5 Gifts You Get From Gratitude 11/02/2025

Devotional

Day 1: The Joy of the Lord is Your Strength

God desires for us to live with energy and joy, not weighed down by grief or regret. When we turn to Him, even after seasons of neglect or sadness, He invites us to celebrate, to feast on His goodness, and to let His joy become our source of strength. No matter what critics or circumstances surround us, choosing joy in the Lord renews us from the inside out and empowers us to face each day with hope and resilience. Let His joy be the foundation that carries you through every challenge, transforming mourning into rejoicing. [01:04:03]

Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV)
"Nehemiah said, 'Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.'"

Reflection:
What is one area of your life where you have been letting sadness or regret linger? How can you intentionally choose to celebrate God’s goodness and let His joy strengthen you today?

Day 2: A Joyful Heart is Good Medicine

Joy is not just a fleeting feeling; it is a powerful force that brings healing and vitality to our lives. When we cultivate a joyful heart, it acts as medicine—restoring our bodies, lifting our spirits, and energizing us for the journey ahead. On the other hand, a crushed spirit drains us and leaves us vulnerable. God invites us to embrace joy as a daily choice, knowing that it will impact our health, our relationships, and our ability to fulfill His calling. [01:09:41]

Proverbs 17:22 (ESV)
"A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."

Reflection:
Think of a practical way you can bring joy into your daily routine—whether through gratitude, laughter, or worship. How might this shift your emotional and physical well-being this week?

Day 3: Joy is Found in God’s Presence

True and lasting joy is found not in circumstances or people, but in the presence of God. When we seek Him each morning, taking refuge in Him and trusting Him as our strength and shield, our hearts are filled with gladness and songs of praise. This joy is constant and enduring, unlike the fleeting happiness the world offers. As we draw near to God, He fills us with joy and eternal pleasures, giving us the strength to face whatever comes our way. [01:12:45]

Psalm 16:11 (NIV)
"You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."

Reflection:
How can you intentionally spend time in God’s presence today—through prayer, worship, or reading His Word—to experience the fullness of His joy?

Day 4: Speak and Declare God’s Promises Over Your Life

Our words have power, and what we declare shapes our reality. Instead of speaking defeat, lack, or fear, God calls us to declare His promises and call things that are not as though they were. Like Abraham, who believed God’s word even when circumstances seemed impossible, we are invited to stand in faith, speak life, and expect God to fulfill His promises. This practice not only builds our faith but also brings transformation and breakthrough in our lives and the lives of those around us. [01:40:13]

Romans 4:17-18 (ESV)
"As it is written, 'I have made you the father of many nations'—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, 'So shall your offspring be.'"

Reflection:
What is one promise from God’s Word that you need to start declaring over your life or your family? Write it down and speak it out loud each day this week.

Day 5: You Are Wonderfully Made and Complete in Christ

God created you uniquely and perfectly, knitting you together with purpose and love. You are not a duplicate or a mistake; you are a brand new creation in Christ, redeemed, favored, and filled with His Spirit. When you embrace your identity in Him, you can live with confidence, gratitude, and joy, knowing that nothing is missing, broken, or lacking. Let go of comparison and negativity, and step into the fullness of who God has called you to be. [01:24:52]

Psalm 139:13-14 (ESV)
"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well."

Reflection:
In what ways have you struggled to see yourself as God sees you? Take a moment to thank Him for how He created you, and ask Him to help you walk confidently in your true identity today.

Sermon Summary

Gratitude is a powerful force that transforms our lives from the inside out. When we choose to live with a grateful heart, we open ourselves to the supernatural energy and joy that God desires for us. God’s intention is not for us to remain in sadness, guilt, or regret, but to step into the fullness of His joy, which becomes our strength. Just as Nehemiah encouraged the people of Israel to move from mourning to celebration after hearing God’s word, we too are called to let go of grief and embrace the joy that comes from God’s presence and forgiveness.

Distractions and the pressures of life can easily pull us away from this place of joy. We often rebuild our lives based on the world’s standards or our circumstances, rather than on the truth of God’s word. But when we intentionally meditate on Scripture and cultivate intimacy with God, our hearts are renewed, and we begin to experience a joy that is not dependent on what’s happening around us. This joy is not fleeting or circumstantial; it is a constant, sustaining force that empowers us to face challenges, love others well, and live out our calling.

Joy is not just a feeling—it is a spiritual strength that impacts every area of our lives. It boosts our physical health, strengthens our relationships, and motivates us to pursue God’s best. Setting healthy boundaries and saying “no” to things that steal our joy is an act of wisdom and obedience. We are uniquely created by God, designed with purpose, and called to live in the fullness of His love and favor. Our words and declarations matter; when we align our speech with God’s promises, we activate faith and invite His power to work in our lives.

No matter what facts or circumstances we face, we are invited to “faith the facts”—to call things that are not as though they were, just as Abraham did. God honors persistent, faith-filled declarations. Testimonies of healing and restoration remind us that God is still in the business of miracles. As we choose gratitude, joy, and faith, we become living testimonies of God’s goodness, and we inspire others to pursue Him with all their hearts.

