Thirsty for Thankfulness: Day #11

      Thirsty for Thankfulness: Day #11

I live in a country with amazing freedom. I  am free to worship Almighty God.

Do we savor our religious freedoms, or do we take them for granted? Today, let us contemplate the blessings we have just by being on this earth in this location at this time period in history.

Let us acknowledge each of these blessings. Let us also be aware of the freedom from sin and death that we are given when we turn our lives over to Jesus.

Our routine: 
  • Sit down together. 
  • Enjoy the cup of blessing that can be provided by a good dose of Scripture. 
  • Stay and linger with our Creator as we reflect on our blessings as revealed in the words we read each day. 
  • Close with words of prayer to help deepen our relationship with Almighty God.
Scripture: 

John 8:36
"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

Psalm 146
"Praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD, my soul.
I will praise the LORD all my life; 
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. 
Do not put your trust in princes, 
in human beings, who cannot save. 
When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;
on that very day their plans come to nothing. 
Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, 
whose hope is in the LORD their God.

He is the Maker of heaven and earth, 
the sea, and everything in them--
he remains faithful forever.
He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets prisoners free,
the LORD gives sight to the blind,
the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down, 
the LORD loves the righteous. 
The LORD watches over the foreigner 
and sustains the fatherless and the widow, 
but he frustrates the ways of the wicked. 

The LORD reigns forever, 
your God, O Zion, for all generations. 

Praise the LORD."


Reflection: 
Earthly freedoms are certainly something to be celebrated. We especially need to appreciate our freedom to worship the LORD our God. Spiritual freedoms are something we can only imagine at this point. The promises in Scripture are real. God does promise a place with us in heaven; we need only to surrender.
Prayer:
Almighty God, we praise You. You have blessed us with boundless freedom. Please, help us to have the courage to speak of Your Work in our lives. Help us to also surrender our own stubborn will to Your good and perfect will. We love the freedom that is provided to us through Jesus' brave sacrifice. We love You, Lord. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

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