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

Scripture: Psalms 103:1-5

I’ve heard it said that man’s first mistake wasn’t disobedience, it was forgetfulness. 

Go back with me for a second. 

The Garden. Adam and Eve, in perfect union with God. They had absolutely everything they needed. More importantly, they were created in God’s own image and likeness. They were like God. 

But then some silly snake came in and tried talking them out of this unity. He told them that if they ate from the tree, they would be like God. The thing is, they already were like God. They lacked nothing and lived in perfect provision and harmony. 

But, whether it was in that moment or in a multitude of moments leading to it, they forgot that. They forgot who God was; that He was good and kind and it was not in His nature to hold back from them. And they forgot who they were; created like God and fashioned and formed for perfect intimacy with Him. 

As a result of this forgetfulness, they disobeyed. They severed connection with God. And we all know the rest of the story there. 

It’s easy to look down on them for being so foolish. But we do the same thing day after day. If it hadn’t been them, it would be us. 

We forget God’s goodness. We forget His nature. We forget how faithful He’s been, and the promises and provision He has for us. And, I would venture to say, that is the reason we fall into sin most of the time. Not because we want to. But because we forget. 

So how do we not forget? Thanksgiving, that’s how. Thanksgiving is the best way to keep our minds from losing track of who God is and what He’s done. 

King David knew this. In Psalm 103, He says “Bless the Lord my soul, and forget notHis benefits”. 

Forget not the things He has done. Forget not His goodness. Forget not how time after time He does amazing things. 

And David doesn’t just leave it abstract and intangible. He then goes on and lists the things God has done. He counts his blessings to remind himself of who God is. Thanksgiving keeps us from forgetting. Give thanks. 

ACTIVATION

Take time to read through Psalm 103:1-5. For this week, read it first thing when you wake up and last thing when you go to sleep. Remind yourself of all the amazing things God has done and will do. And, sometime today, write a list of your blessings. Take 5 minutes and just journal them all out. Let your heart be filled with gratitude and your mind remember who God is.

Scripture: Romans 1:18-23

My mom had this old, portable radio when I was growing up. In order for it to work, you had to screw on the antenna, extend it, and keep adjusting it until you could get the right signal. Sometimes I would spend what felt like forever trying to get the radio to work only to realize that the antenna wasn’t put on right. 

Everything was static until the right things were in the right places. 

Thanksgiving is our spiritual antenna. It doesn’t just keep us from forgetting. It also increases our awareness of God and clears our connection to Him. 

One of the most convicting passages in scripture is in Romans 1. In it, Paul talks about how all of nature itself is proof of the existence of God. That God’s qualities are “clearly seen” because of creation, and therefore, men are “without excuse.” 

So, sounds like God’s existence should be pretty clear to everyone, right? You’d think. But something happened to dampen or cut off mankind’s awareness to God..that made what should be so easily seen, hidden. Paul says that though they knew Him, they did not honor Him or “give Him thanks,” and as a result, their “foolish hearts were darkened.” 

In case you missed it, I’ll spell it out. When we don’t give thanks, our hearts are darkened and the connection to God that we were made for grows fuzzy. Thanksgiving is the hinge. It’s small and unassuming, yet with it, a door is able to swing wide open. But a door without hinges isn’t a door; it’s a wall. 

We need thanksgiving. We need that hinge that opens wide the door of our hearts to God. Maybe you’ve been feeling disconnected from God. Like your connection is off. Like what once was so clear now seems foggy. 

I’ve got an idea for you. Start thanking Him. 

Use that hinge. In the same way that when we don’t thank God, our connection grows dim, when we do thank Him, things begin to become clear again. 

Thanksgiving opens our awareness to God. Thank Him. 

ACTIVATION

Read Romans 1:18-23. Think about where your heart has grown dark in your awareness of God. Repent for ways you’ve turned away from Him, and start giving Him thanks. Find a place where you can do it out loud; there is power to the spoken word. God didn’t think “let there be light!” He spoke it! Give thanks to the Lord. Put on a praise song that speaks of gratitude for what He’s done. Make this a regular practice in your life, and I believe that your awareness of God will grow.

