansed from sin and no longer need to use hyssop dipped in the blood of sin offerings, but by faith, we receive the cleansing of God’s Lamb—Jesus Christ’s blood, which is eternally effective. Moreover, the blessed believers today have received that “clean heart” that David sought, along with the Holy Spirit dwelling within us (Psalm 51:10-11), never to depart. For this reason, we should always remember and thank the Lord for His grace of forgiveness and the power of His precious blood. Because of His precious blood, we can boldly enter the Most Holy Place at any time (Hebrews 10:19) and, through “the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony,” overcome all attacks and accusations from the enemy (Revelation 12:11).
EZK.36
JHN.11
2024 Thanksgiving Month Day 12:
Give Thanks for the Cleansing and Forgiveness of Sin (Psalm 51:1-9)
(Memorize verses 1-2, 7-9)
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.
1 Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me.
4 Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight— That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge.
5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.
6 Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice.
9 Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities.
Reflection:
This is the first half of one of the most famous penitential psalms among the seven penitential psalms. This song often helps us, in our weakness, sin, and guilt, to turn to God with a sorrowful and repentant heart, receiving timely forgiveness and release from Him. David's experience of forgiveness and cleansing, resulting from his genuine and heartfelt repentance, shows us that when we have fallen into weakness and sin, we must not only come before God with a broken heart of repentance but also prepare ourselves with a grateful heart to experience His grace of forgiveness and the power to cleanse our sins. Thank the Lord, what God is like our God, with such abundant mercy and grace to forgive, willing to blot out and cleanse us from all our sins, and to revive our bones, which have been crushed by condemnation! Because of the redemption of the Messiah, we are cleansed from sin and no longer need to use hyssop dipped in the blood of sin offerings, but by faith, we receive the cleansing of God’s Lamb—Jesus Christ’s blood, which is eternally effective. Moreover, the blessed believers today have received that “clean heart” that David sought, along with the Holy Spirit dwelling within us (Psalm 51:10-11), never to depart. For this reason, we should always remember and thank the Lord for His grace of forgiveness and the power of His precious blood. Because of His precious blood, we can boldly enter the Most Holy Place at any time (Hebrews 10:19) and, through “the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony,” overcome all attacks and accusations from the enemy (Revelation 12:11).
Sunday, November 10, 2024
Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 11
Annual Bible Reading Plan:
EZK.34-35
JHN.10
2024 Thanksgiving Month Day 11:
Give Thanks for Forgiveness of Sin (Psalm 32:1-7)
(Memorize verses 1-2, 5-7)
1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered.
2 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit.
3 When I kept silent, my bones grew old Through my groaning all the day long.
4 For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was turned into the drought of summer. (Selah)
5 I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” And You forgave the iniquity of my sin. (Selah)
6 For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You In a time when You may be found; Surely in a flood of great waters They shall not come near him.
7 You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. (Selah)
Reflection:
David, the psalmist, confesses, “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered! Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit!” Thank the Lord, for the greatest and most fundamental blessing we receive from God, compared to all the many blessings in our faith journey, is the blessing of forgiveness of sins. God is a covenant-keeping God, and His grace is everlasting. Nothing, except our sin, can separate us from His love. When we truly see that sin leads us into darkness and the power of death, and more importantly, separates us from God’s love, we understand that we cannot return to His loving embrace. We may experience the heaviness of His hand upon us, just as David did. But after experiencing the release and joy of forgiveness, we are free! Yes, when we acknowledge our sins to God and receive His grace of forgiveness, we instantly enjoy freedom and rest. Even if enemies and dangers surround us, we know that nothing can hinder us from praying to God, finding refuge in Him, and triumphantly singing songs of deliverance in the face of our adversaries!
EZK.34-35
JHN.10
2024 Thanksgiving Month Day 11:
Give Thanks for Forgiveness of Sin (Psalm 32:1-7)
(Memorize verses 1-2, 5-7)
1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered.
2 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit.
3 When I kept silent, my bones grew old Through my groaning all the day long.
4 For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was turned into the drought of summer. (Selah)
5 I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” And You forgave the iniquity of my sin. (Selah)
6 For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You In a time when You may be found; Surely in a flood of great waters They shall not come near him.
