Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day. A national holiday. A day when most businesses are closed, and families and friends gather to eat and spend time together. But how many will really take the time to say thank you - to someone else, or to God?
Colossians 3:15b says, "...and be thankful." (NAS) In the Message is says to cultivate thankfulness.
As Christians we are called to be thankful...and for me it starts with the realization that absolutely everything I have, everything I am, even each breath I take - everything is from God. And then I think about how selfish I am, how sinful I am, and yet God loves me so much He gave up His Son for me. Since I have accepted Him as Lord of my life He calls me His child. He allows me to experience everlasting life - here on earth, and when I go to be with Him some day. Now that's a lot to be thankful for!
So, as I wake up each morning, I start my day thanking God - for a new day,for a good night's sleep, for my life, my family, my friends, and my health. I thank Him for his goodness and His love. At the end of the day I again thank Him for my day, and for His presence with me. And during the day I try to be aware of His provision, the blessings He brings my way, the protection He gives me, the ways He is teaching me. I am trying to be thankful all day long.
We are called to be thankful - but it's not just about being thankful to God. We need to be thankful to the others around us. When we stop being selfish, when we stop being me-centered, we can see how other people bless us each day, and we can thank them. You never know what a simple, "thank you!" can mean to the overworked clerk at the grocery store, or to a co-worker who feels unnoticed or unappreciated. Our spouse needs to know that we appreciate him/her. Our children need to see us modeling thankful hearts.
Let's begin tomorrow, on Thanksgiving Day, to cultivate thankfulness and to make it a daily attitude, a daily part of our lives.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Showing posts with label habits. Show all posts
Showing posts with label habits. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
More about habits
As I was walking Percy, my dog, I was thinking about how he has changed my life. He became part of our family last October - almost a year ago. Since we got him I have gone for a walk at least once every day - usually more than once. Percy loves to walk. It doesn't matter to him what the temperature is outside. Once or twice he hasn't wanted to go out in the rain, but mostly he just wants to go. And so we go.
I could say that walking has become a habit.
But that isn't exactly true. Why? Because if Percy didn't beg me to walk with him each day, I wouldn't be walking. I'd like to think I would - but really, if it's cold out or windy or if I'm tired or if there's something good on TV or if I'm reading a good book or for just about any other reason, I'd forget the walk and stay home. I know that walking is good for me. I know that I've lost weight and that I'm healthier because I'm walking. But it's not my nature to be physically active. I'm just being honest.
So here's how this relates to habits. I need to have an accountability partner - even if it's a dog. I need someone to help me maintain my good habits. I need encouragement to keep going.
Isn't that true in our spiritual lives as well? We need someone to encourage us, to remind us, to ask us how we're doing with our spiritual disciplines. Sometimes we even need someone to walk with us. Someone to show us how to have holy habits.
That's why we need to be part of a community of believers, so others can help us and we can help them.
I could say that walking has become a habit.
But that isn't exactly true. Why? Because if Percy didn't beg me to walk with him each day, I wouldn't be walking. I'd like to think I would - but really, if it's cold out or windy or if I'm tired or if there's something good on TV or if I'm reading a good book or for just about any other reason, I'd forget the walk and stay home. I know that walking is good for me. I know that I've lost weight and that I'm healthier because I'm walking. But it's not my nature to be physically active. I'm just being honest.
So here's how this relates to habits. I need to have an accountability partner - even if it's a dog. I need someone to help me maintain my good habits. I need encouragement to keep going.
Isn't that true in our spiritual lives as well? We need someone to encourage us, to remind us, to ask us how we're doing with our spiritual disciplines. Sometimes we even need someone to walk with us. Someone to show us how to have holy habits.
That's why we need to be part of a community of believers, so others can help us and we can help them.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Holy Habits
This morning the title for today in my devotional book was "Holy Habits."
The devotion talked about holiness, and how God wants us to be holy as He is holy. Then I read about habits - how there are good habits, and there are bad habits.
I read Hebrews 12:1 which tells us to
"throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles." There are bad habits that are sinful or lead to sin, and they do entangle us and lead us away from God, away from being holy.
The devotional ended by asking readers to examine their habits, asking God to reveal bad habits that need to be broken, and to form new habits that will lead to becoming more like Jesus.
My first thoughts were about last spring, when I was trying to memorize 100 verses. What happened to that, I asked myself. I realized that I had not worked on it enough for it to become a habit. I did memorize 40 verses. But then I allowed other things to take up my time. I did not keep practicing my verses or learn any new ones. I did not make it a habit.
I think that reading God's Word, meditating on it, and memorizing it is a holy habit I want to have.
A habit is formed one day at a time, so I will start again. I will not rely only on my own strength to form this habit however. I am asking God to give me the encouragement and strength to make this a holy habit in my life. So....................................
My memory verse for today is Psalm 55:22 -
"Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will support you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken."
Will you join me in starting a holy habit? Ask God to reveal your bad habits, and identify a new habit you need in your life. Share with someone the habit you're trying to form, and ask them to encourage you along the way!
The devotion talked about holiness, and how God wants us to be holy as He is holy. Then I read about habits - how there are good habits, and there are bad habits.
I read Hebrews 12:1 which tells us to
"throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles." There are bad habits that are sinful or lead to sin, and they do entangle us and lead us away from God, away from being holy.
The devotional ended by asking readers to examine their habits, asking God to reveal bad habits that need to be broken, and to form new habits that will lead to becoming more like Jesus.
My first thoughts were about last spring, when I was trying to memorize 100 verses. What happened to that, I asked myself. I realized that I had not worked on it enough for it to become a habit. I did memorize 40 verses. But then I allowed other things to take up my time. I did not keep practicing my verses or learn any new ones. I did not make it a habit.
I think that reading God's Word, meditating on it, and memorizing it is a holy habit I want to have.
A habit is formed one day at a time, so I will start again. I will not rely only on my own strength to form this habit however. I am asking God to give me the encouragement and strength to make this a holy habit in my life. So....................................
My memory verse for today is Psalm 55:22 -
"Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will support you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken."
Will you join me in starting a holy habit? Ask God to reveal your bad habits, and identify a new habit you need in your life. Share with someone the habit you're trying to form, and ask them to encourage you along the way!
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