Gerald Prater Profile picture
Apr 15 11 tweets 3 min read Read on X
#GeraldsDevotional
Not Every thing Is As It Seems – Giving Thanks
Today’s scripture says that we should give thanks to the LORD… the title of this psalm is about giving thanks to Him. But notice how this psalm starts out in verse 1 with a call for us all to give Him thanks. After it starts with this call, it describes a bunch of problems that
came along and then says that the LORD rescued them from those problems. Finally it ends in the last two verses (9-10) calling once again for everyone to give thanks to the LORD.

This seems like it is emphasizing the need to be grateful saints and to thank Him for rescuing us.
But I would counter to you this morning that a deeper understanding of what it means to be a saint of God (understanding the overall story and theme of the bible) is to give thanks to Him ALL THE TIME.

Notice in these verses how the difficult times described in these verses are
sandwiched between two calls to give thanks. The thanks are not contingent on what He did, but they were happening anyway. This is understanding. True thanksgiving and praise to the LORD is NOT based on what He does for or gives to us (which is a lot). No, true thanks is for
WHO HE IS. He has really done a lot. But as we grow closer to Him and look past the temporary things (that the enemy tries to distract us and to get us to focus on), we come to understand that the real reason we thank Him is far deeper than what He does for us. For we know that
He is faithful to provide for all categories of what we need. We are grateful for all of those things LORD, but even if we don’t always feel them, we will thank You…
Just for who You are…
Thanksgiving to the Lord for His Great Works of Deliverance
1 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy,
3 And gathered out of the lands,
From the east and from the west,
From the north and from the south.

4 They wandered in the wilderness in a desolate way;
They found no city to dwell in.
5 Hungry and thirsty,
Their soul fainted in them.
6 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
And He delivered them out of their distresses.
7 And He led them forth by the right way,
That they might go to a city for a dwelling place.
8 Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
9 For He satisfies the longing soul,
And fills the hungry soul with goodness. - Psalms 107:1-9

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More from @glprater

Apr 16
#GeraldsDevotional
Not Everything Is As It Seems – Jesus’ Words on Judgment
This is a word that has been on my spirit for well over a week now. But it was a word that covered a large and important theme that would be difficult to write in a short devotional. But I was given a burden to speak about it nevertheless. So I thought about it a lot during the
past week because when it started, the LORD had whispered to me “Ponder this now, but you’ll know when the time is right to speak about it.” In the mean time there have been a lot of significant events going on around me and He has been showing me and having me to write about
Read 13 tweets
Apr 14
#GeraldsDevotional
Because We Have Been Manipulated
We have arrived at this place because we have been manipulated. This is by no means a new thing, it has been happening for a very, very long time (indeed it began in Genesis 3 and has never stopped). It is said that the biggest trick that Satan ever pulled was convincing the
world that he doesn’t exist. This morning I would submit to you that his second biggest trick was getting the world to think that he wasn’t strongly influencing their choices (to the point where they really didn’t have any choices at all). As mentioned previously, they thought
Read 16 tweets
Apr 11
#GeraldsDevotional
The Beginning of the End
This is the word that the LORD placed on my heart as He gently woke me this morning. It is a theme based on a play on words. You see, it is a word that could be called the “Beginning of the End” or it could be called “The End of the Beginning.” It is also a word about then (the
historical day we are about to celebrate one week from today and the events that surrounded it) or now (the days in which we are living right now and all of the events that surround them). In the end, it is a message about hope and “change.”

On this day in history (Good Friday),
Read 13 tweets
Apr 10
#GeraldsDevotional
A Stake in the Ground – Being Still by Moving Out of the Way
This is the word that the LORD gave me this morning. It is a word of love and admonition to all of us and it speaks to me especially. It is a reminder that sometimes having that stake in the ground and being still to wait on the LORD will look like getting out of His way.
When the Holy Spirit does His work in and through us, it is always for the purpose of God’s glory to shine in our lives. That work can not be imitated or mimicked by us being in the middle and trying to help out. There are many examples throughout the bible where when we do this,
Read 8 tweets
Apr 9
#GeraldsDevotional
A Stake in the Ground – It Doesn’t Move (Another Song)
This morning the LORD woke me up with yet another song. This one from the sons of Korah who were relatives of Moses and were worshipers of song during the exodus. The sons of Korah have an interesting perspective when singing this song because of the experiences of their father
in a famous revolt against the LORD. It is described in detail in Numbers 16 and it did NOT end well for Korah because he and others tried to get out ahead of the LORD in a famous revolt. Based on this timeline and their personal understanding of the importance of trusting
Read 12 tweets
Apr 8
#GeraldsDevotional
A Stake in the Ground – The Tale of Two Cities
Today’s devotional is based on a song or a poem given by Isaiah to the king and people of Jerusalem before they were taken into exile by Babylon. It is the first and predominant part of this poem (the last 12 verses are in the next chapter).

Overall, the poem is one of warning
to the people. It metaphorically described two cities. One is very attentive to the LORD, seeks after and recognizes Him with all of their focus, and understands that He is their true source of everything. Because of this understanding, they seek to acknowledge and give all glory
Read 18 tweets

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