Promise for Today - When and Then

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 

1 Thessalonians 5:18(NIV)

Fretting and fighting over the small stuff will always cause you to lose your happiness.

This is a hard habit to break because people are negative by nature and conditioned by culture. Ever since Adam and Eve, we have been going around excusing and accusing. We excuse ourselves for the mistakes we make, and we also accuse everybody else for our mistakes.

We tell ourselves things like, 'If I just had a different spouse, then I’d be happy.' 'If I had just never gotten married, then I’d be happy.' 'If I just had children, then I’d be happy.' 'If my children would leave home, then I would be happy.'

That is “when and then” thinking—when this happens, then I’ll be happy. But you are as happy as you choose to be! You can’t blame anybody else for your unhappiness because happiness is a choice. You have to stop excusing and accusing; you have to stop fretting and fighting over the small stuff.

The Bible says, “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure” (Philippians 2:14-15 NIV).

That may be one of the most difficult verses in the Bible. But the scariest verse in the Bible to me is Matthew 12:36, where Jesus says, “And I tell you that on the Judgment Day people will be responsible for every careless thing they have said” (NCV).

That ought to send shivers up your spine. How many times have you complained, grumbled, or argued about something when you shouldn’t have been sweating the small stuff? The first law of life is this: Don’t sweat the small stuff. Law number two is this: It’s almost all small stuff!

Study after study has shown that gratitude is the healthiest attitude.

What do you have to be thankful for? Remember, no matter what is going on in your life, God is always with you, God is always in you, and God is always for you.

That’s cause for gratitude, not grumbling.

Talk It Over

Do you think you will have to give an account to God for the “small” things you’ve complained about? Why or why not?

According to 1 Thessalonians 5:18, what is God’s will for your life?

What are some practical ways you can practice gratitude throughout the day?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

        We want to be like Jesus who obeyed You without complaint. We want to embrace the chains of humanity as Jesus did when He walked this earth. Convict us whenever we complain or compare ourselves with others. Give us an attitude of humility and thankful acceptance. We want to be like the Apostle Paul who learned contentment in every circumstance. We choose to continually offer You the sacrifice of praise, according to Your Word. Teach us the rhythm and power of a thankful heart. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - (Guest author) Waiting Well

But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.
James 1:4 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

Patience is extremely important for people who want to glorify God and enjoy their lives. If we are impatient, the situations we encounter in life will certainly cause us to react emotionally.

The next time you have to wait on something or someone, instead of just reacting, try reminding yourself, "Getting upset will not make this go any faster, so I might as well enjoy the wait." Then perhaps say out loud, "I am developing patienceas I wait, so I am thankful in this situation." If you do that, you will be acting on the Word of God rather than reacting to the unpleasant circumstance.

Remember, patience is a fruit of the Spirit that God wants to develop in your life [note: see Galatians 5:22-23 ESV]. Don't merely think about how hard and frustrating it is, but think about how blessed you can be as you learn the art of waiting well.

Prayer:

Father,
          I am grateful that You have planted patience in my spirit and that through You, I can react properly to any situation. Help me today and every day to exercise patience in all things. *************In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Devotion from Joyce Meyer's "The Power of Being Thankful"

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.

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 - On the Advice of Paul

Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:10-11 NLT

Paul’s Final Advice

¹² Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance.

¹³ Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.

¹⁴ Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.
¹⁵ See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.
¹⁶ Always be joyful.
¹⁷ Never stop praying.
¹⁸ Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

For All These, We Praise

Psalm 144 NLT

Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.

Lord, what are human beings that you care for them, mere mortals that you think of them? They are like a breath; their days are like a fleeting shadow.

Part your heavens, Lord, and come down; touch the mountains, so that they smoke. Send forth lightning and scatter the enemy; shoot your arrows and rout them. Reach down your hand from on high; deliver me and rescue me from the mighty waters, from the hands of foreigners whose mouths are full of lies, whose right hands are deceitful.

I will sing a new song to you, my God; on the ten-stringed lyre I will make music to you, to the One who gives victory to kings, who delivers his servant David.

From the deadly sword deliver me; rescue me from the hands of foreigners whose mouths are full of lies, whose right hands are deceitful.

Then our sons in their youth will be like well-nurtured plants, and our daughters will be like pillars carved to adorn a palace. Our barns will be filled with every kind of provision. Our sheep will increase by thousands, by tens of thousands in our fields; our oxen will draw heavy loads. There will be no breaching of walls, no going into captivity, no cry of distress in our streets.

Blessed is the people of whom this is true; blessed is the people whose God is the Lord.

Prayer:

Father, 

           Yes, blessed are we for You are our Lord God Almighty! We pray Your Word from the psalms, we will praise You, Lord, with all our heart; we will praise Your name for Your unfailing love and Your faithfulness. When we call on Your Name, You answer.

       May all the kings of the earth praise You, Lord! May they sing of Your ways for Your glory is great. Though You are exalted, You look kindly on the lowly; You see us from afar. Though we walk in the midst of trouble, You preserve our lives. With Your right hand, You save us. Your love, Lord, endures forever - do not abandon the works of Your hands. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Take Me Back

     Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
    Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.
Colossians 3:14-16 NLT

First day back to work after how long...? Grateful or groaning? It's all in how we look at it. It's a heart condition, actually. It's easy to grumble. What does our text read today? ...you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. 

Will we lament and grumble because we had to go back to work or will we give thanks that we have a position with a boss we respect, and people we like, one that affords us a flexible schedule, and provides a good wage?  Will we choose to be hardly thankful or heartily thankful? Let's choose the path that leads us always back to the Lord our God. 

Prayer:

Father,
           We pray Your Word. It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and sing praises to Your name, O Most High. It is good to tell of Your loving-kindness in the morning, and of how faithful You are at night, with harps, and with music of praise. For You have made us glad by what You have done, O Lord. We will sing for joy at the works of Your hands. Give us opportunity to tell of Your excellent greatness, O God. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen