Annual Bible Reading Plan:
DAN.1
JHN.20-21
2024 Thanksgiving Month Day 20:
Sing a "New Song" and "Shout Loud" in Thanksgiving (Psalm 98:1-9)
(Memorization Scripture 1, 4-6)
1 Oh sing to the Lord a new song,
for He has done marvelous things;
His right hand and His holy arm have worked salvation for Him.
2 The Lord has made known His salvation;
He has revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations.
3 He has remembered His steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel;
all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
4 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
5 Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre,
with the lyre and the sound of melody!
6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn,
make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord!
7 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
the world and those who dwell in it.
8 Let the rivers clap their hands;
let the hills sing for joy together
9 before the Lord, for He comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
and the peoples with equity.
Reflection:
Praise the Lord! This psalm especially emphasizes that we should offer our thanks and praise to God through singing: singing a new song to God because of His new and living work; and together with His people, "shouting aloud, rejoicing and singing praises." Just as "the sea and all that fills it," "the great waters," and "the mountains" roar, leap, and rejoice before the Lord, our song of gratitude to God should not come from effort or strain, but from a natural outpouring, flowing freely. He is the God who is doing new things among us, and as we continually witness His new works, we are able to continually sing a new song to Him. As we see the heavens declare His glory, and all creation proclaim His handiwork (Psalm 19:1), and as we witness the joy of our fellow believers, worshiping and praising with heartfelt emotion, our hearts will be naturally inspired by the Spirit, rising up to join the chorus of thanksgiving and praise. How grateful we are that God delights in hearing us sing a new song to Him! How wonderful it is that we can join with all the nations, with all the saints, to loudly and wholeheartedly praise Him! May the Lord continually stir up the gratitude within us, that every day we may sing a new song to Him, and with each praise, may we sing loudly and fully!
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
Monday, November 18, 2024
Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 19
Annual Bible Reading Plan:
EZK.48
JHN.18-19
2024 Thanksgiving Month Day 19：
Reminding Your Heart to Bless the Lord and Not Forget His Benefits (Psalm 103:1-13)
(Memorization Scripture 1-3)
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
3 who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5 who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 The Lord works righteousness
and justice for all who are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his acts to the people of Israel.
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 He will not always chide,
nor will he keep his anger forever.
10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
13 As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
Reflection:
Gratitude is a vital posture and practice for our lives as believers. However, it is also an area the enemy often seeks to obscure, attack, and undermine. Have you ever felt your heart grow indifferent, cold, or even burdened, losing sight of God’s grace and work in your life? In such moments, have you taken the step to speak to yourself and awaken a heart of thanksgiving? In today’s psalm, David begins by repeatedly speaking to his soul, reminding himself to rise up and bless the Lord, not to forget all His benefits! Through this intentional act of self-reminder, David focuses on counting God’s blessings: how He forgives all his sins, heals all his diseases, redeems his life from destruction, crowns him with steadfast love and mercy, and satisfies his desires with good things so that his strength is renewed like the eagle's. As he continues, the Holy Spirit leads David into an even deeper recognition of God's loving-kindness and compassion. This revelation causes his heart to overflow with gratitude and amazement, and his spirit is continually lifted and strengthened! In this moment, let us follow David’s example and speak to our own hearts: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.” May our hearts be filled anew with thanksgiving and praise!
EZK.48
JHN.18-19
2024 Thanksgiving Month Day 19：
Reminding Your Heart to Bless the Lord and Not Forget His Benefits (Psalm 103:1-13)
(Memorization Scripture 1-3)
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
3 who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5 who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 The Lord works righteousness
and justice for all who are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his acts to the people of Israel.
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 He will not always chide,
nor will he keep his anger forever.
