Attitude of Gratitude

By Kathy Carlton Willis –

Thanksgiving Day, as celebrated in the United States, is today. What a great way to kick off the holiday season leading up to Christmas! One of the greatest reasons of all to give thanks is because we have the gift of Christ from our Heavenly Father. God’s unconditional love allowed Him to give up what He held most dear, His perfect Son, to provide a way of salvation for His created humanity. What better timing then, for Thanksgiving and Christmas to go hand in hand.

When we think about it, we must admit, we are so blessed. Even families enduring great hardships can find something for which to be thankful. In fact, it is an attitude of gratitude which will transform a downcast spirit into a countenance radiating joy. Others may not even realize the trials you are enduring because your shoulders are not weighted down and there’s still a spring in your step. Happiness depends on happenings, but joy comes when we focus on all the reasons we have to be grateful.

I know at least two families who read their calendars wrong and celebrated Thanksgiving last week. At first, I laughed at their silly mistake. But then I couldn’t help but realize there is nothing wrong with wanting to hurry up Thanksgiving. In fact, it is one holiday that could change our world, if each of us would have an attitude of gratitude all year long.

Just think what a transformation would take place if we were all thankful. Thankful for our salvation, we’d tell others about Christ. They would become thankful for the gift and have their own spiritual birthday. Thankful for God’s provision, we would share our provisions with those in need. Thankful for friendships, we would get along better with others. Appreciating our families more, we would spend more time together. Grateful for our jobs, we would become the best employees possible.

Can you see how developing an attitude of gratitude could transform our world? It wouldn’t just become a positive place to live. It would become a Christ-filled world.

AUTHOR QUOTE: May this Thanksgiving Day start your own gratitude revival!

“And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow Him. Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness” (Colossians 2:6-7 TLT).

Today’s devotional is by Kathy Carlton Willis, Christ-servant, wife to Russ, editor, publicist, certified CLASSeminars speaker and faculty member. Kathy Carlton Willis Communications encompasses her many passions. Kathy’s tagline captures her essence—Light & Lively: His Reflection/Her Laughter. Schedule Kathy for a speaking event or contact her firm for promotional assistance. KCWC gets jazzed shining the light on God’s writers and speakers.

Intricate Creation, Magnificent God

By Carin LeRoy –

Recently my family and I went to the Florida Aquarium. It was inspiring to see the many underwater creatures, but that day I was fascinated with the sea horses. One in particular caught my attention, the leafy sea dragon.  He was camouflaged to look like a plant floating around. As I watched him in the tank, I was amazed at God’s creative design, and amused by His ability to make a living thing look like a plant to help protect it from prey.

From snow-capped mountains to a majestic waterfall to a newborn baby, we see His handiwork.  The intricacies of His artistic skills are everywhere. A delicate flower with its tiny petals, stamen and colors all beautifully woven together create an exquisite work of art. The vastness of the oceans with myriads of creatures swimming in its depths causes us to wonder all they contain.

God has a great sense of humor in many of His creations. My polka dot plant with its pink spots, the giraffe with his long neck, the zebra with his stripes, or the prickly porcupine with its quills protruding are a few that make me smile. Who would have ever thought to make a cuddly-looking skunk with the ability to spray stink for ten feet? Or a turtle that carries his home on his back that retreats into it when threatened?  The platypus is another unlikely creature. He is a semi-aquatic mammal that lays eggs and looks like the mixture between a duck, a beaver and an otter.

God gives evidence of His presence. Everywhere we look we see His hand. I often wonder how people can ignore the presence of a living God when He has left His fingerprints in every corner of our world. Just as His word says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands” (Psalm 19:1 NIV).  As we go through the day, let’s remember that God is worthy of our honor and praise. The same mighty God that created all these living things is the same God that has power to work in your life today. Let’s worship Him by giving Him the praise He deserves.

PRAYER:  Lord, when I look at Your creation and all Your intricate designs, I am in awe of Your power, for You are great and mighty. Thank You that I am Your child, and You created me to reflect Your glory. Help me, today, to give You the honor You deserve.

“How many are Your works, O Lord! In wisdom You made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number – living things both large and small. There the ships go to and fro, and the leviathan, which You formed to frolic there. These all look to You to give them their food at the proper time. When You give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things” (Psalm 104: 24-28 NIV).

Today’s devotional is by Carin LeRoy, wife to Dale, mother of three grown children and one high school teenager. She has served as a missionary with PIONEERS since 1982. Her passions are family, playing and teaching piano, missions, and writing stories that show glimpses of God.

Brain Fry

By Kathy Carlton Willis –

Ever had one of those brain-fry moments when nothing new can be learned or decided upon and nothing old can be recalled? I’m having one of those episodes right now. Lord, I’ll be 48 soon. I know you can teach an old dog new tricks, but I do need a little extra assistance!

What do you do when you feel like you’ve hit the wall and you can’t focus on any more tasks? Do you allow yourself time for a diversion? Watch mindless television? Take a walk or a bath and zone out? How do you free some space in your mind’s hard drive so you can function with greater speed and ability?

