Devotion
Say Thank You
Frances Taylor
As small children we were all taught to say please and thank you, but as adults we sometimes forget. This psalm reminds us that we owe God a thank you for everything we have. Gratitude is so important but we often forget that it is God who provides us with what we need. When things go wrong, or when we want something, we have no problem asking God to intervene and provide us with what we want. We sometimes get upset with God when things don't go the way we wanted, when God says no or maybe later, but how often do we remember to say thanks? When things are going smoothly, we also can forget about God. Do we ever think that things going smoothly is a result of God's goodness? I try very hard to remember to say thanks every night before going to sleep. I find it a habit I have developed over the years thanks to my grandmother and if I forget, I wake up later as if she's prompting me from heaven! God is not going to strike me with lightening if I forget, but I know that my life is more peaceful when I remember. Gratitude is a habit we should all develop and it helps us recognize how much more we have than how much we lack. It helps us focus on the positive rather than the negative and that leads to a more joyous life. We all know that God has saved us, but do we also think about the small gifts he gives us each day? Let's always remember to say thank you.
Prayer
Lord you give us so much. It's easy to think that the small victories we have each day are of our own doing, but without you, we can do nothing. Thank you for your abiding presence. Amen.
Devotion
The Barrier is Removed
Frances Taylor
Moses had brought the Israelites out of Egypt and now they were wondering if they were any better off! They had reached the Red Sea, and couldn't see any way around this barrier that had been placed before them. But God knew what he was doing and Moses followed his instructions and the sea parted so that the Israelites could pass through on dry ground. A question sometimes asked at a job interview is, "What do you do when you face an obstacle?" How would you answer? Would you try to go around it, through it, or perhaps over it? Moses could not go around his obstacle and knew that without help, he could never bring all the people, animals and supplies through it. So, he asked God for help. Was that the first thing you thought of? There is a saying, "If God brings you to it, he will bring you through it." The key here is to ask God to bring us through it.
We often face challenges in our lives, especially when we are trying to live as Jesus wants...
Morning Prayer
Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
Inspiration
What is grace? It is the free and unmerited favor of God, his gifts to us. One such example was the salvation brought to us by Christ. It is state of being favored and of being the chosen people. One such further example would be the Israelites, who God led to their promised land. We today, have inherited this grace. We today, are simultaneously unworthy of him, yet we are his chosen. Rejoice, rejoice in his grace.
Prayer
To my Lord God almighty, who art in Heaven, I thank you for your divine light and grace, given to me every day. I may not be worthy, I may not be pure and perfect, but I beg you to be merciful. For in your grace, in your faith, I may go on to improve each day. In your grace, I will strive to be a better servant, here as in Heaven. Amen.
