Purpose: With so many people suffering during these tough economic times, I wanted to create a daily devotional which would promote faith in God as a solution to overcoming anger and fear.
Each devotional will provide a daily passage of Scripture for you to reflect on throughout the day. In addition, an “Action Item” will assign a daily, simple task to help you address your fears with faith and move forward with God's plans for you.
Thank you and God bless you for reading this devotional--please share it with others!
Steve Kendall
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TODAY'S SCRIPTURE FOR REFLECTION:
Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psalm 106:1 (King James Version)
OPENING PRAYER: In your opening prayer, please thank God for things you take for granted.
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ACTION ITEM:
Giving Thanks
Today you won't need to use any paper, you just need your mind.
I wondered what it would be like to spend an entire day thanking God for the things I usually take for granted.
Here's our three part exercise for today: 1. Pay close attention to things you typically take for granted, then say, "Thank you, Lord for (you fill in the blank). Do this the entire day until you close your eyes at bedtime.
For example, although I woke up tired, I thanked God for waking me up.
Throughout the morning, I focused on things I normally don't even give a second thought, like turning on the water in the kitchen and having clean water to drink. I thanked Him for that and a number of other things I just simply take for granted everyday.
Now you may be in situations throughout the day where you don't want to say, "Thank you, Lord for..." aloud. If so, just do it in your head.
I want to especially thank God for what I have instead of what I don't have today. You may have a job, but need more money--thank God for what you have, a job. Perhaps you don't have a job, but need one--thank God for allowing you to wake up yet another day so that you can look for work.
In my case, I don't have the energy, or health to complete all of the tasks on my "To Do List" for today. I thanked God for the degree of health that I do have and that I can accomplish some things on my list and if I don't get to everything on the list, I still want to thank God for his help and love.
2. The other thing I'm going to focus on today is asking God to help me remain positive in my thinking every time a negative thought, or situation presents itself today.
When something negative comes up, I'll just say, thank you God.
3. Say "thank you" to someone today that you haven't thanked recently. Specifically, perhaps there's someone you take for granted, or a friend, or family member you haven't thanked in quite some time--or ever.
When you thank this person, do it out of the blue, as a surprise to them. For example, you could call someone and say, "You were on my mind today and I just wanted to thank you for (being in my life, being a good co-worker, etc. You fill in the blank of thanks.)
Remember, try these three forms of thanksgiving for the entire day. It may seem awkward at first, but once you get started it will probably become easier as the day progresses.
After you do this, I'd love to hear from you, discuss your results and what happened when you surprised someone with thanks. If you can reach me by Facebook, or email: Steve@BibleStudyCafe.com
CLOSING PRAYER: In addition to anything else you'd like to pray about, give God thanks for creating you, because you are special and one of a kind, thanks to God.
Until tomorrow, have a blessed day!
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A True Relationship with God
If you would like a relationship with God, the only way to do it is through His son, Jesus Christ. This is supported in the Bible: Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. --John 14:6 (King James Version)
We begin this relationship by first accepting Jesus. Here's a link to more info: http://biblestudycafedotcom.blogspot.com/2010/09/prayer-of-foregivness-and-salvation.html