I am doing all the tips the magazines suggest in those “Top 7 Ways to Improve Brain Power” articles. I’m getting plenty of sleep and eating healthy. I’m dealing with stress in positive ways. I have surrounded myself with a good support system. I’ve deleted negative distracters from my life and delegated tasks to others. I’ve even discovered which hours are my “brain surge” hours, and I work my most difficult mental tasks during that time period.

Right now I’m taking a breather from some assignments to write this article. Sometimes just changing gears like this helps. But I’ve also taken the time to pray and ask God to assist me. I know I can’t do it on my own. The Bible says if any lacks wisdom, we just need to ask for it. Ask for it I will! The best part is, this isn’t just for any old wisdom, but godly wisdom—even wisdom to read and understand the Bible-God’s Word.

Next time you are feeling overwhelmed and can’t focus any more, take a five-minute mini-vacation and visit the throne room of God. There’s nothing like talking to Royalty to put things in perspective.

Then, get back to work! And with those words…I will too.

PRAYER: Father, when my mind is saturated with thoughts and information and feelings, help me to focus on You and let all else fade away. Then slowly bring one task into focus so I can work undistracted. Not for my own success, but so I can glorify You with my work.

“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking” (James 1:5 TLT).

Today’s devotional is by Kathy Carlton Willis, Christ-servant, wife to Russ, editor, publicist, certified CLASSeminars speaker and faculty member. Kathy Carlton Willis Communications encompasses her many passions. Kathy’s tagline captures her essence—Light & Lively: His Reflection/Her Laughter. Schedule Kathy for a speaking event or contact her firm for promotional assistance. KCWC gets jazzed shining the light on God’s writers and speakers.

What’s in Your Wallet?

By Robin J. Steinweg –

I attended one of those parties. You know, the ones where you can purchase interior décor, candles, jewelry or kitchenware in the comfort of a friend’s home. At this one, the guests were strangers to each other. To break the ice, the hostess had us play a game.

What’s in Your Wallet (or purse)? The owner of the most unusual item would be asked to explain its presence and would win a nifty grapefruit slicer.

It’s surprising what shows up in wallets and purses. Thirty-year-old ticket stubs, dead batteries, used string, a spoon, whistle, needle nosed pliers, shoelaces, an unfinished cross stitch project…

I pulled out a bullet shell-casing. Here’s the story I told as I accepted my prize:
My cousin Jay, a military man, died in his forties. Cousin Edie asked me to sing at his funeral. I carefully avoided giving in to grief so I wouldn’t be a mess when the time came. The graveside ceremony followed, with three rifle volleys, the playing of Taps, and a soldier presenting the folded casket flag to Edie. The family walked back to the church but I lingered a few moments, finally releasing some tears.

Outside the cemetery gates, one of the honor guard huffed to catch up with me. “Ma’am?” I turned around.

“Would you please take this, Ma’am?” He placed the bullet casing into my palm, turned, and trotted back to his outfit. I stood, turning the casing over and over. It was empty.

That’s when the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart. Your cousin is not here. In the casket is only the empty shell that housed him for awhile. Because of his faith in the Son of God, he lives. You will see him again.

I carried that casing around in my purse for years to remind me of Christ’s victory over death. I got to share the gospel of Jesus Christ whenever it rolled out. So now I ask you: What’s in your wallet? Is there something that gives you a reason to talk about what Jesus did for you? Don’t leave home without it.

PRAYER: Lord, what a great hope and future You have for us! Reveal to us if there’s something tangible we can carry with us that might open opportunities to share Your gospel.

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15b).

Today’s devotional is by Robin J. Steinweg. Robin’s life might be described using the game Twister: the colored dots are all occupied, limbs intertwine (hopefully not to the point of tangling), and you never know which dot the arrow will point to next, but it sure is fun getting there!

Beyond Understanding

By Cheri Cowell –

“Can you tell me that my son has gone to heaven?” the mother asked the hospital chaplain.

Not knowing the family, and only knowing that the boy had committed suicide, the chaplain looked deeply into the soul of the seeking mother’s eyes. What do I tell her? What is the right thing to say, Lord? “Tell me about your son,” the chaplain tenderly said.

As the mother poured out her heart about the life of her only child, she heard within her own words the answer to her question, and the chaplain was once again reminded that true wisdom isn’t always the textbook answer. God’s answers sometimes carry wisdom that is beyond our understanding.

This Scripture is the first account of the use of Solomon’s gift of wisdom. Solomon asked for wisdom or discernment, not wealth. God was pleased with his request and gave him an abundance of wisdom. The dilemma Solomon found himself in with these two mothers would have been difficult for anyone, yet Solomon knew he possessed something outside of himself that would make all the difference. Often the solution to our own dilemmas is not logical, easily seen, or reasoned. But when the solution comes from God we will know, for His solutions are perfect.

PRAYER: Praise God for Your perfect wisdom. Help me seek Your wisdom when it would be easier to rely upon my own logic, reason, or understanding. Thank You for always providing wisdom that is beyond my understanding but not Yours.

“When all Israel heard about the judicial decision which the king had rendered, they respected the king, for they realized that he possessed supernatural wisdom to make judicial decisions” (1 Kings 3:28 NET).

Today’s devotion is by Cheri Cowell, who writes and speaks on topics of Christian discipleship. In addition to her books and articles, you can learn about her speaking ministry and sign up to receive her daily devotional at www.CheriCowell.com

Next Page »