Day 21
New to the Gratitude for Every Day 30-Day Devotion? Start with Day 1!
Take time to be thankful. Read a short devotion and a selected Bible verse each day.
It’s Day 21 of the Gratitude for Every Day 30-Day Devotion.
DEVOTION
Usually, when one hears the word, "bless," one might think of saying, "God bless you," following a sneeze. Or, we might hear the obligatory, "Bless this food which we are about to receive and bless the hands that prepared it," before a meal. Or, if we travel down south, we might hear, "Oh, bless your heart," if we do or say something which displeases a Southerner.
But to bless the Lord… that’s another matter. Andrae Crouch put Psalm 103:1 perfectly to music as he sang, "Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His Holy name!" In his song, Crouch went on to say, "He has done great things, bless His Holy name." Matt Redman and Steve Angrisano found 10,000 reasons for our hearts to find to bless the Lord.
Nowadays, we tend to be on a journey to find our own self-worth, our own identity, our own edification. As we embark on "Biblical self-discovery" of who we are, or how we think Christ sees us, do we take our eyes off of the one truly deserving of worship, blessing, glory and honor in the process?
It’s only because of His mercy and grace, and the fact that He is slow to anger that He doesn’t deal with me in the manner that I deserve, but rather in the way that He showers me each day with His lovingkindness. The One who casts my sins as far away from the east is from the west is worthy of the highest blessing and worship, forevermore! So bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me – and let me never forget Your kindness that extends throughout the generations!
VERSE
Psalm 103:1 (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.