7 You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. (Selah)
Reflection:
David, the psalmist, confesses, “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered! Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit!” Thank the Lord, for the greatest and most fundamental blessing we receive from God, compared to all the many blessings in our faith journey, is the blessing of forgiveness of sins. God is a covenant-keeping God, and His grace is everlasting. Nothing, except our sin, can separate us from His love. When we truly see that sin leads us into darkness and the power of death, and more importantly, separates us from God’s love, we understand that we cannot return to His loving embrace. We may experience the heaviness of His hand upon us, just as David did. But after experiencing the release and joy of forgiveness, we are free! Yes, when we acknowledge our sins to God and receive His grace of forgiveness, we instantly enjoy freedom and rest. Even if enemies and dangers surround us, we know that nothing can hinder us from praying to God, finding refuge in Him, and triumphantly singing songs of deliverance in the face of our adversaries!
Saturday, November 9, 2024
Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 10
Annual Bible Reading Plan:
EZK.32-33
JHN.9
2024 Thanksgiving Month Day 10:
Give Thanks for God’s Lifelong Grace (Psalm 30:1-5)
(Memorize verses 4-5)
1 I will extol You, O Lord, for You have lifted me up, And have not let my foes rejoice over me.
2 O Lord my God, I cried out to You, And You healed me.
3 O Lord, You brought my soul up from the grave; You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.
4 Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.
5 For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.
Reflection:
David wrote Psalm 30 as a song of dedication, possibly for his own palace, with deep gratitude for God’s lifelong grace toward him and His people. In this joyful, glorious moment, David reflected on God’s unchanging love and eternal grace. Though he had endured valleys of enemy oppression, weariness, illness, and even the pain of his soul nearing the grave, God “lifted,” “healed,” and “rescued” him. With these experiences in mind, he encouraged all of God’s saints to rise and give thanks and praise to Him, “For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” Amen! May this psalm inspire us all to see every season through the lens of God’s lifelong grace. Even in trials, let us hold to the promise that “weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning,” knowing He will “turn my mourning into dancing; He has put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness” (Psalm 30:11), that we may give thanks to His holy name.
EZK.32-33
JHN.9
2024 Thanksgiving Month Day 10:
Give Thanks for God’s Lifelong Grace (Psalm 30:1-5)
(Memorize verses 4-5)
1 I will extol You, O Lord, for You have lifted me up, And have not let my foes rejoice over me.
2 O Lord my God, I cried out to You, And You healed me.
3 O Lord, You brought my soul up from the grave; You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.
4 Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.
5 For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.
Reflection:
David wrote Psalm 30 as a song of dedication, possibly for his own palace, with deep gratitude for God’s lifelong grace toward him and His people. In this joyful, glorious moment, David reflected on God’s unchanging love and eternal grace. Though he had endured valleys of enemy oppression, weariness, illness, and even the pain of his soul nearing the grave, God “lifted,” “healed,” and “rescued” him. With these experiences in mind, he encouraged all of God’s saints to rise and give thanks and praise to Him, “For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” Amen! May this psalm inspire us all to see every season through the lens of God’s lifelong grace. Even in trials, let us hold to the promise that “weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning,” knowing He will “turn my mourning into dancing; He has put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness” (Psalm 30:11), that we may give thanks to His holy name.
Friday, November 8, 2024
Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 9
Annual Bible Reading Plan:
EZK.30-31
JHN.8
2024 Thanksgiving Month Day 9:
Give Thanks for God's Loving Redemption and Promises (Psalm 107:1-9)
(Memorize verses 1-3)
1 "Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever."
2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy,
3 And gathered out of the lands, From the east and from the west, From the north and from the south.
4 They wandered in the wilderness in a desolate way; They found no city to dwell in.
5 Hungry and thirsty, Their soul fainted in them.
6 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, And He delivered them out of their distresses.
7 And He led them forth by the right way, That they might go to a city for a dwelling place.
8 Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
9 For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness.
Reflection:
Thank the Lord! The psalmist reminds us here of our identity in His grace—we are the “redeemed of the Lord,” the ones “redeemed from the hand of the enemy” and “gathered out of the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.” All who remember this identity should say, "Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever." Since being “redeemed of the Lord” is our eternal identity, how can we not use our lives to count and thank Him for His salvation and steadfast love? As the psalmist describes, we should remember and thank God for redeeming us from the hand of the enemy, leading us in the right way so that we are not wandering in the wilderness, and satisfying the hearts of those who seek Him with His abundance. Along the way, He surrounds us with love, cares for us, and protects us as He would the apple of His eye. Yes, thank You for delighting in and hearing the thanksgiving and praise of Your redeemed, for Your grace and works in our lives are never in vain!
