Defined by Gratitude CLICK on the Scripture above to link into your daily reading plan.
March 4, 2014
By reading the scripture above each day you will read the Old Testament through in one year and the New Testament through twice in a year. This will change your life. Start Today! |
| TODAY'S SCRIPTURE "For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it? Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you!" (1 Corinthians 4:7-9)
TODAY'S WORD , gratitude is learning to recognize and express appreciation for the benefits we have received from God and from others. Let's break down theses components a bit further today.
To "recognize" what we receive each day, the eyes of our heart must be open and alert. This means constantly being on the lookout for blessings, making each day a treasure hunt. I have a friend who makes a habit of thanking the Lord for ten things every morning before he gets out of bed. He wants to start his day by focusing on the goodness of God, rather than whatever problems or challenges he may have to deal with that day.
To "express appreciation" means that what's in our heart needs to come out! It means being intentional about thanking God and others for the blessings that come our way. It also means frequent opportunities to invest back into those who are involved in our lives. It's our return gift to them-and to the Lord.
Being mindful of "the benefits we have received" helps squeeze bitterness and entitlement from our hearts, replacing negative, depressing thoughts with the realization that our loving Father has showered us with good things, and that even the "bad things" in our lives are "benefits," intended to make us more like Jesus.
Gratitude changes the way we start the day, spend the day, and look back on the day. It defines us a people who value our relationship with God and with those He's placed around us. By thanking Him and others throughout the day, we are expressing humility, realizing these "benefits" are undeserved. A PRAYER FOR YOU TODAY Dear Father, so often I go through the day oblivious to all I have to be grateful for. Help me to recognize AND express appreciation for all that is done for me. Prompt me to take the time to say "thank you." Help me to be a person who invests in those around me as a way to express how grateful I am to You for all you do for me. In Jesus' name, Amen. |
| , my your life be full of His blessings.
Pastor Eric & Rita
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