Living in Thanksgiving, in gratitude changes our lives. It lowers anxiety and gives us hope. In Deuteronomy 26 and 27, Moses is telling the Israelites what to do when they enter the land of milk and honey. From this there are 7 tips to live in Thanksgiving. First of all, we need to acknowledge God. When we do that we are focusing on the good. Secondly, We need to take in that God sees us. He saw the Israelites when they were suffering. He rescued them, just like He rescued us. We just need to cry out to Him. So thankful that we can live, focusing on the good every day.

The Bible is filled with examples of God working and blessing people, even in dark, hard times. I talk about Abraham and Sarah, Joseph and Naomi and Ruth. These people all went through hard times, but God never stops working! Through their hard times, blessings came and the story of redemption was told. All of these people had faith and hearts after God. We all can have hearts after God, even in hard times. Because He loves us and He can turn curses into blessings. This reminds us of God's power and might and gives us hope, no matter what we are facing.

Moses, with God working through him, is telling the Israelites about battles they will face and rules for warfare. We all faces battles. Mountains that seem impossible. How am I ever going to get through this? We can't on our own! But God shows us the truth through out the bible, that with Him we can face the impossible. The Israelites can face these battles. David can beat Goliath. Faith can move mountains. I talk about these battles, and about how we can focus on God no matter what we are going through.

The Israelites are waiting to enter the promise land, and Moses is reminding them of who they are. He says- you are the Lord's children. Something we all need to take in! This lead me to go over other verses about how God is our Father, and what kind of a father He is. He is compassionate, tender, forgiving. Our rebellious hearts just need to return to Him. Then our faith grows, and we know who we are. Just like it says in Galatians 3:26- we are children of God through our faith. I pray our faith grows and we know deeply how loved we are.

So many of us live stuck. Stuck in negativity. We feel like things can't change. Reading through Deuteronomy this week led me to 7 tips to help us live more free. The Israelites are no longer enslaved, but are they living free? As they wait to enter the promise land Moses is going through what the Israelites have been through. He is also encouraging them- something we all need! Listen to hear the tips, and really take in the hope and freedom there is in Jesus.

The Israelites are almost in the promised land. God and Moses are filling the Israelites up with wisdom before they enter this new season. These are things we can all take in!

- Love God with all your being and constantly turn to Him ( Deuteronomy 6:5-8)

- Remember all God has done and tell others about it! ( Deuteronomy 6:20-25)

- Don't be afraid and remember God's strength (Deuteronomy 7:18)

- Don't forget God ( Deuteronomy 8:14)

Above all, we need to remember God and have such gratitude for all He has done! Join me for some hope!

How many of us know deeply that God won't let us go? Moses is reminding the Israelites of this. He reminds them of this after he says that they are going to be so far. They will be worshipping other gods and be scattered, but he says they will seek God. They will seek God with all their heart and being. When we seek God like this, then we can deeply take in that God does not let go! No matter how far away we feel, He can pluck us out of exile and into His loving arms!

Are negative thoughts and over thinking taking over? Are you focusing on all that is going wrong instead of God's faithfulness? So many of us struggle with this. And then we are filled with shame and guilt for things we said or did. God is the one who can fill us with peace. He teaches us in Numbers and Deuteronomy that we can have boundaries. We can focus on the land of milk and honey in front of us, instead of all that can go wrong. Reuben and Gad are worried about what is going to happen when they enter this land, and Moses tells them your concerns are affecting those around you. Like it says in Ephesians 4:29, we need to be so mindful of what we say. Our heart, our thoughts, our actions don't only affect us. They affect the people around us. There is a better way! When we trust God and focus on His faithfulness we get a gift! The amazing gift of peace, no matter what we are facing.