Key Takeaways

1. Joy is a Spiritual Strength, Not a Circumstance True joy is not dictated by what happens around us, but by our connection to God’s presence and promises. When we choose to rejoice—even in the midst of trials—we tap into a supernatural strength that sustains us and empowers us to overcome. This joy is a daily choice, rooted in intimacy with God and a deep trust in His goodness. [64:36]
2. Rebuilding Our Lives on God’s Word Brings Lasting Transformation Just as Nehemiah rebuilt not only the walls but also the hearts of the people through God’s word, we must daily rebuild our inner lives with Scripture. The world will try to shape us, but only God’s truth can restore us to our original design—whole, joyful, and free. Regular meditation on the Word renews our minds and aligns us with God’s purposes. [61:02]
3. Healthy Boundaries Protect and Sustain Our Joy God designed us with limits and boundaries for our good. Saying “no” to negativity, unhealthy relationships, and distractions is not selfish—it’s an act of honoring God’s order and protecting the joy He’s given us. Boundaries help us remain focused on our calling and keep our hearts open to God’s best. [81:51]
4. Our Declarations Shape Our Reality What we speak over our lives matters. When we declare God’s promises and call things that are not as though they were, we activate faith and invite God’s power to move. Persistent, faith-filled declarations—especially in the face of contrary facts—bring breakthrough and align our lives with God’s will. [103:49]
5. Gratitude and Joy Are Contagious and Transformative A grateful, joyful heart not only changes us but also impacts those around us. Our families, friends, and communities are watching how we respond to life’s challenges. When we live out joy and gratitude authentically, we become living testimonies of God’s love, inspiring others to pursue Him and experience His goodness for themselves. [94:11]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[53:14] - Opening Prayer and Worship
[54:54] - Receiving Divine Revelation
[56:06] - Introduction to the “Increase” Series
[58:28] - The Power of Gratitude
[59:55] - The Joy of the Lord is Your Strength
[61:02] - Rebuilding with God’s Word
[63:13] - From Mourning to Rejoicing
[65:09] - The Source of True Joy
[69:21] - Choosing Joy Daily
[72:15] - Joy’s Impact on Health and Habits
[80:44] - Setting Healthy Boundaries
[83:17] - God’s Perfect Design and Identity
[89:24] - The Power of Positive Declarations
[94:11] - Living Joy Before Others
[103:49] - Faithing the Facts
[106:22] - Testimonies of Healing and Restoration
[117:29] - Fully Persuaded Faith
[122:30] - Invitation to Receive Jesus
[125:01] - Prayer for Strengthened Faith
[127:27] - Closing Worship and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Nehemiah 8:9-12 (ESV) — > 9 And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law.
> 10 Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
> 11 So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved.”
> 12 And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.

Proverbs 17:22 (ESV) — > A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Romans 4:17-21 (ESV) — > 17 as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.
> 18 In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.”
> 19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb.
> 20 No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God,
> 21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.

Observation Questions

In Nehemiah 8, what was the people’s initial reaction to hearing God’s word, and how did Nehemiah instruct them to respond instead? [[01:02:03]]
According to Proverbs 17:22, what is the effect of a joyful heart compared to a crushed spirit? [[01:09:21]]
In Romans 4, what did Abraham do when faced with facts that seemed to contradict God’s promise? [[01:39:23]]
The sermon mentions that joy is not just a feeling but a spiritual strength. What examples did the pastor give of how joy impacts our daily lives? [[01:11:48]]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Nehemiah told the people not to mourn or weep after hearing the law, but instead to celebrate? What does this reveal about God’s heart for His people? [[01:03:13]]
The pastor said, “Joy is a tremendous source of strength.” In what ways might joy help someone face challenges differently than sadness or regret? [[01:04:36]]
Abraham “called those things which be not as though they were.” What does it mean to “faith the facts,” and how does this relate to making declarations over our lives? [[01:43:49]]
The sermon emphasized setting healthy boundaries to protect our joy. Why might boundaries be necessary for living in the fullness of God’s joy? [[01:21:51]]

Application Questions

The people in Nehemiah’s time moved from mourning to celebration after understanding God’s word. Is there an area in your life where you need to let go of guilt or regret and step into God’s joy? What would it look like to do that this week? [[01:04:36]]
The pastor shared about intentionally meditating on Scripture to rebuild her life on God’s word. What is one practical way you can make time for God’s word each day, even when life is busy or distracting? [[01:01:02]]
The sermon talked about setting boundaries and saying “no” to things that steal our joy. Is there a specific relationship, habit, or activity that is draining your joy right now? What boundary could you set this week to protect your joy? [[01:21:51]]
The pastor encouraged making faith-filled declarations, even when circumstances look hopeless. What is one area of your life where you need to start speaking God’s promises instead of negativity? How can you remind yourself to do this daily? [[01:43:49]]
The message said, “Gratitude and joy are contagious.” Who in your life is watching how you respond to challenges? How could your attitude of gratitude and joy influence them this week? [[01:34:11]]
The pastor shared a testimony of healing that came through persistent prayer and positive declarations. Is there a situation in your life (or someone you know) where you need to keep praying and declaring God’s truth, even if you haven’t seen change yet? What will help you persevere? [[01:46:22]]
The sermon mentioned that joy boosts our physical health and strengthens relationships. Can you think of a time when choosing joy changed the atmosphere in your home, workplace, or friendships? How can you intentionally bring joy into those spaces this week? [[01:11:48]]

