DEVOTIONAL
Creating a Heart of Gratitude

One of the most powerful emotions is gratitude. If we can find ways to be thankful and grateful throughout our life, we will find the power and emotional strength to walk through some of life’s hardest seasons.

It's not always easy to find ways to be thankful and grateful. But, one of the things Scripture teaches us throughout the Psalms is that there is always something to be grateful for.

The Psalms teach us various songs and poems for every season of our life. But more than that, they also teach us how to cultivate a heart of gratitude and worship towards God.

We belong to a God who loves us and cares deeply for us. God’s love and goodness will never end. Psalm 100:5 praises God for these things:

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Through Psalms like this, we can begin to build a habit of gratitude towards God and all that He has done. We can thank God for what He has done in our lives, what He is currently doing, and what He will do in the future as we follow after Him.

Because God is always good, loving, and faithful, there is always something we can be grateful for—even in the midst of difficult seasons of life.

Take a few moments today to strengthen the habit of gratitude in your life.

First, begin by thanking God for who He is: that He is good, faithful, and loving towards you.

Next, thank God for all that He has done in your life. Thank Him for the good things in your life, and that He has walked with you through the hard times.

Lastly, thank God for all He will continue to do in your life.

Some like to think about how blessed Adam was to experience creation before sin. He lived in harmony with the animals and was given all of the knowledge needed to thrive in this new world. Arguably the most important aspect of Adam’s life was the intimate relationship he had with his Creator. While we are not allowed that kind of relationship because of sin, we are offered forgiveness. Psalm 32:5, Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not hide my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," and You forgave the guilt of my sin.” Some want to compare this to a fresh start or a “do over” but repentance is more than a fresh start. We are given the chance to acknowledge our own weakness and build a relationship on the Creator’s conditions without asking Him to accept our conditions.

Pay Attention!

Pay Attention!

Pay Attention!

"Mine anger is kindled against them: how long will it be ere they attain to innocency?"

Ho 8

"Sow to yourselves in righteousness: reap in mercy: break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek Yahweh, till he come and rain righteousness upon you."

Ho 10

Thought for Today: Tuesday July 11:

Remember today! Faith goes up the stairs that love has made and looks out the windows which hope has opened.