Monday, May 9, 2022
Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
-Ephesian 5:20
How many years have we been in the Lord’s Garden of thanksgiving? And what profit have we brought to the Master? How are we meeting the inspecting eye of God? Are we increasing in reverence, love, humility, confidence in God and with a heart of thanksgiving? Do we cherish gratitude for all His mercies? Are we seeking to bless those around us? Do we manifest the spirit of Jesus giving thanks always in our families, the work, at church and with our friends? Are we teaching His Word to our children, and making known to them the wonderful works of God, with thanksgiving? The Christian must represent Jesus by both being good and doing good, giving thanks always for all things God the Father has done. Then, there will be a life fragrance, a loveliness of character, which will reveal the fact that we are children of God and heirs of heaven.
Friends, be no longer slothful servants in giving thanks to God. Every soul must battle against complaining and instead give thanks to God. Christ came not to save men in their sins, but from their sins. He has made it possible for us to possess a holy character; do not, then, be content with defects and deformities. But while we are to seek earnestly for perfection of character, we must remember that sanctification is not the work of a moment, but of a lifetime. Said Paul, “I die daily” with a heart of thanksgiving. (1 Corinthians 15:31). Day by day the work of overcoming must go forward. Every day we are to resist temptation and gain the victory over selfishness in all its forms, with thanksgiving to God.
Day by day we should cherish love and humility and cultivate in ourselves all those excellencies of character which will please God and fit us for the blessed society of heaven with thanksgiving. To all who are seeking to accomplish this work, the promise is very precious, “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels” (Revelation 3:5) and “Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”. (Ephesian 5:20)—Historical Sketches, 181. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Heart Questions: Are you a member of the Lord’s Garden of thanksgiving? How are you meeting the inspecting eye of God? Are you increasing in reverence, love, humility, confidence in God and with a heart of thanksgiving? Do you cherish gratitude for all His mercies? Are you seeking to bless those around us? Do you manifest the Spirit of Jesus giving thanks always in your families, your work, at church and with your friends? Are you representing Jesus by both being good and doing good, giving thanks always for all things God the Father has done?
- that you will give thanks always and in all things to God, in reverence, love, humility and with confidence.
- that all church members will be members of the Lord’s garden of thanksgiving. That they will give thanks always, rejoice always and pursue the good things not only for themselves but for others. That they will rejoice and pray without ceasing with thanksgiving to God.
- that the members of our churches will be friendly and have happy and joyful countenanceand they fellowship with each other and the visitors of the church.
- for the small groups’ initiativesthat they will become more Christ focus, making Jesus their friends and have daily devotional life