A Plate of Grace ~

Come this Thanksgiving . . .
there’ll be no turkey with dressing
I’m only going to serve a plate
of gratitude for God’s blessings.

As a substitute for candied yams,
we’ll feast on His loving kindness
taste the sweetness of His favor
as we reflect on His righteousness.

There’ll be no rolls and butter,
instead, we’ll eat of the Bread of Life
with gratitude we’ll give our thanks
to Jesus for bearing our strife.

In place of mashed potatoes,
there’ll be praise piled just as high
we’ll sing our adoration
in place of having pumpkin pie.

The only beverage we will drink,
will be from the one True Vine
with humility on our lips
our thanks will be as sweet as wine.

Come this Thanksgiving . . .
there’ll be no traditional dinner
instead I’ll serve a plate of grace
to anyone who is a sinner!

~~~~~~~

Psalm 7:17

I will praise the Lord
according to his righteousness:
and will sing praise to the name
of the Lord most high.

Ephesians 5:20

Giving thanks always for all things
unto God and the Father in the name
of our Lord Jesus Christ;

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2012 Revised 2019
Deborah Ann Belka

Father, How Can I Show My Gratitude ~

Father, how can I show my gratitude,
my gratefulness for all You’ve done
how can I show my thankfulness
for the eternal gift of Your Son?

What can I do to repay You,
for the kindness You’ve shown me
what can I give back to You
so my appreciation You can see?

How can I render my thanksgiving,
the sense of my true gratification
how can I ever prove to You
the full delight of my satisfaction?

Father, how can I show my gratitude,
my gratefulness for all You do
how can I show my thankfulness
if I am not always praising You?

~~~~~~~~

Colossians 3:17

And whatsoever ye do
in word or deed, do all
in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God
and the Father by him.

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2013 Revised 2019
Deborah Ann Belka

Blessing Counting ~

Don’t number your burdens,
instead count your blessings
for burden counting, adding
can be gloomy and depressing.

So let your mind run free,
and add up all the ways
God has provided you . . .
with your needs each day.

Don’t list your complaints,
instead tally up God’s benefits
for complaining, tallying
has disheartening elements.

So let your heart begin,
to list the hopeful things
everyday into your life
Jesus sends and brings.

Don’t list all of your have-nots,
rather count the good things God has given
when your done the total sum . . .
will add up to the reasons you’re forgiven!

~~~~~~~~

Psalm 103:2

“Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits:”

Copyright 2019
Deborah Ann Belka

Pray With out Ceasing ~

Pray without ceasing,
answer God will
be anxious for naught
wait and be still.

Pray at all times,
trust and believe
your supplications
God will receive.

Pray to Your Father,
in Jesus’ name
be sure His peace
in your life you claim.

Pray for one another,
raise thankful your hands
seek His face early
and He’ll reveal His plans.

Pray without ceasing,
with gratefulness
remember always
God’s faithfulness!

~~~~~

1 Thessalonians 5:17

“Pray without ceasing.”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2018
Deborah Ann Belka

Good Night Lord ~

Good night Lord,
it’s been a pleasant day
walking along with You
on the narrow way.

Thank You for being with me,
for holding my hand
for lifting me up
when I thought I couldn’t stand.

Good night Lord,
this day was beautiful
the grace You gave me
was more than bountiful.

Thank You for blessing me,
with each daily provision
for keeping me always
right within Your vision.

Good night lord,
let’s do this again tomorrow
if from You another day . . .
will allow me to borrow!

~~~~~~~

Psalm 42:8

“Yet the Lord will command
his lovingkindness in the
day time, and in the night
his song shall be with me,
and my prayer unto the
God of my life.”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2018
Deborah Ann Belka

Our Daily Mission ~

When with God we’re repentant,
and fall under His submission
praise and thanksgiving . . .
will become our daily mission.

For, those who trust God,
know all will be Okay
no matter what may come
or what He sends our way.

When with God we’re humble,
and self-denial is the rule
our thanksgiving for all things
will be our spiritual fuel.

For, those who are hopeful,
know God won’t send anything
that would ever keep them
from Him worshiping.

When with God our attitudes,
are positive and confident
our praise and thanks to Him
will be in our lives, dominate!

~~~~~~~~~~~

1 Thessalonians 5:18

“In every thing give thanks:
for this is the will of God
in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2018
Deborah Ann Belka

Rejoicing Always ~

It’s hard to be rejoicing,
when things aren’t going right
it hard to give God thanks . . .
with so many battles to fight.

It’s hard to see God’s hand,
in the middle of the pain
it hard to be grateful
when all your joy is drained.

But we who have Jesus,
living inside of us
know how important it is
in Him to always trust.