10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
13 As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
Reflection:
Gratitude is a vital posture and practice for our lives as believers. However, it is also an area the enemy often seeks to obscure, attack, and undermine. Have you ever felt your heart grow indifferent, cold, or even burdened, losing sight of God’s grace and work in your life? In such moments, have you taken the step to speak to yourself and awaken a heart of thanksgiving? In today’s psalm, David begins by repeatedly speaking to his soul, reminding himself to rise up and bless the Lord, not to forget all His benefits! Through this intentional act of self-reminder, David focuses on counting God’s blessings: how He forgives all his sins, heals all his diseases, redeems his life from destruction, crowns him with steadfast love and mercy, and satisfies his desires with good things so that his strength is renewed like the eagle's. As he continues, the Holy Spirit leads David into an even deeper recognition of God's loving-kindness and compassion. This revelation causes his heart to overflow with gratitude and amazement, and his spirit is continually lifted and strengthened! In this moment, let us follow David’s example and speak to our own hearts: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.” May our hearts be filled anew with thanksgiving and praise!
Sunday, November 17, 2024
Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 18
Annual Bible Reading Plan:
EZK.46-47
JHN.17
2024 Thanksgiving Month D18:
Being Grateful That God Is Our Dependence (Psalm 20:1-9)
（Memorization Scripture 6-9）
1 May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble!
May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!
2 May he send you help from the sanctuary
and give you support from Zion!
3 May he remember all your offerings
and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices! Selah
4 May he grant you your heart's desire
and fulfill all your plans!
5 May we shout for joy over your salvation,
and in the name of our God set up our banners!
May the Lord fulfill all your petitions!
6 Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed;
he will answer him from his holy heaven
with the saving might of his right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
8 They collapse and fall,
but we rise and stand upright.
9 O Lord, save the king!
May he answer us when we call.
Reflection:
This psalm is a prayer shared by the people and the king before going into battle. It describes how, in a time of national and communal "day of trouble," they prayed and prepared together to rely on God as they went to war. In their prayers, they firmly believed that this "day of trouble" would become a day of experiencing God's "protection" and "salvation." Because they were confident in their God, the one "called the God of Jacob," they knew He understood all their circumstances. Not only does He grant us salvation, but He also "strengthens" our lives, "rescues us with the power of His right hand" in all situations, "sets up a banner" for us, and fulfills "all that we ask." Thus, the people and the king turned the "day of trouble" into a "day of calling out" (alternatively translated as "the time of calling"), clearly declaring that their battle and victory would not rely on what others depended on, such as "chariots" or "horses," but on "the name of the Lord our God"! Praise the Lord! With Him as our life and reliance, no matter what each day brings—whether mountaintop or valley—we can be confident that every day should be a day of gratitude and "calling out." It is also a day when we will together experience His "protection" and "salvation"!
EZK.46-47
JHN.17
2024 Thanksgiving Month D18:
Being Grateful That God Is Our Dependence (Psalm 20:1-9)
（Memorization Scripture 6-9）
1 May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble!
May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!
2 May he send you help from the sanctuary
and give you support from Zion!
3 May he remember all your offerings
and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices! Selah
4 May he grant you your heart's desire
and fulfill all your plans!
5 May we shout for joy over your salvation,
and in the name of our God set up our banners!
May the Lord fulfill all your petitions!
6 Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed;
he will answer him from his holy heaven
with the saving might of his right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
8 They collapse and fall,
but we rise and stand upright.
9 O Lord, save the king!
May he answer us when we call.
Reflection:
This psalm is a prayer shared by the people and the king before going into battle. It describes how, in a time of national and communal "day of trouble," they prayed and prepared together to rely on God as they went to war. In their prayers, they firmly believed that this "day of trouble" would become a day of experiencing God's "protection" and "salvation." Because they were confident in their God, the one "called the God of Jacob," they knew He understood all their circumstances. Not only does He grant us salvation, but He also "strengthens" our lives, "rescues us with the power of His right hand" in all situations, "sets up a banner" for us, and fulfills "all that we ask." Thus, the people and the king turned the "day of trouble" into a "day of calling out" (alternatively translated as "the time of calling"), clearly declaring that their battle and victory would not rely on what others depended on, such as "chariots" or "horses," but on "the name of the Lord our God"! Praise the Lord! With Him as our life and reliance, no matter what each day brings—whether mountaintop or valley—we can be confident that every day should be a day of gratitude and "calling out." It is also a day when we will together experience His "protection" and "salvation"!
