Gratitude Through Noticing
Well friends I didn't want you to miss out on Derek's last point! So even though it's Saturday, here is one last devotion to wrap up this little series. Enjoy Derek's words:
The Art of Noticing
Lastly, I want to just talk to you about noticing. Gratitude comes when we notice things. Because, you know, when you get familiar with something, you don't notice it anymore. Have you realised that? You'll see something and you say, "Wow, that's great!" But after three weeks you don't see it anymore.
It's like our notice board at the church here. If we don't change our notice board around, people don't see it. People say to me, "Who's preaching next week?" And I say, "Look on the noticeboard!" "Is there a preaching plan on the noticeboard?" Actually, as I talk, I don't think there is - but never mind. You'll go and look and you'll come and say, "No, Derek, there is no preaching plan." Then I'll put it on the board, and next week you'll come back and say, "Who's preaching next week?" Because when you see something again and again and again, you don't see it anymore. Am I right? We've got to notice things.
Will You Notice?
Basically, life is good. Tonight ends another day of great blessings from God. Will you notice it?
When you open your eyes tomorrow morning and see a new day, will you notice it?
When you look into the face of one of your loved ones and they smile at you, will you notice?
When you eat something tonight that tastes good, will you notice it? Come to think of it, if you have something to eat tonight, will you notice it?
When you tell your hand to do something and it does, will you notice it?
When you tell your eyes to see something and they do, will you notice it? When you read something and you understand it, will you notice?
When last did you think about what I've just said, folks? When last did you say thank you to God for eyes to see and ears to hear and a mouth to speak, hands that actually work, a bed to sleep in and food to eat and clothes to wear, work to go to tomorrow?
Noticing the Gifts of God and Scripture
When you open this book and it tells you that you're fearfully and wonderfully made, will you notice?
When you open this book and it tells you that the hairs on your head are counted, will you notice?
When you open this book and it tells you that you have the gift of friendship with God, will you notice?
Above all, when you look at the empty cross of Jesus and you remind yourself of what that cost - will you notice? Will you notice?
Wow, great stuff. I pray that you and I will notice God's beauty and work in our lives, all over the place today!
Again I encourage you to check out Derek's other teachings at eMseni Methodist Church's YouTube channel, as well as his old sermons like this one that I am uploading to a YouTube channel called Classic Trinity sermons - those will surely bless you as they have me.
Enjoy the rest of the weekend my friends!
Christian celebration was never meant to be a solo activity - gathering with God's people to worship together is one of the great privileges of the faith. Make church a non-negotiable this Sunday and come ready to celebrate with your family of believers.