REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor David Kwon who heads Journey Community Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, was first posted on November 26, 2015. He is a graduate of Drexel University (BS) and Columbia International University (M.Div.).
Devotional Thought for This Morning
(Thanksgiving Edition)
“The Kids are Ungrateful . . . What about Adults?”
Psalm 138:1-8
I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise; [2] I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word. [3] On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased. [4] All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O LORD, for they have heard the words of your mouth, [5] and they shall sing of the ways of the LORD, for great is the glory of the LORD. [6] For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar. [7] Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me. [8] The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.
Happy Thanksgiving! For our devotional today, we want focus on the topic of gratitude.
I recently was reading a blog by KJ Dell’Antonia called “The Kids are Ungrateful”. In this blog, she writes how ungrateful her kids can get. Here is what she writes:
Sometimes I can’t believe how ungrateful kids can be. For example:
- We just booked a great place in the mountains, with a pool (for them, of course), and our 9-year-old says, “I don’t want to drive five hours to get there. It’s boring.”
- If we go out for dinner, they complain about where. Our 5-year-old, when offered a piece of chocolate, invariably complains, “I want a bigger piece,” instead of simply saying “thank you.”
She concludes by saying: “Are people born negative, or can we do something about it? Are all kids this way? Will they grow out of it? It makes me want to stop trying to please them with anything.”
Sadly, the grownups can fall into the trap of ingratitude as well, often complaining about everything. That’s all the more reason, for Christians, “Thanksgiving” should not just be a once a year event; rather, we should constantly lead a lifestyle of gratitude because it shows the genuineness of our faith and salvation.
Living a life of thanksgiving starts by acknowledging that we have been given something we do not deserve, which is the unconditional love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s ask the Lord to strip us from our barriers of entitlement and self-accomplishment so that our lives would be marked with gratitude.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for the undeserved gift of grace and love that You have poured into our hearts. Help us to always live a life of gratitude despite the unfavorable circumstances in my life. Amen
Bible Reading for Today: 1 Corinthians 12
Lunch Break Study
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: Rejoice always, [17] pray without ceasing, [18] give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Questions to consider
- What does Paul exhort his readers to do?
- Why is this often hard to do?
- How can we live this kind of lifestyle?
Notes
- He encourages them to live a life of joy which overflows to thanksgiving
- We base much of our joy and thanksgiving on our circumstances. As we grow in Christ, our joy and gratitude should come from Christ alone despite the trials and hardships we might face.
- We need to be rooted in the Word and ask the Holy Spirit to help us in times of joylessness and ingratitude.
Evening Reflection
Spend time thanking the Lord and the many blessings He has given you. It might be family, health, job, or wonderful career opportunities. Most of all, thank Him for the salvation we have in Him and the sacrifice He made on our behalf.