28 DAYS OF HOPE | DAYS
Access each day's video and written content by clicking on the numbers below.
INTRO | 1 | 2 | 3| 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | END
SERMONS | 1 - The Treasure Chest | 2 - The Two Jars  | 3 - The Compass | 4 - The Oar

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28 Days Of Hope

WEEK THREE – HOPE HABITS
DAY 20

Where To Start
Read Mary’s Hope story in Luke 1:26-56 and then watch the DAY TWENTY video.

Gratitude brings contentment.

Philippians 4:12-13

DEVOTIONAL

WEEK 3 – HOPE HABITS
DAY TWENTY

God is the source of every blessing in our lives. Hope recognizes God as our Source and Sustainer. Hope knows God is our Shield, Strength, and Song. We decide how much we want to thank Him for His kindness, grace, and provision. Some people try to deny His existence, some try to take the credit, some simply forget to give him thanks, but others live a life of gratitude. Gratitude increases hope. Gratitude changes your attitude and outlook. Gratitude has a positive impact on your body and soul. Gratitude is the right decision because God is worthy. We have a choice between gratitude or grumbling, gratitude or greed, giving thanks or giving up. Gratitude reframes our situations and perspectives with accurate and positive realities.

God’s word leads us to gratitude. Gratitude honors God.

When I was at the lowest point in my life, I learned to be intentionally grateful. You can grieve with gratitude. They are not mutually exclusive. I was mourning because I lost my health, career, passion, and many of my abilities during an illness that lasted for many years. I realized I could not change my circumstances, but I could change my response. I began to make a list of ten things every day and I would thank God for all of them and more. I now call this habit a gritty gratitude. I began to give thanks before I felt thankful and especially when I didn’t feel thankful. The Bible tells us to enter God’s gates with thanksgiving. Gratitude helped me realize how much I still do have, instead of overfocusing on what I don’t have. Gratitude gave me hope on the days when I didn’t feel like my future was bright.

Feelings follow actions. Mary was stunned to hear that she was the chosen mother of Jesus. People would criticize and judge her because they didn’t believe a virgin birth was possible. She chose to thank God and trust His plan. Hope and gratitude became her song. When you do the right thing, eventually your feelings start to change. Facts lead the hope train, faith is the engine, actions are the box cars, and feelings are the caboose. In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus didn’t feel like dying on a cross, but He chose to be faithful.

Faithfulness to God is our ultimate goal.

The world tells us that feeling good is what we should chase. You don’t gain contentment by trying to feel great. Instead, you praise and thank God and draw near to Him, then contentment and joy are discovered in His presence. The most hope-filled people are full of gratitude. They never deny the realities of sorrow and disappointment. They have simply learned how to give thanks and receive God’s hope in all circumstances.

Just Choose Hope

 

HOPE POINT

We can experience joy and contentment through gratitude towards God.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

How does giving thanks to God increase hope?

 

Do you work most at “having what you want” or “wanting what you have”? Provide some details to your answer.

 

Do you feel blessed with what God has provided for you in both gifts and challenges? Give some examples.

 

Do others around you see you as someone overflowing with gratitude? Think about some changes you need to make in your life to make this more true.

 

PRAYER

Gracious God, forgive us for grumbling and complaining. Instead of being grateful, we often take our blessings for granted. There’s no hope in acting entitled. Right now, I want to sincerely praise You with gratitude. You are faithful and benevolent. With joy, I want to tell others about your provision in my life. I praise Your name Jesus, amen.