Thankful to God Who is with us through all trials....

I took this picture at Changi Beach, Singapore

Dear Friends,

Thanks for stopping by.

1. I am thankful to God for seeing me through another week. Thank God for Iris  and Sonya who are hosting Thankful Thursday. They remind me to count my blessings and be thankful to God always.

2. This week Iris wrote about "Thankful for Trials'.

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. James 1:2-3

She said "BUT what really makes these trials worth it and the part I am thankful for: GOD! He is faithful, no matter what. He walked/s with me through the good and bad times. He is there when I am on the mountain top, or in the valley. No matter how low my spirit is, He knows how to get me back on track... Remember: no matter how bad the day gets — count it all joy — He is there with you!"

Amen! I thank God that He is with me through all the trials in my life. No matter how bad a situation I am in, the Lord has seen me safely through it, and He has shown me His great love, mercies and sufficiency. In fact very often, it is in time of great trials, that God is very real and precious to me. So for this reason, I thank God for enabling me to go through the trials He has providentially placed in my life and enabling me to know more and more of His love and mercies even through them.

I thank God for His mercies and faithfulness to work all things for my good through all the trials in my life. I have known God and myself better through them. The Lord is more and more precious to me each day as I sense His presence with me and His gracious hands sustaining me and delivering me.

3. I am thankful to God for seeing me through these few very difficult weeks. I have been facing many difficult challenges in these recent weeks that sometimes I feel like giving up. But thank God that He has been sustaining me and strengthening me day by day. He is helping me to cope with the many challenges in my life and encouraging me with His Words.

4. I am thankful to God for my family and friends who are there for me in time of my trials and afflictions, for their unfailing love and patience.

5. I thank God for each and everyone of you, my dear blogging friends, for all your prayers and encouragements. Whenever I share on this blog, you always stop by to pray and encourage me with your sweet comments. In times of trials, especially these few trying weeks, these become most precious as God uses these comments and prayers to communicate His love to me. I know that I am not alone and He is with me, and He is loving me through all of you. May God bless your kindness to me!  I am thankful to God for the privilege to get to know so many of you in this blogging world. Though many of you are going through severe trials and afflictions of many kinds, your courage and faith in God is so evident to many of us. May God keep you always very near to Him and continue to make you a blessing to many.

What are you thankful for today? Thankful Thursday is hosted by Iris and Sonya. Thanks, Iris and Sonya! Do visit the other participants and be encouraged by their thanksgiving to God too.

Thank you for stopping by. Take care and have a blessed day!

Warm Regards,
Nancie

Trusting in an unchanging God in the midst of many changes....

Dear Friends,

Thanks for stopping by.

♥ I am thankful that today is Thursday! I am reminded once again to count my blessings and thank God for His many mercies and blessings.

This week, Lynn wrote that we serve a God of change. He loves us so much He never stops changing our hearts, character and life. She asked "What is God changing in your life?"

♥ I thank God for seeing me through another week. This has been another very busy and tiring week and I am thankful that God is unchanging despite all the changes that I experience daily!

♥ I had to deal with a few very difficult people this week and in the past few weeks. I have been having nightmares after dealing with them as each experience was a very stressful one! It is especially difficult because some of them are fellow Christians. Thank God for giving me grace to continuing cast my cares upon Him. I can sense His hands that are sustaining me through these difficult experiences. He is changing me and enabling me to deal better day by day. In the past having to deal with so many difficult people and challenges would have triggered off an episode of severe clinical depression. But the Lord has preserved me thus far! I am learning to look to Him daily and find strength in Him. I am reminded once again that God's grace is sufficient for me and I am thankful for that.

♥ I am thankful to God that my brother, Daniel, has recovered significantly. Thanks for your prayers for him.

♥  I am thankful that this coming Sunday, my church will be partaking of the Lord's Supper. I am reminded afresh of our Lord Jesus Christ's great sacrifice for us in laying down His life for us to redeem us from sins and damnation. My life was completely changed 19 years ago when the Lord saved me. He is continuing to change me daily through His Words and His Spirit. I feel that my life is a very meaningful and fulfilling one because of God's presence and mercies.

♥ I am thankful to God that He loves us dearly. He knows all the trials and difficulties we may go through from time to time in this pilgrim journey. As imperfect people in an imperfect world, it is comforting to know that God is with us and He will see us safely through each step of our way.

I am learning to look to our Heavenly Father and count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord. I am reminded of this encouraging letter which is composed from many precious promises in God's Words. Hope it will bring encouragement to you too.

