Gratitude Series Episode 1

Hello, my walking friend! Are you ready to start a new Walk with Jesus series? I hope so. This new series is going to be on gratitude and thankfulness. Studies have shown that expressing gratitude and thankfulness will increase your mental well-being and happiness. So, look at you! You are walking – good for your body. You are going to be expressing gratitude – good for your mind and emotions. You are going to be spending time focusing on Jesus – good for your soul! Good for you, my friend!

Today is the 1st episode in the gratitude series. Each day during this series we will take some time to focus on thanking Jesus for something specific and we will have two different verses to meditate on. Today we will be thanking Jesus for our salvation.

Our first verse to meditate on is Ephesians 2:8-9:

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.

Aren’t you glad that your salvation is not based on your goodness? I don’t know about you, but I can’t get through one whole day without doing something I regret. An unkind word or impure thought. Forgetting to pray or praise Jesus. Having an ungrateful attitude even though I have so many blessings. And I am really glad I don’t have to work my way to salvation. How could I possibly do enough good works to pay for all the blessings I received once I was saved?

There is only one part we play in the salvation equation and it is summed up in one word. Believe.

Look at how many times the word believe is used in 3rd chapter of John between verses 14 and 18:

Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
In those four verses the word believe, believes, or believed is used five times. Believe you are a sinner in need of a savior. Believe that, when you repent, you will be forgiven of all your sins. Believe that the Lord Jesus Christ came to pay the penalty for your sins so that you could stand before a holy and righteous God. Believe in the name of Jesus and thank him for his gift of salvation.

Now let’s take some time to meditate on our second verse, 1 Corinthians 15:57:

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Did Jesus reveal anything special to you as you meditated on these two verses? Here are 10 things I found to be thankful for because of Jesus’ gift of salvation. Once you accept Jesus as your Savior:
You became a child of God
You receive the Holy Spirit
Your sins are forgiven
You have a new nature, and that nature is holy and righteous, though not perfect… bummer! But one day.
You become part of the body of Christ.
You have been given gifts that can be used to serve God and others.
You have a new identity.
You are given God’s word to help you grow.
Your relationship with God can never be taken away.
You are promised eternal life.

Take some time to thank Jesus for all of these wonderful blessings that come with his gift of salvation.

You are now at the halfway point of your walk. If you need to be back in 10 minutes, this would be the time to turn around and head back.

Now I am going to pray for us:

Dear Jesus,
Thank you for loving me so much that you would die on the cross for me – even while I was still a sinner. Thank you for having a plan for my salvation from before I was born. Thank you for calling me a friend and for making me a part of your family. Thank you for giving me the power to be an overcomer and to live victoriously for you now, in this life, and in the life ever after. And, thank you, Jesus, for walking with me always. Amen.

Here are some questions for you to consider.
What does it mean to you to live victoriously in Jesus?

Do you believe there are any strings attached to God’s gift of salvation through faith in Jesus? If you think so, study what Jesus said and you will see that there aren’t any. But, if we truly love Jesus, then we will want to live our lives according to his word and his will.

Take some time to thank Jesus for your salvation and all that means to you.

Before we wrap up, consider today’s verses:

Ephesians 2:8-9: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.

1 Corinthians 15:57: But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Is there anything else you would like to talk to Jesus about? Remember, he is right there with you, walking with you, and he is eager for you to share all that is on your heart and mind with him. Take some time to talk to and thank Jesus now.

Well, you did it! 10 minutes of walking! And remember that during this series you being blessed threefold – mind, body, spirit. You are giving yourself a dose of happiness by being intentional about expressing your gratitude toward Jesus. Way to go!

Thank you for taking the time to walk with me, my friend. But more importantly, you walked with Jesus! And I know that he will bless you above and beyond what you can imagine for spending this time with him. For more Walk with Jesus resources, including the Walk with Jesus 21 day scripture, devotional, and guided prayer journal book for walkers, go to WalkwithJesusDevotional.com. The November edition focuses on gratitude and is a part of this podcast series. You will find the URL for this book and other resources in the podcast show notes.

I hope we can walk together again tomorrow, friend. In our next episode we will be thanking Jesus for his creation. Until then, God bless you as you walk with Jesus.