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 5:11-14

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 thanksto 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.

Scripture: Matthew 14:15-21

Imagine the scene. 

You’re in the middle of nowhere. You’ve been listening for hours to this crazy preacher man. You’re utterly enthralled with what He’s saying. But your stomach has been growling for a while now, and you’re very much regretting not bringing anything to eat. You’re mentally calculating how far the nearest meal could be, and it’s a daunting thought; you’re already fatigued and traveling that far on an empty stomach seems foolish, if not dangerous. 

You can see the Preacher acknowledge what He sees; the people are hungry. He gathers His closest friends, and there seems to be some tense conversation. Eventually, they pull out some scraps of what look like bread and fish. Your heart falls. They clearly have no real solution, and you begin to muster the strength it will take to make the upcoming journey. 

Then, next thing you know you’re being split up into groups. And the man’s disciples start passing out baskets. And it gets to you, and there is an absurd amount of fish and bread, way more than you thought could be possible. You are incredulous. You were just part of a miracle. 

We’ve heard this story a thousand times, and it really is quite the crazy story, but for years I read it while missing an important detail. 

Before Jesus passed out the bread and fish, He first gave thanks for it. He gave thanks for the meager amount that was presented to Him. He knew, from a world’s vantage point, it was no where near enough to do what everyone needed it to do, yet He still gave thanks for it. 

And multiplication came from it. 

How often are we so caught up in the seeming lack of things that we forget to thank God for what we already have? We get so preoccupied with what we don’t have that we don’t have any gratitude for what we do.

God asks us to be thankful in all things. The abundance and the lack. And here, we see that thanksgiving comes before the multiplication. 

Give thanks to God for what He has given, in all things, and give Him opportunity to multiply the little that You have. 

Thanksgiving brings multiplication. Thank Him in all things. 

ACTIVATION

Read Matthew 14:15-21. Reflect on the things you find yourself being frustrated or envious that you don’t have enough of. Take time and intentionally thank God for what you do have of those things, talk with Him about why you may struggle with comparison, and commit to trusting in His provision.

Scripture: Daniel 6:6-10

If you’re ever interested in having your mind blown, go look up the Hebrew words of praise. There are a number of them, and each of them have such a profound meaning and implication for the way we worship. One of the words, towdah, is a type of expressive praise that typically implies giving thanks to God for things “not yet received.” 

We can give thanks before we see the breakthrough. 

We see this a number of times throughout scripture, but one of the most significant ones is in Daniel, chapter six. 

In it, we see these officials in the Kingdom of Persia, who hated Daniel and his relationship with God, go to the King and tell him to create a law forbidding anyone in the land from worshipping God. They wanted to trap Daniel and find a reason to get him killed. 

The King agrees. The law is formed. The corrupt officials are ready. All eyes are on Daniel. 

And we see here something profound. 

He does the exact same thing he’s always done. He gets on his knees, three times a day. And he thanks God. He doesn’t bemoan. He doesn’t complain. He doesn’t cry out and beg God to intervene on his behalf. 

He just thanks God. Before there is any breakthrough to be seen. Thanksgiving is his priority. 

I think of all of the times bad things happen. It’s so easy for me to go into desperation mode. To get sidetracked by the darkness and let it set the agenda for my life. 

But how powerful a witness is Daniel! He isn’t even phased. He knows what God is like, and so he thanks Him in advance for what he knows God can and will do. 

And we all know how it goes. Daniel gets thrown in a lion’s den. The lions don’t even touch him. God saves the day. And my guess is Daniel wasn’t ever even remotely surprised. His heart was so rooted in thanksgiving that the outcome seemed so sure to him. 

What a great challenge for us. Before you see the answered prayer, give thanks. Before you see the sea part, give thanks. Before you feel confident, give thanks. 

