Promise for Today - To Share God's Blessings

NOTE: For the rest of November, I will share Thanksgiving moments written by other authors.
Today's devotional was written by Keri Eichberger
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And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Hebrews 13:16

I’ve felt my fair share of emptiness. Devoid of strength of the spirit. Hollowed of joy in my soul. Bare of any energy in my bones. Lacking the resources of time to spare or money to make ends meet. Seasons of depression, loss of loved ones, relationship strain, and chronic pain. Times of financial crisis, stress-filled schedules, and overcrowded calendars. I’ve felt weariness come and go, and come again like the predictable waves of the unwavering ocean. And it’s instances like these that I struggle to beam with God’s blessings. I know He has given me so much. I know He has never stopped. And that He desires for me to receive His boundless blessings. But when life seems to steal so much from my heart, soul, and surroundings, it’s hard to find the fortitude to focus on such goodness. Which, of course, makes it that much harder to share that which I hardly feel I have. Though I know that is also God’s desire for me. To not only receive His blessings, but to bless others in return.

Have you ever felt like you had nothing left to give? You were all poured out mentally and emotionally. Your energy had been completely depleted. Your calendar was maxed. And maybe even your budget didn’t have a penny of margin. I believe we’ve all been there. Some of us are there now, or on the brink. And maybe if you glanced at God and considered what you have left in the tank, the only thing you might be able to offer up would be a simple prayer and a small smile for the love God continues to flow in, through, and from your heart. Maybe all you could consider giving at a given moment is a slight grin, a weak hand, one short word, or a single penny. Well, what if that was enough to bless someone and bring a restoration of blessings back to you? I believe that’s true.

I hope this isn’t you. I hope you feel so full of God’s good blessings that you are overflowing with excitement to pour it out. And I hope you do just that. This pleases God greatly. But if you could only wish and pray that were you right now, may I remind you of the Bible story in the gospels of Mark and Luke about the poor widow’s offering. Luke recounts, “As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. ‘Truly I tell you,’ he said, ‘this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.’” (Luke 21:1-4)

God said the widow who gave less actually gave more. He was more pleased with the smallest gift from the one who seemingly had nothing to give. This might be you with very little to offer. And this could be you offering it to God. Who will be more pleased with your obedience with a little, and Who can make it more than enough?

God is delighted when we give for His name's sake. And never underestimate what He can do with a little. A little money to someone in need, a little text to a friend struggling, a little prayer for a family member hurting, a simple meal for a new mom, a word of encouragement to a stranger, a kind gesture to someone hard to love, a helping hand to the elderly, or one song of praise to the God of the Universe who loves you and gives you gift after gift, day after day.

And it’s in sharing such simple blessings, one at a time, that we are refilled exponentially. Give one ounce of joy and receive two ounces back—energizing the soul with God’s radiating joy. Our fill becomes fuller. So whether you have found yourself full within, or almost completely empty, share. Share the blessings God has bestowed on you. Share even the little you have, and watch God turn it into a whole lot. For the ones you bless… and for you.

Prayer:

Lord God, 

                 You are the one from whom all blessings flow. I confess that at times I can’t see all your goodness under the shadow of the heaviness of life. And I struggle to share from what little I seem to have. But Lord, just as You desire and delight in blessing me, You desire for me to share my blessings, no matter how small, and this delights You all the more.

Lord, I long to become more aware of Your blessings, I long to please You, and I long to feel the fullness You give when I do just that. Thank You for blessing me endlessly, for the opportunity to bless others, for turning my little into a lot, and for the way You swell and multiply every blessing back to me. In Your praiseworthy name, Amen.

Promise for Today - To Be Content

NOTE: For the rest of November, I will share Thanksgiving moments written by other authors.
Today's devotional was written by Sergei Sosedkin.
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Be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5

As a teenager, I enjoyed going to a neighborhood grocery store. There, my friends and I would get a roll of bread and a few slices of cheese for a snack. An elderly lady who worked at the store would always say some kind and encouraging words to us, as she carefully sliced our cheese.

A few short years later, the USSR was collapsing. Because of major economic disruptions, all cheese disappeared from the grocery shelves. Most other food items became scarce, too. The store was still open, but it sold only bread. My memories of a kind lady who sliced cheese for us seemed almost unreal, but they still warmed my heart in those difficult times.

The Bible calls us to be thankful for and content with everything we have. Our family, health, meals we can share with loved ones, and of course, life itself— all are precious gifts from the Lord. But discontent, greed, or fears don’t allow us to fully appreciate and treasure the precious gifts of life.

We don’t know what the future holds. We might have to go through difficult times of having “no cheese on the shelves”—or worse. But as the children of God, we are assured of His continuous love and care. The Lord Himself is our helper in this perilous life.