My Child,

You may not know me, but I know everything about you (Psalm 139:1). I know when you sit down and when you rise up (Psalm 139:2). I am familiar with all your ways (Psalm 139:3). Even the very hairs on your head are numbered (Matthew 10:29-31). For you were made in my image (Genesis 1:27). In me you live and move and have your being (Acts 17:28). For you are my offspring (Acts 17:28). I knew you even before you were conceived (Jeremiah 1:4-5) and I chose you when I planned creation (Ephesians 1:11-12). You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book (Psalm 139:15-16). I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live (Acts 17:26). You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). I knit you together in your mother's womb (Psalm 139:13) and brought you forth on the day you were born (Psalm 71:6). I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me (John 8:41-44). I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love (1 John 4:16) and it is my desire to lavish my love on you (1 John 3:1) simply because you are my child and I am your Father (1 John 3:1). I offer you more than your earthly father ever could (Matthew 7:11) for I am the perfect Father (Matthew 5:48). Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand (James 1:17). I am your provider and I meet all your needs (Matthew 6:31-33). My plan for your future has always been filled with hope (Jeremiah 29:11) because I love you with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3). My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore (Psalm 139:17-18) and I rejoice over you with singing (Zephaniah 3:17). I will never stop doing good to you (Jeremiah 32:40) because you are my treasured possession (Exodus 19:5). I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul (Jeremiah 32:41) and I want to show you great and marvelous things (Jeremiah 33:3). If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me (Deuteronomy 4:29). Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4). It is I who gave you those desires (Philippians 2:13). I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine (Ephesians 3:20). For I am your greatest encourager (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17). I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles (2 Corinthians 1"3-4). When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you (Psalm 34:18). As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart (Isaiah 40:11). One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes (Revelation 21:3-4) and I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth (Revelation 21:3-4). I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus (John 17:23). For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed (John 17:26). He is the exact representation of my being (Hebrews 1:3). He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you (Romans 8:31) and to tell you that I am not counting your sins (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you (1 John 4:10). If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me (1 John 2:23) and nothing will ever separate you from my love again (Romans 8:38-39). Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen (Luke 15:7). I have always been Father, and will always be Father (Ephesians 3:14-15). My question is will you be my child (John 1:12-13)? I am waiting for you (Luke 15:11-32).


Love, Your Father,
Almighty God

♥ I thank God for my family and my church.

♥ I thank God for everyone of  you and all my blogging friends. Thanks for all your prayers and encouragements through this blog and email. May God bless you all!

What are you thankful for today? Thankful Thursday is hosted by Lynn and Sonya. Thanks, Lynn and Sonya! Do visit the other participants and be encouraged by their thanksgiving to God too.

Thank you for stopping by. Take care and have a blessed day!

Warm Regards,
Nancie

Resting in God and His grace....

Dear Friends,

Thanks for stopping by. This has been a very busy and tiring week. I have not been able to blog regularly but today is Thursday. I am reminded to count my blessings and thank God for His many mercies and blessings.

♥ Thank God for seeing me through another week. There are many challenges which was unexpected and rather overwhelming. But thank God for giving me grace. I am learning afresh that His grace is sufficient for me. When I am weak He is strong. So today I thank Him for His grace that is always sufficient for me no matter what I have to go through. This gives me courage and strength to press on.

♥ I thank God for blessing my time with my sister and her family last Saturday. My sister has 3 lovely children and we always have such wonderful time together. My sister is staying in Malaysia which is another country near Singapore. She comes once in month or 2 months to visit my mother and me. We were celebrating my nephew's 11 years old birthday. I thank God for my family and the wonderful time we have together.

♥ I thank God for seeing me through 43 years of my life thus far. Tomorrow is my 43rd birthday! Wow, I didn't realize I am this old already :-) Each day is a testimony of God's goodness and mercies. I pray for a closer walk with God, increasing love and devotion to Him, and joy and strength always to serve Him and His people.

♥ I thank God for my family and my church, for all their love and kindness.

♥ I thank God for everyone of  you and all my blogging friends. Thanks for all your prayers and encouragements through this blog and email. May God bless you all!

What are you thankful for today? Thankful Thursday is hosted by Lynn. Thanks, Lynn! Do visit the other participants and be encouraged by their thanksgiving to God too.

Thank you for stopping by. Take care and have a blessed day!

Warm Regards,
Nancie

Entitlements or Riches : Joy through serving...

Dear Friends,

Thanks for stopping by.

♥ Thank God for seeing me through another week. I am learning to rest in our Lord daily and find my help and strength in Him.

♥ Thank God today is Thursday! I am always reminded on Thursday to count my blessings and be thankful to God :-) So I thank God for helping me to learn to be more thankful through the participation on Thankful Thursday.

