Let the Redeemed of the Lord Say So!!!

"He calms the storm so that its waves are still. Then they are glad because they are quiet. So He guides them to their desired haven" Today, I am grateful for the deliverance of the Lord. For my salvation and adoption into His family through the precious blood of Jesus Christ and also for the work that He has done in my life and in the life of the one I love so dearly these past several months! Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!!!

Psalm 107:1-32

Christ - Creator, Sustainer and Pre-Eminent Over All

Today's focus is on Christ. He is the Creator and Sustainer of all things!! The book of Colossians lifts Him up and shows us His rightful place in the world and in our lives! We are reminded that our joy and hope do not emanate from any earthly source or from our religious practices, but from Him. O how we need to hear that today. It is not what we do in His name that brings us joy and hope, but Christ Himself!! I will rest in that truth today and ask God to make me truly grateful for His most precious gift to me - His Son!! (Colossians 1:12-17)

Growing in Gratitude!

Today, I am starting Nancy Leigh DeMoss's "Growing in Gratitude: A 30 day Challenge". As circumstances have changed in my life recently, it has become very apparent to me that there have been things that I have thought I needed in my life that I truly do not need and many important things that I do have for which I sometimes forget to be grateful! In this land of plenty that we live in, it is so easy to lose focus of what is really important in our lives (salvation, family, health, etc) and to give more attention to things that are less important (material things, surface relationships, etc.). There is so much good in my life, but sometimes, being human, I tend to look at the things I don't have instead of concentrating on what I do have. I am taking this challenge to help focus my attention on how wonderful God has been to me and how greatly He has blessed me!

Nancy says that "gratitude is learning to recognize and express appreciation for the benefits we have received from God and from others." It means constantly being on the lookout for blessings and being intentional about thanking God and others for the blessings that come our way. (Colossians 3:12-17)

We should not concentrate on or worry about the future and the needs we have tomorrow. We should thank God for what we have and ask "Do I have what I need for today?". God has promised that He will provide everything we need for today!! Why should I worry about tomorrow?? (Matthew 6:25-34)

Lord, please cultivate a more grateful heart in me over the 30 days of this challenge and transform me into a truly thankful person!!