Thanksgiving brings breakthrough. Give thanks without wavering. 

ACTIVATION

Read Daniel 6:6-10. Talk to God about the biggest fears for the future in your life. What are the things that make you worried, or keep you up at night? Then begin to thank God in advance for the breakthrough you’re looking for there.

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:14-18

I have a friend who has a crazy superpower. 

He can’t fly, doesn’t have super strength or speed, and can’t turn invisible (at least as far as I know). He has something I think is way cooler. 

He can say “Thank You God” no matter what is happening and mean it. 

He’s put in a bad housing situation? “Thank You Jesus for always providing a place.” 

He’s got a bad cough? “Thank You God that I have breath in my lungs.” 

An unexpected setback happens? “Thank You Jesus that Your plan is better.” 

All the time, I just hear him say “Praise God” or “Thank You Jesus.” It’s infuriatingly inspiring. 

And it’s a super power we all have access to. Not only is it possible, but it’s expected. 

Paul, in Thessalonians, says “give thanks in all circumstances.” Not just when it’s easy. Not just when things go the way we wanted. But all circumstances. 

When someone else gets the job you wanted? Thank You God. 

When you get made fun of or belittled because of your faith? Thank You God. 

Even when bad things happen; someone you love gets sick, a rough breakup happens, you’re not sure how you’re going to pay the bills…Thank You God. 

Why? Why does Paul tell us this? 

Because Thanksgiving shapes our perspective. It allows us to not just see with earthly eyes, but from a heavenly standpoint. When we give thanks in all things, it more easily allows us to see how God might want to work it for good, how He’s still in control, and how He’s still good. 

Thanksgiving in the midst of pain, worry, and doubt is a special gift, one that we can only give this side of eternity. In Heaven, we won’t be able to give God that type of praise because we won’t have any pain, worry or doubt. So let’s not waste it here on Earth while we have it. 

Thanksgiving reshapes our perspective. In all circumstances, give thanks. 

ACTIVATION

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:14-18. How can you apply Paul’s direction to your life? Write out the things that seem counterintuitive to give thanks for; the things that you don’t see the good in. Spend some time with the Lord and ask Him where in that situation or circumstance is there an opportunity to give thanks. Do it!

Scripture: Psalms 100:1-5

My experience as a worship leader is much less about knowing all the things and much more about being a student of the Presence of God. 

Me and my missionary community at Damascus Worship are always looking for how we can better love Jesus and welcome Him into a room. And in our process of studying and learning and growing, there is one key we’ve discovered that is a game changer. And we learned it from probably the greatest worship leader of all time, King David. 

You ready? Here it is. 

Enter in with Thanksgiving. 

That’s it. That’s the secret. Sounds so simple, right? But trust me, it’s a game changer. 

In a time of worship, or even a time of prayer, the very first thing we do is start off thanking God. Before we ask for things, before we cry out, before we do anything else. We spent intentional time thanking God. 

David says we “enter in his gates with thanksgiving.” Thanksgiving is like the code to enter into the gates of God’s presence. It positions our hearts for greater awareness and openness to God. 

I’ve seen it so many times. Corporately: we’ll start our time of worship just giving him thanks, and within seconds, something shifts in the room. You can feel it; it’s like we get a little taste of Heaven that only increases the more we give thanks. 

I’ve incorporated it into my daily prayer life as well. I’ll almost always start thanking God. Sometimes it’s writing it out, sometimes it’s saying it out loud. But I’ll do it, and all of a sudden I feel like my heart is ready to encounter God. His Word becomes more vibrant. I can feel His Presence more tangibly and hear His voice more clearly. 

Thanksgiving sets us up for encounter. Enter into His gates with Thanks. 

ACTIVATION

Read Psalm 100:1-5. Set a timer for 5 minutes and just thank God. Pay attention to your awareness of God’s presence. At the end of 5 minutes, just start talking to Him. Engage with the King of the Universe; let thanksgiving lead you into deeper conversation and encounter with God.