Gratitude: Saturday November 21

After absorbing all of the thoughts we have processed this Month, think again to how Zacchaeus must have felt to be redeemed by Jesus in light of his relationship to all of the people around him who must have despised him. Think about how powerfully he felt redemption that, not only cleared his concience, but also empowered him to a heart of gratitude and service.

Prayer: Jesus said that the one who is forgiven the most sin is the one who is most appreciative. We have all been given special grace and forgiven much but often don't take the time to realize how much. Pray that God will teach you how much he has forgiven you and how much freedom He offers you. Let His grace lead you to a heart of true and genuine gratitude for Him and the relationships He has placed in your life.

Gratitude: Friday November 20

Think back to the blogs where we realized the effects of redemption in our personal relationships. Now think about how important our relationship is to God to have redeemed us through Jesus. How much does He care about us to come to earth as a man and die in order to show His love for us? If we each hold that much value to God, and he has redeemed us on such an epic level, then what kinds of permission does that give us in life on this earth?

Prayer: Pray that God will empower you through His grace in this life and that you will accept His affirmation and permission to live life to it's fullest realization as He has planned for you.

What would you do if were given absolute permission from someone of absolute athority to follow your creative and spiritual passions. How many times have you let someone else do something because you felt they would do it better than you, only to find that you actually could have done it better.

Often we miss opportunities that we instinctively feel we should own because we don't give ourselves permission. This is where faith comes into play in God's work. Think about areas where you believe God may be giving you permission to do something where you are truly gifted.

Prayer: Ask God to help you wrestle and come to terms with your faith. Let him teach you to trust Him daily in areas where you may usually be timid.

Gratitude: Wednesday November 18

As we understand what it really means to be the body of Christ, how well do you feel that you know your part within this body? Do you feel the real benefits of having the other parts around you. Do you feel that others are benefiting from the talents and purposes that God made you to do?

Prayer: Ask God to help make you aware of the distance and the functional relationship between those around you.

(Convergence has access to some good assessment tools for anyone that would like to get some insight into how they may be gifted in certain kinds of ministry. Ask any staff members and we will get you started.)

Gratitude: Tuesday November 17

Keeping in mind our ideas from yesterday about our unity with God and each other, think about the honor bestowed on us when God actually calls us part of His body. He could have just called us friends or children only. Dwell intently on the depths of what it means to have such an intimate and personal definition of our place as defined by God himself.

Prayer: Ask God to help us understand our true place in his will, his family and his kingdom.

Gratitude: Monday November 16

Yesterday in Ephesians 4 we read:

"Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."

What is the reason for Paul's repeated use of the word "one" when describing both the body of the church and God himself?

Prayer: Pray that God will help you understand the depth of unity he wants us to have with Him and with our fellow believers.

Gratitude: Saturday November 14

Today, use your list from yesterday and try exercising these ideas throughout the day.

Prayer: Pray for God's revelation as you as you try these ideas through the day.

Gratitude: Friday November 13

When have a more redemptive attitude in life we usually find that we are looking more outward toward the lives of other people and less inward to ourselves. What are some ways that you can be more insightful to other people's perspective so that some of these issues could be avoided. Write these down as you think of them throughout the day.

Prayer: Ask God to help you envision a less self-centered view of the world.

Gratitude: Thursday November 12

As we have probably seen so far this week, often our issues with other people are made more difficult by our view of ourselves and misunderstandings. By repairing relationships we can usually make them stronger than they were before. This exercise is an example of redemption.

Have you noticed some areas where you might need to adjust your boundaries or view of self in order to better facilitate a redemptive attitude in your relationships?

Prayer: Again, ask God for help with discernment as sometimes it is difficult to see truths about ourselves.

Gratitude: Wednesday November 11 2009

Think of an especially difficult relational situation you were in where you confronted the person/people and resolved the problem. How hard was it to confront the offender? How did your relationship change after the resolution?

Prayer: Ask God to help you learn the depths of what it means to have an attitude of forgiveness.