For, to always be rejoicing,
takes prayer continually
and then our thanks to God
will come unceasingly.

It’s hard to be rejoicing,
with all that life brings . . .
but, we know it’s God will
to be thankful for all things!

~~~~~~~~

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

“Rejoice always,
pray without ceasing,
give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is the will of God
in Christ Jesus for you.”

Copyright 2017
Deborah Ann Belka

Always Something To Be Thankful For ~

There is always something,
to be thankful for
all you have to do . . .
is be willing to explore.

If you will open up,
your heart and your mind
all kinds of blessings
you will be able to find.

Some are so small,
they don’t get our attention
but, for each of them
God has a good intention.

Some are so obvious,
you don’t need to search far
for everyone can see them
from right where they are.

Whether our blessings
are big or if they are small
we need to be thankful . . .
to God who supplies them all.

Yes, there’s always something,
for us to be thankful for
and we need to be grateful
when God sends us more!

~~~~~~~~~

Ephesians 5:20

Giving thanks always
for all things
unto God and the Father
in the name of our
Lord Jesus Christ;”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2017
Deborah Ann Belka

Sticky Note to God 11.08.17

One Blessed, Single Plateful ~

On Thanksgiving day this year,
before the turkey starts roasting
my thanks, I will be singing
for the dinner I’ll be hosting.

I will set the dining table,
with the gratitude I feel
before anyone comes
to feast upon the meal.

I will spread the hope,
that I’m feeling inside
before I even serve . . .
the food that God supplied.

I will polish up on all,
the reasons I’m thankful
before I even dish up
one blessed, single plateful.

On Thanksgiving day this year,
before the food I present
I will let everyone know . . .
just why I am so content!

~~~~~~~~~

1 Timothy 6:8

“And having food and raiment
let us be therewith content.”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2017
Deborah Ann Belka

Thankful In Every Season ~

You don’t need a season,
to be thankful . . .
every day of the year
you can be grateful.

You can all year-long,
bless God with your praise
your gratitude to Him
you can daily raise.

It doesn’t have to be,
just on Thanksgiving day
your gratitude to God
you can always display.

You can sing anytime,
to Him your appreciation
it does not have to be . . .
a holiday celebration.

Whether you are rich,
or if you may be poor
for and in everything
let your thanksgivings pour.

You can be thankful,
every day of the year
for your gratefulness . . .
God always wants to hear!

~~~~~~~

Psalm 68:19

“Blessed be the Lord,
who daily loadeth us
with benefits,
even the God of
our salvation. Selah.”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2017
Deborah Ann Belka

Thankful For the Right Reasons ~

Lord, as I enter into,
the season of Thanksgiving
may I do so without . . .
any qualms or misgivings.

May I be grateful,
for all You’ve given me
especially for the things
I am still yet to see.

May I be satisfied,
with all I have got
may I be content
with what I have not.

May I be appreciative,
for Your every blessing
may I be at peace with . . .
those I’ll not be getting.

Lord, as I enter into,
Thanksgiving’s season
may I be truly thankful
for all the right reasons!

~~~~~~~~~~~

Ephesians 5:20

“Giving thanks always
for all things unto
God and the Father
in the name of our
Lord Jesus Christ;”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2017
Deborah Ann Belka

Prayer Requires ~

Our prayers require,
our perseverance
and a thankful heart
to fuel our endurance.

For our supplications,
to a God who knows all
need from grateful lips
to unceasingly fall.

When we’ve no words,
to utter or to speak
when our groanings turn
ineffective and weak.

The Holy Spirit,
for us will intercede
and an indebted heart
we are going to need.

Our prayers require,
our praise and thanksgiving
to a God that’s always been
trusting and forgiving!

~~~~~~~

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

“Rejoice evermore.
Pray without ceasing.
In every thing give thanks:
for this is the will of God
in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

Romans 8:26

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth
our infirmities:
for we know not what we should pray
for as we ought: but the Spirit itself
maketh intercession for us with
groanings which cannot be uttered.

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright2017
Deborah Ann Belka

The Voice of Thanksgiving ~

May the voice of thanksgiving,
be heard joyfully today . . .
may words of gratefulness
be sung heartily as we pray.

May our heartfelt thoughts,
offer God His due praise
may we be grateful
as our thanks to Him we raise.

May the voice of gratitude,
be heard loud and clear
may our humble thanks
be detected by every ear.

May our praise be sung,
at our dinner table today
may our thanks transcend
beyond Thanksgiving Day.

