Hi, this is Erin Michele, and welcome to steps to trusting at steps to trusting it is my goal to meet you where you are in your faith journey and encourage you to continue to take steps to trusting the Lord more fully.     I’m glad you guys are here.  Thanks for joining me for my Thanksgiving show.

[00:00:25] This is going to be a very special show guys.  I had some of my friends share with me a verse that they are thankful for and I wanted to share that with you guys. They’re going to be recounting promises of God, characteristics of God, blessings of God and why they are thankful for them. I hope that this actually can become a resource for you to sit down,  look back on later and be reminded of the goodness and blessings of our Lord Jesus happy Thanksgiving friends.

[00:00:57]  Kassidy: Hi, my name is Kassidy James. My verse is Isaiah 30: 21. “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way walk in it.'”

[00:01:11] So just a quick story to express my thankfulness for this first and how it has impacted me. About a decade ago I had, prayed for God to break my heart for what breaks His. And then kind of moved on with my life as  sometimes we do with the prayers that we pray. But over the past couple of years, as my eyes were open to, things that were breaking God’s heart, and the pain and the suffering and the hurt that was associated with that.

[00:01:38] I went through a little bit of a time of questioning. Coming out on the other side, I would call it a rebirth of my faith. But in the midst of it, it felt like a very deep Valley. To the point of questioning my faith and even if God was real: because how could he be real with all of this? And so in the process of  working through this and  trying to dig deeper into what I was actually feeling, I was doing a book club with some friends and it had encouraged us to write down everything in our life that we thought had happened by chance. So as I was writing and writing and writing and listing all these things in my life that I was trying to explain in my brain, that was chance. I was reminded of this verse.

[00:02:22]For some reason, for me in that moment, it just clicked that he’s been there all along. Even in the midst of hard things, he’s there. and even when I may be in not hearing his voice, he’s there, but his voice is ever present in my life.  Now this first has even more meaning for me.

[00:02:40]As I’m relearning to hear his voice and walking into hard things with him instead of trying to do it on my own. and he’s there. And if I do sit and I listen, his voice will say, ” this is the way walk in it.” And I’m here with you. So very thankful, to have that verse and that reminder daily.

[00:03:02]Alison: I’m Alison Rockhold and a verse that I’m thankful for is Psalm 23, verse two. “He makes me lie down in green pastures.”

[00:03:11] I’m really grateful for this verse, this year, because the theme of rest is something I’ve been pressing into with the Lord. And the 23rd Psalm is something I’ve grown up with I’ve known for so long and can just be something you flippantly say.

[00:03:26] But earlier this year, that line that he makes me lie down, really stuck out to me.  I’ve been reflecting on what it means that we have a God that loves us so much that wants to give us all the good gifts  that are written about , in that, chaper of the Bible where he wants to  spread a table for us in the presence of our enemies.

[00:03:45] He wants to replenish our souls. He wants to give us all these good gifts. And what does it mean that at the beginning, sometimes he has to make me lie down, to receive those gifts. So that’s been a blessing and an encouragement and something to really reflect on for me this year.

[00:04:02] Jillian: Hi, my name is Jillian Wright and the verse that I’ve chosen, that means a lot to me. especially lately God has just had me in this passage is Psalm 90 and specifically Psalm 90 verse 12 and Psalm 90 verse 14. So that says, “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

[00:04:26] ” Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love that we may rejoice and be glad all of our days.”

[00:04:33] So there’s two parts  and the first is teaching us to number our days, that we may get a heart of wisdom. It reminds me that while we aren’t called to live in fear over how many days we may have on this earth are called to, not take any of them for granted and to, steward the time that we have here well. And I just love how that verse points out that in doing so, in doing those two things, Not taking our time here for granted stewarding our time well ,that is one of the keys to a heart of wisdom that it is wise to do so. And so I love that reminder.  The other part was “Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.”

[00:05:22]Ever since I have read this a couple months ago, I’ve just made this a prayer  every morning. Satisfy me today in your steadfast love. Make me glad all day, all of my days,  rejoicing in you.  I find that there are so many things in this world that we  seek satisfaction in  and most of those things aren’t bad. Most of those things can actually be a vessel that God uses to show us his goodness. But our deepest satisfaction and our truest satisfaction is to be found, not in anything that this earth has to offer,  but in God and in his steadfast love.  I love that word steadfast because, I think my children’s Bible says that it’s a never giving up love. Never giving up- that his love will never leave us.

[00:06:13] It will never forsake us. And that is where we are to find our deepest satisfaction.  I’ve just really enjoyed making that a prayer for myself every day.

