Passage of the Day:
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. 2 Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever. 3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever. 4 to him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever. 5 who by his understanding made the heavens, His love endures forever. 6 who spread out the earth upon the waters, His love endures forever. 7 who made the great lights—His love endures forever. 8 the sun to govern the day, His love endures forever 9 the moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever, Psalm 136:1-9.
Reflection:
There is a growing movement for Christians to keep a gratitude journal. Similar to keeping a diary, gratitude journals are designed to reflect upon the positive aspects and things God is doing in your life. Thanks to recent Christian films, developing a heart of gratitude has been brought to the forefront. The apostle Paul writes about God’s invisible qualities in Romans 1:20. This is what the Psalmist illuminates in the passage above, verbalizing specific things that God has created for all to see.
Prayerful Action:
Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.
Restoring Your Heart:
The textbook definition for gratitude is the quality of being thankful; a readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. This explanation hints to the Golden Rule: doing unto others, treating others, as you want to be treated. Anyone who strives toward achieving a heart of gratitude develops a readiness for appreciation and a desire to return God’s kindness to others.
Song of the Day:
The apostle Paul points to a blueprint for developing a heart of gratitude in Philippians 4:8-9. “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 