Counting My Blessings by Seph Schlueter: A 7-Day DevotionalSample

Day 3

I loved playing soccer with my dad.

I have a pretty large extended family. And by pretty large, I mean over 100 first cousins. Crazy, right? And when we would do extended family vacations, we would oftentimes have big soccer games within the family. Between the cousins, we would all smack talk each other and talk about how we would crush the other team. But the biggest things I would talk about before the game wasn’t about me.

It was about my dad. I would talk about how he was the best player on the field and no one could stop him. I would recount times when he would blow past the opponent and score. Times when he would easily steal the ball from the opposing team. About how no one could keep up with him or take the ball from him. I’d brag on my dad.

And then I’d tell my dad. I’d say “Alright dad, I’ve been talking you up all day. Time to crush these guys.”

And sure enough, my dad would blow by them. He was so fun to play with, and it was even more fun to laugh at my cousins and say “told you so.”

I think God is similar. When we brag on God, He loves to show up. When we tell people about all the amazing things He’s done, it gives Him permission to do it again.

In 2nd Chronicles 5, Solomon is dedicating the newly built temple to God. And the worship leaders begin to lead the people in giving thanks to God, singing “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever.”

Over and over and over they begin to thank God and praise Him. And what happens next is amazing. It says that the glory of God came and filled the temple; so much so that the priests literally couldn’t keep going; they all just stood in awe.

As a worship leader, I’ve seen so many times where we begin to thank God, and His Glory shows up. People get set free. Physically, mentally, and emotionally healed. Set on fire. All from simply prioritizing Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving invites the Glory of God. Give Him thanks.

ACTIVATION

Read 2 Chronicles 5:11-14. God is building YOU as a temple, and wants to fill you in the same way. Take time to pray with the song that the priests were singing. Repeat it as a mantra, let your heart meditate with it, and allow the glory of God to come over you.