Wednesday is here. Today we dive head first into some ways to live our lives with an attitude of gratitude. So let's start at the beginning. We need to start is to give thanks to the provider of all....God.
James 1:16-18 (New International Version)
16Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. 17Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created.
We need to understand that everything that we have, comes from God. We need to give Him thanks for all that He provides. The first way we need to live a life of gratitude is to simply acknowledge that God is the ultimate provider. A common prayer around our house is our dinner time prayer. It really doesn't matter who says it, or the exact words, but it kind of comes out like this: "Dear God, thank you for this day, thank you for our food, ect, ect....". While that is really good to do, it is a very generic way to honor God and thank God for ALL that He provides. To finish out devotion today, I have provided some scripture to guide you in some thoughts to God about all that He has given you. Please take a moment to turn off any music and remove any distractions. Please read the following out loud. Make this a prayer to God. When you are finished reading, spend a few extra moments thanking God for some other things that He has given you. Be very specific. If it takes an hour, it's all good. The point is to acknowledge God for all he has given you. Try to make this a daily practice. Don't worry if there are some hard words to pronounce. Just do your best and concentrate on the passage as a whole.
Psalm 136 (New International Version)
Psalm 136
1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.
4 to him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever.
5 who by his understanding made the heavens,
His love endures forever.
6 who spread out the earth upon the waters,
His love endures forever.
7 who made the great lights—
His love endures forever.
8 the sun to govern the day,
His love endures forever.
9 the moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever.
10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt
His love endures forever.
11 and brought Israel out from among them
His love endures forever.
12 with a mighty hand and outstretched arm;
His love endures forever.
13 to him who divided the Red Sea [a] asunder
His love endures forever.
14 and brought Israel through the midst of it,
His love endures forever.
15 but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea;
His love endures forever.
16 to him who led his people through the desert,
His love endures forever.
17 who struck down great kings,
His love endures forever.
18 and killed mighty kings—
His love endures forever.
19 Sihon king of the Amorites
His love endures forever.
20 and Og king of Bashan—
His love endures forever.
21 and gave their land as an inheritance,
His love endures forever.
22 an inheritance to his servant Israel;
His love endures forever.
23 to the One who remembered us in our low estate
His love endures forever.
24 and freed us from our enemies,
His love endures forever.
25 and who gives food to every creature.
His love endures forever.
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven.
His love endures forever.
Amen
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
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