Tag Archives: Thankfulness

Always

Dog protectively lying with cat. Image by Alec Favale on Unsplash.

Bible Passages

Read Psalms 139:7:12

“… and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:20

Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,”

Hebrews 13:5 (NASB1995)

Devotion

God is with us always.

Having grown up in a Christian home, I never really thought about what that statement means. I simply took it for granted that no matter what I was doing or where I was, God would be right there with me, always. I wasn’t always faithful to God, but I always knew He was there with me in all my ways, whether my behavior was good or bad, kind or selfish, brave or fearful, and if I was sick or well.

It goes a lot deeper than that, however, at least in English. The origin of the word always is actually the combination of two words, all and ways. The more I think about it, the deeper the meaning. Always includes all aspects of our lives. What does that mean, exactly?

He created the heavens and the earth for us to enjoy and explore, then provided plants and animals to cover our basic needs: food, clothing, shelter. We were made the caretakers of all these things. With God’s help, we learn how to do that, and how to make sure the generations to follow understand their duty to all of God’s creations, large and small.

He gave us brains to process and filter the information overload we are subjected to every day: news, sitcoms, movies, infomercials, rumor mills and gossip columns, reality television, talk shows, streaming media, text messages, phone calls, schedules, deadlines, internal and external criticism. The list grows daily. With God’s help, we know what is true and valid and useful to us.

He gave us many wonderful inventions to make our lives easier: automobiles, dishwashers, vacuum cleaners, glass windows, coffee tables, mattresses, tea cozies, swimsuits, microwaves, ear plugs, ski boots, indoor plumbing, and even ice cream. I am amazed at all the things God has given us through others. I humbly bow in awe at all the things He has provided for us, which we mostly take for granted.

He gave us souls, the essence of ourselves, and knows us each by name. He calls to us through our souls. He guides our souls to seek Him out. Through our souls, He gives us strength and wisdom and kindness and joy and peace. Our souls are part of a gigantic pipeline tapping into the Divine. If we but open ourselves to Him, what joy and peace and happiness He provides!

He gave us hearts, which He fills with love and joy, meant to share in Samaritan fashion with all our neighbors: family, friends, strangers, and even people we will never meet. With God’s help, we can use social media to show the world what it means to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Matthew 22:37 (NASB1995)

Through it all, He is there beside us, to guide us every step of the way. Even if we stray off the way He set for us, He travels alongside us as we go our own way, there to help us get back to the way He wants us to go. All we have to do is ask.

If we put God first, everything else falls into place. He is with us always, all ways.

Prayer Focus

Inventors.

Prayer

Beloved Father, we thank you for everything You do for us. Large and small, seen and unseen, You are always in the background doing great things. You are the inspiration behind all great works. Yet, you take the time and energy to care for each of us, even in the trivial. You are always there, in all ways. Thank you! Amen.

Final Thought

God is with us in all ways, always.

God Sees It Differently

Bible Passages

Read Isaiah 55.

Your eyes saw me when I was still an unborn child. Every day of my life was recorded in your book before one of them had taken place.

Psalm 139:16 (GW)

Devotion

Recently, God filled my heart with a new purpose which would require all my time and energy. He gave me a full-time job. Spread the Love Ministries, this mission, is that new purpose. I have several qualities that make me a good fit for this mission. However, there are also many, many things missing from my resume. God sees it differently. He believes in me, even when I have doubts.

At the time, I had no other job, no income. I saw this as a hindrance. God sees it differently. Bills kept coming in: rent, electricity, my dad’s medical bills, and so much else. I was overwhelmed. I had a hard time not worrying. I had a hard time trusting God would provide me with everything I needed, even though I knew He would – just as He has a million times before. I had to be strong. God sees it differently. He is the source of my strength. He will lend me the strength I need to do His will. All I needed to do is ask.

This was a big ask, though. I didn’t feel worthy. I didn’t feel up to the task. God sees it differently. He has my path mapped out, and will show me, each step of the way, what I need to do. He will take care of the rest. All I have to do is ask.

I prayed hard about it. I prayed unlike any prayer I had ever prayed before. I laid myself at His feet, begging for His help and guidance. I asked.

A few days later, I began to see how God was taking care of my needs. I received unexpected money from family and other sources. I was gifted food. I got an offer to help with my sorely neglected yard. The vision I had been given to help my neighbors began with my neighbors helping me! [I think God has a passion for irony, wry humor, and precision timing.]