Prayer:

Father in heaven, 

                        Thank You for being our reliable protector and helper. Give us a heart of contentment and thanksgiving! Through Jesus, your Son, Amen.

Promise for Today - In Awe of Our Creator

NOTE: For the rest of November, I will share Thanksgiving moments written by other authors.
Today's devotional was written by Jordyn Juarez.
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O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger. When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?
Psalm 8:1-4

When we pause long enough to look at the world around us – the stars scattered across the night sky, the rhythm of the ocean, the beauty in a sunrise – it is easy to feel small. David felt that too. He looked at God’s breathtaking creation and was amazed that the same God who spoke the universe into being knows and cares for us personally. This psalm is a reminder to slow down and be thankful for who God is and what He has done.

Gratitude grows when we recognize His greatness and our place in His story. We are not forgotten or overlooked; we are deeply loved by the Creator of everything. That truth should fill our hearts with worship and wonder.

When we choose to notice God’s majesty in creation, our worries shrink, and our praise grows. Gratitude begins with awe – seeing God for who He is and remembering that He has chosen to see us, too.

R E F L E C T I O N
When was the last time we slowed down to notice God’s glory in creation? How can awe lead us into deeper gratitude today?

Prayer:

Lord, 

        Your Name is majestic, and Your creation declares Your glory. Thank You for loving us, seeing us, and inviting us into Your care. Fill our hearts with wonder and thankfulness as we remember who You are. Amen.

Promise for Today - Find Me Grateful

NOTE: For the rest of November, I will share Thanksgiving moments written by other authors.

Today's devotional was written by Morgan Farris.
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In that day you will say: “Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things;  let this be known to all the world. Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.” 
Isaiah 12:4-6

If you grew up in America, you probably grew up with turkey and dressing, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, and lots of memories with your extended family. The Thanksgiving holiday is sort of the pre-Christmas celebration, and we lucky Americans get to have a five-week-long holiday season because of it.

But I wonder if we ever stop to truly ponder the word or even the story behind the Thanksgiving holiday.  At the risk of boring you with a history lesson, I’ll sum up the story of the pilgrims this way: Christians fleeing religious oppression in Europe, thanks to the Reformation, hopped on a ship and sailed to an unknown, wild land, for the sole purpose of being able to worship God freely. That takes guts, I tell you. When I think of all they risked and all they endured for the sake of their faith, I wonder if I would have the same gumption. I doubt that when they sat down for that first Thanksgiving meal over four hundred years ago, they ever imagined the impact it would have on an entire nation. I doubt they ever understood the magnitude of their faith, their obedience, and their gratefulness.

The pilgrims set an example of gratitude for us all. They made known the name of the Holy One of Israel to the nations with a simple act of obedience. All they did was worship with thanksgiving in their hearts.  The Father looked down and found them grateful. What a beautiful example for us all.

This year, I’m asking the Lord to forgive me for the times I’ve been indifferent to His goodness. And this year, my prayer is that the Father would find me grateful in all things.

Prayer:

Lord, 

        Help us to be people of gratitude. Help us to worship You with a thankfulness that permeates every part of our lives – the corporate moments and the private prayers. Father, help us to look for Your goodness and Your glory in all things. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Promise for Today - The ABCs of Thanksgiving

NOTE: For the rest of November, I will share Thanksgiving moments written by other authors.
Today's devotional was written by Karen Yarnell.
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So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Colossians 2:6-7

At my grandson’s favorite water park, a bucket sits suspended in the air while a hose fills it with water. The children all gather around watching, eyes peering up at it. At a certain point, the bucket fills and tilts, dumping the cool, refreshing water, engulfing the children below while squeals abound! 

Like the overflowing water from the bucket, the Christian is to be marked by an abundance of thankfulness. And what is the reason for our gratitude?

The root words for thanksgiving and grace are closely linked in the New Testament. Grace describes a gift; specifically, the gift of God’s great love given in Jesus Christ. Thanksgiving is the response to the gift of God, being mindful of God’s grace and responding with  gratitude. We receive the gift, freely given BY God, and we respond with thanksgiving, freely given TO God.

The source of our thanksgiving is the goodness of God in Christ, and the characteristic of our thanksgiving is overflowing gratitude. Thanksgiving focuses on God’s kindness, it fills us, and it flows out of us to God and for the blessing of others.

Try the ABCs of thanksgiving individually, as a family, or with your LIFE Group. Take each letter of the alphabet and say out loud a word that describes the Lord and starts with that letter. By the end of the exercise, you will have a heart overflowing with thanksgiving in worship to the Lord.

Prayer:

God, You are Father, Son, and Spirit. Thank You that You are 

A- Abundant in love and that we can 

B- Believe in You. Thank You that You 

C- Created the world and that You Care about us. (Go ahead - Continue with the alphabet.) 

In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Promise for Today - Following Up

NOTE: For the rest of November, I will share Thanksgiving moments written by other authors.
Today's devotional was written by Sean Nagel.
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One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked Him - he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?" Then He said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”
Luke 17:15-19

In this account of Jesus’ healing ministry, ten men with leprosy called out to Jesus from a distance, asking Jesus to have pity on them. Jesus showed His love and mercy for the faithful men and healed them; however, only one man returned to Jesus to give thanks for His  love and kindness.

In today’s world, we often cry out to God for His blessing, yet forget to come back to Him in appreciation... During this season, be reminded of the many ways that God has provided for you and blessed your life, and always return to Him in praise and thanksgiving.

Prayer:

Abba Father, 

                    We come before You as children who understand that You know how to best care for us. Thank You, Father, for Your love, patience, discipline, and safe-keeping. Amen.

Promise for Today - The Choice to Be Grateful

NOTE: For the rest of November, I will share Thanksgiving moments written by other authors.
Today's devotional was written by Susan Merritt.
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Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But at midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
Acts 16:22-27

This story goes on to tell us how an earthquake happened, and all the chains fell off all the prisoners. No one fled and we are led to believe that the prayers and praises going up to God moved them to stay. It was well known that the guard would have been executed if they had fled. When the guard realized that they were all still there, he asked Paul what he must do to be saved. He had heard them praying and singing praises to God. Then he witnessed them putting their faith into action by staying put. This was what God used to soften his heart to receive the truth of Jesus.

I have a very good friend that I met in 1980. When I met her, she had recently lost one of her arms in a tractor accident. She had a hook for a hand. While in the hospital recuperating, she spent those days praising God and praying for everyone who walked into her room. Her countenance expressed the joy and peace of God. She continually expressed an attitude of thanksgiving.

As the story goes, nurses and doctors began to be saved. A little revival broke out in the West Texas hospital because of the thanksgiving and joy expressed by my friend. She was truly filled with God’s Spirit at a time when most people would have been devastated. My friend chose to be grateful with joy, and several were saved. Paul and Silas chose to pray and praise God and the jailer with his family all became followers of Christ.

Let’s do the same and live a life full of gratitude and joy unto our Father. We never know who is paying attention and who might turn to Jesus because of it.

Prayer:

Almighty God,
                        We bow our hearts before You in thanksgiving for all You have done for us. Thank You for being with us during very trying times. Thank You for giving us hearts full of joy and peace as we abide in You. In Jesus’ Name

Promise for Today - A Heart Overflowing

NOTE: For the rest of November, I will share Thanksgiving moments written by other authors.
Today's devotional was written by Paul Rummage.
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Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise - the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Hebrews 13:15-16

Today’s Scripture verses are couched in the context of an Old Testament worship practice called sacrifice. It involves giving up something valuable; it requires a personal cost. The writer of this Scripture reminds us that the perfect sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross provides salvation for us who believe. His example of sacrifice gives us reason to offer worship through praise and thanksgiving. Furthermore, we are challenged to express thanks through our actions, serving and sharing with others.

It’s easy to express thanks when it’s convenient, but what about when we don’t “feel” like expressing thanks? That’s what this Scripture is calling us to do … make a sacrifice of praise even when it involves personal cost. Convenience, time, possessions, preferences, finances or more. However, let’s pause and consider the glorious salvation we have because of Jesus’ sacrifice! He selflessly gave on our behalf and that gives us every reason to be filled and overflowing with thanks to Him.

The words “thank you” are meaningful and important. However, thanksgiving carries even more weight when the words are accompanied by action, especially sacrificial action. With overflowing gratitude, would you offer a meaningful sacrifice of praise to the Lord today? 

Do it with your words, expressing thanks to Him. Do it with your actions, by serving and sharing with others.

Prayer:

Lord God,
                We have done nothing to earn Your wonderful salvation. Today, we bring a heart overflowing with thanks and praise for Your loving gift of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. With our mouths, our hands, and our feet — we will thank You today. Even if it costs us, nothing we can say or do will match the gift and sacrifice of Your Son. In His Name, we thank You, Lord.

Promise for Today - The State of "Lagom"

NOTE: For the rest of November, I will share Thanksgiving moments written by other authors.
Today's devotional was written by Dena Dyer
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You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.
Matthew 5:5, The Message

Have you heard the word ‘lagom’? It’s a Swedish term (pronounced “law-gum”) that describes the concept of having just the right amount of something: not too little, not too much. Embedded in the word (and the Swedish lifestyle) is the idea of finding contentment with what we already have—in our career, [our] relationships, and with our material goods.

For Americans, lagom is a counter-cultural concept, but as believers, it’s one we should pray to develop. As Paul writes in 1 Timothy 6:6, “godliness with contentment is great gain.”

How do we achieve contentment? Even in the wording of that question, we find a problem. Contentment, much like faith, hope, or love, is a spiritual by-product of our relationship to God. It’s not something we can achieve without supernatural intervention.

