DYSMAS CONDUIT
FREE FOOD
(Isa 55:1)
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
Question for the day:
What one thing would make you happier,
healthier, and more optimistic today?
What can we pray with YOU about today?
Good morning,
This is just a reminder that every day, while we are studying God’s Word to add to our website, someone from our ministry, Dysmas Conduit, is holding you up before the Lord in prayer. May He greatly bless you today as you pursue His will and He is glorified through you.
God’s blessings, our love,
George & Sidney Granger
Today’s Chapter in God’s Word
1 Timothy 3
Listen at
http://www.audiotreasure.com/webindex.htm
CURRENT PRAYER REQUESTS:
Please pray for Mike and Sandy Brommer as they spread the Lord’s Seed and witness to His glory while on the road today. Please pray that He grants them safe passage today as they endure yet MORE truck problems and endeavor to make it home for Thanksgiving.
Please continue to pray for three-week-old David Pearson. He is fighting for his life in a German hospital, having already endured his third blood transfusion. So many complications in such a brief life! Please pray also for his parents, John and Annetta – as well as grand-parents and personal good friends, Dan and Sondra Pearson, as they stand vigil for baby David.
THANK YOU FOR PRAYING FOR PASTOR BOB ALLMANN
Please remain in prayer concerning his continued healing and that he is upheld by the Spirit, becoming physically strong as he returns to serving the Lord… what he loves to do!
Please continue to pray for Billy Hamburg. He had surgery Nov 19th and 2 more tumors were found, He is in a lot of pain. Please pray for the Lord’s Hand to help him overcome his anxiety as well as the cancer.
ENCOURAGEMENT FOR TODAY
November 25, 2009
Thank You Power
Rachel Olsen
"Give thanks in all circumstances,
for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)
Devotion:
In my (part-time) job as a university teacher, I'm frequently reading research. I know … it sounds as dry as an over-cooked turkey. Sometimes it is but often I find interesting stuff in that scientific prose. For example, I read about a study that showed just how great it is to be grateful.
The researchers found that grateful people report higher levels of positive emotions, more satisfaction with life, and more vitality and optimism. All good qualities I want more of in my life. They also found grateful people show lower levels of depression and stress - two things I'd like to experience less in my life.
What's more, they found that people who write weekly in a journal about things they are thankful for are healthier. They exercise more regularly, report fewer physical symptoms, and feel better in general than people who journal about neutral or negative life events. That sounds great, and I'll take all the help I can get in the exercise department.
Finally, the research showed that people who daily count their blessings report higher levels of alertness, enthusiasm, determination, and energy. Wow, the benefits of being grateful are remarkable and many! I guess that shouldn't surprise me after considering today's key verse. The Bible urges us to give thanks … all the time … in every situation … because this practice is the will of God.
Let me be clear, there are terrible things that happen to us that may not be the will of God, but us praising God and giving thanks in spite of them certainly is the will of God.
As Christians, we can always find reason to give thanks - thanks for the salvation of Christ, the nearness of God, and the counsel of His Spirit for starters. The psalmist declared, "I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High" (Psalm 7:17, NIV). We can do that too.
Christian poet John Milton once wrote about every grey cloud having a silver lining. Purposing to give thanks, no matter the weather, will train us to look for it. Continuing in this manner day after day ensures that gratefulness will become a normal mode of operation.
No wonder those researchers found that people regularly counting their blessings grow happier, healthier, and more optimistic. After all, that research wasn't discovering anything new, but rather confirming the will and wisdom of God. God already knows how great it is for us to be grateful. Now "science" does too.
What can you give thanks for today?
Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for Your Son and Your Spirit, given to me. Thank You for the provision of shelter and food I have today. And Lord, thank You for this reminder to become more mindful of my blessings, in Jesus' Name, amen.
Application Steps:
Start a gratitude journal. At the end of each day between now and Christmas, take a few minutes to jot down 3-5 things you are thankful for. Keep the notebook and pencil by your bed. Your list can include "big" things like good health, or "little" things like a flower in bloom. Give thanks to God for all of these.
See if you feel any happier, healthier, or more optimistic after a few weeks of regularly giving thanks.
Reflections:
How often do I give thanks to God?
Do I notice, or remember, the little blessings in my days?
Do I want to feel happier, be healthier, and think more optimistically? More importantly, do I want to do the will of God?
Power Verses:
Psalm 118:19, "Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter and give thanks to the LORD." (NIV)
Psalm 107:22, "Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy." (NIV)
…and…
TURNING POINT
Dr. David Jeremiah
The Importance of Knowing
Part 1
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Do you know what you believe and why you believe it?
Knowing what we believe, knowing God's Word,
becomes more important every year.
With the number of cults increasing
and those already in existence flourishing,
we can't help but ask ourselves, "why?"
Why are people turning from Truth to false doctrine, to empty hope?
It might be because they never really knew the truth.
Join Dr. David Jeremiah for a critical message from First John called,
"The Importance of Knowing."
Series: Living in the Light
VIEW OR LISTEN AT
http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/Turning_Point/
GDLC Message: http://www.gdlc.org/worship/sermons.aspx
Please send your prayer requests to
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