Devoted: All Inનમૂનો

Going ALL IN as a fully devoted follower of Jesus means we can find joy in our lives, no matter the circumstances. This comes through practicing and expressing our thanks and gratitude daily.

If God didn't do one more thing for us, He has already given us the most extraordinary gift: the sacrifice of His Son so that we could spend eternity in heaven with Him!

And yet, he continues to bless us.

Did you wake up with a roof over your head? Be grateful! Do you have clothes to wear, food to eat, and clean water to drink? Gratitude for these gifts is a good place to start every day.

Colossians 1:11-12 says We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.

We are supposed to always be thanking the Father–we are heirs to the throne of a King!

Even when things aren't going your way, you don't feel like the son or daughter of a King, you've been knocked down one too many times, or you can't seem to figure a way out of the mess around you, you can still find something to be grateful for. And that gratitude will help you reframe your perspective until something changes.

God doesn't say be happy only when things are going well. Philippians 4:4 reminds us Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again–rejoice!

Gratitude may not immediately change your circumstances. Things may still be chaotic around you. But when we thank the Lord for the good gifts He has given us, something starts to happen inside us. We begin to change in our hearts and minds.

For today, make a list of everything you can think of that you are grateful for. Even better, write it in your prayer journal as a thank-you note to the One who gave us everything. Being thankful leads to joy, no matter the circumstances. And when we go ALL IN, we can rest in the good gifts our Father has already given us.

Prayer: Father God, thank you for every good thing in my life! Thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus, who died on a cross to save me. Thank you for all the things going well in my life, for the people who care about me, and for the way you show me your love. Please open my eyes to see your good gifts all around me, and make me a joyful person filled to overflowing with gratitude for all you have done for me. In Jesus' name, amen.

If you enjoyed this plan from Meredith Shafer, click here for her devotional Redeeming Time: Holy Over Hustle. You can also connect with her at meredithshafer.com