In our humanness, we pile ambition on top of greed, create busyness where there is peace, and sacrifice family for fame. With our Creator’s help, though, we can resist the frantic search for approval and achievement, [and be] content to rest because we’re assured of our beloved-by-God state.

Prayer:

Lord,
        Give us peace about where we are and what we have. We are so thankful for all the gifts You’ve graciously given, and we trust You to meet our needs. In You alone we can rest content. In Jesus’ Name

Promise for Today - Hearts of Gratitude

NOTE: For the rest of November, I will share Thanksgiving moments written by other authors.

Today's devotional was written by Jordyn Juarez.
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Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Gratitude is a powerful thing. It changes the way we see our circumstances. Paul’s words to the Thessalonians remind us that joy, prayer, and thankfulness are not occasional acts; they are ways of life for those who belong to Jesus. Notice he does not say be thankful for all circumstances, but IN all circumstances. That is a big difference.

We may face loss, disappointment, or uncertainty, yet even then, we can find reasons to give thanks – because God is still good, still present with us, and still working for our good. When we choose gratitude, our hearts shift from focusing on what is missing to recognizing what has been given to us. Every breath, every answered prayer, every bit of grace is a reminder of God’s faithfulness.

Gratitude anchors us when life feels shaky, helping us remember that joy is not found in perfect conditions — it is found in a perfect Savior.

R E F L E C T I O N

What are three things you can thank God for today, even if it is hard? How might daily gratitude reshape your attitude and deepen your faith?

Prayer:

Lord,
         Thank You for Your constant goodness. Help us to rejoice even when life feels heavy, to pray without ceasing, and to give thanks in every season. Teach us to see Your hand at work in all things and to live each day with a grateful heart. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

The Practice of His Presence

NOTE: For the rest of November, I will share Thanksgiving moments written by other authors.
Today's devotional was written by Morgan Farris.
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Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name
Psalm. 100:1-4

...Growing up in the Church, sitting in the pews was an expectation of my parents. If you grew up like I did, you probably have a few funny memories of your mother giving you the “look” when you were misbehaving. Or perhaps you remember the old hymns and the smell of the narthex. I could never have guessed as a nine-year-old sitting in that old sanctuary that the habits my parents instilled in me would become a cherished part of my adulthood.

As a teenager and young adult, church was something I did because I feared not to. Those habits my parents instilled felt like an obligation for the good part of my young adulthood, and fear was a huge motivation to show up. But I kept showing up, and by God’s grace, somewhere in my adulthood, entering His gates, coming into His presence, became the thing I looked forward to most each week.

Singing the hymns stopped feeling like a chore and started feeling like a gift. Listening to a message stopped feeling like a begrudging obligation and became a lifeline for my feeble, weary soul. I am reminded of the lyrics of one of my favorite hymns, “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”:

Prone to wander, Lord I feel it; Prone to leave the God I love

Here’s my heart, Lord, take and seal it; Seal it for Thy courts above

My prayer with every song, in every moment, is that we would be a people who foster His presence,  cherish His Word, and rejoice in His goodness. That takes practice. It takes dedication. It takes putting Him first above all else. Somewhere along the way, that discipline breeds praise and thanksgiving. It breeds a joy rooted in Him. It breeds a heart sealed in the courts above. Indeed, it is so very good to be in the House of the Lord.

Prayer:

Lord,
         May we be a people who cherish Your House, who practice the discipline of worship, and find ourselves overcome with gratitude for Your patience with us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

The Peace that Passes Understanding

NOTE: For the rest of November, I will share Thanksgiving moments written by other authors.
Today's devotional was written by Susan Merritt.
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Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7

This passage is one of hope, reminding us that the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds. However, that peace is contingent upon our obedience to a couple of commands.

The first is to rejoice. We know this is important because it’s mentioned twice. God often repeats Himself in Scripture to emphasize a point. We can also know that God enables us to rejoice since He commands us to do so.

Second, we are to be anxious for nothing. This seems difficult in and of itself, but God graciously explains how we can be anxious for nothing. So how can we be anxious for nothing? By praying with thanksgiving while rejoicing, we let our requests be known to God. Rejoicing and thanksgiving go hand in hand and precede the peace of God that guards our hearts and minds.

This Scripture reminds me of my granddaughter, who struggled greatly with extreme anxiety. My daughter created for her what she called a “Brave Book” to take with her when needed. In this book were pages of photos of her friends and family, along with written prayers that she could pray over others. She included several Scriptures, and one was this Scripture quoted above in Philippians 4. When my granddaughter felt anxious, she would read this book from cover to cover. Her mom’s rule was that she could pray for anyone or anything, but not for herself during the anxiety attack. She also had to include praise and thanksgiving when she prayed. This helped her to focus on the Lord, and every time, God’s peace would flood her heart. She brought that book to my house, and I witnessed this little miracle for myself.

