Jesus Calling - April 6th, 2024

Jesus Calling: April 6th

    Bring Me the sacrifice of thanksgiving. Take nothing for granted, not even the rising of the sun. Before Satan tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden, thankfulness was as natural as breathing. Satan's temptation involved pointing Eve to the one thing that was forbidden her. The garden was filled with luscious, desirable fruits, but Eve focused on the one fruit she couldn't have rather than being thankful for the many good things freely available. This negative focus darkened her mind, and she succumbed to temptation.
    When you focus on what you don't have or on situations that displease you, your mind also becomes darkened. You take for granted life, salvation, sunshine, flowers, and countless other gifts from Me. You look for what is wrong and refuse to enjoy life until that is "fixed."
    When you approach Me with thanksgiving, the Light of My Presence pours into you, transforming you through and through. Walk in the Light with Me by practicing the discipline of thanksgiving.

RELATED SCRIPTURE:

Psalm 116:17 (NIV)
17 I will sacrifice a thank offering to you
    and call on the name of the Lord.

Genesis 3:2-6 (NIV)
2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”

4 “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.

1st John 4:7 (NIV)
God’s Love and Ours
7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

Today's Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

Today, I bring to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, recognizing the abundance of blessings You have blessed my life with. Help me to not take even the simplest gifts for granted but to appreciate the rising of the sun, the beauty of nature, and the countless wonders of Your perfect creation.

Forgive me for the times when, like Eve, I have focused on what I lack rather than being grateful for all that You have provided. Keep my heart from becoming darkened and hard by negativity and discontentment. Instead, fill me with the light of Your presence as I practice the discipline of thanksgiving moment by moment, day by day.

May my gratitude transform me from within, shaping my perspective and guiding my steps. Help me to walk in the light with You, continually aware of Your endless goodness and mercy.

In the name of Jesus, who taught us to give thanks in any and all circumstances, I pray. Amen.