What You've Been Given: 2 Kings
The science of gratefulness, how Jesus gave thanks while on earth, and a unique thankfulness challenge.
Welcome to the Daily Bible Podcast Coffee Club!
We’re Tricia and Michelle, two friends inviting you to join us in reading through the Bible chronologically this year. These daily emails are designed to be a cozy companion to the Daily Bible Podcast and your morning coffee. Pour a cup and let’s go deep into God’s Word!
Word of the Day Espresso Shot
Depressed; Stuck; With shaking faith.
Those words described Ann Voskamp. She decided to embark on a journey of gratitude in the midst of her mundane life– and the journey started with a small list of gifts. One by one, she chronicled gifts she noticed God was giving her each day. She noticed more and more until the list reached a milestone number: One thousand.
Ann tells this story of gratitude and life change in her book One Thousand Gifts.
And her life-changing experience with gratitude isn’t unique. Researchers have found that people who are grateful:
Feel happier
Are more resilient
Have better immunity
Have fewer health complaints
One study was done on patients with heart failure. One group was assigned to write in a gratitude journal for eight weeks, while the other group did not. The group that practiced being thankful actually showed more signs of a healthy heart by the end of the eight weeks! Isn’t it wonderful when science reflects the truth in God’s Word?
Today’s Challenge
What gifts has God given you? Ask Him to help you notice them!
Memory Verse
Psalm 28:7: "The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him"
Today’s Coffee Chat
Let’s turn the comment section into a gratitude fest! List 5-10 things you’re grateful for today!
Going Deeper than a Venti: Reflection and Journal Prompt
It’s obvious in the way that Jesus lived His life on earth that He was constantly living in gratitude and communion with God.
But did you know that, although there must have been many more times, the writers of the Gospels only recorded 7 times Jesus gave thanks? Writer Mike Sublett compiled the following list. As you read, think about what we can learn from these snippets of Jesus’ thankfulness.
Matthew 11:25- At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike.
Luke 10:21- At that same time Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and he said, “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way.
Matthew 15:36- Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, thanked God for them, and broke them into pieces. He gave them to the disciples, who distributed the food to the crowd.
John 6:11-- Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted.
John 11:41-So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me
Luke 22:17-19- Then he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. Then he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves. 18 For I will not drink wine again until the Kingdom of God has come.” 19 He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it.
Mark 14:23- Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it.
Journal Prompt
Give thanks to God for something you’ve never thanked Him for before. Take some time to think. Have you ever thanked Him for the breath in your lungs? For your functioning limbs? How about for your favorite coffee mug? Be creative and have fun with this!