Day 1: The Importance of Gratitude
Read: Philippians 4:4-9, Colossians 2:6-7, Psalm 50:23, Psalm 100
The Bible puts an incredible emphasis on thanksgiving (not the holiday but the posture of our heart which expresses thanks to God). The Bible presents thanksgiving as an essential character quality that ought to dwell in the hearts of all believers. Yet for us we often let thoughts of unbelief and discontent to fester in our hearts. We often don’t trust the Lord; we doubt His goodness. And it’s a vicious cycle…when we don’t take time to thank God, we become dull to His goodness. As we become dull to His goodness, we trust Him less. Over time, we forget what He has done so we become less thankful and less likely to follow Him.
Gratitude is fuel for following God; remove the fuel and there will be little fire in your heart for God. This is why we are commanded to spend time thanking God. Take time to consider your heart: how grateful are you? How often do you thank God? Where do you see unbelief and discontent creeping into your life? Take time to pray to God confessing your ingratitude and asking Him to remind you of His goodness and the reasons you have to be thankful.
(Devotional credit: Epic Community Church in Aberdeen, Maryland)
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I’m excited to be learning about Thankfulness with you. God especially reminded me of:
* The principles in Phil 4 – Joyfulness, Considerate to Others, Don’t worry Pray, Thankfulness
* Psalm 50 – Giving Thanks truly honors the Lord
* Psalm. 100 – 3 Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his
* Psalm 100 – 5 For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.
I am thankful for many things, and one in which I’m most thankful is THE WORD! Today, 11/23, is International Day of the Bible. (Go to YouVersion for more information). I’m also thankful for a church that boldly proclaims THE WORD and the truth of salvation through Jesus!