Rev. Gena Anderson

Throughout the course of my life, I have experienced the profound love of God. That is why I have never understood people who think of God as a punishing God. The God who I worship is a God of love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, faithfulness, and wants what is best for God’s children.

This is the parable of the prodigal son. Like Jesus’ other parables, the parable explains the nature of God and God’s unrelenting love of each of God’s children.

Today is a day where we give thanks for the blessings in our lives. What do you especially give thanks to God for this year? Say a prayer of thanksgiving today.

Thankfulness for what you have is important in the Christian life. Think about things that you are thankful for and praise God today for those things.

Throughout my ministry, I have heard people ask this same question: I cried out to God and I’m not getting an answer, do you think that God gives us answers to our problems?

In this passage of Scripture, the Psalmist offers praise to God. Think about someone you know that needs praise. Seek that person out, and show them how much you appreciate them through words or deeds of kindness.

In this passage of Scripture, the Psalmist talks about how the people cried out to God and God answered them in their distress. When have you cried out to God and felt that God answered you?

How do you praise God for being great? How have you seen God’s greatness displayed in the world? Write a psalm of praise to God today.

As Christians, we are called to live counter-culturally to the way in which the world behaves. We are called to be the light in the darkness. We are called to extend God’s love and grace to all of God’s children.