[00:06:23] Anna: I’m Anna and I’m going to read from Psalms 62 verse eight. “Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart to him for God is our refuge.”

[00:06:40] I love this verse. This was my 2020 verse. This first summarizes what I’m grateful for this year. I’m grateful that I know the Lord. This has been the most unusual year, scary and uncertain.

[00:06:54] I cannot imagine walking through this year without knowing the love of God.  I do not know where you would find the real hope right now. Unless you look into God eyes. The only way I can take my eyes off the intimidating daily news, it’s like 50 my face to the Lord.

[00:07:13] He says in this verse “to trust in him at all times”, I’m grateful. He said that. this first means I can trust him right now in this time where the future might seem dim me and my kids. If fear starts to cripple me, I force myself to stop and remember, God is

[00:07:37] real.  I am grateful. I can pour out my heart to him. I’m not alone. I’m grateful. He wants to know my real heart. He wants to hear me. He has to walk me through this. And finally, I’m grateful that he is our refuge, not the cure, not the vaccine, not the better government, but He is our refuge.

[00:08:04] He already showed me how much he cares. He sacrificed himself. So I can have eternity with him.

[00:08:11] So I’m grateful that I’m not alone this year through the pandemic. I can trust in him at all times. I can pour out my heart to him when I’m nervous. And I can feel peace when I know that I still have a refuge in him.

[00:08:28]Danielle: My name is Danielle Large, and a verse that I’m thankful for comes from second Chronicles, chapter 20 verse 15. “And he said, ‘Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehosaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.”

[00:08:56] I’m thankful for this verse, because it’s a reminder to me that  all of the circumstances that seem hard and overwhelming that they’re not supposed to be handled by me, but by God. And there’s just a comfort in being able to know that the Lord is the one who fights the battles for me. and that it’s not all in my hands, but in his.

[00:09:26]Ivy: Hi

[00:09:26] im Ivy 

[00:09:27]a verse that I’m thankful for in this season. This being 2020, the verse that came to mind for me was John 16:33, which says. “I have said these things to you, that in me, you may have peace. In the world, you will have trouble. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

[00:09:48] And I’m so thankful for that versus specially in a challenging year, where I can just have the peace of God and know that nothing is surprising to him. Nothing is more than he can handle. And I know that I can handle whatever this year throws at us. Because God has overcome it.

[00:10:07] Amen.

[00:10:10]Tara: Hi, my name is Tara. First Thessalonians five 16 through 18. “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I’m thankful for this verse, because I feel like it’s a good reminder to me.

[00:10:26]Naturally  I am not somebody who rejoices always, but this verse, reminds me to do that.   I found that as I learned to pray continually the rejoicing always and giving thanks in all circumstances becomes easier for me. I think it also allows me to have joy in circumstances that don’t make sense.

[00:10:47]which in James that talks about, that produces maturity. I think part of it is God’s will for us because it makes us more mature and complete and give us joy that can only come from God. 

[00:10:59]Eileen: Hi, my name is Eileen Hammerman.  Philippians one six. “I am confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ  Jesus.”

[00:11:12] I am so thankful God brought this verse to me, as it opened my eyes to this process, that God’s working in my life.

[00:11:23] It is a process that is being perfected. This verse lifted the pressure on me needing to be perfect today. And again, it is a process  that is ongoing until I see Jesus face to face .

[00:11:39]   Suzette: My name is Suzette K. And my verse is Joshua one nine. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

[00:11:56] God used verse to reveal  his power during the time when my youngest son, Michael was having a terrible, terrible time in school. He was in middle school and just diagnosed with inattentive ADD. That explained why he was having trouble since the second grade, but it didn’t do anything to stop it. This verse became the guiding light. As we navigated through the school system, I EPS and 504 plans that were finally put in place to support him through high school and actually even into College. I remember one morning  calling to him out the door as he was leaving for school, be strong and courageous, Michael. Since then he graduated from college and is now pursuing admissions to a master’s program in sacred music. He loves the Lord and spent most of his days in church, working as the church organist and choir director.

[00:12:53] I go back to this verse often and reflect on what God does when we believe what he says.

[00:13:00]Janneke:  I’m Janneke Romkes. And I would like to share the verses that I am thankful for. It comes from one Corinthians chapter 13, verses four to eight. “Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not envy. It does not boast. It is not proud. It is not rude. It is not self-seeking. It is not easily angered. It keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes,always perseveres. Love never fails.”

[00:13:50] Paul writes about the most important thing that God gives and that is love. Without love. Everything is meaningless. And even though I say and do so many good things, if I don’t do it out of God    love , it loses its power.

[00:14:07]Loving is not something you do alone, not to benefit yourself. I am thankful for all these things that God teaches us about love.

