Weekly Watch Focus: Enter into Thanksgiving

FRIDAY, November 16, 2018—As American families and friends get together for Thanksgiving Day, let us raise our voices in unison to give praise and thanks to the Lord, for He is the Source and Provider who has so blessed our nation. This Thanksgiving, give thanks for our Savior, for the Bible, for our nation, for our parents and grandparents, for our church leaders, for our armed forces and their families, and for our many freedoms including being able to gather to give worship and thanks to the Lord, and for our plentiful provisions. This year we especially give thanks for the move of our embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. And we thank the Lord for a booming economy on the rise, and the lowest unemployment in over forty years. Lift up praise for His shield over us and over Israel. We pray that that shield keep special protection for President Trump, Vice President Pence, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and all who look to the God of Israel. Determine to cultivate an attitude of gratitude that unlocks God’s blessings all year long. As we enter this holiday season, reach out to those who need a helping hand and keep a journal of gratitude to record the goodness and mercy of the Lord.

Psalm 100:4, “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.”

Psalm 22:3, “But You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel.”

Psalm 149:6, “May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands.”

Psalm 106:1, “O give thanks to the LORD; for He is good; for His mercy endures forever.”

Psalm 100:1-5, “Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!  Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing.  Know that the Lord, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves.  We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise.  Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.  For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.”

Ephesians 5:19-20, “… speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

 Revelation 4:11, “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.”

Part 2: California Wildfires

Continue to lift up California as the state continues to battle the deadliest wildfires in the state’s history. More than fifty-nine people have been confirmed dead and hundreds are still missing after the Camp Fire tore through the Paradise community on Monday. Areas in Southern California are still in danger as fierce Santa Ana winds reaching hurricane force are feeding the flames of the Woolsey fire. Stand in the gap and plead the blood of Jesus over this great state. Pray a hedge of protection for the people of California and bind back death and destruction. Pray that the winds die down. Pray for the rain to come and bring relief to California.

We especially pray for the hundreds of families who are grieving for lost loved ones. Pray the God of Comfort to meet every hurting heart with His love, comfort, and shalom. Pray for the weary fire fighters and first responders. Thank the Lord for the many men and women who have put their lives on the line to protect others. Pray for a full recovery and restoration for California.
 

Isaiah 43:2, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.”
 
Daniel 3:25-27, “‘He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.’ Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, ‘Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!’ So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.”
2 Corinthians 1:3, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our afflictions.”

2 Samuel 24:25b, “So the Lord heeded our prayers for the land, and the plague was withdrawn from Israel.”

Zechariah 10:1, “Ask the LORD for rain in the time of the latter rain.  The Lord will make flashing clouds; He will give them showers of rain, grass in the field for everyone.”