Today’s One Year Bible Verses: 2 Kings 10:32–12:21, Acts 18:1–22, Psalm 145:1–21, Proverbs 18:1

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Start With Today

A few weeks ago, my husband took me to Branson for my birthday. On the way there, we stopped at the Bass Pro Shops Museum in Springfield, Missouri. As we walked through the exhibits, I came across a quote that caught my attention. It said that we should thank our Creator for all of His creation—the earth, the stars, the plants, the animals, and everything He has made.

The thought lingered with me long after we left.

As I reflected on it, I realized that each morning I thank God for the new day, for His presence, and for the blessings in my life. Yet I rarely took time to thank Him for the incredible creation that surrounds me every day.

This realization changed my perspective. It changed me.

Since then, I have found myself becoming more intentional during my morning worship. Instead of simply thanking God for what He has done for me, I have begun thanking Him for the beauty of what He has made—the sunrise, the birds singing outside my window, the trees, the flowers, the stars, and the countless details of creation that quietly declare His glory.

As I was thanking Him for these things one morning, the Lord spoke this Gem of Knowledge to my heart:

“Praise be to God the Father, our Most High God. Praise Him forever and start with today. Day by day, acknowledge the source of everything good. Amen.”

The more I thought about those words, the more I realized how easy it is to enjoy God’s gifts without intentionally acknowledging the Giver.

Most of us remember to thank God when something extraordinary happens. We thank Him for answered prayers, unexpected blessings, healing, provision, and breakthroughs. Yet many of His gifts are so constant that we begin to overlook them. The warmth of the sun, the beauty of a sunset, the changing seasons, the food on our table, the people we love, and even the breath in our lungs quietly become part of the background of our lives.

Psalm 145 beautifully calls us back to a heart of gratitude. Throughout the entire psalm, David praises God for His greatness, goodness, mercy, and mighty works. What stood out to me most was David’s commitment to make praise a daily practice, not an occasional response. He understood that worship is not reserved for special moments. It is the natural response of a heart that recognizes God’s hand in every part of life.

That is what the Lord’s Gem reminded me of today.

Praise is not just something we do when life is going well. It is something we choose because God is worthy. The more we intentionally acknowledge Him as the source of every good thing, the more we begin to see His fingerprints everywhere.

I think that is why the Lord said, “Start with today.”

Not tomorrow.
Not when life slows down.
Not after the next prayer is answered.

Today.

Today we can thank Him for His faithfulness, His provision, and His creation. Today, we can thank Him simply because He is God.

When we develop a habit of daily gratitude, our perspective begins to change. Instead of focusing on what is missing, we become aware of how much we have already been given. Instead of becoming consumed with our problems, we begin to recognize the goodness of the One who has carried us through them all.

Every good thing ultimately leads back to Him. Thank you, God! 💎

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Action (5 Minutes with God)

Take 5 Minutes today to thank God for all He gives and does. Look around and thank God for things you normally take for granted. As you do, intentionally acknowledge Him as the source. Then ask Him:

• “Lord, what do You want me to know about this personally?”
  • Journal what He gives you through His Holy Spirit.
• Then ask, “What do You want me to do?”
  • Journal what He reveals – then do it!

Let today be a new day of gratitude and acknowledgement of the Giver of everything good.

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Prayer

Dear Father, thank You for Your goodness, faithfulness, and countless blessings. Forgive me for the times I have enjoyed Your gifts without acknowledging You as the Giver. Open my eyes to the beauty of Your creation and the evidence of Your love that surrounds me every day. Help me develop a heart of gratitude that praises You not only for what You do, but for who You are. Help me to live a life of continual Gratitude and praise. In Jesus’ mighty name I pray, Amen.

To read more 5 Minutes with God devotionals click here.