Definitely a little behind by date, but in November I will post entries from my devotional Thanksliving: Attitude of Gratitude book each day. I hope it is useful as we prepare for Thanksgiving, which should be every day.
Day 1
Today let us remember the legacy of faith presented to us by those who have lived the Christian life before us. Perhaps it is the prayers of a grandmother or parent that has brought you to faith. Perhaps it is a Sunday School teacher who not only taught you, but exhibited Christ’s message even without using words or flannel graph figures. Perhaps it is a pastor or youth leader who inspired you to think about the spiritual life which is the crux of your purpose, and the power which motivates you to live your life fully.
Today’s scripture: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12: 1-2)
Prayer: Lord, help me to consider all that I know, understand, and even imagine regarding Your blessings to me. Help me recognize that I am not my own, but belong to our faithful Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, your Son, and to be eternally thankful for His love that brought me new life. Teach me to appreciate the legacy of saints who have loved, directed, chastened, and bless others as I have been blessed. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Day 1 Scripture references about legacy, learning from others, and establishing my legacy for my heirs:
II Timothy 2:2: “You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.”
I Corinthians 3:6-9. “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers, you are God’s field, God’s building.”
I Corinthians 3:12-13: “We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.”
Deuteronomy 4:8-9, 13: “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. . . He declared to you His covenant, the Ten Commandments which He commanded you to follow and then wrote them on two stone tablets.”
Day 1 Thanksliving Album: Items, pictures, sketches, photos showing those who have blessed and guided my faith walk, a legacy of memories, a place I’ll return when I need reminders of evidence of His love for me in every situation.
Day 1 Thanksliving Journal: Inheritance
To Timothy: “I have been reminded of your sincere faith which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice, and, I am persuaded, now lives in your also.” (II Timothy 1:5)
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Day 2
It seems to me we learn to cope with life’s circumstances through facing them with an attitude of gratitude for what we can learn from them. That being said, when we successfully overcome episodes, crises, or intense situations, upon reflection, we are thankful for the experience because it has:
- taught us something,
- resulted in something unexpected, or
- served a greater purpose.
True, not everyone looks at life as I do. I respect that. I am a Christian, and believe God’s supremacy and His sovereignty. The amazing mystery is that He created and controls the entire universe. Yet, He guides me in a personal way because I have committed allegiance to His purpose for my life. Like Martin Luther, “Here I stand. I can do no other.”
Today’s Scripture: “So, then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” (Colossians 2: 6-7)
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Creator of the Universe, I humbly bow before Your Presence in my life. You have promised Your faithfulness, that You will uphold me. You are loving toward all that You have made, and I worship You and praise Your Name for blessing me today. In Jesus’ Precious Name, Amen.
Day 2 Scripture references about God’s guidance, overcoming obstacles, discovering His plan for my life and protection:
Deuteronomy 4:6-8 “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him? . . .to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today?”
Psalm 78: “O my people, hear my teaching: listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in parables. I will utter hidden things, things from of old—what we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His power, and the wonders He has done.”
Isaiah 33: 5-6: “The Lord is exalted, for He dwells on high; He will fill Zion with justice and righteousness. He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.”
Psalm 103: 11-14: For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him, for he knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust.”
Day 2 Thanksliving Album: Items, pictures, sketches, photos showing God’s guidance in my life, a legacy of memories, a place I’ll return when I need reminders of evidence of His love for me in every situation.
Day 2 Thanksliving Journal: God’s Guidance:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding: In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5)
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Day 3
I reject the opinion that religion is an opiate, a crutch, a fantasy, or worse, irrelevant. Again, I respect others’ belief systems, or the choice to believe nothing.
However, and eternally, I maintain that God works in mysterious ways His wonders to perform, because I have seen it fulfilled. I call His way Godincidences, because they have proven true in my experience, and with astounding clarity, frequency, and intentionality.
Today’s Scripture: “I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation. Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things! The Lord’s right hand is lifted high; The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!” (Psalm 118:13-16)
Prayer: Precious Father, I thank You that You have brought me to an understanding of Your power, Your control of all aspects of the universe, and even the day to day pieces of my life. You have promised that all circumstances will work together for Your glory. I thank You for times You have sustained me, You have protected me, and You have blessed my life with safety, peace, joy, and thanksgiving because I relied on Your strength. Help me to be faithful in trusting You, and to be filled with gratitude for Your faithfulness in return. In Jesus’ powerful Name. Amen.
