So much of our society has become focused on self and our own wants and desires, which is a direct reflection of our sinful nature. Our default setting is to look out for numero uno. Just observe siblings or children at a playdate. They fight over toys all while screaming “Mine!” We have to learn to share, to be generous, to put others first.
Even when we have learned to be unselfish, we can often still lack gratitude. Take a look at a group of teenagers and you’ll likely see individuals who can share because they know it’s what they’re supposed to do, but a sense of deep-seated entitled still snuffs out lasting gratefulness.
Certainly, the enemy likes it when we focus on ourselves instead of others. He likes it when our desires take precedence. He likes it when we are ungrateful.
I’ve tried to take inventory of my life recently. Have I been guilty of ingratitude? Have I only gone to God in times of trouble when I needed something? Have I sought Him more for what He can do for me than just getting to know Him?
I have repeatedly prayed for a heart to know God even if He never did another thing for me. But, my flesh — the pull of the fallen world within me — can be so strong. It can be a fight to die to our flesh. But, that is the Lord’s heart for us. He wants us, every part of us. He wants to help us die to our flesh so we can experience new life in Him. Jesus came to give us life to full! But we can’t receive what He wants to give us if we’re focused on ourselves and stuck in entitlement or ingratitude.
A few days ago at church, our Pastor called for anyone who needed prayer to come to the altar so that the Body could lay hands and pray for their needs. I went to the front because I’ve been drowning in some areas of my life — yet I’ve been believing for supernatural provision and breakthrough.
It was beautiful, as always. One of my favorite things is to hear a group of Believers praying in one heart, one mind, and one accord. The room prayed. Each of us that came forward prayed. We could feel the faith and expectation in the room rising.
Then everyone began to disperse.
All of a sudden, Pastor did something that I don’t think he’s done before. He said he didn’t believe we were done praying yet. He explained, “I heard the Lord say that we only gave Him time to hear what you wanted, but you didn’t thank Me. You didn’t magnify Me as your source and your provision.”
We were faithful in telling God our needs, but it ended there. Pastor asked us to linger in God’s Spirit and open ourselves up to the wisdom of His Spirit. He encouraged us to give Him our time, to not rush off, but to listen to Him.
That moment immediately reminded me of the story of the ten lepers in Luke 17:11-19. Jesus encounters ten lepers on His way to Jerusalem. They knew who He was and the miracles He could perform. They cried out to Him as the Son of God to have mercy on them. And mercy was what He showed them. As Jesus instructed, they ran off to show themselves to the priests. As they ran, they were healed. It was a miracle! They showed the priests and returned to their old lives. All, but one. One leper returned before he did anything else. Verses 15-16 say “Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving Him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan.”
That is who I want to be. I want to be one who thanks and praises God with all that is in me. I want to have a thankful heart so gratitude is always my first response. I want my life to be worship for who He is, first — and for what He’s done, second.
It’s easy for me to thank God and move on to the next thing. It’s easy for me to just expect Him to meet my needs and forget to thank Him altogether. It’s easy for thankfulness to have no impact on my life at all.
That’s where the fight is. That’s where we die to our flesh and let the Holy Spirit live through us. May we continue to learn the ways of gratitude so we can easily resist the ways of this world.
Thankfulness is where God meets us.
If there is an area of your life where you are struggling to be thankful, I’d love to pray for you!
Karina,
I’m recently retired and one of the best things is now I have more time to listen to God… Just to sit in his presence. It’s so peaceful. Of course there’s intercessions when we pray, but there’s lots of gratefulness.
Sending you summer joy, Lisa Wilt
Amen! I love that Lisa! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for this message today. It really resonated with me. God is good all the time.
Yes! He is Sandy! Thank you for sharing!
I’m so grateful for God using the chosen tv show to turn me towards deepening my faith my relationship with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. I am doing the Bible recap to read the whole Bible in a year, I’ve skipped to the New Testament now but will return to the Old Testament in time.
I have never read the whole Bible really studied it and seeing where God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are in the book not what is God trying to tell me. I am learning like a new Christian even though I have been brought up in church I fell away for many years. I have a small yearning all starting with the tv show.
God is working …
Yes! He is Jas! He is so faithful to go to unexpected lengths to win our hearts back!
Dear Karina…..I thought your devotional was very inspiring. I have always thanked Jesus and our Lord for even the smallest thing that my Holy Spirit did for me. My Parents were very spiritual and church going people and started me in Sunday School when I was 5 years old. I loved it and as I got older I learned many things. Now I am 76 years old and in a facility as my husband has violent dementia. On Saturday morning at 9:30 – 10:30 am we have what is called “Prayer, Share and Care “. Just 2 weeks ago our whole hour was dedicated to always remember to Thank the Lord or Jesus. Many people there did not think to do that. The leader gave us a copy of a scripture that explains this and that we should not worry about ourselves, sometimes depending on what we are struggling with that can be difficult. I read that paper every morning. I help many people here as I am the youngest one here, but again, I truly loved your devotional today. Thank you Karina. The other thing that came out in that meeting is that quite a few people do not believe in the Holy Spirit. My Holy Spirit is with me all the time, helping me, guiding me and cheering me when I think of my husband. He does speak to me, but that is a long story that I will wait until another time. Blessings to you and your family ……………………..Betsy Basile
Thank you for sharing Betsy! I love the work that the Holy Spirit is doing in you and through you in your latter years. He’s so good and faithful!
