Tag: thankfulness
God’s chosen ones!
Scripture reading for March 9th: Numbers 15-18, Psalm 113, Colossians 3
Colossians 3:12-16 “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
As God’s chosen ones, we are chosen by God to be adopted into His forever family. God’s family is marked by peace and love and thankfulness. As direct result of the grace we receive in having our sins forgiven, we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit Who brings God’s character into us. The Holy Spirit leads our spirits in thankfulness, forgiveness of others and joyful worship. He binds us together with other members of Christ’s chosen ones and we begin to spread the songs of redemption around the world. From the rising of the sun to its going down, God’s Name is being praised! Jesus Christ stands as the Chosen Authority from God Who is the Prince of Peace. All grumbling ceases and praise rises to bless His Name forevermore!
Psalm 113:1-3 “Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord, praise the Name of the Lord! Blessed be the Name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore! From the rising of the sun to its setting, the Name of the Lord is to be praised!”
Prayer: Father God, I am humbled to be a part of Your ‘chosen ones’ through the gift of eternal life. In receiving the Holy Spirit, I put on the character of Christ Jesus and allow Your love to bind me close to Your heart and closer to each member of this praising company. Use me today to share the song of redemption through my words, attitudes and actions with those still grumbling against God.
Numbers 17:8-10 “On the next day Moses went into the tent of the testimony, and behold, the staff of Aaron for the house of Levi had sprouted and put forth buds and produced blossoms, and it bore ripe almonds. Then Moses brought out all the staffs from before the Lord to all the people of Israel. And they looked, and each man took his staff. And the Lord said to Moses, “Put back the staff of Aaron before the testimony, to be kept as a sign for the rebels, that you may make an end of their grumblings against Me, lest they die.””
Peace and thanksgiving!
Scripture reading for September 9th: Colossians 3
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Colossians 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.”
Paul gave the Colossians simple advice about practically living in anticipation of Christ’s return. They were to rest in all that Christ had done for them and cultivate a thankful soul. Allowing God’s word to dwell in them, teaching others the word of God, and admonishing in love those needing correction would produce an atmosphere of continual peace. This would result in worship–both personal and corporate! Songs of worship and thanksgiving would flow from believers as they did their daily work with thanksgiving and great gratitude to God from whom all things flowed into their lives.
Observations for over-comers: A thankful heart based on living out the promises of God’s word produces abundant peace and rich worship to overcome the world, flesh and Satan’s traps! “If only you had paid attention to My commands, your peace would have been like a river, you righteousness like the waves of the sea.” (Isaiah 48:18)