Wednesday, April 23, 2014

AYOAGT Day 16: How Do I/We Offer Thanks Each Day for a Year?




AYOAGT Day 16: How Do I/We Offer Thanks Each Day for a Year?

April 23, 2014, Wednesday, 829 a.m.

HOW DO I/WE OFFER THANKS EACH DAY FOR A YEAR (AND MORE) ANYWAY?
How am I supposed to live 1 Thessalonians 5:18 and Philippians 4:6 every day, all day and night long, moment by moment? This is the question.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 / New Living Translation (NLT)

18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
-- NLT: Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Please look up this verse at this link. Every version says it a little differently. Read this link for a fuller understanding of 1 Thessalonians 5:18:


Philippians 4:6 / GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

6 Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks.
-- GW: Scripture is taken from GOD’S WORD®, © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group.

And, look this up as well for all English translations of Philippians 4:6:


How do we, and how will I, live these verses every day and night, in each moment, for at least a year (if not for the rest of our lives, as those verses instruct)? Simply. We just start.
Yep. Just begin.
Try to count at least three blessings, and things you thank God for, each and every day. Do this for the rest of your life.
That’s it.
It isn’t any more complicated or profound than that.
It’s okay to repeat things you are thankful for, if you really are grateful for it when you write it down.
I also advise looking around, where you are, and you’ll see things you are thankful for, or what you see will trigger something or someone else you’re grateful for and you can then write it down.
Also, as you go throughout your day, expect God to reveal His glory to you. He will pour on the blessings, as He always has. You just need to be open to see them and receive them. Intentionality is the key. Write them down as you see ways in which God is present, and working, in your life, around your life, and through your life--and through the lives of others.
You have the potential for writing hundreds down each day if you carry your gratitude journal with you everywhere you go--and watch, wait, and listen to God and the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
God has divine appointments set up for you to see Him working and to bless you through His work and glory. Keep these appointments all day and night long. Don’t miss out.
Also, if you don’t know what to thank God for, go through your gratitude journal. Seeing your list will remind you of things you are thankful for today and will stir up new ones.
Look around. Listen. His glory, and work, is all around. You just need to be open and be intentional.

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