[00:14:17]Amy: Hi, my name is Amy Jo Lisante and I’m going to be reading from John 11, verses 25 and 26, where Jesus is speaking to one of his dear friends who  is very sad because her brother just died and she doesn’t understand why Jesus would let this happen.  Verse 25 says, “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me though, he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?'”

[00:14:58] And I’m just so thankful for this verse because it reminds me that our God is a redeeming God. He turns death to life, sorrow and pain into joy. And he invites us into this faith. He asks, do you believe this?  I often find myself asking, do I trust him? Each and every day in each and every moment when I find myself reacting to situations in life, out of fear or anger or out of a desire to control situations instead of out of trust, trust in my redeeming God, who is able to bring forth life from death to redeem the circumstances that seem so dark and so heavy and so hard.

[00:15:51]And so I am so grateful and not only that, but he is the savior of the world  and he promises us that when we place our faith and our trust in him, that even though we die, we will live again and we will live eternally.

[00:16:11]  Lauren: Hi, my name is Lauren Longnecker, and I am going to share Psalm 62 verses one through eight with you. ” For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken. How long will all of you attack a man to batter him ,like a leaning wall, a tottering fence?

[00:16:41] They only plan to thrust him down from his high position. They take pleasure and falsehood. They blessed with their mouths, but inwardly, they curse. For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress;  I shall not be shaken. On God rest my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.”

[00:17:20] I chose these verses. They have long been something that has meant something to me and been helpful for me. But especially this past year, as we all have dealt with different things in quarantine and what that has meant to us. For me, especially this has been such a comfort to know that I can go to God and that my salvation is found in him and only him, not in the world, not in other people.

[00:17:51]   These verses just really spoke to what we were going through this year and what I personally was going through this year and were, again, just such a reminder that no matter what happens in my world and around me, that things can seem like they’re crashing down and falling apart, but that God is the one who is in control and in him is who I can find my rest and my refuge.

[00:18:18]I am so thankful for these verses that God has given in the Psalms for how they are a balm to my soul and how they comfort me and how they assure me that even though the world may try to batter me down. He is where I can find my comfort and he is my fortress. And when I am in him, “I shall not be greatly shaken.”

[00:18:45] Erin: Hey guys, it’s me again, Aaron. Michelle,  I wanted to share mine with you too. I had a really hard time picking which one to share with you, but here it is from Psalm 121 verse five through eight the Lord is your keeper. The Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil. He will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in.

[00:19:15] From this time forth and forever more. I am thankful for this verse because in a time where I felt like I was being plucked out of God’s hand, I learned that he is my keeper, that nothing can take me from his hand

[00:19:34] that he is the one who keeps my life and watches over my coming and my going.

[00:19:40]Friends, I hope you see that the Lord is your keeper and what a blessing that this could be. I’m so thankful.

[00:19:50] I’m so glad that you guys joined us today. And I really enjoyed doing the show. I really enjoyed hearing the thankfulness of friends for the truth in God’s word.

[00:20:01] I pray that it was encouragement to you and I pray that it encourages you to go back and to think what in God’s word am I thankful for? I help you actually share it with me too.  I’m doing a hashtag steps to  thankful 2020. I hope you’ll participate.

[00:20:19] I can’t wait to hear  the verses and encouragement that you have to share with us.

[00:20:25]I’m going to close this in prayer.

[00:20:26] Dear God. Thank you so much for the blessing of your word. Give us thankful hearts. God. and Lord teach us from your word, who you are. Lord help us to be thankful for  the many blessings that you have given us. And Lord, we are thankful for you, and we are thankful for your word, which is how we get to know you. Lord God help us to take the step of being in your word and learning more about who you are.

[00:20:53] It is in Jesus’ name that I pray. Amen.

[00:20:57] I loved hearing all those verses.

[00:20:59]This is special show and such an encouragement to me to hear all these  reasons to be thankful. I pray that it encourages you to be thankful for the promises of our God. And also to dig into scripture and to find for yourself  the blessings that we have to be thankful for in God’s word.

[00:21:22]If you want to share your verse, go ahead and use the hashtag steps to  thankful 2020. to share the verses that you are thankful for and why you’re thankful for them. I hope you guys participate to spread a little bit of thankfulness and encouragement from God’s word. 

[00:21:41] Thank you guys again for joining us.  If you enjoyed the show, please like subscribe and share with a friend. You can find me at steps to trusting on Instagram, or Facebook.  I hope you join us back here next time. But until then, I want to leave you with this encouragement from Ephesians two 10 for we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which he prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

[00:22:07] Friends. I’m praying for you as you keep on stepping.