EZK.30-31
JHN.8
2024 Thanksgiving Month Day 9:
Give Thanks for God's Loving Redemption and Promises (Psalm 107:1-9)
(Memorize verses 1-3)
1 "Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever."
2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy,
3 And gathered out of the lands, From the east and from the west, From the north and from the south.
4 They wandered in the wilderness in a desolate way; They found no city to dwell in.
5 Hungry and thirsty, Their soul fainted in them.
6 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, And He delivered them out of their distresses.
7 And He led them forth by the right way, That they might go to a city for a dwelling place.
8 Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
9 For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness.
Reflection:
Thank the Lord! The psalmist reminds us here of our identity in His grace—we are the “redeemed of the Lord,” the ones “redeemed from the hand of the enemy” and “gathered out of the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.” All who remember this identity should say, "Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever." Since being “redeemed of the Lord” is our eternal identity, how can we not use our lives to count and thank Him for His salvation and steadfast love? As the psalmist describes, we should remember and thank God for redeeming us from the hand of the enemy, leading us in the right way so that we are not wandering in the wilderness, and satisfying the hearts of those who seek Him with His abundance. Along the way, He surrounds us with love, cares for us, and protects us as He would the apple of His eye. Yes, thank You for delighting in and hearing the thanksgiving and praise of Your redeemed, for Your grace and works in our lives are never in vain!
Thursday, November 7, 2024
Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 8
Annual Bible Reading Plan:
EZK.28-29
JHN.7
2024 Thanksgiving Month Day 8:
Being Grateful for God, Our “God of Salvation” (Psalm 68:19-28)
(Memorize verses 19-20)
19 Blessed be the Lord,
who daily bears us up;
God is our salvation. Selah
20 Our God is a God of salvation,
and to God, the Lord, belong deliverances from death.
21 But God will strike the heads of his enemies,
the hairy crown of him who walks in his guilty ways.
22 The Lord said,
“I will bring them back from Bashan,
I will bring them back from the depths of the sea,
23 that you may strike your feet in their blood,
that the tongues of your dogs may have their portion from the foe.”
24 Your procession is seen, O God,
the procession of my God, my King, into the sanctuary—
25 the singers in front, the musicians last,
between them virgins playing tambourines:
26 “Bless God in the great congregation,
the Lord, O you who are of Israel's fountain!”
27 There is Benjamin, the least of them, in the lead,
the princes of Judah in their throng,
the princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.
28 Summon your power, O God,
the power, O God, by which you have worked for us.
Reflection:
In this psalm that celebrates Israel’s salvation by God—depicting the journey from defeat to rescue, revival, and victory over enemies—these verses profoundly reveal the God experienced by David and the people of Israel: a Lord who daily bears their burdens, a God who saves them. God’s salvation doesn’t just grant us forgiveness and eternal life; it allows us to draw upon His “manifold salvation” daily, freeing us from burdens and the power of death. Therefore, we should remember constantly that our God is the “Lord who daily bears our burdens,” not only giving thanks that He is our Savior but also for His complete and ultimate salvation, a salvation “to the uttermost” (Hebrews 7:25) that covers every aspect of our lives. This all-encompassing salvation helps us experience His victory over enemies, filling us with gratitude and praise as we journey into the holy place in transformation and triumph. Hallelujah! Though we may face adversaries, even the power of darkness and death, we have a God who “works manifold salvation for us,” delivering us from death and conquering our enemies. With this, we can thank and praise Him, watching how He brings us into salvation and victory!
EZK.28-29
JHN.7
2024 Thanksgiving Month Day 8:
Being Grateful for God, Our “God of Salvation” (Psalm 68:19-28)
(Memorize verses 19-20)
19 Blessed be the Lord,
who daily bears us up;
God is our salvation. Selah
20 Our God is a God of salvation,
and to God, the Lord, belong deliverances from death.
21 But God will strike the heads of his enemies,
the hairy crown of him who walks in his guilty ways.
22 The Lord said,
“I will bring them back from Bashan,
I will bring them back from the depths of the sea,
23 that you may strike your feet in their blood,
that the tongues of your dogs may have their portion from the foe.”