Saturday, November 16, 2024
Friday, November 15, 2024
Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 16
Annual Bible Reading Plan:
EZK.41-43
JHN.15
2024 Thanksgiving Month Day 16:
Giving Thanks for the Blessing of “Brethren Dwelling Together in Unity” (Psalm 133:1-3)
(Memorize verses 1-3)
1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
2 It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments.
3 It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing—life forevermore.
Reflection:
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” Do we truly see the goodness and beauty of our fellowship and communal life as the Body? Do we see the blessing of having small groups, church gatherings, and a community built together? Praise the Lord, Who, through this precious psalm of David, reveals His eternal and good will—His desire to gain and bless the Church, His Body. He has poured out His most precious oil, lavishing the Church and His children with the anointing and work of the Holy Spirit in our midst. Like the dew of Mount Hermon, which brings refreshing to the dry Mount Zion, this signifies that He knows all our needs and abundantly blesses those who seek His kingdom and righteousness with a faithful and overflowing supply! May we be grateful for family, spiritual companions, small groups, and the Church, cherishing our “dwelling together in unity.” Let’s actively fellowship, love, and build together in unity within the Body, looking up to Him in gratitude for the abundant blessings and provision He grants us in this unity.
EZK.41-43
JHN.15
2024 Thanksgiving Month Day 16:
Giving Thanks for the Blessing of “Brethren Dwelling Together in Unity” (Psalm 133:1-3)
(Memorize verses 1-3)
1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
2 It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments.
3 It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing—life forevermore.
Reflection:
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” Do we truly see the goodness and beauty of our fellowship and communal life as the Body? Do we see the blessing of having small groups, church gatherings, and a community built together? Praise the Lord, Who, through this precious psalm of David, reveals His eternal and good will—His desire to gain and bless the Church, His Body. He has poured out His most precious oil, lavishing the Church and His children with the anointing and work of the Holy Spirit in our midst. Like the dew of Mount Hermon, which brings refreshing to the dry Mount Zion, this signifies that He knows all our needs and abundantly blesses those who seek His kingdom and righteousness with a faithful and overflowing supply! May we be grateful for family, spiritual companions, small groups, and the Church, cherishing our “dwelling together in unity.” Let’s actively fellowship, love, and build together in unity within the Body, looking up to Him in gratitude for the abundant blessings and provision He grants us in this unity.
Thursday, November 14, 2024
Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 15
Annual Bible Reading Plan:
EZK.40
JHN.14
2024 Thanksgiving Month Day 15:
Giving Thanks for God’s Choice of Zion as His Eternal Dwelling (Psalm 132:13-18)
(Memorize verses 13-14)
13 For the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling place:
14 “This is My resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it.
15 I will abundantly bless her provision; I will satisfy her poor with bread.
16 I will also clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.
17 There I will make the horn of David grow; I will prepare a lamp for My Anointed.
18 His enemies I will clothe with shame, but upon Himself His crown shall flourish.”
Reflection:
God is not only the One Who accepts our offerings, but He is also the God Who has chosen Zion as His dwelling place. Let’s take special note of the phrases “the Lord has chosen Zion” and “desired it for His dwelling place.” Both “chosen” and “desired” are powerful words, expressing how much God loves and values Zion, how deeply He is determined to establish His dwelling there, and that this is His “resting place forever!” The Israelites were often rebellious, weak, and prone to failure, yet God still chose and established them, making them Zion, the place of His temple and throne, where they could experience His abundance, glory, and victory. How grateful we are to know that Zion points to the Church today, and thus it points to you and me. Lord, please open our eyes further to see the grace and glory of Your choice: that You chose Zion as Your eternal dwelling, the Church as Your Body, and us as the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19)! Yes, may we, along with all Your people, spend our lives in thanksgiving and praise for the grace of being “chosen” and for Your loving “desire” to dwell among us. Amen!
EZK.40
JHN.14
2024 Thanksgiving Month Day 15:
Giving Thanks for God’s Choice of Zion as His Eternal Dwelling (Psalm 132:13-18)
(Memorize verses 13-14)
13 For the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling place:
14 “This is My resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it.
