Living a Thankful Life: Faith, Hope, and Love

Devotional

Day 1: Nothing Can Separate Us from God’s Love

God’s love for us is unwavering and unbreakable, no matter what we face in life. Even in our darkest moments or when we feel unworthy, God’s love remains steadfast because He has already given us His Son, Jesus, as the ultimate gift. This truth is the foundation of our confidence and gratitude, reminding us that nothing in all creation can separate us from His love. When we remember this, we find a reason to be thankful every single day, regardless of our circumstances. [34:31]

Romans 8:38-39 (ESV)
“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Reflection: When you feel distant from God or unworthy of His love, how can you remind yourself today that nothing can separate you from the love of Christ?

Day 2: Thanksgiving Is a Daily Heart Posture

True thanksgiving is not just a holiday or a seasonal event, but a daily posture of the heart that glorifies God and encourages others. When we openly express gratitude for what God has done, our thankfulness becomes contagious, inspiring those around us to also give thanks and glorify God. Let your gratitude be so evident that it overflows into your relationships and daily interactions, making thanksgiving a way of life rather than a once-a-year tradition. [36:45]

Colossians 3:17 (ESV)
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally express gratitude to God today that might encourage someone else to give thanks as well?

Day 3: The Marks of a True Christian

Living as a follower of Christ means letting love be genuine, serving the Lord with zeal, rejoicing in hope, being patient in tribulation, and being constant in prayer. These are not just ideals but practical instructions for daily life, shaping how we interact with others and how we respond to challenges. When we practice these marks, our faith becomes authentic and visible, not just on Sundays but throughout the week, and we become a living testimony of Christ’s love and character. [39:27]

Romans 12:9-13 (ESV)
“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.”

Reflection: Which of these marks—love, zeal, hope, patience, prayer, or hospitality—do you most need to grow in this week, and what is one step you can take today to practice it?

Day 4: Let Your Actions Match Your Faith

Our witness to the world is not just in what we say, but in how we treat others—especially those who may not believe as we do. Blessing those who mistreat us, living in harmony, and doing what is honorable are ways we reflect the character of Christ. Remember, you may be the only example of Jesus that someone ever sees, so let your actions match your passion for God and your faith in Him, both inside and outside the church. [51:29]

Matthew 5:44 (ESV)
“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

Reflection: Think of someone you find difficult to love or who has wronged you—how can you bless or pray for them today in a way that reflects Christ’s love?

Day 5: Strive for Progress, Not Perfection

God does not expect us to be perfect, but He does call us to continually become more like Christ. The Christian life is about progress—putting off the old self and putting on the new—while relying on God’s grace and the power of the Holy Spirit. When we stumble, we remember that Jesus came because we could not achieve perfection on our own, and His love meets us where we are, inviting us to grow daily in humility and Christlikeness. [58:10]

Philippians 3:12-14 (ESV)
“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to let go of striving for perfection and instead focus on taking one step closer to Christ today?

Sermon Summary

As we continue in our Season of Thanks, I am reminded of the incredible love and power of Jesus Christ, who gave everything for us. Reflecting on the feeding of the 5,000 and the unwavering commitment of Christ, we see that God has already given us His Son—there is nothing He will withhold from us if we ask. Our gratitude should not be limited to a holiday or a season, but should be a daily posture of the heart, rooted in the finished work of Jesus on the cross. Even when life is hard and we struggle to find things to be thankful for, we can always return to the gospel and the assurance of God’s love that nothing can separate us from.

Paul’s words in Romans 12 call us to a life marked by genuine love, hope, patience, and constant prayer. Thanksgiving is not just about listing blessings, but about glorifying God so openly that it encourages others to join in gratitude. Our lives should be so saturated with thankfulness that it overflows into our relationships, both within the church and with those outside it. We are called to serve, to rejoice in hope rather than results, and to keep our eyes fixed on heaven, knowing that our ultimate reward is in Christ.

It’s easy to fall into routines, to go through the motions, or to put on a mask—especially on Sundays. But God calls us to authenticity, to let our actions match our faith every day of the week. Paul’s blueprint for Christian living is clear: love genuinely, serve fervently, and be constant in prayer. We are not to pretend or perform, but to live out the marks of a true Christian in every sphere of life.

When it comes to our interactions with others, especially those who do not share our faith, we are to carry blessings, not burdens. Jesus’ command to love our enemies and bless those who persecute us is not optional—it is the very character of God revealed in Christ. Our witness matters, not just in what we say, but in how we treat others, even in the smallest acts like tipping a server at a restaurant. We may be the only Jesus someone ever sees, so let us reflect His love, grace, and humility.

Perfection is not expected of us—if it were, we would have no need for a Savior. Instead, we are called to strive to be more like Christ, to humble ourselves, and to let the Holy Spirit shape us daily. Let us carry blessings into every interaction, remembering that our gratitude and love are powerful testimonies to the world.

