House of Hope Online

December 8, 2024

Here is a link to the audio version:

I just wanted to take a moment this morning to let you know that my surgery went well, and my recovery is proceeding very well.  As I continue to strengthen, there is much stirring within my spirit as a testimony to glorify the Lord and His faithfulness toward me during this time. 

I am truly amazed that two weeks to the day following surgery, I sat down to Thanksgiving dinner with beloved family.  That is purely the work of Jesus, and I speak His name over it all!

Today, I am filled with gratitude and thanksgiving toward my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, whose mercy endures forever.  I also wish to thank all of you for your prayers, which are a testimony to these words from the Book of James:

James 5:

 16 …The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (KJV)

Here are a few other scriptures that the Lord has placed on my heart as I worship His loving kindness with gratitude and thanksgiving.

1^st Chronicles 16:

 34 O give thanks to the LORD, for [He is] good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting. (NASB)

Psalms 26:

 7 That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, And declare all Thy wonders.

We are urged to give a voice to our thanksgiving!  Give a voice to your thanksgiving!

1^st Thessalonians 5:

 16 ¶ Rejoice always;

 17 pray without ceasing;

 18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

I love verse 18.  It is God’s will for us to give thanks in everything.  Get that – give thanks in everything!  Thank you, Lord, for open heart surgery and the works you have done and will do through it as an everlasting testimony!

Psalms 100:

 1 ¶ (A Psalm for Thanksgiving.) Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth.

 2 Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing.

 3 Know that the LORD Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; [We are] His people and the sheep of His pasture.

 4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving, [And] His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name.

 5 For the LORD is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting, And His faithfulness to all generations. (NASB)

Psalms 92:

 1 ¶ (A Psalm, a Song for the Sabbath day.) It is good to give thanks to the LORD, And to sing praises to Thy name, O Most High;

 2 To declare Thy lovingkindness in the morning, And Thy faithfulness by night,

 3 With the ten-stringed lute, and with the harp; With resounding music upon the lyre.

 4 For Thou, O LORD, hast made me glad by what Thou hast done, I will sing for joy at the works of Thy hands.

 5 How great are Thy works, O LORD! Thy thoughts are very deep.

Charity Gayle sings a worship song titled: “I Speak Jesus.”  Here are some excerpts from the lyrics:

I just wanna speak the name of Jesus

Over every heart and every mind

‘Cause I know there is peace within Your presence

I speak Jesus

‘Cause Your name is power

Your name is healing

Your name is life

I just wanna speak the name of Jesus

Over fear and all anxiety

To every soul held captive by depression

I speak Jesus

Shout Jesus from the mountains

Jesus in the streets

Jesus in the darkness, over every enemy

Jesus for my family

I speak the holy name

Jesus

Closing Prayer

Father God, thank You for Jesus, whose name is healing.  We speak His name over all forms of darkness and difficulty.  We speak His name over our families; we speak it over all fear and anxiety from this day forth.  Thank You for your faithfulness toward us during our trials.  All glory to the Lord, Jesus Christ!  Amen.