Living with Purpose: Embracing Gratitude and Joy

Devotional

Day 1: Embrace Each Day as a Divine Gift

Life is fleeting, and we are not promised tomorrow. This truth calls us to live with urgency and purpose, making the most of every moment. Imagine living as if you only had 30 days left; how would your priorities shift? Would you spend more time with loved ones, forgive past grievances, or appreciate the beauty around you more deeply? The call is to not wait for a diagnosis to start living intentionally. Embrace each day as a gift from God, focusing on what truly matters. By doing so, you align your life with a divine purpose, experiencing greater joy and fulfillment. [20:54]

James 4:14 (ESV): "Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes."

Reflection: What is one thing you would do differently today if you knew you only had 30 days to live? How can you start incorporating that change into your life now?

Day 2: Gratitude Transforms Our Perspective

Gratitude is a powerful force that shifts our focus from what's missing to what's already there. It helps us appreciate the blessings and people in our lives, fostering joy and contentment. By choosing gratitude daily, we can experience its transformative power. This perspective is not just about saying thank you; it's a way of seeing the world that brings peace and joy. Gratitude rewires our brains towards positivity, relieving stress and anxiety. It helps us focus on the good, fostering peace, joy, and connection with others. [25:57]

Colossians 3:15-16 (ESV): "And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom."

Reflection: Identify three things you are grateful for today. How can you express gratitude for these blessings in a tangible way?

Day 3: Joy is a Deliberate Choice

Joy is not dependent on external circumstances but is a choice we make. By focusing on God's goodness and praying about everything, we can experience joy and peace in all situations. This choice to rejoice always, as taught in Philippians 4:4-6, guards our hearts and minds with God's peace. Joy is a deliberate decision to trust in God's plan and to find contentment in His presence, regardless of life's challenges. By choosing joy, we align ourselves with a divine perspective that transcends temporary trials. [33:41]

Habakkuk 3:17-18 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to find joy? How can you choose to rejoice in God despite these circumstances?

Day 4: Prayer as a Lifeline to God

Prayer is essential for staying connected to God, who gives us hope, peace, and joy. It is through prayer that we express gratitude, seek guidance, and align our lives with God's will. Make prayer a daily habit, thanking God for His faithfulness and seeking His guidance to live purposefully. This connection through prayer empowers us to live fully in the present, experiencing the peace that surpasses all understanding. By cultivating a prayerful life, we open ourselves to divine wisdom and strength. [40:46]

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

Reflection: How can you incorporate more intentional prayer into your daily routine? What specific time or place can you dedicate to this practice?

Day 5: Gratitude Strengthens Relationships

Gratitude shifts our focus in relationships, helping us appreciate what's right instead of what's wrong. By expressing gratitude to loved ones, we strengthen bonds and foster a positive, loving environment. This practice not only enhances our relationships but also aligns us with God's design for community and connection. By acknowledging the impact others have on our lives, we cultivate a spirit of appreciation and love that enriches our interactions and deepens our connections. [45:43]

Ephesians 4:2-3 (ESV): "With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who has been a blessing to you. How can you express your gratitude to them this week in a meaningful way?

Sermon Summary

In this new year, we embark on a journey to live with intentionality and purpose, as if we only had 30 days to live. This series, "30 Days to Live," challenges us to consider how such a diagnosis would transform our lives. Would we spend more time with loved ones, forgive those we've held grudges against, or appreciate the beauty around us more deeply? The truth is, none of us are promised tomorrow, and we don't need a diagnosis to start living with purpose. James 4:14 reminds us that life is fleeting, like the morning fog. Therefore, we must maximize every moment, making the most of our time by focusing on what truly matters.

Central to living a life of purpose is cultivating gratitude. Gratitude is not just about saying thank you; it's a transformative perspective that shifts our focus from what's missing to what's already there. It helps us appreciate the blessings we have and the people around us. In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Paul commands us to always be joyful, never stop praying, and be thankful in all circumstances. These are not mere suggestions but God's will for us. Joy, prayer, and gratitude are interconnected, and they empower us to live fully in the present.