Key Takeaways

1. Thanksgiving is a Daily Posture, Not a Season True gratitude is not confined to a holiday or a fleeting moment. It is a continual orientation of the heart, rooted in the finished work of Christ. When we let our thankfulness overflow, it glorifies God and inspires others to join in praise, making gratitude a powerful force for spiritual growth and community. [36:45]
2. Rejoice in Hope, Not in Results Our calling is to serve God with our eyes fixed on the hope of Christ, not on immediate outcomes. Evangelism, service, and obedience are measured by faithfulness, not by visible success. This perspective frees us from discouragement and anchors us in the eternal promises of God, reminding us that our reward is ultimately in Him. [43:13]
3. Authenticity Over Appearance in Christian Living It is tempting to put on a façade, especially in church settings, but God desires genuine hearts and consistent lives. The marks of a true Christian—love, service, prayer—are not for show, but for daily practice. Authenticity in our walk with Christ is what transforms us and draws others to Him. [46:59]
4. Carry Blessings, Not Burdens, to All Jesus calls us to bless even those who oppose us, reflecting the radical love of God. Our actions toward others, especially non-believers, are a living testimony of Christ’s character. When we choose to carry blessings into every interaction, we become conduits of God’s grace and may be the only glimpse of Jesus someone ever encounters. [51:29]
5. Perfection is Not Required—Pursuit of Christlikeness Is God does not expect us to be flawless; if He did, there would be no need for Jesus. Instead, we are called to humble ourselves, acknowledge our need for grace, and strive to be more like Christ each day. This pursuit is marked by dependence on the Holy Spirit and a willingness to be shaped by God’s truth, not by our own strength. [58:10]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[33:53] - Introduction and Joy in Worship
[34:07] - Remembering Jesus’ Power and Love
[34:31] - God’s Gift and Our Confidence
[35:17] - Shifting Focus to Christ’s Work
[36:03] - The Practice of Thanksgiving
[36:45] - Thanksgiving Glorifies God and Inspires Others
[37:18] - Practical Ways We Express Thanks
[38:17] - Thanksgiving as a Heart Posture
[39:27] - Reading Romans 12:9-18
[40:23] - Prayer of Gratitude for Christ
[41:43] - Needing Reminders for Christlike Attitude
[42:14] - Hope, Patience, and Prayer in Trials
[43:13] - Rejoicing in Hope, Not Results
[44:43] - Doing All Things for the Lord
[45:30] - Contributing to the Needs of the Saints
[46:59] - Authenticity in Christian Community
[48:28] - The Importance of Constant Prayer
[49:54] - Carrying Blessings, Not Burdens
[51:29] - Living Peaceably and Representing Christ
[53:11] - Jesus as the Perfect Example
[54:51] - Our Witness in Everyday Interactions
[57:41] - Letting Others See Christ in Us
[58:10] - Grace Over Perfection
[59:35] - Prayer for Christlikeness and Humility
[61:19] - Invitation and Closing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

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### Bible Reading

Romans 12:9-18 (ESV)
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

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### Observation Questions

According to Romans 12:9-18, what are some specific ways Paul says Christians should treat both believers and non-believers?
In the sermon, what does the pastor say is the difference between “rejoicing in hope” and “rejoicing in results”? [[43:13]]
What does the pastor say about the temptation to “put on a mask” or pretend, especially on Sundays? [[46:59]]
How does the sermon describe the impact of our actions on people who may not know Jesus, like restaurant servers? [[54:51]]

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### Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul emphasize genuine love and constant prayer as marks of a true Christian? How does this relate to the idea of living authentically rather than just performing? [[46:59]]
The sermon mentions that “Thanksgiving is not just a holiday or a season of thanks. It is a heart posture that we should have every day of our lives.” What does it mean for gratitude to be a daily posture, and why is this important for Christian living? [[38:17]]
The pastor says, “Our obedience is what matters. Rejoice in hope, not in results.” How does this perspective change the way we serve or share our faith, especially when we don’t see immediate fruit? [[43:13]]
When Paul and Jesus both command us to bless those who persecute us, what does this reveal about the character of God and the kind of witness Christians are called to be? [[51:29]]

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### Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to let our gratitude overflow into our relationships, both inside and outside the church. Who in your life could use more encouragement or thankfulness from you this week? What’s one specific way you could show it? [[36:45]]
Think about a recent situation where you were tempted to “put on a mask” or act differently at church than you do during the week. What would it look like to be more authentic in that area? [[46:59]]
The pastor shared stories of how Christians are sometimes known for being rude or stingy at restaurants. Have you ever been in a situation where your actions (or the actions of other Christians) might have sent the wrong message about Jesus? How can you be intentional about carrying blessings, not burdens, into your everyday interactions? [[54:51]]
When life is hard and it’s difficult to find things to be thankful for, the sermon encourages us to return to the gospel and the assurance of God’s love. What is one practical way you can remind yourself of the gospel when you’re struggling? [[35:17]]
Paul says, “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Which of these three is most challenging for you right now, and what’s one step you can take this week to grow in that area? [[42:14]]
The sermon says, “Perfection is not expected of us—if it were, we would have no need for a Savior.” Is there an area where you’ve been striving for perfection instead of depending on God’s grace? How can you shift your focus to pursuing Christlikeness instead? [[58:10]]
The pastor said, “You may be the only Jesus that any of these non-believers ever see.” Who is someone in your life who might not know Jesus? What’s one way you can reflect Christ’s love, grace, or humility to them this week? [[51:29]]