So, let’s rejoice in the Lord with thanksgiving this season, focusing on the goodness of God and experiencing the peace that surpasses all understanding.

Prayer:

Father,
          We rejoice in You! Thank You for all You have done for us. Thank You that You are always present to bring us comfort and peace in times of trial as we turn our hearts in thanksgiving to You. In Jesus' Name. Amen

Promise for Today - More Than Conquerors

NOTE: For the rest of November, I will share Thanksgiving moments written by other authors.
Today's devotional was written by.Paul Rummage
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While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Matthew 26:26-28

Can you imagine eating a meal with your friends, knowing that just a few hours later you would face incredibly gruesome pain? That’s what Jesus did in today’s focus verses. We’re talking about indescribable emotional, spiritual, and physical pain. Yet Jesus expressed thanks to the Father for the bread and cup which symbolize His sacrificial death. The bread symbolizes His body, sacrificed for you and me. The cup symbolizes His blood, shed for the forgiveness of our sin.

Surely Jesus’ thanksgiving was not just for the food but for what would be accomplished through the cross. He knew the impending cruelty of crucifixion, yet He also knew that our salvation would be achieved by His undeserved death and victorious resurrection.

When I’m facing a difficult project, I try not to focus on the difficulty but rather the end goal. In other words, if I focus on the joy and satisfaction of completion, I can better tackle the task. We find this kind of perspective modeled by Jesus, as described in Hebrews 12:2… “For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” He was able to endure the horrific cross because He knew the end result would bring great joy!

In the face of challenges and difficulties, believers have a great advantage. Our perspective is beyond the temporal pain and trial. Instead, we endure with the assurance of eternal victory and joy as promised by our Heavenly Father through the Son, Jesus Christ. We are more than conquerors through Him!

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

                         I can’t fathom the pain of Christ’s sacrifice, but I am so deeply thankful. Help me to thankfully endure the storms and challenges of my life with abiding assurance of joy and victory because of what Jesus accomplished by His death and resurrection. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Our Father's Good Gifts

NOTE: For the rest of November, I will share Thanksgiving moments written by other authors.

Today's devotional was written by.Dena Dyer *********************************************************************

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”
James 1:17  NKJV

With our busy lives, it’s easy to get distracted. We run from sports practice to meetings to grocery pick-up - and we try to find time for church, friends, and extended family. No wonder we often keep our focus on “to-do’s.”

What if, for just this week, we instead focused on “ta-da’s”? Think about those moments God powerfully showed off: with a long-awaited answer to prayer, a sweet moment with a child or spouse, or a gorgeous sunrise on your commute. By bringing our thoughts around to the goodness of God and His perfect, timely gifts, we reset our minds. Eventually, gratitude for our generous, faithful Father and His good gifts will become the habit of our hearts. And that habit will reap rewards—not only spiritually but also physically. Studies have shown that regularly practicing gratitude (by writing down a few things we’re thankful for each day) even helps with chronic pain and other maladies.

Gratitude is also “catching.” When we create an atmosphere of thankfulness, our friends and family will pick up on it, and we’ll find our homes and relationships more joyful and peaceful. 

Prayer:

Father, 

          We get so mired in our list of things to do that we forget to notice the small and large blessings all around us. Thank You for the perfect gifts You give. Change our perspective so we can behold Your light, love, and creativity.  In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Credibility of a Pure Heart

NOTE: For the rest of November, I will share Thanksgiving moments written by other authors.
Today's devotional was written by Keri Eichberger.
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By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
John 13:35

Have you ever felt like someone was questioning your intentions? In the midst of a moment or situation where you were sure your heart was pure. When your soul wanted nothing more than to serve for the good of another or others. And to bless others for the glory of God. Yet, somewhere on the other end, for some reason, that wasn’t what seemed to be perceived. It felt like someone even thought you were doing wrong, something self-focused, or something that certainly wasn’t based on a heart yielded to God’s holy will and way.

I was consumed with this same sense last week. God had placed a special someone firmly on my heart a few months back. Someone who needed His blessing in a rich way, in a trying season of her life. And as my plans to help and serve became known, it suddenly seemed there were some skeptical eyes on the sidelines. And if I’m being brutally honest, it pained me deeply. I knew my heart was pure. I knew God had called me to help in this specific way. I had prayed and prayed for His discernment and guidance. For humility, and for the love of Christ to be shown and known. But nonetheless, because of the rocky response, I found myself questioning the call. Questioning my conviction and intention. And so I did all that I knew how to do. Pray, listen, follow the Lord's lead. And to love.