I realized then that although I am not the leader I thought I needed to be. God is. I am the follower. I am not strong. God is. I can’t see the path I am walking, but I know how to get to where I’m going. All I need to see is the next stepping stone God has laid for me. I stopped worrying about living up to my idea of God’s expectations and let go of the reins. All I need do is what is required of me, one step at a time.

When I think I am at the end of my rope, God sees it differently. He uses those times as opportunities for my growth as a Christian. He simply gives me a longer, stronger rope! He will provide, exactly as He promised. I just need to make sure to put my trust in Him, and ask for His help, in all things.

Praise God in all things!

Prayer Focus

People who are unemployed.

Prayer

Heavenly Father who made me for a specific purpose, thank you for being there for me every step of the way you have laid out for me. Help me to stay on course, centered on You, and keep me safe as I do Your will in all things, big and small. Amen.

Final Thought

God has a plan for me.

Thank God First

Bible Passages

Read Luke 17:11-19.

“I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders.” – Psalm 9:1 (NASB1995)

Devotion

One of the first things we learn to say is, “Thank you.” One of the first things we forget to say is, “Thank you.” A simple two-word phrase, it goes a long way. Yet, we go about our day and forget to give thanks to the people whose thoughtful, little kindnesses make a difference in our day: the helpful store clerk, the smiling toll booth guard, the one who holds the door, or the random but needed hug, all deserve one word of encouragement and appreciation, “Thanks.”

Family is usually second among unthanked victims. Mom gets up early to make breakfast. Dad takes time to help with our homework. On that rare occasion when our siblings actually share their toys, their ice cream, or their secrets, we neglect to thank them.

The first victim is God. We don’t thank Him for allowing us to wake up today, for last night’s rest, the new day before us. We don’t sing His praises as we prepare for our day. We don’t thank Him for going out into the world with us. However, if we don’t start our day with God, we set ourselves up for something less than everything He wants for us for that day.

We need to start and end each day right, with praise and thanks to God. Try starting and ending your day with the Lord’s prayer, a joyful Psalm, a devotion like The Upper Room, or a Bible chapter. Smart devices have apps like YouVersion, in which you can request a specific or random Bible passage. Whatever you do to start your day with God, He will approve.

As His servants, talk to God first each morning. “Good morning, Lord. How may I serve You today? How can I be a blessing to someone today?” Then, listen. He might take a few minutes, a few hours, days. He does things on His schedule, not ours. Keep asking during the day. He will guide your heart. Small things will only be a brief tug. “Help that lady carry all that stuff.” “Wait here a minute.” “Drive home by the back roads.” Those things come quickly and are easy when you listen. Those are the small ways we honor God, not always knowing why or the result.

The big things, for me at least, often take more than one nudge. Sometimes, He has to work to get my attention. In times like that, He allows situations that seem dire at first glance. When I pray about it, He lets me know He wants my attention. When I finally hear Him, He opens the door He wants me to take. As I step through, I realize I am traveling the path He set for me. Things start turning around. The dire situation becomes an opportunity to glorify God. When I take His path, everything falls into place again. It doesn’t always happen immediately, but it does always happen.

That’s the most important time to thank the Lord, just as with the ten lepers. When He shows us His love or the next step in our journey, we need to praise Him, thank Him, and go out of our way to make sure what we do glorifies God in as many ways as we can. Let everyone know your success comes from God. Sing his praises with every breath. When we do, the joy is overwhelming and contagious!

Then, at the end of the day, make sure He is the last thing on your mind before you go to sleep. Give Him your concerns, thank Him for a great day and the blessings and challenges, and for granting the rest you need. When you do this, you will rest completely and worry-free. It might take some practice, as it has with me, and some nights will be harder to do this than others.

That’s okay with God. He knows we’re not perfect but He loves us anyway, and wraps us in His perfect love, then sets His angels to watch over us. As the saying goes, “Give it to God and go to sleep.”

Prayer Focus

Those who have forgotten to thank God, even in small things.

Prayer

Lord God our Father Almighty, thank You for nurturing us, guiding us, and helping us grow into the people You want us to be. Help us to remember to thank You in good times, in bad times, and in the in-between times. Remind us to give You the glory You deserve. Remind us to put your first and last in all things. Amen.

Final Thought

Start and end your day with God.