May the voice of thanksgiving,
be our joyful noise today . . .
may our words of gratitude
be heard by God everyday!

~~~~~~~

Psalm 66:1

“Make a joyful noise unto God,
all ye lands:”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2016
Deborah Ann Belka

~ Have a very Blessed Thanksgiving ~

Give A Joyful Shout ~

May you give a joyful shout,
on this Thanksgiving Day
may your elation be seen
as you go about your way.

May gladness fill your heart,
for all God has given
may you remind yourself
just why you are forgiven.

May your thankfulness flow,
in a chorus of gratitude
may the joy of your salvation
reflect in your attitude.

May your praise be heard,
across Thanksgiving’s table
may you proclaim to all
God supplies our every staple.

May you give a joyful shout,
one filled with gratefulness
may you give God due thanks
for His loving graciousness!

~~~~~~~~~~~

Psalm 32.11

“Be glad in the Lord,
and rejoice, ye righteous:
and shout for joy,
all ye that are upright
in heart.”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2016
Deborah Ann Belka

Grateful Every Day ~

We don’t need a special day,
to show we are thankful
for every day to God . . .
we need to be grateful.

We can come together,
any day of the year
and share the cause behind
our joy and good cheer.

We can give our thanks,
no matter the season
a special holiday
needn’t be our only reason.

We can enter into,
the gates of thanksgiving
anytime, anywhere
without a single misgiving.

For, God doesn’t care,
when or how we show
our thankfulness to Him
He just wants to know!

~~~~~~~~

Psalm 100:4

“Enter into his gates
with thanksgiving,
and into his courts
with praise:
be thankful unto him,
and bless his name.”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2016
Deborah Ann Belka

Singing My Praise ~

Heavenly Father,
I sing You this song
with the faith of one
who is meek yet strong.

With a grateful heart,
I sing You my praise
and my humble gratitude
to You, I fearfully raise.

Your Spirit inside me,
has set my soul aflame
igniting me to sing
and praise Your holy name.

My song of thankfulness,
to You I raise high
the gratitude I have
flow in these tears I cry.

Heavenly Father,
here is my song to You
thanking You for blessing me
in all for me that You do!

~~~~~~~~~

Psalm 146:2

“While I live will I praise the Lord:
I will sing praises unto my God
while I have any being.”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2016
Deborah Ann Belka

The Bread, Way, Truth and Life ~

As we gather,
on Thanksgiving Day
lets not make light
when our thanks we pray.

We need to be,
genuinely grateful
for all things
we must be truly thankful.

We need to express,
our thanksgiving
with praise and joy
sans any misgiving.

We need to thank,
our Father above
for sending His Son
out His pure love.

We need to express,
our joy and elation
for the freedoms
of our salvation.

We need to convey,
to God each day
our thanks for the Bread
the Truth, Life and Way!

~~~~~~~

John 6:35

“And Jesus said unto them,
I am the bread of life:
he that cometh to me shall
never hunger; and he that
believeth on me shall
never thirst.”

John 14:6

“Jesus saith unto him,
I am the way, the truth,
and the life: no man cometh
unto the Father, but by me.”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2016
Deborah Ann Belka

My Thank You Note To God ~

Dear Father  . . .

Thank You for forming me,
in my mother’s womb
thank You for being
my future Bridegroom.

Thank You for comforting me,
for always being near
thank You for calming
my deepest, darkest fear.

Thank You for being my song,
my strength and my salvation
thank You for saving me
from everlasting damnation.

Thank You for giving me,
Your Word to live by
thank You for collecting
all the tears that I cry.

Thank You for satisfying,
my hunger and thirst
thank You for leading me
to seek Your kingdom first.

Thank You for loving me,
for Your mercy and favor
thank You for the gift of grace
through Your Son, my Savior.

Thank You for making,
my paths straight
thank You for showing me
to the narrow gate.

Thank You for Your Spirit,
who lives inside of me
thank You for the trust
I have placed in Thee.

Thank you for making me,
a child of Your own
thank You for allowing me
to come to Your throne.

Thank you for the trials,
that come my way
thank You for the promise
of a more peaceful day.

Thank You for forming me,
in my mother’ womb . . .
thank You in Your mansion
for reserving me a room!

~~~~~~~

Psalm 126:3

“The Lord hath done
great things for us;
whereof we are glad.”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2016
Deborah Ann Belka

The Language of Gratitude ~

I’m learning a new language,
its called gratitude . . .
and it begins with having
a thankful attitude.

Its vocabulary,
is easy to understand
for gratitude is as simple as
offering a helping hand.

I don’t have to say any words,
or even write them down
for gratitude can be heard
without making a single sound.

There isn’t a special course,
to study or memorize
for gratitude can be picked up
by hearing others cries.