John 13:35 says, "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." This reminds me that everyone will know we are truly followers of Christ, that we are filled with Christ, by the love that they see in us. And by the love that flows from us. When people see our love, they will see Him. And I don’t know about you, but I want people to see Him. So I will continue to love out loud. That is what we all should continue to do. And we should not question our love, or the intention to love, for others.

If you are truly seeking the Lord. If you genuinely desire to love the way Jesus would love, and if He is laying specific calls and directions on your heart, trust Him. We need not listen to what others say, or what others might think. The enemy will certainly try to confuse and derail our good intentions. The enemy will try to make you cower to bold love. Or any bold action on behalf of Jesus.

While I was being bombarded by the enemy’s misleading manipulations, I took some time to reflect, to pray, and to ask God to impress the truth upon my heart. I asked Him to remove any thoughts or ideas that were not of Him. I asked Him to help me love the people in my path. How to best give Him all the credit for every act of love and blessing. How to be confident in the particular instructions of love He had just for me. And then for peace that He would work out the details and heal the fractured pieces of every heart involved.

And that’s just what He did. He gave me clarity. He gave me peace. He increased my humility to even better reflect His heart. He allowed me to be a beacon of His love light. And above all, He allowed others to see Him. Not me, but Jesus. It wasn’t, and isn’t, about me or any of us. It’s never about our glory. It’s always about Jesus and His glory. And so it doesn’t even matter what some may think or say. God will use your pure heart to show His to the exact people who need it. You will gain credibility and be seen rightly, with and by the right people, when you have the right heart. A pure heart that sincerely, vulnerably, and genuinely longs to point others to Him, and only to Him.

Prayer:

Father,
           Help us to keep loving boldly and serving big in the ways You lead us. With a pure heart. Surrendered and yielded to You. Humbled and bowed down before You... And those people—Your people—will know the truth, will know Your love, and will come to know You… Reveal clean hands and pure hearts. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Thankful, Prayerful, Joyful

NOTE: For the rest of the month, I will share Thanksgiving moments written by other authors.

Today's devotional was written by Alistair Begg
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I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:3–6

Our prayers tell us a great deal about ourselves and about our view of those around us.

Paul and the Philippian believers enjoyed a partnership grounded in the gospel. Theirs wasn’t a static fellowship based on a little bit of common belief. Rather, it was a deepening friendship that blossomed as they continued “striving side by side for the faith of the gospel” and to “work out” their salvation “with fear and trembling” (Philippians 1:27; 2:12). The Philippians’ lives were marked by progression both in their relationship with Paul as their servant and their relationship with Christ as their Savior. Because of this partnership, Paul could be thankful, prayerful, and joyful.

If a church is to grow spiritually, the relationships among its people must be those of genuine thankfulness. Such gratefulness shouldn’t depend upon the perfection of others; we are all far from perfect. Indeed, our imperfections should fuel our prayers for each other! Even so, true, heartfelt thankfulness allows fruitful ministry to continue.

Paul’s partnership was reflected in Paul’s prayers. As he prayed for the Philippian believers, his prayers were comprehensive: “… in every prayer of mine for you all.” He didn’t just pray for those who were doing well or those who were in his inner circle; he prayed for everyone. We need to do the same! Indeed, if we pray for those who are often hardest to pray for, we will discover that they can actually become some of our best companions. We may even think they have changed, only to discover that we have changed, simply because we added prayerfulness to thankfulness.

Joyfulness comes as we partner in prayer with each other. Inevitably, some prayers involve pain. Our hearts ache as we get under the burden of our brothers and sisters who may be agonizing over their kids, their marriages, the loss of their jobs, their illnesses, or their bereavements. But at other times, instead of feeling like swimming against the tide, prayer can be like going with the waterfall as we rejoice together. When together we bring our situations, needs, and triumphs before the throne of grace, that fellowship brings joy. That’s how Paul felt about the Philippian believers. He prayed sorrowful and hopeful prayers alike with joy because of their shared partnership.

We can learn from Paul. He knew that fellowship with other believers could create thankful, prayerful, and joyful people. How are your prayers for those with whom God has brought you into gospel partnership going to reflect Paul’s prayers for the gospel partners in his life?

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Prayer:

Father,

          Align our hearts and minds with Yours. Change our hearts' affection through Your Holy Word. Teach us to love like You love. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - What Thanksgiving Reveals about You

NOTE: For the rest of the month, I will share Thanksgiving moments from Crosswalk/Home Word.
Today's devotional was written by Adrian Rogers

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What Thanksgiving Reveals about You

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.
Psalm 100:4 NKJV

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
Colossians 3:15 KJV

If worry is the opposite of faith, then thanksgiving is the expression of faith—in fact, the highest expression. God has blessed you, but you may not think so if you’re measuring blessings by the barometer of health, wealth, and happiness.

You say, “I don’t think I have as much to thank God for as some other people.” Well, the apostle Paul was in a filthy Philippian jail, awaiting a possible death sentence, when he wrote, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God."

