Embracing a Life of Gratitude and Community

Devotional

Day 1: Intercessory Prayer as a Spiritual Mission

Description: The act of preparing shoeboxes filled with gifts for children is more than a charitable deed; it is a spiritual mission. This mission is deeply rooted in intercessory prayer, where believers trust that God will use these gifts to touch the lives of children, bringing them to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. The physical gifts are accompanied by prayers, which are believed to have a profound impact beyond what is visible. This practice reminds us that our prayers and actions can reach far and wide, influencing lives in ways we may never fully understand. [11:01]

Bible Passage: "And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him." (1 John 5:14-15, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a specific person or group you can pray for today. How can you incorporate intercessory prayer into your daily routine to support them spiritually?

Day 2: The Commitment of Community and Membership

Description: Welcoming new members into a church community is a celebration of partnership and shared spiritual journey. Membership is not merely a formality but a commitment to support one another and work together in fulfilling God's vision. It involves being fully invested in the spiritual journey and the collective mission of the church. This commitment is about carrying each other's burdens and walking together in faith, creating a strong, supportive community that reflects God's love and purpose. [20:45]

Bible Passage: "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on your role within your community. How can you actively contribute to the spiritual growth and support of others in your church family?

Day 3: Transitioning from Thanksgiving to Thanks-Living

Description: Gratitude is a powerful spiritual exercise that strengthens individuals mentally, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually. Just as physical exercise benefits the body, expressing gratitude enriches the soul. The concept of transitioning from thanksgiving to thanks-living involves making gratitude a natural part of daily life. This practice encourages individuals to live a life of thanksgiving, where gratitude becomes second nature, influencing every action and interaction. [51:51]

Bible Passage: "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you struggle to express gratitude. What practical steps can you take today to cultivate a heart of thanks-living in that area?

Day 4: Choosing Gratitude in All Circumstances

Description: Gratitude is a choice that individuals make regardless of their circumstances. By practicing gratitude, people can shape their moments and transform their perspective from what is lacking to what they have. This practice not only uplifts the individual but also influences those around them, creating a ripple effect of joy and thanksgiving. Choosing gratitude involves rehearsing the blessings God has given and expressing them without delay, leading to a happier and healthier life. [01:13:56]

Bible Passage: "Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation." (Habakkuk 3:17-18, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a challenging situation you are currently facing. How can you choose to express gratitude in this situation today, and what impact might that have on your perspective?

Day 5: Rehearsing and Remembering God's Blessings

Description: Rehearsing the blessings God has given is an essential practice for cultivating gratitude. By coaching oneself in gratitude and expressing it without delay, individuals can create a ripple effect of joy and thanksgiving. Remembering and giving thanks for God's blessings leads to a happier and healthier life, influencing not only the individual but also those around them. This practice encourages believers to focus on God's goodness and faithfulness, transforming their outlook on life. [01:28:14]

Bible Passage: "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy." (Psalm 103:2-4, ESV)

Reflection: Take a moment to list three specific blessings in your life. How can you intentionally rehearse and remember these blessings throughout your day to cultivate a heart of gratitude?

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Sermon Summary

In today's gathering, we embarked on a journey of gratitude and spiritual exercise, emphasizing the importance of living a life of thanksgiving. We began by celebrating the collective effort of our community in preparing shoeboxes filled with gifts for children, symbolizing our commitment to spreading the message of Jesus Christ. This act of giving is not just about the physical gifts but about the spiritual impact and the prayers that accompany them, believing that God will touch the lives of those who receive them.

We also welcomed new members into our church family, highlighting the significance of community and partnership in our spiritual journey. Membership is not just a formality but a commitment to walk together, support one another, and carry each other's burdens. It's about being fully invested in the vision God has for us and working together to fulfill it.

The core of our discussion was the transition from thanksgiving to thanks-living. We explored how gratitude is a powerful spiritual exercise that strengthens us mentally, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually. Just as physical exercise benefits our bodies, expressing gratitude and thanksgiving enriches our souls. We delved into Psalms 103, where David reminds us of God's benefits—His forgiveness, healing, redemption, love, and compassion. These are not just to be remembered but to be lived out daily.