24 Your procession is seen, O God,
the procession of my God, my King, into the sanctuary—
25 the singers in front, the musicians last,
between them virgins playing tambourines:
26 “Bless God in the great congregation,
the Lord, O you who are of Israel's fountain!”
27 There is Benjamin, the least of them, in the lead,
the princes of Judah in their throng,
the princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.
28 Summon your power, O God,
the power, O God, by which you have worked for us.
Reflection:
In this psalm that celebrates Israel’s salvation by God—depicting the journey from defeat to rescue, revival, and victory over enemies—these verses profoundly reveal the God experienced by David and the people of Israel: a Lord who daily bears their burdens, a God who saves them. God’s salvation doesn’t just grant us forgiveness and eternal life; it allows us to draw upon His “manifold salvation” daily, freeing us from burdens and the power of death. Therefore, we should remember constantly that our God is the “Lord who daily bears our burdens,” not only giving thanks that He is our Savior but also for His complete and ultimate salvation, a salvation “to the uttermost” (Hebrews 7:25) that covers every aspect of our lives. This all-encompassing salvation helps us experience His victory over enemies, filling us with gratitude and praise as we journey into the holy place in transformation and triumph. Hallelujah! Though we may face adversaries, even the power of darkness and death, we have a God who “works manifold salvation for us,” delivering us from death and conquering our enemies. With this, we can thank and praise Him, watching how He brings us into salvation and victory!
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 7
Annual Bible Reading Plan:
EZK.27
JHN.6
2024 Thanksgiving Month Day 7:
Give Thanks Because the Lord is the Most High (Psalm 92:1-8)
(Memorize verses 1-5)
1 It is good to give thanks to the Lord, And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
2 To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, And Your faithfulness every night,
3 On an instrument of ten strings, On the lute, And on the harp, With harmonious sound.
4 For You, Lord, have made me glad through Your work; I will triumph in the works of Your hands.
5 O Lord, how great are Your works! Your thoughts are very deep.
6 A senseless man does not know, Nor does a fool understand this.
7 When the wicked spring up like grass, And when all the workers of iniquity flourish, It is that they may be destroyed forever.
8 But You, Lord, are on high forevermore.
Reflection:
"Give thanks to the Lord and sing praises to Your name, O Most High!" David gives us a beautiful example of thanksgiving. Knowing that God is the Most High, and supreme in his own life, David could rejoice in all that God had done and consider it good to give thanks and praise. What a glorious example of a grateful life! May this inspire us to give thanks to the great and exalted God who reigns as Lord of our lives, nurturing and shaping us with His loving kindness and faithfulness. May these verses from David's psalm bless us, helping us to "declare His lovingkindness in the morning and His faithfulness every night" and to invite the Lord to bring gladness to our hearts through His works. Let our thanksgiving not only be a response of love and worship due to God, but also help us experience Him more deeply, finding His joy and strength in our lives.
EZK.27
JHN.6
2024 Thanksgiving Month Day 7:
Give Thanks Because the Lord is the Most High (Psalm 92:1-8)
(Memorize verses 1-5)
1 It is good to give thanks to the Lord, And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
2 To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, And Your faithfulness every night,
3 On an instrument of ten strings, On the lute, And on the harp, With harmonious sound.
4 For You, Lord, have made me glad through Your work; I will triumph in the works of Your hands.
5 O Lord, how great are Your works! Your thoughts are very deep.
6 A senseless man does not know, Nor does a fool understand this.
7 When the wicked spring up like grass, And when all the workers of iniquity flourish, It is that they may be destroyed forever.
8 But You, Lord, are on high forevermore.
Reflection:
"Give thanks to the Lord and sing praises to Your name, O Most High!" David gives us a beautiful example of thanksgiving. Knowing that God is the Most High, and supreme in his own life, David could rejoice in all that God had done and consider it good to give thanks and praise. What a glorious example of a grateful life! May this inspire us to give thanks to the great and exalted God who reigns as Lord of our lives, nurturing and shaping us with His loving kindness and faithfulness. May these verses from David's psalm bless us, helping us to "declare His lovingkindness in the morning and His faithfulness every night" and to invite the Lord to bring gladness to our hearts through His works. Let our thanksgiving not only be a response of love and worship due to God, but also help us experience Him more deeply, finding His joy and strength in our lives.
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