Unthankful people are never happy people. They’re filled with bitterness, fear, negativism, selfishness, and self-pity.

My friend, let me tell you what blessings we have. “Blessed be the Lord who daily loadeth us with benefits…” (Psalm 68:19 KJV). God has loaded your wagon. How often? Every day! “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.” (Lamentations 3:22-23 NLT). Every day you wake up to blessings.

Thank Him for spiritual blessings. Thank Him for the simple blessings of good, clean water, enough food, shelter, and the simple things. We are so blessed. Refuse to worry. Instead, carry everything to God in prayer. Rejoice in the presence of the Lord. Rely upon the power of the Lord. Reflect on the provision of the Lord. Rest in the peace of the Lord. Do everything with thanksgiving.
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Prayer:

Father,
           Help us always to see and acknowledge Your goodness to us. Holy Spirit, lead us into all Truth and never let us forget the benefits of serving and living for Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Thanksgiving Devotional - A Season of Thanks

For the rest of the month, I will share Thanksgiving moments by Crosswalk/Home Word.
Today's devotional was written by Kelly McFadden
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All Your words are true; all Your righteous laws are eternal. —Psalms 119:160

This holiday season, you will most likely hear the song “My Favorite Things” from the Broadway musical The Sound of Music. To me this song has always felt out of place during the holidays, until recently. I have begun to hear it in a new light, recognizing the famous list of “favorite things” as a list of reasons to be thankful. The character Maria, who sings this song, thinks about her list of favorite things when she seeks comfort.

Christians have a list as well. Found in the Bible are promises from our Lord – keepsakes we can cling to at all times, including periods of worry, trouble, or despair. These promises urge Christ-followers not to be troubled or to feel alone. They are words offering great hope because they are not the words of mere men. They are inspired, never-changing words given to us from our Savior and Lord. Read through a few of these promises below:

The Lord will give His people strength. Psalm 29:11
The Lord hears our cries. Psalm 34:17
The Lord will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4-5
The Lord will answer when you call to Him. Jeremiah 33:3
You need not be afraid. God is with you. Isaiah 41:13
The Lord will give rest to your burdened soul. Matthew 11:28-29
The Lord will comfort you. John 14:27
The Lord has given us His Spirit to guide us. Acts 1:8
You will have everlasting life when you believe. John 3:16

The list can go on and on. The Lord promises us mercy, protection, strength, eternity, love, and forgiveness. As it says in the Bible, God cannot lie (Hebrews 6:18) and His word is truth (John 17:1). We cannot look at God’s promises like we do those of our friends and family. As people, we often promise, but don’t follow through, even when we have the best of intentions. God’s Word is binding and true. These promises hold fast. We do not have to wonder if they will happen. Rather, we ought to wait in expectation. So “when the dog bites, when the bee stings, when you’re feeling sad,” I encourage you to remember all God has promised you. It is in these promises that you will find great strength.

As you celebrate the season of Thanksgiving, in addition to thinking through all you are thankful for, take time to thank God for His many promises.
FURTHER READING: Isaiah 40:31; John 16:15; Mark 11:23-26
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Prayer:

Father,

           Thank You for all You have done for us, the provision for salvation, redemption, and also the promise of Heaven. We are so grateful! Help us to be ever mindful of Your goodness, Your faithfulness, and Your mercies that are new every morning. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - To Get Closer to God

Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:7b NLT

Christians everywhere love this portion of Scripture. In the middle of every battle we face, we encourage ourselves and each other with this passage. We whisper it, shout it, pray it, repeat it like a battle cry... and wonder why the devil won't flee. And then whine to God, "Why isn't it working?"

In this age of bottom-liner business, summarized suppositions, Readers Digest condensed versions of life, we're-so-busy-we-don't-have-time-for... we tend to only skim through and pick those portions that we think apply directly to us or the circumstance that we're in. The Truth is - it ALL applies directly to us. It's either something we should do or examples of what we should not do.

In context, this passage (vvs 7-10) in James reads, "So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor."

All Christians want to be closer to God. But wanting something is much different than actually doing what it takes to get it. James tells us exactly how to get close to God. First, we must humble ourselves. Other versions read "submit yourselves". That involves voluntarily and purposefully, intentionally giving ourselves to God, our WHOLE life - desires, dreams, plans - to HIS choices for our lives - even when it's not what we WANT.

If we are not feeling close to God, it's not because HE has moved away from us.

Prayer:

Father,
           Forgive us for leaving You in the dust of our lives as we run off to do whatever we think is more important. The Truth is that NOTHING is more important than You. Father, we humble ourselves before You, submitting our life - all of it - to Your will. We cast off the temporary pleasures of life that lead us away from spending eternal time with You. Forgive us, Father, and help us to walk toward You. We want to be close to You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Finding God in the Hard Times - Joyce Meyer Ministries

 Finding God in the Hard Times - Joyce Meyer Ministries

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you.