♥ Today Lynn shared about Entitlements or Riches for her Thankful Thursday post. I thank God for the precious reminder she is sharing with us. She wrote:

"I think sometimes it takes us a lifetime to realize we are truly entitled to very little. Entitlement mentality leads to expectations. Unmet expectations lead to disappointment which leads further down the slippery slope to frustration, anger, bitterness…..Sometimes we can become overwhelmed with our current circumstances and forget the riches right before our eyes. I have found one sure fire way to pull your entitlement mind into proper perspective, God's perspective. SERVE"

♥ I am thankful to God, that like Lynn, I too have found it very fulfilling and helpful to help me think in the proper perspective by serving our Lord and His people. When I first started this blog, my motivation was to share God's goodness and mercies to me in my endeavour to understand and manage bipolar disorder and depression. I am thankful to God that He has been using this blog to help others who are struggling with depression and bipolar disorder, and even other chronic illness or sufferings.

♥ I am thankful to God that by reaching out to others who are suffering through this blog, the Lord has also enabled many people to encourage me in my walk with Him and in my endeavour to manage my illness. Thank God for all your prayers and encouragements.

♥ I am thankful to God that I can serve Him by visiting the sick and elderly in my church. Since last December, a group of church friends and myself have been able to visit some of the elderly and sick people every week. We have found much joy in sharing Christ and God's love with them.

♥ I just visited a friend who is severely depressed. It is very painful to see him sufferings in this way. I have been through so many severe depression episodes before and I know by experience how distressing that can be. I am thankful to God that He is able to deliver us from our deepest depths. I will continue to pray for my friend daily and trust that God will deliver him in His time.

♥ I am thankful to God for sending our Lord Jesus Christ to die on the cross to redeem me of my sins. I do not deserve God's love and kindness but God has shown such great love for me. I pray that I may be able to live gratefully and joyfully for Him daily, and give of my life and my energy to serve Him.

♥ I thank God for loving me and giving me family, friends, church brethren and blogging friends that care for me. I thank God for every one of you. May God bless you abundantly!

What are you thankful for today? Thankful Thursday is hosted by Lynn. Thanks, Lynn! Do visit the other participants and be encouraged by their thanksgiving to God too.

Thank you for stopping by. Take care and have a blessed day!

Warm Regards,
Nancie

Count your blessings : Learning to love with a God's love...

 I took this picture at Sentosa Island, Singapore

Dear Friends,

Thanks for stopping by and all your encouragements.

This week Lynn encouraged us to count our blessings and name them one by one. Truly God has blessed us in many wonderful ways. Here's my thankful list of God's mercies and blessings through the week.

♥ Thank God for seeing me through another week. Last week was a very tough week for me and I am thankful to God that this week I am feeling better. Thanks for your prayers!

♥ Last week in the midst of many difficulties, the Lord was helping me to learn to be more patient. I am learning to wait patiently upon Him to work His wills according to His timing and means. Waiting can be very difficult, but God is giving me grace. I am learning to pray and commit all things unto our gracious and merciful Heavenly Father Who is in total control. I am also learning to be more patient with myself and with others around me. I am reminded that Love is patient, Love is kind.


♥ Thank God for teaching me little by little what it means to have true Christian love for His people and others around me. I know I failed in many ways but I am motivated by the Word of God to look to God afresh for the grace to love others with His love.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (KJV)

4 Charity suffereth long,
and is kind;
charity envieth not;
charity vaunteth not itself,
is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly,
seeketh not her own,
is not easily provoked,
thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity,
but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things,
believeth all things,
hopeth all things,
endureth all things.
8 Charity never faileth:

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (NIV)

4 Love is patient,
love is kind.
It does not envy,
it does not boast,
it is not proud.
5 It is not rude,
it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered,
it keeps no record of wrongs.
6 Love does not delight in evil
but rejoices with the truth.
7 It always protects,
always trusts,
always hopes,
always perseveres.
8 Love never fails.

♥ Thank you for your prayers for my brother, Daniel. Thank God for His mercies that Daniel is recovering day by day. May God continue to be merciful to him.

♥ Thank God that my church aunty who was hospitalized has been discharged and is recuperating at home.

♥ Thank God for my family.

♥ Thank God for my church friends.

♥ Thank God for my blogging friends. I thank God for everyone of you. Thanks for your prayers and encouragements. I am greatly blessed by your friendship and kindness. Hope your visit here is a blessed experience too!
 

What are you thankful for today? Thankful Thursday is hosted by Lynn. Thanks, Lynn! Do visit the other participants and be encouraged by their thanksgiving to God too.

Thank you for stopping by. Take care and have a blessed day!

Warm Regards,
Nancie