Gratitude

November 12th – John 15:11

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John 15:11

How often do we catch ourselves saying, “If only”? If only we had more money, a bigger house, a better job, fewer problems, or a life that looked a little more like someone else’s.

We convince ourselves that once those things happen, then we’ll finally be happy. But the trouble with living in the land of “if only” is that there’s always something else we’ll want or think we need before we allow ourselves to be joyful.

John 15:11 reminds us that Jesus wants His joy to be in us and for our joy to be complete. And that joy isn’t something we have to wait for until life gets better. It isn’t found in a bank account, a clothing size, or having everything go our way. It’s found in a relationship with Jesus.

The kind of joy He gives isn’t dependent on our circumstances, and it doesn’t disappear when life gets difficult. I’m reminding myself that I don’t want to spend so much time wishing for a different life that I miss the blessings in the one God has given me.

We can have joy right now, right where we are, because we have Jesus. So let’s stop putting our happiness on hold until our “if only” becomes a reality. Let’s learn to recognize the goodness of God in the life we’re living today and remember that the greatest source of joy is already ours.

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November 11th – John 15:13

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John 15:13

As we observe Veterans Day, I can’t help but think about the men and women who have made tremendous sacrifices to protect our freedom. Some have left their families and homes. Others have endured hardships we’ll never fully understand, and some have given their lives in service to our country.

Their willingness to put others before themselves is a sacrifice we should never take lightly. Freedom is a gift, but it has never been free. Today, I am especially thankful for those who have served. And for those who continue to serve, and the families who have stood beside them through it all.

We may never be able to repay what they’ve given, but we can make sure their sacrifices are never forgotten. As Christians, we’re called to love others sacrificially, and the courage and selflessness of our veterans remind us of the depth of that kind of love.

So today, let’s take a moment to say thank you, offer a prayer for those who have served, and remember the blessings of freedom we too often take for granted. May God bless our veterans, comfort those carrying unseen wounds, and bless the United States of America.

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November 5th – Colossians 3:15

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Colossians 3:15

Colossians 3:15 reminds us to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts. I love that word rule because it means we have a choice about what we allow to lead us.

It’s so easy to let worry, frustration, fear, or the opinions of others take over our thoughts and steal our peace. We can spend so much time worrying about what might happen tomorrow or replaying what happened yesterday, that we forget to enjoy the day God has placed right in front of us.

But Jesus offers us a peace that isn’t dependent on everything going right or life going according to our plans. It’s a peace that comes from knowing who He is and trusting Him with what we can’t control. That doesn’t mean we won’t have difficult days, face uncertainty, or have moments when our hearts feel unsettled. It means we have somewhere to turn when those moments come.

Instead of allowing our circumstances to rule our hearts, we can bring our worries to Jesus and let His truth steady us. I’m learning that peace doesn’t come from having all the answers. It comes from trusting the One who holds it all.

So today, let’s be careful about what we allow to take up space in our hearts. Let’s make room for Christ’s peace, let gratitude shape our attitudes, and remember that we don’t have to carry tomorrow’s worries while we’re living through today.

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November 4th – James 1:17

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James 1:17

Have you ever stopped to think about how many blessings we overlook simply because we’ve gotten used to them? We can get so caught up wishing for what we don’t have, that we forget to thank God for what we do.

The roof over our heads, food on the table, people who love us, a beautiful sunrise, or even the strength to get through another day. They’re all gifts worth recognizing. And James reminds us that every good and perfect gift comes from above.

Now, not every good thing in our lives comes wrapped in a pretty package, and not every season is easy. But even when life changes, God doesn’t. His goodness isn’t here one day and gone the next. He is the same faithful Father through our happiest moments and our hardest days.

I know I don’t always stop long enough to appreciate all He’s given me, and I suspect I’m not alone in that. So today, let’s look around with fresh eyes and remember where our blessings come from. We have so much more to be thankful for than we sometimes realize.

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November 2nd – 1 Thessalonians 5:18

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1 Thessalonians 5:18

It’s easy to thank God when life is good. When our prayers are answered, and things are going the way we’d hoped. But what about when life hurts? When we’re disappointed, worried, or facing something we’d never choose for ourselves?

I’ll be the first to admit that finding reasons to be thankful isn’t always easy when my heart is heavy. But this verse reminds us that we’re called to give thanks in all circumstances, not necessarily for all circumstances. There’s a difference!

God doesn’t expect us to pretend we’re happy when we’re hurting or to ignore the struggles we’re facing. What He does ask us is to remember that even in our hardest seasons, He is still good. God’s love never changes, and we are never beyond His care.

Sometimes gratitude is a joyful celebration, and sometimes it’s a quiet prayer whispered through tears. Both matter to God.

So today, even if life isn’t giving you much reason to smile, look for one small thing you can thank Him for. It may not change your circumstances, but it can remind your heart that your circumstances don’t change who God is.

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November 1st – Psalm 107:1

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Psalm 107:1

It’s easy to thank God when life is going well. When our prayers are being answered, and everything seems to fall into place. But what about those days when we’re worried, disappointed, or wondering what God is doing?

