40 Days of Thanks - 16
Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days of THANKSGIVING
Day 16 | STOP, PRAY, LISTEN
40 Days of THANKSGIVING
Day 16 | STOP, PRAY, LISTEN
STOP, PRAY, LISTEN
Colossians 3:17
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
The foundation of a grateful life begins with prayer. Sure, you can be thankful without prayer, but for a genuinely grateful LIFE, we must connect with our Heavenly Father and allow the Holy Spirit to trigger our memories about all for which we have to be thankful!
Life today is characterized by speed and busyness. Internet speed, streaming movies/music and nearly everything, computer processing speed, and if you have a free moment, LOOK at your phone.
Psalm 46:10 says: “Be still and know that I am God.”
How often do WE do that? And because we seldom do that (if we’re honest), we don’t give the Spirit a chance to tickle our memories about things God has done for us about which we should be THANKFUL. And so then, the Enemy tricks us into thinking that He (God) has forgotten us, is asleep, doesn’t care, or is still holding us guilty for something we’ve done in our past.
Do you see how that works? It’s a vicious cycle with YOU on the losing end.
Let me suggest something practical.
Put everything on MUTE (phone/computer/TV/car et al), re-read today’s verse. Then close your eyes, relax, take 2-3 deep breaths … and then start to pray (“Dear Heavenly Father…” or “Our Father who art in heaven…”). You might continue by saying: “Lord, I need your help. I WANT to be more thankful, and YOU deserve my thanks, so I’m asking You to help me.”
THEN, pause and wait. What do you hear? Maybe not with your ears, but inside, in your spirit, what impressions are you receiving from our loving Heavenly Father? Is He saying, “Glad to hear from you again,” or “You are my child,” or “I’ve been here all the time,” or what?
That could be a great start. (More in tomorrow’s devotional).
Prayer: LORD, help me to pray more and panic less. You are my Rock. Thank You.
Colossians 3:17
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
The foundation of a grateful life begins with prayer. Sure, you can be thankful without prayer, but for a genuinely grateful LIFE, we must connect with our Heavenly Father and allow the Holy Spirit to trigger our memories about all for which we have to be thankful!
Life today is characterized by speed and busyness. Internet speed, streaming movies/music and nearly everything, computer processing speed, and if you have a free moment, LOOK at your phone.
Psalm 46:10 says: “Be still and know that I am God.”
How often do WE do that? And because we seldom do that (if we’re honest), we don’t give the Spirit a chance to tickle our memories about things God has done for us about which we should be THANKFUL. And so then, the Enemy tricks us into thinking that He (God) has forgotten us, is asleep, doesn’t care, or is still holding us guilty for something we’ve done in our past.
Do you see how that works? It’s a vicious cycle with YOU on the losing end.
Let me suggest something practical.
Put everything on MUTE (phone/computer/TV/car et al), re-read today’s verse. Then close your eyes, relax, take 2-3 deep breaths … and then start to pray (“Dear Heavenly Father…” or “Our Father who art in heaven…”). You might continue by saying: “Lord, I need your help. I WANT to be more thankful, and YOU deserve my thanks, so I’m asking You to help me.”
THEN, pause and wait. What do you hear? Maybe not with your ears, but inside, in your spirit, what impressions are you receiving from our loving Heavenly Father? Is He saying, “Glad to hear from you again,” or “You are my child,” or “I’ve been here all the time,” or what?
That could be a great start. (More in tomorrow’s devotional).
Prayer: LORD, help me to pray more and panic less. You are my Rock. Thank You.
Posted in Thanksgiving