Day 19
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Take time to be thankful. Read a short devotion and a selected Bible verse each day.
It’s Day 19 of the Gratitude for Every Day 30-Day Devotion.
DEVOTION
How would you describe your place of worship? Is it traditional, where your father, and generations before you attended? Is it a caring church, a teaching church, or a modern church? When I first visited the church where I am now a member, tears streamed down my face, and I’d say to the pastor, "I feel like this is home." Everything fit into place for me, every time I visited. The sermons challenged me while not condemning me. I felt unconditional love every time I entered the doors.
Two years later, I still have that feeling of "home." It is not unusual to witness people praying for each other in the hallway, in the kitchen, or even the bathroom. If someone needs prayer that moment, prayer they shall receive. Worship is filled with joy and wonder. I am loved unconditionally. Tears don’t stream down my face every week, anymore, but I feel more empowered to do the things of God when I leave the building than when I entered.
When you feel the love of Christ shining through another’s countenance, it helps lift your faith a little. When you pray for each other without fear, it helps each person do a little better for one another. When you know that someone else sheds tears with you when you are going through a hard time, or truly celebrates with you when breakthrough has occurred, it’s something for which we can truly be grateful.
Paul said to the Thessalonians, "We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly and the love of everyone of you all abounds toward each other." May we remember to love each other as Christ loves us the next time we meet with our brethren.
VERSE
2 Thessalonians 1:3 (ESV: English Standard Version)
Don't have your Bible handy? Click here to read online.
AUTHOR
Rebecca Jones
Rebecca Jones is a writer and cake decorating enthusiast who lives in Seaford, Delaware with her husband Tim, and her youngest son -- a musically gifted young man named Samuel. She is equally proud of her birds who have flown from the nest: Glenn, Daniel, and Rachel, and loves her role as mother-in-law to Taylor and Conner. She is owned by her three beautiful kitties -- Shiloh, Fritzie, and Baby -- and plays frisbee practically every day with her playmate: a dog named "Ringo."
Rebecca makes her spiritual home at Abundant Life Church, Donovan's Road, Georgetown, where she helps in whichever capacity she is able and available.
Rebecca writes for Morningstar Publications as a freelance newswriter. She also has been a freelance writer for web companies and organizations. In addition, she enjoys voice-over work, as well as oral storytelling.
Rebecca has had work published in trade magazines, as well as the former "Christian Woman" magazine. "Chicken Soup for the Soul" has published stories in two of their books. She has had short stories published in five different published books.
She is currently working on personal writing projects which include two plays, a book, a memoir, and a children's book or two. Rebecca can be reached at rebecca.jones.storyteller@gmail.com.
