7 Day Devotional
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Day 1 — Gratitude in COVID-19 Overview In a global season of loss, fear, and uncertainty with COVID-19, God is inviting us into a deeper trust in him. Use this season of social distancing and quarantines as an opportunity to draw closer to the heart of God. You are not forgotten. You are not abandoned. God is ever-present, even in the midst of all your struggles and doubts. May you hold onto a heart of gratitude as you experience God today. Scripture “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 1:16-18 Worship Goodness of God - Bethel Music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvSuGyJQ6oM Devotional As the world is experiencing incredible loss and disruption, it can be extremely difficult to hold onto a heart of thankfulness and gratitude. Our minds are quick to focus on the things that have been lost, rather than remembering the undeserved abundance that has been given. In my own life, I’m often more prone to dwell on the loss of one thing, even while possessing a dozen other beautiful things that could inspire a posture of gratitude. Grief is not inherently wrong. In fact, it is normal, and a healthy part of the process of loss. However, grief that continuously steals our gratitude over time becomes an erosive force in our pursuit of a healthy relationship with God. Although difficult to hold onto, the truth is that even in the midst of loss and suffering, we have much to be thankful for. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” James 1:17 It can be difficult to know where to put our trust when everything around us seems to be changing. What was true about our economy two weeks ago is not necessarily true today. What was true about our schedules two weeks ago is not necessarily true today. Yet even in the chaos of our changing world, God’s character has not changed. His economy is not at risk. His plans are not thwarted. He is still present, he is still good, and he is still providing for us. Hold onto the truth today that you have a loving and generous Father that longs to take care of you. Difficult circumstances are not a reflection of his love for you. He is inviting you to turn towards him today, and to experience the comfort and stability that come from trusting in a generous God. Where will you choose to focus your attention today? Will you let these challenging days pull you away from God’s goodness, or will you lean into him and experience his love and presence even now? As you move into a time of guided prayer, seek to grow in gratitude in the presence of your loving God who gives good gifts even in the midst of a pandemic. Guided Prayer 1. Find a journal or notebook and write down some things you are thankful for in this season. What has he blessed you with in the past few days? What has he blessed you with in the past year? Can you think of a time where God provided for you in an unexpected and generous way? “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” Psalm 103:2 2. Give thanks. Thank God for all the things you just wrote down. Thank him for his continued faithfulness even in the midst of the struggle. “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Phillipians 4:19 “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” 1 Chronicles 16:34 3. Ask God to make his presence known to you today. Not only does God provide us with the physical things we need, but also blesses us with his presence. Ask him to draw near to you today. Go: One way to cultivate gratitude is through generosity. As we look to the needs of others, we recognize how much that we’ve been given. Ask God to bring someone to mind that may be in need of encouragement or support today. How can you show God’s provision and faithfulness to those that may need it? Is there someone you can talk with on the phone or schedule a Zoom call with? Is there a neighbor that may need some of your extra supplies? Does your spouse need a break from watching the children? Let’s show our gratitude for God’s blessings by being generous with others. Resources For more resources like this from First15, check out this free download, Peace: Finding Rest in a Stressed-Out World. This content has been adapted from a First15 Devotional Series by Craig Denison / First15 (View Website) Day 2 — Peace in COVID-19 Overview In a global season of loss, fear, and uncertainty with COVID-19, God is inviting us into a deeper trust in him. Use this season of social distancing and quarantines as an opportunity to draw closer to the heart of God. You are not forgotten. You are not abandoned. God is ever-present, even in the midst of all your struggles and doubts. May you experience his peace as you seek him today. Scripture “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27 Worship Give Me Your Peace | Gateway Worship https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qh53815Zzho Devotional We all long to experience peace, yet finding peace can be somewhat of a mystery. Peace may be best described by what it’s not more than what it is. Peace is the absence of fear. Peace is the absence of anxiety. Peace is the absence of worry. Peace is the absence of “what-if.” Peace is the absence of “if only.” Peace is not something we produce, but instead is something we create space to receive from the Author of Peace. Hear and receive these words from Philippians 6:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” In a world overshadowed by COVID-19, creating space for peace does not come easily. Everywhere we look we are presented with reasons to be fearful, and reasons to question whether or not things will be okay. Yet in the midst of the chaos and the noise, there is an invitation to experience the peace of God that “surpasses all understanding.” You can accept God’s invitation into peace today through “prayer, and supplication with thanksgiving.” Prayer at times may sound daunting or mysterious but is simply a conversation with God from a place of self-awareness. He wants to talk to you. He wants to know how you feel. But in order for that conversation to happen, you need to know how you feel. You need to see and validate the reality of stress, fear, and anxiety. The pathway to experiencing peace begins with a conversation with a loving God that cares for you. You can talk to God today like you would with a parent or a close friend. Supplication is another mysterious and rarely used word that simply means to ask. God invites us to ask Him for things! In your conversation with God, share your needs, your worries, your questions. Ask him to take care of you, to guide you, to comfort you. And while you’re asking, take a moment to thank him for listening and caring for you. There is peace for you today in Christ that’s available regardless of the circumstances that surround you. As you take time even now to have a conversation with God, assess where you most need peace, and make space for God to meet you in profound and transformative ways. Guided Prayer 1. Meditate on God’s desire to give you peace. God does not desire for you to carry fear, anxiety, or worry. And as you reflect, assess where you need peace the most. “May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord Bless his people with peace!” Psalm 29:11 2. Have a conversation with God. Share how you feel. Share what you need. Let God know what has been keeping you awake or causing you to fear. “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Phillipians 4:19 3. Receive God’s peace. Spend a moment in silence and stillness, allowing God’s presence to comfort and encourage you. Go: Peace can be easy to lose if we aren’t careful to guard our hearts and our minds. Be careful today to limit your exposure to things that cause you to worry and fear. If you experience anxiety every time you turn on the TV, then limit how often you watch it. If you become fearful by spending time on social media, then take a break for a while. Remember that God is always available and eager to spend time with you. His peace is not a one-time offer, but is continually available for those that choose to respond to his invitation.