Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
It is important to center our minds on the grace and blessings of God in our lives. Think of His benefits and our hearts will say, "Praise the Lord". We are put to shame when reminded of how thankful Paul was, even when he wrote this letter from prison.
Col 1:3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, vs 11,12… being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.
2:7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Col 3:15-17 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Christians ought to be thankful people.
When I think of all the places in the world where I could have been born, I am thankful for the blessings of this nation. What would the likelihood of anyone one of us being Christians, if we were born in an atheistic country or be among the millions that are Buddhists or Muslims, where less than 2% are Christians. When I think of all the homes within America that I could have been born into, I am grateful to God for Christian parents and that upbringing. When I think of the various generations into which I could have been born, what a joy to be in a world with the benefits of this day, but mostly the joy of the opportunity to hear the good news of Jesus.
We have too often centered so long in what we do not have that we need to confess that sin of covetousness and look at all we have because of God's blessing. Many are like the little children on Christmas who get excited over the presents and after the time of opening them is over ask disappointedly, “Is this all? How come I didn't get Micro astronaut Barbie slinky?”
It would have been enough had Jesus visited this planet, but He did more. It would have been enough to show us how to live, to be forgiven from sin, to save from hell, to grant us heaven, but He also gave us Himself to live and dwell with us now and forever. Pray with thankful hearts.
Application: Today thank God for the privilege to be able to respond and carry His Word and read it in a language that we can understand.
Prayer: Father, we thank you that you have saved us from torment and given to us freely of the Kingdom of glory.
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