Joy is a choice, not dependent on circumstances. Philippians 4:4-6 teaches us to rejoice always, not to worry, but to pray about everything, and to thank God for what He has done. This practice guards our hearts and minds with God's peace. Gratitude rewires our brains towards positivity, relieving stress and anxiety. It helps us focus on the good, fostering peace, joy, and connection with others.

As we step into 2025, let's choose to live with gratitude and intentionality. Start each day with prayer, thanking God for His blessings and asking for guidance to live purposefully. Once a week, express gratitude to someone you love, acknowledging their impact on your life. By doing so, we align our lives with God's design, experiencing greater joy, peace, and fulfillment.

Key Takeaways

1. Live with Urgency and Purpose: Life is fleeting, and we are not promised tomorrow. Embrace each day as a gift from God, making the most of every moment by focusing on what truly matters. Don't wait for a diagnosis to start living intentionally. [20:54]
2. The Transformative Power of Gratitude: Gratitude shifts our perspective from what's missing to what's already there. It helps us appreciate the blessings and people in our lives, fostering joy and contentment. Choose gratitude daily to experience its transformative power. [25:57]
3. Joy is a Choice, Not a Circumstance: Joy is not dependent on external circumstances but is a choice we make. By focusing on God's goodness and praying about everything, we can experience joy and peace in all situations. [33:41]
4. Prayer Connects Us to God: Prayer is essential for staying connected to God, who gives us hope, peace, and joy. Make prayer a daily habit, thanking God for His faithfulness and seeking His guidance to live purposefully. [40:46]
5. Gratitude Enhances Relationships: Gratitude shifts our focus in relationships, helping us appreciate what's right instead of what's wrong. Expressing gratitude to loved ones strengthens bonds and fosters a positive, loving environment. [45:43]
** [45:43]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[20:54] - Living with Urgency
[22:01] - Maximizing Time
[23:44] - Purposeful Living
[25:57] - Power of Gratitude
[27:59] - Personal Story of Gratitude
[29:47] - Biblical Commandments
[30:40] - Joy, Prayer, and Gratitude
[31:31] - Choosing Joy
[33:41] - Joy as a Choice
[35:45] - Joy in Adversity
[36:56] - Practical Steps for Joy
[37:58] - Prayer and Peace
[40:46] - Connection through Prayer
[42:54] - Gratitude's Impact
[44:26] - Dangers of Ingratitude
[45:43] - Gratitude in Relationships
[47:32] - Gratitude Challenge
[50:00] - Psalm of Gratitude
[51:49] - Living with Intentionality

Sermon Clips

"Make the most of every opportunity. Forgive others. Appreciate things a little more. And it sounds like a pretty good ending to a sad story, but hopefully what strikes you in that scenario. That strikes me as I think about it, is that you don't really need that diagnosis in order to live that way. None of us do." [00:23:44] (19 seconds)

"Gratitude helps us to fully live in the moment and take advantage of God's blessings. And really, gratitude is a reflection of the character and the heart of God. It's transformative. So let's look from God's Word how God designed us to live so that we don't have to wait for some kind of diagnosis." [00:29:47] (22 seconds)

"Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances. For this is God's will for you who belong to Christ. If you're wondering what is God's will for my life, how has God called me to live my life? What is my purpose? It's this. Always. Always be joyful." [00:30:40] (31 seconds)

"And if we could jump into the topic of the series, the 30 days to live, and put ourselves in that mindset, it would probably be a little easier for most of us, not all of us, most of us to go, yeah, I'm going to choose joy. I'm going to stay connected to God. I'm going to pray a little more if I had 30 days to live." [00:32:01] (18 seconds)

"Gratitude has an incredible power. In fact, science has shown us that gratitude, if we practice gratitude, express gratitude, it rewires our brain toward positivity. That in fact, it changes the way that we think and what we dwell upon. We become a more positive person." [00:42:54] (25 seconds)

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