Giving Thanks Devo

November 18th, 2018

Devotional

“Marks of Methodism: Giving Thanks” -

1 Thes 5:16-19 and 2 Cor 9:10-15

Keep the sermon topic and Biblical text preaching all week by following Pastor Michelle on twitter @tinypastor and reading her sermon blog www.revmichelle.blogspot.com

Monday: “Rejoice and Pray” - 1 Thes. 5:16-17

  To rejoice always, and pray without ceasing. What does that look like with flesh on it? I’ve recounted the story before of Brother Lawrence before in sermons - Brother Lawrence who wanted to join a monetary, only some of the other brothers didn’t particularly want him there so they gave him the hardest, messiest job in hopes that he would quit - washing all of the dishes. Think about the piles of dishes he must have faced after every meal - from cooking and feeding that many men. But a funny thing happened - Brother Lawrence took this job that no one else would want, and which was intended to drive him away, and instead made it into an opportunity to pray without ceasing. As he tackled those piles of dishes several times a day, every day, he took it to be an opportunity to talk with God in prayer. It became his own personal time of worship where he could grow with God.

What I love about the story of Brother Lawrence, is that he took what others intended to force his hand and instead turned it into his own personal time of prayer, worship, and rejoicing. My hope and prayer this week as we reflect on these particular scriptures is that this can be true in our own lives as well. 

What does rejoicing look like in your life?

Prayer: God, we thank you that whatever we may face throughout our days, that we know that we can turn to you in prayer. Make us ever aware this week of your abiding presence as we seek to draw closer to you. Amen. 

Tuesday: “Give Thanks” -1 Thes. 5: 18

We don’t often think about it this way, but prayer is an act of worship, both privately and publicly. In prayer, we worship God by praising and thanking God - or in the words of 1 Thessalonians - giving thanks in all circumstances. But that doesn’t make such an act easy.

In fact, thanking God in all circumstances can be seen as a radical act of hope and faith. Especially when it appears that things are not going well. There are going to be times in each of our lives when we may find it difficult to give thanks - times when we face heartache and sorrow. And yet, as people of faith, we believe that even during these times we can thank God. Perhaps we cannot thank God for the circumstances of what we face, but we can certainly thank God for going through the wilderness with us. For being the rock upon which we can lean. We can give thanks because of who are God is and the relationship we have with our Lord and Savior. 

When have you found it difficult to give thanks?

Prayer: Lord, we admit that at times we buy into the lies of the world when we are facing difficult times. Lies that you are distant or not trustworthy. Help us to reject those notions and instead put our hope and trust in you - in days of joy and in days of sorrow. Help us lean into your grace, we pray. Amen. 

Wednesday: “Supplied” - 2 Cor 9: 10

The old adage says “You reap what you sow”, but did you realize that was a Biblical concept well before it was a cultural phrase? In today’s scripture lesson the Apostle Paul is speaking to the Church in Corinth about sowing and reaping for the bounty of the Kingdom. A few versos before today’s verse in 2 Corinthians, chapter 9, we find that very teaching. 

Whether we realize it or not, we are all investing in something. Investing in daily living. Retirement. Our family’s future. And what we invest in is determined by what lens we we view the world from. Aren’t sure what your lens is: what is the first thing you think of when I say the word “money”? Spending? Saving? On what? For whom? 

Paul is telling the Church that each of us needs to decide what exactly we are going to invest in - what exactly we want to be a part of. It has to be a willful decision, not one that we make only when we have to or half-heartedly. Paul is essentially asking the people in Corinth, and us today, what we are going to sow - God’s word, or something else? And reminding us, that if we do choose to invest in God, who is the supplier of the seed we need to sow, then there will be an increase in the harvest of righteousness. 

How does the concept of God being the provider of what we sow influence your life?

Prayer: Lord, sometimes we are a forgetful people. We forget that you have supplied us with all we need. We forget the ministry that you have called us to. Renew in us the Word of Truth and the path of discipleship so we may make your Way known. Amen. 

Thursday: “Produce Thanksgiving” - 2 Cor 9: 11-12

  A little background - Paul is writing this section of 2nd Corinthians as a thank you to the people in the Corinth Church for investing in another Church he ministered to, people they would never meet in this life time. It’s an odd way to say thank you for your generosity isn’t it - or is it? Paul is trying to affirm the choice the Church has made to sow generously so that other’s may come to know the message of Christ. 

Remember the situation in the Roman world during this time. The vast majority, over eighty percent, of folks during the New Testament Era would have been considered poor by their own standards, let alone ours. In order for the Church in Corinth to give to Paul for the sake of the gospel message in this magnitude they had to be generous and make sacrifices. So Paul is thanking the Corinthians for their generosity so people could come to believe in another city. He is trying to use this moment to teach them that God used them to meet the needs of another group of people, and that God will meet their needs as well. It is God’s desire to meet the needs of God’s people - but the first step is trust.

But Paul also wants them to remember that which they give produces much for the harvest. It produces thanksgiving - a thankful heart for both what God has blessed them with a thankful spirit in those who will receive. 

  What causes you to be thankful? What produces thanksgiving in your own life?

Prayer: Lord, we thank you for so much. For that which you have blessed us with. With the ability to share your abundance. For the call to share your Word. And we also thank you for the fruit which your blessings will produce and reproduce in this world. May we have postures of gratitude and thankful hearts so that others may come to know the One we are thankful for. Amen. 

Friday: “Thanks be to God” - 2 Cor 9: 13-15

  The truth is that prayer and thanksgiving should be intertwined in our lives. I shared this week that John Wesley took one day a week for intentional prayer to give thanks to God for all the ways God showed up during the week - the ways God provided. The ways God was present. Now do I think that Wesley didn’t thank God the other six days of the week? Absolutely not! But I think by taking this intentional time, he was hoping to look back on the things he may have misperceived or glossed over. 

This past week I was visiting one of our shut ins who was working on a project of thanksgiving. Not a craft for Thanksgiving Day, but filling a book of prayers with all that she is grateful for. Why? Because saying thanks changes our heart and attunes our spiritual eye. 

What are you most grateful for these days? My guess is that if we each actually sat down and reflected upon that question we, too, could fill up pages and pages. But the real question is how that gratitude for the abundance of blessings, some of which we probably never took time to consider before, lead us to live our lives different. Lead for us to pray differently. To come into God’s presence, not demanding something, but simply because we are grateful. 

How are thanksgiving and prayer connected in your life?

Prayer: Lord, we come before you this day with a heart of gratitude. A spirit that wants to thank you, O Lord, not just for all that we have received, but also simply for being who you are in our lives. Let our hearts sing your praise so that others may know of you and your love. Amen. 

Saturday: Preparing for the Word

You are invited to read and pray this week’s text and topic: “Marks of Methodism: Loves Others” - 1st John 4: 20

Family Activity: Make a list of things you can thank God for. Take time in prayer to thank God and ask God to help you see every day more things to praise God for.