Joshua 1:9 (NASB)
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified nor dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Devotional Thought:
The promise of God’s presence steadies trembling hearts. Gratitude grows when we remember that courage is not the absence of fear but the assurance that God is with us.

Three Comments:

1. Gratitude remembers that His presence is constant, not conditional.
2. Courage is born from companionship with God.
3. Gratitude strengthens the heart by focusing on God’s “withness.”

Poem – “With Me Always”
Fear cannot have the final word,
The Lord is here and near,
His presence drives out despair,
His hand steadies my steps,
His love surrounds my soul.

The path may feel uncertain,
But His voice guides the way,
The shadows cannot silence His promise,
The valleys cannot hide His care,
The journey is never alone.

Gratitude rests in His nearness,
Peace comes from His hand,
Strength rises in His presence,
Courage grows in His promise,
Hope lives in His Word.

Prayer:
Lord, thank You for the promise that You are with me wherever I go. Thank You that Your presence is my courage and peace.
Teach me to live today aware of Your nearness. May gratitude keep me from fear and strengthen me to walk in confidence.

1/16 – God’s Joy

John 15:11 (NASB)
“These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.”

Devotional Thought:
The joy Jesus gives is not fragile happiness but divine fullness rooted in Him. Gratitude lifts our hearts to receive His joy, which cannot be taken away by circumstance.

Three Comments:

1. Gratitude positions us to receive Christ’s joy as our strength.
2. His joy is complete because it flows from His presence, not our performance.
3. Gratitude shifts our focus from temporary pleasures to eternal satisfaction.

Poem – “The Fullness of Joy”
The world offers shallow delight,
But Your joy is deeper than pain,
It fills the heart with strength,
It steadies the weary soul,
It shines in the darkest night.

The vine holds the branches firm,
Life flows from Christ alone,
Joy grows where love abides,
Peace springs from obedience,
Hope rests in His words.

Gratitude drinks from the fountain,
The Spirit fills the cup,
Joy overflows in the journey,
The heart sings with assurance,
The soul rests complete.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You that Your joy is not fleeting but full. Thank You that You invite me to abide in Your love where joy is found.
Help me to treasure this gift above all worldly pleasures. May gratitude open my heart to experience the fullness of Your joy today.

11/15 – God’s Peace – Philippians 4:6–7  “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

Peace is not the absence of problems but the presence of God guarding our hearts. Gratitude is the doorway into this peace, calming anxieties with the assurance of His care.

1. Gratitude turns our worries into worship.
2. God’s peace is greater than our understanding.
3. Thanksgiving is the key to guarding our hearts in Christ.

 “The Guard of Peace”
Anxiety presses hard,
Fear whispers its lies,
But thanksgiving opens the door,
Peace enters like a guard,
Christ secures my heart.

The mind rests in His promise,
The heart is kept in His care,
The storm cannot steal His calm,
The night cannot silence His voice,
The soul is safe in Him.

Gratitude builds the fortress,
Prayer lays the foundation,
Peace rises as my shield,
Faith holds the line,
Christ reigns within.

Lord, thank You that Your peace guards me when fear surrounds. Thank You that thanksgiving is the path into Your presence.
Help me to turn every worry into prayer and every fear into worship. May gratitude open my heart to the peace that only You can give.

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11/14 – God’s Guidance – Proverbs 3:5–6 (NASB) “Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.”

Gratitude grows when we release control. God’s guidance is not occasional advice but daily direction. The straight path belongs to those who trust His wisdom above their own.

1. Gratitude lets go of self-reliance and embraces surrender.
2. Trust clears the fog that our understanding creates.
3. Acknowledging Him daily keeps our path steady.

 “The Straight Path”
I do not walk by sight alone,
My wisdom cannot guide me,
But the Lord makes my path clear,
He directs my every step,
He holds the way ahead.

The heart leans on His counsel,
The mind rests in His truth,
The will bends to His wisdom,
The soul trusts in His plan,
The journey follows His lead.

Gratitude steadies my steps,
Confidence grows in His care,
Hope shines in His promise,
Peace flows in His way,
The path is made straight.

Prayer:
Lord, thank You for Your guidance that leads me when I cannot see. Thank You that I can trust Your wisdom over my own.
Teach me to acknowledge You in all my ways. May gratitude lead me to surrender and joyfully follow the path You set before me.

11/13 – God’s Faithfulness – Deuteronomy 7:9 (NASB) “Know therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His faithfulness to a thousand generations for those who love Him and keep His commandments.”

God’s faithfulness is not seasonal—it is eternal. Gratitude strengthens when we remember that His promises do not expire, and His covenant love never weakens.

1. Gratitude rests not in our grip on God but His grip on us.
2. His faithfulness spans generations, reaching further than we can see.
3. Gratitude looks back on His faithfulness to fuel trust for tomorrow.

 “Faithful Through the Ages”
Time does not weaken His promise,
Generations rise and fall,
But His covenant stands unbroken,
His Word remains true,
His love never ends.

The years tell His story,
The past records His care,
The present proves His presence,
The future waits secure,
Faithfulness is His name.

Gratitude leans on His record,
Trust grows from His truth,
Hope steadies in His promise,
Peace anchors in His Word,
My heart rests in His faithfulness.

Faithful God, thank You that Your promises are yes and amen in Christ. Thank You that not one word You have spoken will fail.
Keep me mindful of Your record of faithfulness. May gratitude be my response, and may my trust be anchored in Your unchanging character.

