make this day great
Psalm 97:12 (ESV)
12 Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name!
When you wake up in the morning and roll out of bed you have a choice to make. Will you rejoice and be glad or complain and be down? I recently read that rejoicing in the Lord is a decision. It's an act of discipline that intentionally chooses to see the good God has done and will do in your life.
That certainly rings true when you read Philippians 4:8-9.
Philippians 4:8-9 (ESV)
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Did you notice that word at the end of verse 9 - PRACTICE! Choosing joy in the Lord is a spiritual discipline that must be practiced and repeated. Doing so can become a game changer in your life. Actually - a DAY changer!
One of the practices I have introduced into my daily routine involves starting each day by writing out my thankfulness to the Lord. Before I read my Bible and before I read a devotion, I begin writing out whatever thankful thoughts come to mind. It is my way of "rejoicing in the Lord and giving thanks to his holy name." It is also an intentional act to think on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise.
I choose to make this day great by thinking on these things!
I'm reading a book right now called 'Shift: Managing Your Emotions So They Don't Manage You' by Ethan Kross. Ethan has studied thousands of people who have gone through traumatic events in their life, and he explores what separates the people who have moved beyond those events and the people who can't move past them. What is his conclusion?
It all comes down to a decision.
A decision to not stay stuck. A decision to choose the good that is ahead instead of the bad that dwells in the past or threatens the future. Ethan is not a Christian, but his findings are reinforcing what our Scriptures for today have already told us.
As we have been going through the Psalms have you noticed how many times the Psalmists have laid out trials, tribulations, enemies, and discouragement, but they often end their plea with thankfulness and trust in the Lord?
They know God will deliver them from their trouble and they choose to have faith in his goodness.
I encourage you to begin the practice of morning thankfulness to the Lord. Make the decision to think on the good things of God when you start your day. If you are new to this it may feel a bit strange, but this is where discipline comes into play. Stick with it and watch as it becomes your new practice over time. But over time you will begin stacking more great days than bad days. Amen!
"Practice these things and the God of peace will be with you."
Josh Huisman is the senior pastor of Crosswalk Church in Brentwood, TN. If you would like to support this website and make it possible for this page to stay active and these devotions to reach a wider audience, CLICK HERE
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CLICK THE PICTURE FOR A VIDEO INVITATION FROM STEPHANIE & JOSH
For years I’ve begun my day with the prayer, “Thank you for this day.” The day is where it always begins. During my day some say, “Have a blessed day!” When I have time, I say,”Thanks. At 80 years old, every day is a special blessed day.”