Thomas Nelson - 100 Days of Thanks

100 Days of Thanks

2018 by Thomas Nelson

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Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV . Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.

Scripture quotations marked CEB are taken from the Common English Bible. Copyright 2011 Common English Bible.

Scripture quotations marked CEV are taken from the Contemporary English Version. Copyright 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked ESV are taken from the ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the Holy Bible, King James Version (public domain).

Scripture quotations marked MSG are taken from The Message. Copyright by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible. Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)

Scripture quotations marked NCV are taken from the New Century Version. Copyright 2005 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation. Copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NRSV are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible. Copyright 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked T HE V OICE are taken from The Voice. Copyright 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

ISBN 978-1-4003-1113-2

ISBN 978-1-4003-1114-9 (eBook)

18 19 20 21 HH 5 4 3 2 1

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Contents

G ratitude is an artacquired through our observations or life experiences. Though at times it seems a lost art, when were mindful of how essential the practice is to our well-being, we are eager to include the application of thankfulness to our daily rituals. Scripture shares a multitude of reasons for why we should give thanks. Whether youre appreciating the friendships in your life, the satisfaction a delicious meal brings, or rejoicing that Gods love endures forever, gratitude is an opportunity to remember the Giver. Whatever you may face, God satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things (Psalm 107:9).

C. S. Lewis extolled our endeavors to be more grateful when he said, We ought to give thanks for all fortune: if it is good, because it is good, if bad, because it works in us patience, humility and the contempt of this world and the hope of our eternal country. Even when you face obstacles, God offers peace and joy that can transcend your circumstances. So take some time each day to embrace the beauty, blessings, and even the trials that you encounter. Perhaps you can find your favorite spot outside in the sunshine to sit with a warm cup of tea, 100 Days of Thanks, and a pen. Breathe deeply, sip slowly, reflect, and allow your heart and mind to rest a spell and meditate on the fullness of life that surrounds you.

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

P HILIPPIANS 3:1314

W aking up to a beautiful sunrise is so promising. The air is quiet. Birds are beginning to stir in their nests. The moon is fading away as the suns rays quietly take over the sky. Its as if God hit the restart button and we are powering up for a new day, a new beginning. Our batteries are charged, the things of yesterday are gone, and God is unveiling a chance to start anew. Today is a blank page in a journalcrisp, clean, and ready for a beautiful story to unfold.

Every day, we have the chance to be more patient, more forgiving, more kind, more understanding, and more generous. We can right our wrongs, learn from yesterdays mistakes, listen more, argue less, put down our phones, look at our family, and start over. We will still make mistakes; we wont have everything together or come close to perfection, but God gives us grace, again and again, until we are finally made new.

Hope is not lost. Mercies are abundant. Another day has come.

Mercy is new every morning. Thank God for a fresh start today.

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