Day 3 Scripture about God’s direct intervention in lives because they are grounded in His purposes:
Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus: Acts 9
Joshua 10: sun stands still, freak hailstorm
Ruth and Naomi: Ruth chapters 1-4
Joseph and his brothers: Genesis 42
Gideon: Judges chapters 6-7
Solomon: I Kings chapter 4
Esther: chapter 5
Job: chapter 42
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: Daniel chapter 3
Death of Lazarus: John chapter 11
Hebrews: Chapter 11
Psalm 105, Psalm 136, Psalm 137, Psalm 138
James 5: 17: story of Elijah
Day 3 Thanksliving Album: Items, pictures, sketches, photos showing Godincidences, things I can’t interpret aside from His direct intervention, a legacy of memories, a place I’ll return when I need reminders of evidence of His love for me in every situation.
Day 3, Thanksliving Journal: Godincidences
“O Lord, You have searched me and You know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue You know it completely, O Lord. You hem me in—behind and before; You have laid Your hand upon me.” (Psalm 139: 1-5)
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Day 4
The world calls unexplainable situations various names: circumstance or chance, coincidence or accident, serendipity or freak of nature, luck or magic. Culture has its explanations. How many times have we heard:
- “It is what it is,”
- “That’s the way the cookie crumbles,” or
- “That’s life.”?
I, on the other hand, live in the sure knowledge that God is in charge of my every experience; therefore, I know by those experiences that He designs them for my good and His glory. I see His guiding hand, His lessons, and through prayer, wise counsel, and immersion in the Word of God, discover His leading and protection.
Today’s Scripture: “And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.” (Romans 5:2-5)
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to grow in wisdom and understanding through each time of discovery, to see Your purpose, to persevere, to grow in character, and to always see hope in the process, knowing that You strengthen and sustain. I thank You for these times so I can better know Your Presence. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Day 4 Scripture: God’s personal guidance for my life:
“For you created my inmost being. You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful; I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:13-14)
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
(Psalm 139:23-24)
“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:17)
“Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 13:11)
“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” (2 Corinthians 13:14)
“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 5:19-20)
Day 4 Thanksliving Album: Items, pictures, sketches, photos showing how you personally guide my walk, a legacy of memories, a place I’ll return when I need reminders of evidence of His love for me in every situation.
Day 4: Thanksliving Journal: God’s guiding my life:
“Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God do not delay.” (Psalm 41:1)
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Day 5
It is with awe and an attitude of gratitude that He is not merely “out there” but is a very personal presence because He reaches us through sending Jesus Christ as a visible presence, and His Holy Spirit to guide us and point us to Him, Holy yet approachable.
When I look at life through His perspective, my life is inexplicably entwined with His purposes for me and for those with whom I come in contact. Mankind, believers and non-believers alike, forces of nature, and events of historic proportions are used for His purposes and have eternal consequences. The obvious struggle between good and evil is universal, epic, and infinitely remarkable. It is also intensely personal.
Today’s Scripture: “Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (I Thessalonians 5:16)
Prayer: Lord, for the times you have caused me to speak in Your Name, acknowledging Your presence in events that seemed random at the time, and for the times You have challenged me in circumstances I found intimidating, I thank You for guiding me. I am an imperfect servant, to be sure, but You are faithful to me. I pray You will show me when to witness to Your power in my life, for in doing so, I will be filled with thanksgiving when You show me that You are in charge the more often I turn over my will to Your direction. In Jesus’ Powerful Name. Amen.
Day 5 Scripture passages about speaking out for God, even when we could face persecution. Also, activities to help the saints know Christ’s love.
“Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 13:11)
“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:1-6)
“Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (I Thessalonians 5:16)
“Command and teach these things. Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the pubic reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.”
(I Timothy 4:11-13)
Day 5 Thanksliving Album: Items, pictures, sketches, photos showing sharing God’s love with others, a legacy of memories, a place I’ll return when I need reminders of evidence of His love for me in every situation.
Day 5 Thanksliving Journal: Witnessing for God
“And He (Jesus) said to them: It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:7-8)
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