40 Days of Thanks - 25
Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days of THANKSGIVING
Day 25 | JOY AND THANKS
40 Days of THANKSGIVING
Day 25 | JOY AND THANKS
JOY AND THANKS
Psalm 95:1-3
“Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods.”
Society today – generally speaking – seems to be LONG on complaining and SHORT on appreciating. Unfortunately, many Christians – who should know better – seem to be affected more by the “norms” of society (complainers) than the Word of God – such as today’s verses – and being joyful and thankful.
I don’t think Christians who are complainers mean to be such… but the reality is they fulfill the saying I made up years ago, which was: “Any dead fish can float downstream.” So, what does that mean?
Consider the female salmon. She swims UPSTREAM against the current, against the flow, to spawn. It takes determination and effort.
With complaining being the norm in society today, we who are trying to be Christ-followers need to learn how to “go against the flow” and NOT join in with complainers and gripers and the like.
We need to decide to be JOYFUL and THANKFUL as a lifestyle, not just on Sundays at church. Because our LORD is great, He is ABOVE all other “gods” that the world worships (money, fame, possessions, etc).
Let me ask: do you love the LORD? (Hopefully, you answered YES).
Next question: Give me three reasons why you do. (Love God)
Then – start with those reasons and give God the glory, your thanks, and be joyful!
You see, JOY and THANKFULNESS are a choice. Yes, JOY is one of the fruits of the Spirit, but we still must CHOOSE to let it out… which may take some practice.
So, remind yourself of some reasons EVERY DAY why you love the LORD, and then give Him your sincere thanks.
Prayer: LORD, thank YOU for ALL you have done and do for me. Salvation, love, joy, peace, patience … and all the fruit of the Spirit you place inside me. I am thankful. Amen.
Psalm 95:1-3
“Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods.”
Society today – generally speaking – seems to be LONG on complaining and SHORT on appreciating. Unfortunately, many Christians – who should know better – seem to be affected more by the “norms” of society (complainers) than the Word of God – such as today’s verses – and being joyful and thankful.
I don’t think Christians who are complainers mean to be such… but the reality is they fulfill the saying I made up years ago, which was: “Any dead fish can float downstream.” So, what does that mean?
Consider the female salmon. She swims UPSTREAM against the current, against the flow, to spawn. It takes determination and effort.
With complaining being the norm in society today, we who are trying to be Christ-followers need to learn how to “go against the flow” and NOT join in with complainers and gripers and the like.
We need to decide to be JOYFUL and THANKFUL as a lifestyle, not just on Sundays at church. Because our LORD is great, He is ABOVE all other “gods” that the world worships (money, fame, possessions, etc).
Let me ask: do you love the LORD? (Hopefully, you answered YES).
Next question: Give me three reasons why you do. (Love God)
Then – start with those reasons and give God the glory, your thanks, and be joyful!
You see, JOY and THANKFULNESS are a choice. Yes, JOY is one of the fruits of the Spirit, but we still must CHOOSE to let it out… which may take some practice.
So, remind yourself of some reasons EVERY DAY why you love the LORD, and then give Him your sincere thanks.
Prayer: LORD, thank YOU for ALL you have done and do for me. Salvation, love, joy, peace, patience … and all the fruit of the Spirit you place inside me. I am thankful. Amen.
Posted in Thanksgiving