Sermon Clips

What we see in verse 12, The call to hope usually has in mind our ultimate reward in Jesus. You see, hope is so important in the Christian life. Paul says that we serve God rejoicing in hope, not rejoicing in results. And this is where it comes in when we talk about evangelism. You see, it's our job to go share the gospel. It's not our job to save souls. If it was my job to save souls, you're out of luck. Because I, Paul was the chief of sinners until I was born. Okay? So, rejoice in hope, not in results. [00:43:03] (38 seconds) #rejoiceinhope

Every day I'm just trying to survive till tomorrow. What if instead of trying to survive till tomorrow, we took today and made sure everything we did, we did with an eye toward heaven, understanding that our reward is coming. Because then everything matters. Every decision we make, every action we do, if it's for God, it's all that matters. Colossians 3.23 says, whatever you do, do it enthusiastically. It's something done for the Lord, not for men. [00:44:11] (27 seconds) #servewithpurpose

So do you ever think to yourself, how can I contribute to the needs of the saints? It's a little bit of an interesting thought because giving to the poor, feeding the hungry, and caring for orphans and widows are all great things that should be done. But do we ever forget about our church family that sits next to us, in front of us, behind us, that serves with us day in and day out? Again, verse 13, contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. [00:45:30] (33 seconds) #careforsaints

Now what I think about that is do we ever catch ourselves doing that on Sundays? Maybe going to church, putting on our best clothes, acting the best we can, just so people think we're right there for the next six days of the week. How can we make sure our actions Monday through Saturday match our actions on Sunday? This has everything to do with the human condition. It forces us to ask ourselves, again, how can we make sure we're consistent in our actions? Ultimately, obedience is required. [00:46:44] (44 seconds) #marksOfTrueChristian

It's just like the Christian life, the marks of a true Christian. It can only go together one way. And Paul is laying the blueprint for that out in this passage. He says, let love be genuine. Love one another with brotherly affection. Rejoice in hope. Be patient in tribulation. And here's the kicker, be constant in prayer. Has anybody ever felt bad for falling asleep while they're praying? Or is it just me? You ever thought about the fact that you just fell asleep praying and you can wake up and keep praying? [00:48:09] (35 seconds) #loveandpeace

Because God's not just some God that sits on a throne far away that doesn't care at all about what's going on in this world. He is intimately involved in our life. And guess what? He proved it when he stepped out of heaven and walked on this earth. He literally walked on your shoes or lack thereof. So, when you practice all of these things, love and hope and patience and prayer, you practice them in your everyday life, you'll never have to worry about pretending while attending. [00:49:11] (35 seconds) #jesuscharacter

``And Paul hammers the nail even further starting in verse 17 when he says, Pray, repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, here's the kicker. So far as it depends on you, because it depends on you, you are the image of Christ to those who don't believe. People may never see Jesus if it's not for you, okay? You may be the only example of Jesus they see. So, this is really important to me. [00:51:18] (29 seconds) #carryblessingsnotburdens

So far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. So, this tells me that Paul is extremely passionate about the teachings of Jesus. I think it's important for us to be extremely passionate about the teaching of Jesus, too. Because believe it or not, what Jesus said while he walked the earth was extremely important. It really was. Humanity witnessed the character of God through Jesus Christ directly. And the priority of Jesus Christ's life, Jesus' mission on earth was to come live a perfect life, die the death that we deserve, forgiving our sins, and then rising again to seal our eternity. [00:51:47] (39 seconds)

That's the purpose that Jesus came. Jesus came to fulfill that purpose because he was on a rescue mission for all of us. That's why Jesus came. But there's another really important aspect of Jesus' walk on this earth, his life, that I feel like sometimes we forget about. When Jesus spoke, that was the voice of God speaking. We didn't just see God live perfectly on earth. We saw the character of God through Jesus in a way that no one had seen it before. [00:52:26] (33 seconds)

No one better represents the character of God than Jesus Christ. So when you see those words in red, that is the most important thing you'll ever read in your life because that is the character of your creator who loved you so much to step out of heaven and die for you. And remember, if he'll die for you, if he'll give his only son for you, there's nothing he won't do for you if you just ask him. And it's that simple. He's that good. No catches. He's that good. [00:53:15] (36 seconds)

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