From my devotional book and journal, Day 1, “Thanksliving: Attitude of Gratitude.” May it bless your 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.”
Spend a few minutes journaling, either in picture, drawing, or writing your own psalm, poem, or reflection.
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