Spirit and Life Devotional is a daily publication by Pastor Chinaemerem Ibezim, senior pastor of Able Ministers Chapel, a church based in Calabar, Cross River State.
“Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.” – Ephesians 5:4 NLT
Jesus was always thankful to the Father: when He stood before the grave of Lazarus He gave thanks; when He wanted to feed the multitudes, He gave thanks; Luke 10:21 says, “At that same time Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and he said, ‘O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way.” For Jesus, every time was appropriate for thanksgiving.
Some of us woke up this morning, and are already on the way to work, but we are yet to thank the Lord for sustaining us. You are not awake and alive just because your body organs and systems are fine, or because you have been exercising; Psalm 3:5 says, “I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the Lord was watching over me.” Come on, give Him thanks!
1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 5:20 says, “And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” And Philippians 4:6 says, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”
No food to eat? Thank God because you’re still alive and able to look for food to eat. No job? Thank God because you are not begging on the street for money to sustain yourself. Your boss maltreats you: thank God that you still have a job! Do you understand? There’s always something to be thankful for! Give Him thanks!
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