15 I will abundantly bless her provision; I will satisfy her poor with bread.
16 I will also clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.
17 There I will make the horn of David grow; I will prepare a lamp for My Anointed.
18 His enemies I will clothe with shame, but upon Himself His crown shall flourish.”
Reflection:
God is not only the One Who accepts our offerings, but He is also the God Who has chosen Zion as His dwelling place. Let’s take special note of the phrases “the Lord has chosen Zion” and “desired it for His dwelling place.” Both “chosen” and “desired” are powerful words, expressing how much God loves and values Zion, how deeply He is determined to establish His dwelling there, and that this is His “resting place forever!” The Israelites were often rebellious, weak, and prone to failure, yet God still chose and established them, making them Zion, the place of His temple and throne, where they could experience His abundance, glory, and victory. How grateful we are to know that Zion points to the Church today, and thus it points to you and me. Lord, please open our eyes further to see the grace and glory of Your choice: that You chose Zion as Your eternal dwelling, the Church as Your Body, and us as the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19)! Yes, may we, along with all Your people, spend our lives in thanksgiving and praise for the grace of being “chosen” and for Your loving “desire” to dwell among us. Amen!
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 14
Annual Bible Reading Plan:
EZK.38-39
JHN.13
2024 Thanksgiving Month Day 14:
Give Thanks for God Accepting Our Offerings (Psalm 51:16-19)
(Memorize verses 16-17)
16 For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and contrite heart—These, O God, You will not despise.
18 Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion; Build the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, With burnt offering and whole burnt offering; Then they shall offer bulls on Your altar.
Reflection:
At the end of Psalm 51, after David's prayers for forgiveness and renewal of his spirit, he shifts to seek the Lord's acceptance of his and the people's offerings. In his prayer, he asks how he can present offerings that are pleasing to God—referring generally to peace offerings and burnt offerings—indicating his deep longing to restore his communion with God and to offer worship and devotion in His presence after receiving forgiveness! Thank the Lord, for in his prayer, David understood the right attitude of offering—“a broken and contrite heart” is valued by God more than the offerings themselves, and God “will not despise” such offerings. What a blessing, as David's prayer provides us with invaluable insight into offerings! On one hand, we receive the grace of forgiveness from God, and even more so, the redemptive grace of God sacrificing His only Son. We ought to respond with our lives offered to Him in gratitude. On the other hand, in the presence of the holy, righteous, and abundant God, our ability to offer anything is unworthy and can only be made possible through His grace and mercy. Thank the Lord for His incredible love toward us, forgiving all our sins and transgressions, and for accepting our offerings in accordance with His will. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” (Romans 12:1)
EZK.38-39
JHN.13
2024 Thanksgiving Month Day 14:
Give Thanks for God Accepting Our Offerings (Psalm 51:16-19)
(Memorize verses 16-17)
16 For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and contrite heart—These, O God, You will not despise.
18 Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion; Build the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, With burnt offering and whole burnt offering; Then they shall offer bulls on Your altar.
Reflection:
At the end of Psalm 51, after David's prayers for forgiveness and renewal of his spirit, he shifts to seek the Lord's acceptance of his and the people's offerings. In his prayer, he asks how he can present offerings that are pleasing to God—referring generally to peace offerings and burnt offerings—indicating his deep longing to restore his communion with God and to offer worship and devotion in His presence after receiving forgiveness! Thank the Lord, for in his prayer, David understood the right attitude of offering—“a broken and contrite heart” is valued by God more than the offerings themselves, and God “will not despise” such offerings. What a blessing, as David's prayer provides us with invaluable insight into offerings! On one hand, we receive the grace of forgiveness from God, and even more so, the redemptive grace of God sacrificing His only Son. We ought to respond with our lives offered to Him in gratitude. On the other hand, in the presence of the holy, righteous, and abundant God, our ability to offer anything is unworthy and can only be made possible through His grace and mercy. Thank the Lord for His incredible love toward us, forgiving all our sins and transgressions, and for accepting our offerings in accordance with His will. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” (Romans 12:1)
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