 1 Peter 5:10 (AMPC)

“Why do we have to suffer?” “If God truly loves us, why do all the bad things happen to us?” I hear such questions often. For thousands of years, people smarter than I am have wrestled with those questions, and they still haven’t discovered the answers. I don’t even try to answer the questions. I do make one comment, however: “If God only blessed us after we became believers—if He took away all suffering, hardship, and turmoil for Christians—wouldn’t it be a way to bribe people into the faith?”

That’s not the way God works. The Lord wants us to come to Him out of love and because we know we’re needy—so needy that only He can fill those needs for us.

The reality is that from the time of birth until we go home to be with Jesus, we will suffer at times. Some have harder tasks than others, but suffering is still suffering.

I also think that when people watch us as we turn to God for help in our hardships and they see our victories, it provides a witness to them. That witness may not always make them turn to Christ, but it does show God’s presence in our lives and makes them aware of what they’re missing.

Yes, we will suffer. The other day I had a new thought: Suffering results in thanksgiving. When our lives turn chaotic and we don’t know what to do, we turn to the Lord for help, and He answers our prayers and sets us free. God speaks to us and comforts us. And the result is that we’re thankful.

The time between suffering and thanksgiving is when the devil truly attacks our thoughts. He may begin by saying, “If God really loved you, you would not have to go through this.” It’s a subtle way of saying to us that serving God is useless. The truth is, we’ll have problems if we’re believers; we’ll have problems if we’re nonbelievers. But as believers, we’ll also have victories. As believers in Jesus Christ, we can have peace in the midst of the storm. We can enjoy our lives during the hardships because we truly believe that God is working on our behalf to bring deliverance.

The next attack of Satan is to whisper, “It’s not going to get better. You have served God for nothing. See, this is what happens when you really need help and trust God. He doesn’t care about you. If He truly cared, why would He allow you to suffer?”

This is where we have to stand firm. We can take courage from the story of Job. Few of us have suffered as he did—he lost his children, his possessions, and his health. His critics accused him of hypocrisy and deception. Because we know how Satan works, we realize that his so-called friends were tools of Satan. I’m sure they didn’t realize they were being used by the devil to discourage Job. But just because they weren’t aware, doesn’t mean Satan didn’t use them.

However, Job, a godly man, refused to listen. He said, […though He slay me, yet will I wait for and trust Him…] (Job 13:15 AMPC). He refused to allow Satan to attack his mind and make him question God. He didn’t understand what God had done. There’s no indication that Job ever understood. But one thing he knew, God was with him, and he never doubted the love and presence of God.

That’s the attitude we want—that calm assurance of God’s love that says, “Though He slay me, yet will I wait for and trust Him.” We don’t have to understand or explain. In fact, I’ve heard it said this way, “Obedience is required; understanding is optional.”

Finally, if we suffer, it just may be a powerful reminder that we are walking the same paths as some of God’s greatest saints. Even in Peter’s time, they suffered. In their case, it was Roman persecution; in our case, it may be people who don’t understand us, or family members who turn against us. Regardless, suffering can and should end in thanksgiving.

Prayer of the Day: 
Father God, forgive me for always wanting the easy life. I admit that I don’t want to suffer, and I don’t like it when things go wrong. But I ask You to help me have a good attitude and to trust You to bring good out of it. I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Promise for Today - Keep On Hoping

But I will keep on hoping for your help; I will praise you more and more.
Psalm 71:14 NLT

What do you believe about the Lord? Do you believe He is Jehovah Rapha, our Healer? His Word says He is. Do you believe it no matter what? What about if you pray for someone and they don't recover? What if they die? Is He still God? Is He still Jehovah Rapha?

In case you're wondering, the answer is "Yes, He IS still Jehovah Rapha, our Healer!" I've said it before and I'll say it again - our circumstances don't change who God is. When we're facing trials and tribulations, it is the TRUTH of His Word that rules over the facts of those battles. Hide His Word in your heart. Let it become the Truth for your life. Let it overcome doubt and fear. Line upon line. Precept upon precept. Let it build on the measure of faith that God Himself gave us.

Start it out with words of praise...

"I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together." Psalm 34:1-3 NLT

"O Lord, you alone are my hope. I’ve trusted you, O Lord, from childhood. Yes, you have been with me from birth; from my mother’s womb you have cared for me. No wonder I am always praising you! My life is an example to many, because you have been my strength and protection." Psalm 71:5-7 NLT

"For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come. Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God." 
Hebrews 13:14-16 NLT

Prayer:

Father,
           We pray as it is written, "I will keep on hoping for Your help; I will praise You more and more." You are worthy of all praise and glory and honor. Help us to be focused on Your Truth rather than the circumstances that surround us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen