Tuesday, June 30, 2009

+DEV+ Serious About Faith

Date: June 30, 2009 9:46 PM

Topic: +DEV+ Serious About Faith


Serious About Faith


“Stephen . . . did great wonders and miraculous signs. . . . Opposition arose, however . . . but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke” (Acts 6:8-10).

Scripture Focus: Acts 6:8-15


There are times in life’s spiritual battle when the heat is turned up and the opposition becomes more aggressive. When that happened to Stephen, he proved that he was willing to give his life for his Savior. We meet Stephen in the book of Acts along with others who are given the task of managing fairly the distribution of food among Christians in Jerusalem. He was not only a servant, but also a powerful speaker “full of God’s grace and power.” While speaking he was harassed, but he calmly, logically devastated the arguments against him. He was hauled before a tribunal that eventually condemned him to death.


Here was a man serious about his faith. As his persecutors were throwing stones at him to kill him, Stephen was asking God for forgive them. His life and death demonstrates that the most important prerequisite for Christian service is to be filled with faith and the power of God’s Holy Spirit who gives strength and courage, even in the hardest moments of our lives.


Insight: We dare not ignore God’s command to make the Gospel of Jesus available to all of mankind. The world has no other hope!

N O T P O L I T I C A L : Just plain B I B L E !!!!!!!

N O T P O L I T I C A L : Just plain B I B L E !!!!!!!


*This apparently originated with a Baptist minister in
Virginia. I think it speaks volumes about where we are
today. Please read with an open mind*.

Gen 47: 13-27 - Good morning, brothers and sisters;
it's always a delight to see the pews crowded on Sunday
morning, and so eager to get into God's Word. Turn with
me in your Bibles, if you will, to the 47th chapter of
Genesis; we'll begin our reading at verse 13, and go
through verse 27. Brother Ray, would you stand and read
that great passage for us?

... Thank you for that fine reading, Brother Ray. So
we see that economic hard times fell upon Egypt, and the
people turned to the government of Pharaoh to deal with
this for them. And Pharaoh nationalized the grain
harvest, and placed the grain in great storehouses that
he had built. So the people brought their money to
Pharaoh, like a great tax increase, and gave it all to
him willingly in return for grain. And this went on
until their money ran out, and they were hungry again.

So when they went to Pharaoh after that, they brought
their livestock - their cattle, their horses, their
sheep, and their donkey - to barter for grain, and verse
17 says that only took them through the end of that
year. But the famine wasn't over, was it?

So the next year, the people came before Pharaoh and
admitted they had nothing left, except their land and
their own lives. "There is nothing left in the sight of
my lord but our bodies and our land. Why should we die
before your eyes, both we and our land? Buy us and our
land for food, and we with our land will be servants to
Pharaoh." So they surrendered their homes, their land,
and their real estate to Pharaoh's government, and then
sold themselves into slavery to him, in return for grain..

What can we learn from this, brothers and sisters?

**That turning to the government instead of to God to
be our provider in hard times only leads to slavery?
Yes. That the only reason government wants to be our
provider is to also become our master? Yes.***
*
But look how that passage ends, brothers and sisters!
"Thus Israel settled in the land of Egypt, in the land
of Goshen . And they gained possessions in it, and were
fruitful and multiplied greatly." God provided for His
people, just as He always has! They didn't end up
giving all their possessions to the government, no, it
says they gained possessions!

But I also tell you a great truth today, and an
ominous one. We see the same thing happening today -
**the government today wants to "share the wealth" once
again, to take it from us and redistribute it back to us.***
*
It wants to take control of healthcare, just as it
has taken control of education, and ration it back to
us, and when government rations it, then government
decides who gets it, and how much, and what kind.

**And if we go along with it, and do it willingly,
then we will wind up no differently than the people of
Egypt did four thousand years ago - as slaves to the
government, and as slaves to our leaders.***
*
**What Mr. Obama's government is doing now is no
different from what Pharaoh's government did then, and
it will end the same..***
*
And a lot of people like to call Mr. Obama a
"Messiah," don't they? Is he a Messiah, a savior?
Didn't the Egyptians say, after Pharaoh made them his
slaves, "You have saved our lives; may it please my
lord, we will be servants to Pharaoh"?

Well, I tell you this - I know the Messiah; the
Messiah is a friend of mine; and
**Mr. Obama is no Messiah!** No, brothers and sisters,
if Mr. Obama is a character from the Bible, then **he is
Pharaoh.***
*
Bow with me in prayer, if you will.

** Lord, **You alone are worthy to be served, and we
rely on You, and You alone. We confess that the
government is not our deliverer, and never rightly will
be. We read in the eighth chapter of 1 Samuel, when
Samuel warned the people of what a ruler would do, where
it says "And in that day you will cry out because of
your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the
LORD will not answer you in that day." And Lord, we
acknowledge that day has come. We cry out to you
because of the ruler that we have chosen for ourselves
as a nation..

** Lord,** we pray for this nation. We pray for
revival, and we pray for deliverance from those who
would be our masters. Give us hearts to seek You and
hands to serve You, and protect Your people from the
atrocities of Pharaoh's government.

In God we Trust


Monday, June 29, 2009

+DEV+ Follow Me!

Date: June 29, 2009 9:25 PM

Topic: +DEV+ Follow Me!


Follow Me!


“After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. ‘Follow me,’ Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him” (Luke 5:27-28).

Scripture Focus: Luke 5:27-32


Jesus had been preaching the Good News, healing those in need, and carefully choosing people to follow Him. The Pharisees observed Him with a critical spirit. Jesus withdrew for a time to pray, then he went and found Levi collecting taxes. Jesus looked the man in the eye and said simply, “Follow me.” Levi responded by moving out of his comfort zone and following Jesus. Then he made his commitment to Jesus known by opening his home where Jesus could come and meet his friends.


The world, in this case the Pharisees, were critical. “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” they asked Jesus. Of course, that was exactly what God had sent Jesus to do.


It’s encouraging to know that God uses ordinary people like Levi to serve Him and build His church. And like Levi, we should look for ways to build His church by being available to those outside the family of God, helping them make a spiritual connection with the Savior. Following Jesus means more than accepting Him; it also means serving Him.


Insight: It is the purpose of God to take His church and make us the channels through which He expresses Himself.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

+DEV+ Being Salty

Date: June 28, 2009 10:15 PM

Topic: +DEV+ Being Salty


Being Salty


“Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out” (Luke 14:34-35).

Scripture Focus: Luke 14:25-35


Jesus used salt to remind people what it means to follow Him. His audience understood His vivid illustration because salt was a common preservative and flavoring agent. Everyone knew that if the saltiness (sodium chloride) disappeared, the residue was useless and they tossed it out.


Following Him, Jesus warned, did not mean having a trouble-free life. His followers needed to be committed in a way that gave Him preeminence. He asked then, and now, for total submission. Those who followed Him halfheartedly would never make the impact they needed to make on the world around them. They were like salt without the salty taste.


Before making a commitment to Jesus, we need to count the cost. He never promised it would be easy. Remaining unaffected by the sinful world and true to Jesus is a struggle. But those who choose to be His “salty” followers have great reward and great opportunity to “flavor” the world by sharing the message of His love.


Insight: When Christians blend into the world to avoid the cost of standing up for Christ, they are useless, like salt without flavor. How salty are you?

Thursday, June 25, 2009

+DEV+ Amazing Love

Date: June 25, 2009 10:09 PM

Topic: +DEV+ Amazing Love


Amazing Love


“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him” (1 John 3:1).

Scripture Focus: 1 John 3:1-10


What an amazing love this God, Creator, King of all kings has lavished on us. To come to earth a helpless Babe, willingly making Himself vulnerable to an evil and perverse world. To live amongst those He created, only to be abused, ignored, and counted insignificant. He knew what was waiting for Him, yet He came anyway.


What an amazing love, the love of this Father who gave His Son to die for those who hated Him “that we should be called the children of God! And that is what we are!” Imagine it, ponder it, and bask in its sweetness, for it is true. Let the warmth of that knowledge permeate your being. God is your Father. There is nothing you can do to make Him disown you; His love is unconditional. Did you fail a lot this past year? Tell Him all about it. Remember, He loves you anyway.


What an amazing gift, this love given freely, yet totally undeserved. You can look forward with excitement, security, and confidence. Your Father is with you every step of the way.


Insight: Because of God’s amazing love we are privy to all that is His. What a shame that we so often ignore it for the fleeting things of this world!

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

+DEV+ The Rescue

Date: June 24, 2009 9:21 PM

Topic: +DEV+ The Rescuer


The Rescuer



“When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy” (Luke 1:57-58).

Scripture Focus: Luke 1:57-66


Elizabeth bore a son after years of barrenness. She was old and well past the age of childbearing. God in His mercy waited for the perfect time, then shocked Elizabeth and Zechariah with an answer to prayer that had long since been set aside.


Mary, a lowly girl in Nazareth, had no outstanding features to draw God’s attention to her, but in His mercy, He lifted her up and blessed her above all women.


I too have received great mercy at the hands of the Lord. When I was a young, single mother living in rebellion, God rescued me. He brought into my life a godly man who believed in me.


As with Elizabeth and Mary, “The Lord had shown [me] great mercy,” and my loved ones shared my joy.


Still today I stand in awe when I think of the dark pit of hell from which God rescued me. When Jesus accepted me, I couldn’t help myself—my heart compelled me to serve Him, to love Him, to lift His name on high. I was compelled to worship Him.


Insight: Because God rescues His children in their time of need, we can put full trust in Him. He won’t let us down. He can’t. He is totally trustworthy.

+DEV+ The Rescue

Date: June 24, 2009 9:21 PM

Topic: +DEV+ The Rescuer


The Rescuer



“When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy” (Luke 1:57-58).

Scripture Focus: Luke 1:57-66


Elizabeth bore a son after years of barrenness. She was old and well past the age of childbearing. God in His mercy waited for the perfect time, then shocked Elizabeth and Zechariah with an answer to prayer that had long since been set aside.


Mary, a lowly girl in Nazareth, had no outstanding features to draw God’s attention to her, but in His mercy, He lifted her up and blessed her above all women.


I too have received great mercy at the hands of the Lord. When I was a young, single mother living in rebellion, God rescued me. He brought into my life a godly man who believed in me.


As with Elizabeth and Mary, “The Lord had shown [me] great mercy,” and my loved ones shared my joy.


Still today I stand in awe when I think of the dark pit of hell from which God rescued me. When Jesus accepted me, I couldn’t help myself—my heart compelled me to serve Him, to love Him, to lift His name on high. I was compelled to worship Him.


Insight: Because God rescues His children in their time of need, we can put full trust in Him. He won’t let us down. He can’t. He is totally trustworthy.

Friday, June 19, 2009

OOps...

My computer has corrupted all my files... including my devotionals. So no devotionals until I get them re-sorted out again. We will resume posting them later.

Monday, June 15, 2009

+DEV+ A Pat on the Back

Date: June 15, 2009 9:40 PM

Topic: +DEV+ A Pat on the Back


A Pat on the Back


Scripture Focus: John 3:16-21

“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” (John 3:16).


The apostle Paul spent hours healing, preaching, and tending to the needs of others. He toiled endlessly for Christ’s sake. A proverbial pat on the back now and then surely was well deserved. Fortunately, most of the time he remembered who really deserved the credit and he offered it freely to his Savior.


Many of us offer our service to God daily through various activities. We are teachers, caretakers, advocates for the poor and needy, and we spend countless hours praying for lost loved ones and those less fortunate. We too are often tempted to congratulate ourselves for a job well done. Not only do we pat ourselves on the back, we expect others to recognize our efforts.


For no reason other than His love for us, God gave His one and only Son. When the world hated Him, He loved them to death. His death. As I ponder on the awesomeness of this, my hand slowly works its way off my back and rises in worship to the One who truly deserves it.


Insight: Because God loved us through death, we can now love Him through life. Considering the price He paid, it seems a reasonable sacrifice.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

+DEV+ What Shall We Give?

Date: June 14, 2009 9:13 PM

Topic: +DEV+ What Shall We Give?


What Shall We Give?


Scripture Focus: James 1:1-18

"Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." (James 1:16-17)


I love receiving carefully thought out gifts, handpicked to fit "just me". Someone who makes the effort to find the perfect gift for me is someone who knows me intimately. Naturally, their thoughtfulness generates within me the desire to express my gratitude and appreciation in the only way I know how, by offering them a thoughtful gift in return.


In the frenzy of December gift-giving let's not forget that our "Father of heavenly lights" is responsible for sending us the greatest gift of all time, His Son Jesus. He didn't come wrapped in a pretty package, but in a lowly manger, wrapped in swaddling clothes. A perfect gift for an imperfect and needy people.


The gift of Jesus is not exclusive; it's available to anyone who will accept it. Put Jesus on the top of your list of things to give this year. Remember, it is within your power to offer the greatest gift ever received by mortals. Why give mediocre when you can give the best?


Insight: Because we have received the greatest gift of all, what then shall we give in return - but Jesus? No wrapping needed - just pass him on.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

+DEV+ Bridge Building Test

Date: June 11, 2009 10:16 PM

Topic: +DEV+ Bridge Building Test


Bridge Building Test


Scripture Focus: Ephesians 4:17-52

“Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us” (Ephesians 5:2). “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves”


Jesus was preparing His disciples for His departure. Soon He would give His life for them and for us on the cross. Then He would return to His Father. How should they live after He was gone?


He said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”


We should be known as bridge builders. This month we’ve looked at bridges to build relationships. Today’s reading summarizes qualities to help us get along better with others.


List all the bridge builders to strengthen godly friendship and the bridge burners to sever ties with evil. Then take time to check your progress in building bridges to others:


1. How have your interpersonal relationships improved? Think of several specific ways.


2. What bridges do you still need to work on? Decide on a plan to continue practicing them to better related with others.


Insight: Try these two rules for building bridges to others: (1) Forget yourself. (2) Learn to love others and be truly interested in them.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

+DEV+ Temptation Resisted

Date: June 10, 2009 11:56 PM

Topic: +DEV+ Temptation Resisted


Temptation Resisted


Scripture Focus: Matthew 4:1-11

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith” (1 Peter 5:8-9).


“I believe Satan to exist for two reasons: first, the Bible says so; and second, I’ve done business with him,” so says D.L. Moody.


Though Satan is a fallen angel and we cannot see him, he is a being with whom we have to deal. A relationship with Satan is one we certainly want to destroy, not build. Before Jesus began His public ministry, He demonstrated how to do so by overcoming Satan’s temptations. We can learn much from this encounter.


Satan tempted Jesus in the same areas he tempts us today the cravings of our flesh, the lust of our eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16). First, he tried to get Jesus to act independent from God; next he tempted Jesus with the boastful pride of life to test God; and finally he appealed to the lust of the eyes to get Jesus to become King by avoiding following God’s will to the cross. To each of these temptations, Jesus used appropriate Scripture to resist temptation. He is available to enable us to resist temptation today.


Insight: “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

+DEV+ Second Chances

Date: June 9, 2009 10:16 PM

Topic: +DEV+ Second Chances


Second Chances


Scripture Focus: John 21:1-23

"If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him" (Luke 17:4)


Looking out the window, I noticed two neighbor boys quarreling in the yard next door. Suddenly one boy picked up his toys and started to leave. The other one called after him, saying he was sorry, but the first child continued to walk away, refusing to give his friend another chance to play together.


How much like adults these boys were! So often we cut people off when they disagree with us or disappoint us, refusing to give them a second chance.


But not Jesus. Before His crucifixion, Peter had denied knowing Him three times but repents.


After His Resurrection, Jesus singled out Peter, He had already met with Peter privately and forgiven him. Now Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him, and three times He commissioned Peter to minister for Him. Jesus didn't write Peter off as impossible or unusable.


"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." (Colossians 3:13)


Insight: Have you let a relationship suffer because you have not been willing to give and give that person another chance?

Monday, June 8, 2009

+DEV+ Acknowledgment

Date: June 8, 2009 10:51 PM

Topic: +DEV+     Acknowledgment


Acknowledgment


Scripture Focus: John 20:24-29

"Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:27-28).


  Who of us wants to be treated like wallpaper - there in the background but hardly noticed? We at least want to be acknowledge as someone of worth.


  Jesus acknowledged people as individuals, even when they expressed doubt or unbelief. His encounter with Thomas is only one example.


  Though Thomas had missed Jesus' meeting with the disciples after the Resurrection and doubted their report, he was with them the following week. When Jesus appeared again, He took special note of Thomas and his doubts, giving him the opportunity to touch the nail prints and the spear hole from the Crucifixion. Jesus acknowledged Thomas' lack of belief and loved him anyway.


   God wants us to acknowledge people as individuals, regardless of how weak they may be in their faith, how much they may disagree with us, or how much their personalities rub us the wrong way.


Are you guilty of ignoring someone for one of these reasons?


Insight: "Father, every person is important in your sight. Help me to treat them of worth and dignity, even when I disagree with them."

+DEV+ Gratitude

Date: June 8, 2009 1:40 AM

Topic: +DEV+     Gratitude


Gratitude


Scripture Focus: John 12:1-18

“Leave her alone‚” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me.” (Mark 14:6).


Someone passes judgment, “Charles sure spends a lot of money on himself. The cost of his new car alone could feed many starving children.”


Our conversations are not much different from the disciples‚ when they witnessed Mary anointing Jesus six days before His last Passover feast.


According to Matthew, the disciples objected to what they thought was a gigantic waste of the perfume she used to anoint Jesus‚ feet. It was worth a whole year’s wage for a common laborer!


But Jesus rebuked His disciples and expressed gratitude for Mary’s actions. She loved Him much and wanted to demonstrate her love in a tangible way, giving Him the best she had. He also commended her because she recognized He would die, and she was anointing Him for burial ahead of time. Even the disciples were not as discerning.


Criticism seems to come naturally and much more easily than gratitude does. Will you work on building bridges with gratitude instead of erecting walls with criticism?


Insight: To whom can you express gratitude? How will you do it?

Friday, June 5, 2009

+DEV+ Observation

Date: June 5, 2009 3:33 AM

Topic: +DEV+     Observation


Observation


Scripture Focus: Luke 19:1-10

“When Jesus reached the spot, He looked up and said to him, Zaccheus, come down immediately, I must stay at your house today‚” (Luke 19:5).


Children are keen observers. They notice ants in cracks and flowers just beginning to bud. They’re the first to find stray cats and to know that people down the block are moving.


Unfortunately, many of us pass by people without even seeing them. But not Jesus. He noticed a man in a sycamore tree, a man who was despised by his fellow Jews for collecting taxes for the hated Roman government and making money for himself in the process.


Jesus went beyond noticing Zaccheus, however. He socialized with the tax collector, much to the consternation of the Jewish people who openly criticized Jesus for doing so.


As a result of Jesus‚ observing him, Zaccheus became a new man. He placed his trust in Jesus and demonstrated his faith by making restitution.


Not everyone we take time to notice will be this receptive to our message about Christ. But for some, the loving act of observing them will bring them closer to God‚s love.


Insight: Who are the people in our everyday life whom you seldom notice? How can you reach out to them?

Thursday, June 4, 2009

+DEV+ Loving-Kindness

Date: June 4, 2009 1:21 AM

Topic: +DEV+     Loving-Kindness


Loving-Kindness


Scripture Focus: Matthew  20:29-34; Mark 10:46-52

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs” (1 Corinthians 13:4-5).


Augustine wrote, “What does love look like? It has hands to help others. It has feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sights and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like.”


Love looks like Jesus‚ encounter with Bartimaeus and the other blind beggar in today’s reading. The crowd tried to hush up the two men as they shouted to Jesus for mercy. But Jesus stopped to pay them attention, asking what He could do to help. He demonstrated loving-kindness by touching their eyes and giving them sight.


People all around us need our loving-kindness. To develop this bridge builder, think of at least one way you can practice each of these characteristics of love from 1 Corinthians 13:


• patience


• no keeping record of wrongs


• kindness


• no delight in evil


• no envy


• rejoicing with truth


• no boasting


• always protecting


• no pride


• always trusting


• no rudeness


• always hoping


• no self-seeking


• always persevering


• no easy anger 


Insight: How can you use your hands, your feet, your eyes, your ears, or your mouth to show loving-kindness to someone today?

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

+DEV+ Lack of Pressure

Date: June 3, 2009 1:11 AM

Topic: +DEV+     Lack of Pressure


Lack of Pressure


Scripture Focus: Matthew 19:16-22

“The Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful” (2 Timothy 2:24).


We all face pressures to conform to the standards of others. Some are subtle while other pressures are blatant commands.


It’s interesting to note that Jesus did not coerce people into following Him. When the rich young ruler approached Him with a question about obtaining eternal life, Jesus pointed him to God’s standards outlined in the Ten Commandments.


No one, including this ruler, has kept all God’s commands. We are all sinners and cannot save ourselves by our own efforts. That is why Jesus voluntarily came to pay the penalty for our sins. We must put our faith in Him to have eternal life.


The ruler’s possessions were more important to him than God. Consequently, he left with sadness. Jesus did not pressure him, but let him go away. He taught the truth but acknowledged the man’s free will to choose God or not.


Few people respond well to our pressure to change. Let’s continue to share the truth of God’s Word, but let’s allow God to do the convicting. 


Insight: Have you been pressuring someone to change? Will you let God do the convicting instead?

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

+DEV+ Appreciation

Date: June 2, 2009 2:42 AM

Topic: +DEV+     Appreciation


Appreciation


Scripture Focus: Luke 17:11-19

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body, you were called to peace. And be thankful” (Colossians 3:15).


Remember the old cheer? Two, four, six, eight, Who do we appreciate? We high school students yelled our appreciation to the team.


We all like to hear at least a thank you for what we have done. Appreciation in some form helps cement relationships.


Jesus didn’t settle for a few words of thanks when He was appreciative. For instance, after He healed ten lepers, only one returned to thank Him. The other nine went on their way. Jesus was disappointed at the ingratitude of the nine, but He rewarded the thankful one with spiritual cleansing, a much greater gift than physical healing.


As Christians, our lives should be characterized by an attitude of gratitude which is expressed both to God and to others. Paul wrote to the Ephesians that their lives should not be known for evil living but for thanksgiving. He commanded the Colossian believers to walk in Christ, “rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith . . . and overflowing with thankfulness” (Colossians 2:7). 


Insight: How well do you express your appreciation to God and others? Have you failed to thank anyone? Build a bridge of appreciation to that one.