I’ve learned that having a grateful heart doesn’t mean life is perfect or that we never struggle. It means choosing to remember that even when our circumstances change, God’s goodness and love never do.

Sometimes we’re so busy looking for the big blessings that we overlook the little ones right in front of us. Maybe it’s a beautiful sunrise, a kind word, a loved one’s laughter, or the quiet reassurance that we’re never walking alone. God’s goodness isn’t measured by how easy our lives are, but by who He is. And His love endures through every season.

So today, let’s challenge ourselves to look beyond what we wish were different and notice the blessings God has already placed in our lives. We may not have everything we want, and we may still be waiting on some prayers, but we always have a reason to thank Him.

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August 20th – Psalm 47:1

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Psalm 47:1

It’s easy to remember God when we need something. To come to Him with our requests, our worries, and our problems. And when He answers to thank Him. But God is worthy of our praise long before the answer comes.

We should praise Him simply because He is God. He is good, faithful, holy, merciful, and worthy of every breath we take. Even on the difficult days, we still have countless reasons to praise Him. We have been forgiven and redeemed. We have been called His own. And we have the incredible privilege of knowing the King of kings and Lord of lords. Not from a distance, but as our loving Father who invites us into relationship with Him.

Think about that for a moment. The God who created the heavens and the earth chose you. He knows your name, sees your life, hears your prayers, and loves you more deeply than you can comprehend. What an extraordinary reason to rejoice!

So let our praise become more than a response to answered prayers. Let it become a way of life. Praise Him when you’re celebrating and praise Him when you’re struggling. Praise Him when you understand and praise Him when you don’t. And praise Him with your words, actions, attitude, and with every breath He gives you. We don’t praise God because life is always good. We praise Him because He is always good.

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July 6th – Psalm 118:24

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Psalm 118:24

Some days are harder than others. There are mornings when we wake up already carrying yesterday’s worries, and there are days that don’t go anything like we hoped they would. Life has a way of reminding us that not every day is easy, and not every day feels like a good one.

But Psalm 118:24 gently tells us that every day is still a gift from God. The fact that we opened our eyes this morning is evidence of His mercy. Every sunrise is another opportunity to start over, to leave yesterday behind, to make things right, to grow in our faith, and to become a little more like Christ.

I’m so thankful that God doesn’t expect perfection from me. He simply invites me to keep walking with Him. His mercies are new every morning, and His grace is always enough for whatever this day may bring.

We may not be able to choose our circumstances, but we can choose how we respond to them. We can choose gratitude instead of complaining, hope instead of discouragement, and trust instead of fear. Some days those choices are easier than others, but God faithfully walks beside us through them all.

So today, whether this day brings joy or challenges, thank God for the gift of another beginning. Every new day is another chance to get it right, another chance to love well, and another chance to experience His goodness and mercy. And that alone is reason to rejoice.

 

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July 4th – 1 Timothy 2:16

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1 Timothy 2:16 

This Fourth of July feels especially meaningful as our nation celebrates America’s 250th birthday. For 250 years, we’ve enjoyed many freedoms that countless people around the world can only dream of. It’s a time to celebrate, to reflect, and to be thankful for the blessings we’ve been given.

But as Christians, freedom carries a deeper meaning. In 1 Peter 2:16, we’re reminded that our freedom isn’t meant to be used however we please. Instead, it’s an opportunity to live in a way that honors God and serves others.

The greatest freedom I’ve ever known isn’t found in a document or a government. It’s the freedom Jesus purchased when He gave His life for me. He set me free from the power of sin, from guilt, from shame, and from the burden of trying to earn God’s love. That freedom changes everything.

As we celebrate America’s birthday, may we also remember that true freedom isn’t just about our rights. Instead, it’s about how we choose to live. May we use the freedoms God has given us to love well, serve faithfully, speak kindly, and point others to Christ.

Today, let’s celebrate with grateful hearts, thanking God for our country while never forgetting the greater freedom we have in Jesus. May our lives reflect both gratitude for the blessings we’ve received and a commitment to honor the One who gave us the greatest gift of all. Happy Fourth of July!

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July 1st – Galatians 5:1

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Galatians 5:1

This month, our nation celebrates America’s 250th birthday. As we reflect on what freedom means to each of us, I hope we’ll never take lightly the sacrifices of the brave men and women who laid down their lives so we could enjoy the freedoms we have today. Their courage came at a great cost, and we honor them with grateful hearts.

But as thankful as I am for those freedoms, I’m reminded of an even greater freedom. One that could only be purchased by Jesus Christ. He willingly laid down His life on the Cross so we could be set free from the power of sin, guilt, shame, fear, and condemnation. No one took His life from Him. He gave it because He loves us.

Galatians 5:1 says, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Those words remind me that Jesus didn’t suffer and die so I would continue carrying the very burdens He came to remove. Too often, I find myself picking up worry, fear, bitterness, or trying to earn God’s approval, forgetting that Christ has already set me free.

As we celebrate freedom this month, may we remember the price that was paid. A price paid not only by those who defended our country, but by our Savior who gave everything so we could have eternal life. And because He laid down His life for us, may we choose each day to walk in the freedom He purchased, never returning to the chains He came to break. That is the greatest freedom of all.

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