Posts with the tag “gratitude”

Paul wrote this from a prison cell, which changes the tone entirely. Worry and prayer are both responses to something you can't control. The difference is direction. And the phrase most of us skip is the one that steadies everything: with thanksgiving.  Read More

Moses warned Israel on the edge of everything they'd prayed for, and the warning wasn't about enemies. It was about forgetting. Hunger keeps you dependent. Comfort makes you forgetful. Full hands and a forgetful heart is a real combination.  Read More

Every family has songs they know by heart, so it's worth asking why Scripture keeps telling us to sing a new one. You don't write a new song about an old rescue. If your worship sounds exactly like it did five years ago, it may be worth asking whether you've been paying attention.  Read More

How you come into a house says a lot about the relationship. Psalm 100 tells you how to enter God's presence, and gratitude isn't what you work up to after a good worship set. It's the front door. Bring the list, but come in thanking Him first.  Read More

Ten men with leprosy were healed on the road. One came back. The other nine weren't villains, they were doing exactly what Jesus told them to do. But Jesus noticed who turned around, and He asked about the ones who didn't.  Read More

You can recall an insult from fourth grade and forget an answered prayer from March. David knew that about himself, which is why Psalm 103 opens with a man giving his own soul instructions. Vague gratitude fades by lunch. Specific gratitude sticks.  Read More

Ask anybody who's gotten a gift they didn't deserve and they'll remember it longer than the ones they expected. James says look at your whole life that way. Every good thing you have traces back to one hand. You are not lucky, you're loved.  Read More

Harvest has always been the moment people stop and count. Psalm 107 opens with the counting, but the reason it gives isn't the harvest. Then read who the psalm is actually for: people who wandered, sat in darkness, and made choices that wrecked their lives. Each one cried out, and each time He came.  Read More

November is a few days out, and with it a whole month of talking about gratitude. Let's get a head start with something that will save you frustration: gratitude is a discipline before it's a feeling. Read Paul's preposition carefully. He says give thanks in everything, not for everything, and that's a very different assignment.  Read More

Gratitude does something to a person. It slows you down long enough to notice how much God has already done that you walked right past.  Read More

"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." - Colossians 3:17True stewardship flows from a heart of gratitude and love for God. When we do everything in Jesus' name, our work becomes worship, our giving becomes joy, and our service becomes privilege. This perspective transforms ordinary tasks into sacred opportun...  Read More

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” - Colossians 4:2How often do our prayers become a list of needs, worries, and requests? We approach God with our problems and our petitions, which is something He invites us to do. Yet, the Apostle Paul reminds us that a crucial ingredient is often missing: thanksgiving. He urges us to be not only devoted to prayer and watchful in it, but...  Read More

"Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.” - Psalm 127:3As we conclude this week of reflecting on a mother's love and wisdom, we pause to worship God for the incredible gift He has given us through motherhood. This verse reminds us that children are not burdens to be endured but blessings to be treasured, and mothers are the primary stewards of these precious gifts from ...  Read More

“When evening came, he was reclining at the table with the Twelve. – Matthew 26:20There are moments in life that change everything. Encounters we experience that are so significant that we walk away different than we were before. Most of us can name a few of those moments without much effort. The day you gave your life to Jesus. The day you were married. The moment you became a parent. Moments tha...  Read More

“Being rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, overflowing with gratitude.” – Colossians 2:7 Storms are part of life. They show up without warning, linger longer than expected, and test what we thought was stable. When things start shaking, it is easy to blame the storm. But Scripture points us to a different issue. Storms do not destroy believers. Shallow...  Read More

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, bless his name." – Psalm 100:4 It’s Thanksgiving Day. For most, today revolves around food, family, and football. But before you pick up your plate or settle in for the game, don’t miss the deeper purpose of the day. At its core, Thanksgiving isn’t about the table; it’s about the One who fills it. Psalm 100 invites...  Read More

"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 The day before Thanksgiving can feel like a blur. There’s food to prep, people to host, and plans to finalize. In the middle of all the hustle, it’s easy to treat thankfulness like a side dish, something we serve up once a year before getting back to real life. But Scripture speaks diffe...  Read More

"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving." - Colossians 4:2A powerful life always begins with a prayerful heart. Not just the kind of prayers you throw up in passing or whisper out of routine, but focused, steady, persistent prayer that seeks the heart of God before stepping into the world. When Paul tells believers to continue steadfastly in prayer, he is inviting t...  Read More

"Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things." - Philippians 4:8 Your mind is one of the most powerful tools God has given you. And yet, it’s also one of the most vulnerable places in your life. What ...  Read More