I will admit to having my doubts. But I have been trying to be mindful and give thanks on a consistent basis. But I am blown away with how God has answered my prayers and the prayers of my friends and church who have been praying for me. I have been trying to find a house in a particular town so I can be near my church, my support system, my friends, and what I consider my home. Last night, I got a call from someone who is selling her aunt’s home and gave me the opportunity to purchase it. Not only that, it is well within my budget and walking distance to my church where I spend a lot of time and would spend even more if not for the long ride there at this time. Last Saturday, a new church friend put her arm around me, prayed for me and with me and I felt something so strong and powerful I knew God heard her and me! God is Good! And I haven’t stopped thanking God since I heard the news. I do not have any more doubts. So THANK YOU GOD!!!
Yes and Amen Madeline! He is faithful even when we are faithless. I’m giving thanks alongside of you for His goodness and provision!
“Thankfulness is where God meets us.” That is going in my Bible as a good reminder that my life is one big blessing from Him.
Amen Maura! I love that! May you meet with Him everyday at the avenue of thanks and praise.
Thank you, Katrina! These are good reminders.
Thank you Irene for sharing!
Thank you for this reminder, Karina. Very well written and much needed!
Thank you so much for reading Jacquelyn!
I want to be one who thanks and praises God with all that is in me. I want to have a thankful heart so gratitude is always my first response. I want my life to be worship for who He is, first — and for what He’s done, second.
That is what I need prayer for and to feel Gods presence in my doubts.
Thank you so much
Melinda, thank you for sharing. Jesus knows that we are sometimes prone to waiver between doubt and faith. He gives faith and is the One who builds it.
Holy Spirit, remind her of Your past faithfulness. Let that water her trust in You. Give her hope and peace in her season.
I grew up with my Grandmother setting the example of Christlike kindness in our home. I was taught that kindness is what Jesus showed from day to day. Forgiveness is what Jesus taught us to live by showing God’s Love to others. No matter what a person gives you, be very grateful and say so. We are not entitled to anything in life. Only God sustains our lives.
I Pray for others who have to learn to be concerned about more than ourselves. We have to love and care about others also.
Please Pray for the Provisions of others and thank God ahead of time even if the answer is not visible yet. Help others while you wait for what you need. God will make a way for you and your family also.
Thank You Lord for my Daily Bread, Your Word. Amen.
Brenda
Amen Thank you for sharing Brenda.
Katrina I don’t know where I found this saying on Thankfulness.
But I thank God for this saying as it is a good reminder to give God thanks.
It says “God gave you a gift 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say Thank You” how true a saying that is. Have we used one to say thank you to God. I say thank you God for waking me up to enjoy another beautiful day in your world. Amen Dawn Ferguson-Little Co.Fermanagh N.Ireland
So good Dawn! Thanks for sharing!
Thank You Karina…surely Thankfulness IS where God meets us & you’ve expressed it soo beautifully. Thank you. I’ve found that gratitude also helps change my perspective as I begin to see through His eyes as it were . God bless you & work in & through you. Love Sarla (Sri Lanka) p.s. starting a Gratitude Journal a few years ago helped me
I love that Sarla! May keeping a record of His past faithfulness continue to build your trust in Him!
Thank you for this beautiful devotional. It spoke the words I believe and want to live by but fall short. I keep working to be my best and this devotional shows me that I need to keep trying.
Wow. That really makes me slam on the brakes……
I have been in such a dark place mentally and emotionally that I now realize that GOD was holding on to me that whole time and I just wanted to say Thank you
Karina,
When I start feeling down & depressed I make a “thankful journal”. The list contains everything from home in Heaven, Sins forgiven, house, car, paper clips. Nothing is left out. I also remind myself of the trials God has seen me through. God commanded Joshua to take 12 stones from Jordan River & set them up as a memorial. A way to remember that Jesus led them through the river to the promised land. We all need reminders of God’s faithfulness towards us. Leave yourself Ebenezer stones as reminders.
Another idea is to use the A.C.T.S. prayer model. Adoration-giving Jesus praise for who He is. Confession–confess & repent of all sins. This is where I ask God to cleanse my heart & see if there be any wicked ways in me. Thanksgiving-give God thanks for ALL He’s done for you. I can be found weeping at this point. Thinking about Jesus dying on cross just.for.me. Supplication-Ask for help or needs of others.
Blessings 🙂
Rejoice always, pray constantly, give THANKS in EVERYTHING; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 CSB God Bless!