Sermon Clips

So no matter where you are today. No matter what you have been through. You can go from sadness or mourning. You can go to feasting on God's truth and God's word. And man, I promise you, I promise you, I promise you that at the end, you're going to see rejoicing happening in your life. Rejoicing is going to meet you. All the time. Because joy is a tremendous source of strength. [01:04:36] (27 seconds) #FromMourningToJoy

What you lack is intimacy with me. What you lack is connecting with me every day. What is it that you're lacking is you're not taking a hold of me. You're not taking a hold of all of my promises. And that's when my eyes were open and my ears were open. And I'm like, oh, my gosh. That's where my joy is at. It's spending time with him. Just him and I. [01:05:45] (28 seconds) #IntimacyWithGod

Every time that I make a decision not to give power of the things that are happening to me right now. But I come up and I place my eyes on the Lord. And I place my hope in the Lord. Something happens. Hallelujah. Oh, my strength is renewed like the eagle. So good. They will soar on like wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary or tired. They will walk and not faint. Oh, it's so good. [01:15:06] (35 seconds) #RenewedStrengthInFaith

The Bible tells us that we're going to go through stuff. going to go through stuff. But how are you going to address that stuff that happens in life? Man, play the offense. Stop playing defense. That's why the devil messes up with you. Because he's like, ah, this is a sucker. I'm going to play with him. Let me get him. Let me see him get angry. Oh, I can't wait. I can't wait to steal so and so's joy. I know what to do. The enemy has been studying you and he knows all the tricks. And because you don't know who you are in the Lord and what you're made of, you fall for it every single time. How about you play the offense and say, uh-uh. Devil, I know who you are and I see you. Get behind me because I know who I am. And then speak the word of God. Speak the word of God. [01:15:48] (48 seconds) #PlayOffenseWithGod

The word of God says that you are a brand new, stinking, stinking creation. You're brand new, brand new, better than a brand new car that smells brand new. You are a brand new creation. The word of God says that you have favor with God and he gives you favor with man. The word of God says that you are redeemed, redeemed, reconciled, justified, sanctified, glorified, and healed. Hallelujah. The word of God says that you can do anything that God wants you to do. The word of God says that you and I are the home of God and the Holy Spirit. The word of God says that you and I are the home. We host the Holy Spirit. We host God. And that's why I cannot live my life any other way, any reckless way. That's why I got to honor my God and I got to be obedient, yet he forgives me. But I have a responsibility to honor that. [01:26:16] (74 seconds) #BrandNewCreation

Imagine if you and I being believers of this word of God, which is a lot more powerful than declaring positive stuff. Imagine if you and I, whatever we're going through, we will make it a point. We will make it a point that we will declare the word of God and we will stand on the word of God. Man, that verse that says in Joshua, right, 1A, man, you meditate on the word of God day and night, day and night. Then you will have success. Then it will go well with you. So powerful. What are you thinking? What are you meditating on? You have an issue? Oh, man, that's a great opportunity for God to be God. So good. [01:29:44] (40 seconds) #DeclareGodsWord

Sometimes we spend so much money trying to give our kids the best thing and the best thing you can give them is that you live out this word of God 100% and you do it well. Man, so God, I want my kids and my husband to see the brand new Miriam full of joy and energy for whatever happens. I want my husband to know, hi sweetie, I know you're watching. I want my husband to know that as he's still in Columbia, that he can trust me, that I'm living out my life with joy and strength for the kingdom of God. I want my kids to be at peace to know that they don't have to live with another depressed mother because she knows who she is in the Lord and she's full of joy and she's full of God's strength. That's the best gift I can give them. It's a better version of who I am in the Lord. And walk it every day. Not just sometimes. Not just sometimes when everything's going great. Every moment of every day. [01:34:26] (62 seconds) #LiveJoyfullyInFaith

How do we advertise for the devil? Well, we say what the devil has placed on us. I am sick. I am depressed. That's the devil's talking. Oh, I'm sick and tired. You're driving me crazy. That's crazy. Yeah, that's the devil talk. Uh-uh. You will not see me advertising for the devil. I'm going to advertise about the kingdom of God. I'm going to tell you, even though I'm going through this, I'm going to tell you what I'm calling out and what I want in the mighty name of Jesus. [01:37:18] (33 seconds) #NoDevilTalkHere

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