Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 22:3; Psalm 91; 2 Peter 3:1
Lately I’ve been thinking more and more about thanksgiving — about having an attitude of thanks. We’ve heard a lot on this subject before, but it’s so important that it bears repeating. The apostle Peter sought to “stir up our pure minds by way of remembrance” (2 Peter 3:1). I, too, would like to stir up your pure mind today because I believe this devotional will really encourage you!
There is power in taking our eyes off everything that’s not right in our lives — things that aren’t exactly like we want them to be or that didn’t turn out the way we’d planned. There’s a certain inner strength that comes when we turn our focus from what we don’t have and actively focus on what we do have — for example, the bed we lie on to sleep, the house or apartment that protects us from the elements, the food we eat, our families, a mother or father who is still alive and well, etc.
When we think about it, there’s so much in life to be thankful for. And once we start thanking God and acknowledging Him for what we already have, we completely move into the arena of faith to receive even more from Him. We step out of that place of struggling and striving where we’re trying to figure out everything on our own. Instead, we find ourselves resting under the shadow of the Almighty where the devil cannot touch us (see Ps. 91:1,10) — all because we’re thankful to God!
Denise Renner is a minister, author, and classically trained vocalist. Alongside her husband Rick Renner, Denise spent more than a decade ministering stateside before they co-founded their international ministry. Together they have proclaimed the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the former Soviet Union and around the world for more than 30 years. Denise is the author of books published in both Russian and English, including her book "Who Stole Cinderella?" and "Unstoppable".