DAY 9: PRAY FOR AN AUTHENTIC GRATITUDE AND REVERENCE FOR GOD – KINSEY MINTER
KINSEY MINTER
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SCRIPTURE
Hebrew 12:28-29
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful. By it, we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”
DEVOTION
When we think about gratitude, immediately our minds can go to our circumstances, our possessions, and gifts. There may be times in our lives where we don’t feel like we have much or feel far away from where we would like to be. When this happens, it takes looking at others’ poor circumstances and comparing them to ours to make us feel grateful for what we have. The sum of our gratitude cannot just be these quick momentary reliefs, it does not sink in all the way to our hearts. We quickly forget that our circumstances do not depict if God is worthy of our gratitude. Although He has done, and continues to do a lot for us, God is so much more than what He does for us. We can be thankful for God because of His Character. When we remind ourselves of the God, we are thankful for, we will see these characteristics in our lives in every season and circumstance.
Are we looking at God with reverence and awe? Does His presence, character, and holiness bring you to your knees? Human beings were created to be in awe of something, we can be in awe of idols, or we can live in awe of ourselves and the hurdles that present themselves each day, keeping us from where we want to be. When we look inward instead of up, we are consumed by the wrong fire.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” When it comes to gratitude, our lives are full of things to be thankful for, another unpromised day of life, basic needs being met, and all other blessings that you can think of. One thing to be truly grateful for is that God is who He says He is: the King of kings, the Lion and the lamb, the creator of the universe, and yet… our redeemer, our provider, and our friend. He wants you to look at him for who He is, and when we do that, we can’t help but stand in awe, and thank him. This gratitude surpasses our circumstances, setbacks, and disappointments. This is God’s will for our lives, to rejoice, pray, and give thanks. When we do this, it will be like medicine for our minds that are clouded with earthly things.
PRAYER
Heavenly father, You are the King of kings and the Lord of lords, matchless in every way. You are beautiful beyond description, too marvelous for words, too wonderful for comprehension, full of infinite wisdom, and abounding in steadfast love. I pray that I live a life in awe of You and grow in authentic gratitude for who You are and what You’ve done for me. Forgive me for at times I am in awe of my circumstances over You. You are above it all, and I thank You that my future is secure now and forevermore. In Jesus name I pray, amen.
ACTION STEP
- Listen to “You are Holy” by Jesus Image and bow before a Holy God!
IDEAS:
- Dance (yes… DANCE) to I Thank God by Maverik City Music & Upperroom and consider all He’s done for you.
FITNESS
IDEAS:
- Run the ninth mile out of the total of 21.
- Do 18 sit-ups and 18 push-ups.
- Dance! Put on some jams, move around and rejoice!!! Add jumping jacks!
- 1 minute plank hold