We acknowledged that life is filled with challenges, but gratitude is a choice we make regardless of our circumstances. By practicing gratitude, we shape our moments and transform our perspective from what is lacking to what we have. We are encouraged to rehearse the blessings God has given us, to coach ourselves in gratitude, and to express it without delay. This practice not only uplifts us but also influences those around us, creating a ripple effect of joy and thanksgiving.

As we move forward, let us embrace a lifestyle of thanks-living, where our gratitude is not just spoken but demonstrated through our actions and interactions. Let us be a community known for our joy, our praise, and our unwavering faith in God's goodness.

Key Takeaways

1. Intercessory Prayer and Giving: Our act of preparing shoeboxes filled with gifts is more than a charitable deed; it's a spiritual mission. Through intercessory prayer, we believe that God will use these gifts to touch the lives of children, bringing them to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. This reminds us that our prayers and actions can have a profound impact beyond what we see. [11:01]
2. The Value of Community and Membership: Welcoming new members into our church is a celebration of community and partnership. Membership is not just a formality but a commitment to support one another and work together in God's vision. It's about being fully invested in the spiritual journey and the collective mission of the church. [20:45]
3. From Thanksgiving to Thanks-Living: Gratitude is a powerful spiritual exercise that strengthens us mentally, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually. Just as physical exercise benefits our bodies, expressing gratitude enriches our souls. We are encouraged to live a life of thanksgiving, where gratitude becomes second nature. [51:51]
4. Practicing Gratitude in All Circumstances: Gratitude is a choice we make regardless of our circumstances. By practicing gratitude, we shape our moments and transform our perspective from what is lacking to what we have. This practice not only uplifts us but also influences those around us, creating a ripple effect of joy and thanksgiving. [73:56]
5. Rehearsing God's Blessings: We are encouraged to rehearse the blessings God has given us, to coach ourselves in gratitude, and to express it without delay. This practice not only uplifts us but also influences those around us, creating a ripple effect of joy and thanksgiving. Remembering and giving thanks makes us happier and healthier people. [01:28:14]
** [88:14]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[11:01] - Intercessory Prayer for Shoeboxes
[20:45] - Welcoming New Members
[23:02] - Testimonies of Transformation
[31:30] - Building an Army of Faith
[34:30] - Commitment to Church Vision
[50:10] - Invitation to the Redeemed
[51:51] - From Thanksgiving to Thanks-Living
[56:34] - Spiritual Exercise and Gratitude
[62:58] - Benefits of God's Love
[66:43] - Living a Life of Thanksgiving
[73:56] - Practicing Gratitude
[83:20] - Joining in Praise
[88:14] - Rehearsing God's Blessings
[97:54] - Charge to Live Thanks-Living

Sermon Clips

"Expressing gratitude and thanksgiving is a powerful spiritual exercise. To get us in shape, also to make us stronger. It also goes on to, it makes us healthier mentally, healthier emotionally, healthier relationally, and healthier spiritually as well." [00:55:20] ( | | )

"Remembering and giving thanks makes us happier and healthier people. Gratitude shifts your perspective away from what is lacking to what you already have and what God has already promised to you in your life." [01:30:09] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"David begins to coach himself, telling his own self that he should overcome whatever it is that he is feeling. Listen, if you're down at halftime and the other team has bruised you up, but the coach knows that you still have more in you and the game is not over yet." [01:09:34] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"David knew his thoughts would guide his actions. So he guarded his thoughts and he realigned his words and he rehearsed his benefits. I'm giving you a strategy today. Are you hearing me? Here's what he did. He guarded his thoughts. Hold every thought captive." [01:27:31] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Shape the moment of your life with gratitude. And as you begin to express your gratitude unto the Lord, watch and see what God does." [01:15:26] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Thanksgiving is good, but thanksgiving is better. Look at your neighbor and tell them, I've been doing it with my mouth, but it's going to be with my life now. Amen. I'm going from thanksgiving to thanksgiving. We're going to live it." [01:43:19] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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