This dialect is universal,
anyone can speak it
for it is the language
of the Holy Spirit!

~~~~~~

Colossians 3:17

“And whatsoever ye do
in word or deed, do all
in the name of the
Lord Jesus, giving
thanks to God and
the Father by him.”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2016
Deborah Ann Belka

The Merry Heart ~

The merry heart,
in God has peace
its full of joy
that does not cease.

It wears a smile,
even when its sad
for the joyful heart
is always glad.

The merry heart,
exudes cheerfulness
its full of delight
imparts happiness.

It trusts in God,
in and for all things
for it is thankful
for whatever He brings.

The merry heart,
has a living hope
its full of joy . . .
it refuses to mope!

~~~~~~~~

Proverbs 17:22

“A merry heart doeth good
like a medicine:
but a broken spirit
drieth the bones.”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2016
Deborah Ann Belka

New Songs of Joy ~

New songs of joy,
to You, Lord I raise
songs of thanksgiving
worship and praise.

New songs of hope,
afresh and anew
songs of the love
I have Lord, for You.

New songs of faith,
dance in my head
whether I be up
or still in my bed.

New songs of trust,
to You, Lord I sing
gleefully I proclaim
You as my King.

New songs of joy,
Lord, to You I raise
for You are worthy
of my jubilant praise!

~~~~~~

Psalm 149. 1-5

” Praise ye the Lord.
Sing unto the Lord
a new song, and his
praise in the
congregation of saints.

Let Israel rejoice in him
that made him: let the
children of Zion be
joyful in their King.

Let them praise his name
in the dance: let them
sing praises unto him
with the timbrel and harp.

For the Lord taketh
pleasure in his people:
he will beautify
the meek with salvation.

Let the saints be joyful
in glory: let them
sing aloud upon their beds.”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2016
Deborah Ann Belka

Blissfulness ~

There is a place of calm,
a spot where all can find
peace and tranquility
to fill the heart and mind.

You won’t have to travel,
for it isn’t very far
in fact you can reach it
from right where you are.

Just close off the world,
shut down its interference
then open up yourself
to the Spirit’s influence.

Let Him flood your soul,
with His peacefulness
so He can fill your mind
with joy and gratefulness.

Once you feel it flow,
your heart will begin to sing
of the future blissfulness
Jesus, is going to bring!

~~~~~~~~~~~

Romans 14:17

“For the kingdom of God
is not meat and drink;
but righteousness,
and peace, and joy
in the Holy Ghost.”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2016
Deborah Ann Belka

Forget the Turkey ~

Forget about the turkey,
the dressing and the sides
forget about the pumpkin
pecan or chocolate pies.

Instead lift up your voice,
with shouts of joy and praise
to God your loving Father
let your thanksgiving raise.

Forget about the cleaning,
the flowers and table setting
forget about all the stuff . . .
over which you’re sweating.

Instead show the Lord,
your genuine gratitude
give your thanks to Jesus
for His gracious servitude.

Forget about the dinner,
and cooking that big bird . . .
instead let your song of praise
to God,  be forever heard!

~~~~~~~~

Psalm 95:1-2

O come, let us sing unto the Lord:
 let us make a joyful noise to the
rock of our salvation.

 Let us come before his presence
with thanksgiving, and make a joyful
 noise unto him with psalms.

King James Version
by Public Domain

Copyright 2015
Deborah Ann Belka

Heartfelt Gratitude

Lord, may I always have,
an appreciative attitude
one filled with adoration
thanksgiving and gratitude.

May I always be grateful,
whether sick or healthy
may I always be thankful
be I penniless or wealthy.

Lord, may I be thankful,
to You, for all things
happy with the provision
Your daily grace brings.

May I always be glad,
to receive Your benefits
may my praise to You
to the world be evident.

Lord, may I always have,
a heartfelt gratitude . . .
coursing through my life
gushing out in my attitude!

~~~~~~~

Ephesians 5:20

“Giving thanks always for all things
unto God and the Father in the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ;”

King James Version
by Public Domain

Copyright 2015
Deborah Ann Belka

Thank You God ~

Thank you God,
for all You’ve done
for the gift of salvation
through Your only Son.

For the grace,
You knew I’d need
for Your Spirit
who’s here to lead.

Thank You God,
for Your mercy tender
for being my soul
and heart mender.

For Your love,
which brings me peace
for Your compassion
that does not cease.

Thank You God,
for all You are doing
that my life to You . . .
was worth pursuing!

~~~~~~~~

Psalm 118:1

“O give thanks unto the Lord;
for he is good: because his mercy
 endureth for ever.”

King James Version
by Public Domain

Copyright 2015
Deborah Ann Belka