Diane Musil is a special friend of this ministry. Here is a picture of Diane with "Pup". I asked Diane how long she has been a Christian, and she responded, "I was saved 7/7/1977. Diane explains, "That is when I first became saved and accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord!!!!" She is a women of faith and a powerful prayer warrior. Diane loves the Lord with all of her heart and has a deep abiding relationship with Him, born out of life's struggles.

Since the beginning of this ministry, Diane has been an encouragement to Rhonda and me. We asked Diane if she would be willing to write devotionals, which we could add to this website, so that other people would be encouraged too. Diane graciously responded, "Yes,".

 

Diane is Deaf and legally blind, caused by being born almost three months premature. Many years ago, Diane was visiting at the Retreat Center here and preparing to share in chapel. Diane was in the kitchen, and I happened to walk in on her as she was reading her Bible and praying. Diane had her Bible within three inches of her eyes as she diligently, slowly, was reading the Word of God. I backed out of the kitchen. That image of Diane reading her Bible has spurred me on to be faithful in reading the precious Word of God. Rhonda and I pray that God will encourage you as you read Diane's devotional below. Diane has lived in the Chicago area her entire life.

 

May God encourage and bless you,

Gary

 

PS: Would you like to experience peace, joy, and eternal life? You can! Click here.

This devotional first appeared on our website last November.

However we believe it is worth repeating again this year,

(and maybe it will become a tradition each November on our website).

 

THANKSGIVING - GIVE THANKS!

BIBLE VERSE: 2 Corinthians 9:15, "Thanks be to God for His INDESCRIBABLE GIFT!"

G - Great (Psalm 57:10)

 

I - Immanuel (Matthew 1:23)

V - Victorious (Psalm 20:5)

 

E - Everlasting (Jeremiah 31:3)

 

 

T - Truth (John 14:6)

 

H - Healer (Isaiah 53:5)

 

A - Alpha and Omega (Revelation 1:8)

 

N - Never failing (Amos 5:24)

 

K - King of kings (Revelation 17:14)

 

S - Savior (Luke 2:11)

We all have our "GIVE THANKS LIST" because we do have countless blessings. But there is one GIFT that is greater than any other GIFT. It is the one GIFT we need to focus on everyday. THE GIFT is JESUS CHRIST and Him alone!

In Matthew 26:27, "Jesus took THE CUP and GAVE THANKS." That was the first Lord's Supper".

Why? Why would Jesus GIVE THANKS?

Think about what THE CUP would mean in regards to Jesus? HE KNEW WHAT IT MEANT! THE CUP represented His own precious blood that He would give for the forgiveness of our sins, the sins of the "lost sheep". THE CUP represented His cruel death on the cross. And yet, Jesus did GIVE THANKS.

Can you imagine--Jesus giving thanks for His own death on the cross! Jesus took the time to give thanks.

SONG

THANK YOU LORD FOR  SAVING MY SOUL.

THANK YOU LORD  FOR MAKING ME  WHOLE.

THANK YOU LORD FOR  GIVING TO ME,

THY GREAT SALVATION SO RICH AND FREE!

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST: One of our faithful partners, who has family in India, shared this sad news with us and asked for prayer. "Since August, in Orissa, India, militant Hindu have killed 120 Christians, raped numerous women and burnt hundreds of poor tribal Christian's homes and villages leaving 50,000 people homeless. Hundreds of churches have been destroyed . . . pray that the mighty hand of God will manifest His might."

November 9 is the "International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church". Join in prayer, DAILY, for our brothers and sisters who are suffering around the world. Read more, go to the "Voice of the Martyrs" website at http://www.persecution.com/

PRAYER

Dear Father in Heaven, We, Christians, have so much to be thankful for. Right now, we do take notice, we do remember THE INDESCRIBABLE GIFT--JESUS--who died on the cross and rose again so that we can have real life and eternal life, which is in JESUS CHRIST ALONE! Lord, we also remember our brothers and sisters in India, and around the world, who are suffering for their belief in You. Give them strength and courage. Give them Your wisdom. God of all comfort, comfort them now as only You can. May they sense Your presence and peace today in a special way. In Jesus Name. Amen.