"But in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving" - Philippians 4:6 Some people just have a way of making everything feel heavy. You know the type. If it’s sunny, it’s too hot. If it’s cloudy, it’s too gloomy. No matter how much they have, they live with a mindset that it’s never enough. That’s what happens when gratitude goes missing. And it’s a real problem, not just for their a...  Read More

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" - Philippians 4:4 We are going to begin a new seven-part journey, diving into what it means to develop a healthy thought life. The first step is all about joy. Not random happiness or good vibes, but the kind of joy that comes from choosing to rejoice in the Lord no matter what is happening around you. The verse shown above is not a sugge...  Read More

"Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you.'" - Exodus 16:4 Have you ever felt like you were stuck in a desert season? Not a literal desert, but a stretch of life where everything feels dry and directionless. It’s like you’re walking, but you’re not really sure where you are going. That was the Children of Israel. They were free from Egypt, but not yet in t...  Read More

"Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her." – Proverbs 31:28 We’ve all been there, right? That moment of panic when you realize you forgot a special day. The desperate scramble to make up for it. The grand gestures and over-the-top plans just to cover up the fact that you completely missed it. And the punchline of that story? All that effort for the most extr...  Read More

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His faithful love endures forever." - Psalm 136:1 Everything in this world has an expiration date. Friendships fade, seasons change, and even the strongest relationships can grow distant. People come and go, emotions rise and fall, and the things that once felt permanent can slip away in an instant. But there is one thing that will never change; God’s love...  Read More

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." - 1 Thessalonians 5:18 When was the last time you paused to thank God for the little things? Not just the big moments of deliverance or the obvious blessings, but the tiny, often unnoticed details that He faithfully provides every single day. It’s easy to overlook them, to assume they’ll always be there, but t...  Read More

"And the angel said to them, 'Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.'" - Luke 2:10-11   Have you ever noticed how easily we let small things shape our mood? I remember growing up in Texas and being a die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan. In the late ’80s and early ’90s, th...  Read More

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." - 1 Thessalonians 5:18   In the midst of our busy lives, it’s easy to lose sight of the countless blessings surrounding us. Whether you find yourself on a mountaintop or in a valley, there is always something to be thankful for. Thanksgiving is a beautiful reminder of this truth—a time to pause, reflect, and e...  Read More

"Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ." — Ephesians 1:3   When you think about being blessed, what comes to mind? Many of us might envision receiving something unexpected or wonderful, something that makes us feel special or lucky. But what if we misunderstand what it truly means to be blessed by God? Ofte...  Read More

"Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong." - Ecclesiastes 5:1   Have you ever entered into a place of worship without truly preparing your heart and mind for the encounter with God? Solomon's words in Ecclesiastes 5 resonate deeply, reminding us of the importance of approaching worship with ...  Read More

"In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.'" - 1 Corinthians 11:25   Today, let's take a moment to reflect on the significance of observing the Lord's Supper. It's not just a routine part of our church service; it's a profound act of remembrance. Taking the Lord’s supper should be a time o...  Read More

"Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong." - Ecclesiastes 5:1   In our journey of faith, it's crucial to approach worship with intentionality and preparation. Solomon, in his wisdom, recognized the importance of guarding our steps when we enter the house of God. He observed how people, both ...  Read More

“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.'” – Luke 2:10-11 As the Christmas season approaches, the world around us is adorned with dazzling lights, festive decorations, and the hustle that comes with holiday preparations. ...  Read More

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31 God has entrusted us with a remarkable gift—the power to choose how we use the abilities and resources He has given us. As we contemplate this profound responsibility, we are faced with a crucial question: How will we use the power God has given us? First and foremost, we should u...  Read More

Gratitude changes the way we pray. Discover how giving thanks in every circumstance opens the door to joy.  Read More

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” – Colossians 4:2 Prayer is not merely a religious duty or a last resort in times of trouble; it is a vital connection that we, as believers, have with our Heavenly Father. It is through prayer that we communicate with God, seek His guidance, find comfort, and experience His transforming power. The verse from Colossians 4:2 re...  Read More

Praise isn't only for the good days. Discover what it means to bless the Lord at all times.  Read More

We're more dependent on God than we like to admit. Seek His kingdom first and watch Him provide.  Read More

A fruitful life is built on truth. See how letting Christ's word dwell in you richly produces lasting profit.  Read More

April 5, 2023“Even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will.” – Ephesians 1:4-5God, the Creator of the universe, made you in His image. Did you know that? Well, He did. But unfortunately, so many people live their liv...  Read More

Some gifts we simply receive. Learn to rest under the blessing and protection God longs to give you.  Read More