11/12 – God’s Forgiveness – 1 John 1:9 (NASB) “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Forgiveness is not a theory but a promise. Gratitude blooms when we confess, for God not only forgives but cleanses us completely in Christ.

1. Gratitude thrives in the soil of grace that covers sin.
2. Confession is the doorway to restoration.
3. Forgiveness is not partial but complete, cleansing every stain.

“The Cleansing”
Sin weighed down my soul,
Shame whispered lies of defeat,
But mercy met me in confession,
Grace covered my failure,
Cleansing made me whole.

The cross stands as my pardon,
The blood speaks a better word,
Righteousness clothes my guilt,
Forgiveness writes my story,
Peace takes the place of fear.

Gratitude sings of mercy,
Joy rises from cleansing,
The past no longer chains me,
The present rests in grace,
The future belongs to God.

Lord, thank You for the forgiveness that flows freely through Jesus. Thank You that confession never meets rejection but restoration.
Help me walk daily in the freedom of Your cleansing. Let gratitude silence shame and lift my life in praise to the One who forgives all sins.

11/11 – God’s Creation – Psalm 19:1 (NASB) “The heavens tell of the glory of God;
And their expanse declares the work of His hands.”

Creation is God’s artwork. Gratitude grows when we look at the world not as random but as revelation. The stars, oceans, and mountains are sermons in sight and sound, declaring His glory.

1. Gratitude opens our eyes to see creation as God’s canvas.
2. The world around us is not silent—it proclaims His majesty.
3. When we give thanks for creation, we worship the Creator, not the created.

 “The Sky Speaks”
The heavens are never quiet,
Stars sing the name of God,
The sky is a page of glory,
The earth is His handiwork,
Gratitude sees the wonder.

The sea rolls with His power,
The mountains rise with His strength,
The wind whispers His presence,
The sunrise preaches His faithfulness,
The night declares His majesty.

All creation points upward,
The world bends to its Maker,
I bow with the heavens,
I join in the song of the earth,
Thanks belongs to God.

Father, thank You for the beauty of creation that daily reminds me of Your greatness. Thank You for skies that speak and oceans that roar Your praise.
Teach me to slow down and notice Your handiwork. May gratitude lead me from the wonders of creation to worship of the Creator.

11/10. God’s Daily Renewal and Strength – 2 Corinthians 4:16 (NASB)
“Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer person is decaying, yet our inner person is being renewed day by day.”

Life wears us down, but God lifts us up. Gratitude recognizes the miracle of daily renewal—strength supplied fresh for each day, grace for each moment.

1. Gratitude remembers that weakness invites renewal.
2. God’s strength is given not in bulk but in daily supply.
3. Renewal is proof that His Spirit is alive within us.

 “Day by Day”
The body grows weary,
But the soul is made new,
Grace restores what life depletes,
Strength comes quietly each dawn,
Hope rises with every breath.

Decay cannot defeat renewal,
The Spirit breathes within,
Faith is lifted by His touch,
Peace is anchored by His hand,
Life is sustained by His love.

Gratitude lives in the present,
Today holds enough grace,
The future waits in His care,
The past rests under His mercy,
The soul is renewed again.

Lord, thank You that though my outer person fades, my inner life is renewed daily in You. Thank You for the strength that comes fresh each morning.
Help me to live today in gratitude for Your sustaining grace. May I not lose heart, but walk in the power of Your Spirit with a thankful heart.

11/09. The Hope of Eternal Life – 1 Peter 1:3–4 (NASB) “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, according to His great mercy, has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.”

Gratitude takes the long view. Eternal life is not wishful thinking—it is a living hope, secured by the resurrection of Christ. Nothing can diminish or destroy it.

1. Gratitude grows when we anchor in eternity, not circumstances.
2. Hope is living because Christ is living.
3. Our inheritance is certain because our Savior is risen.

 “The Living Hope”
Hope is not a fading dream,
It is alive with resurrection power,
Death has lost its grip,
The grave is not the end,
Eternity is secure.

Mercy writes my new beginning,
Grace seals my future home,
The inheritance cannot perish,
The promise cannot fade,
The treasure is Christ Himself.

Gratitude looks beyond today,
Faith holds the unseen firm,
Joy leans toward forever,
Peace rests in what is promised,
Hope sings because He lives.

Father, thank You for the living hope that anchors my soul. Thank You that eternal life is secure because Jesus rose from the dead.
Help me live today in light of forever. May gratitude lift my eyes above trials and fix them on the glory that awaits.

11/08      The Fellowship of Believers – Hebrews 10:24–25  “…and let’s consider how to encourage one another in love and good deeds, not abandoning our own meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”

God never intended us to walk alone. Gratitude overflows when we recognize the gift of fellowship—the encouragement, accountability, and strength of God’s people.

1. Gratitude is nourished in community, not isolation.
2. Fellowship fuels endurance in the Christian life.
3. Encouragement is both given and received when believers gather.

 “The Gift of One Another”
I am not called to walk alone,
Voices join to strengthen faith,
Hands extend to lift the weary,
Hearts unite in holy love,
The church is a gift of grace.

Encouragement grows in gathering,
Hope rises in shared prayers,
Love multiplies in serving,
Faith deepens in fellowship,
Joy is found in unity.

Gratitude meets me in community,
Brothers and sisters walk beside,
Christ is seen in their kindness,
His presence fills the body,
Together we wait for His return.

Lord, thank You for the body of Christ. Thank You for the encouragement and strength that comes through fellowship.
Teach me to give as much as I receive, to serve as much as I am served. May gratitude move me to treasure the gift of Christian community.