Megan Evans, Women’s Ministry Director, LHBC

 Colossians 3:15-17 (ESV)
15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 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. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

 It’s hard to grumble and give thanks to God at the same time.  There is something about thankfulness that changes our perspective and lifts our spirit. Wise King Solomon said that “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” (Proverbs 17:22).  The Message, by Eugene Peterson says it like this, “A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired.”  Isn’t that so true?  It only takes one look around our fast paced society to see the toll that stress, worry, anxiety, and constant striving takes on our bodies.  We are plagued with information overload, a constant demand for our immediate attention, and endless to-do lists. People today are exhausted more now than ever! 

When we are focused on difficult circumstances or on the hustle and bustle of daily life, our perspective quickly shifts downward and we begin to wear down.  In this state, it doesn’t take long to feel all dried up and bone-tired. We are wise to take Solomon’s advice and live with a joyful heart. And, thankfulness is a great way to put our eyes back on the joy of Christ in our life.  But how?

 The best way to rehydrate our heart is with the Living Water of Jesus Christ.  Do you spend time drinking from this well daily? When we make time to read the Bible, the Living Word of God literally hydrates and nourishes us.  When we spend time just being still and enjoying time with God, His peace washes over us which leads to praise and thankfulness. Do you let the peace of Christ rule in your heart? Or does the stress of life call the shots today?  

Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Colossians 2:7

We are called in the body of Christ to live representative of Him.  What if we lived out thankfulness each day? What if our words and conversation were rich in thoughtfulness and encouragement?  What if we spoke with His wisdom and hope?  What a powerful body we would be in a dark world. As Solomon reminds us, gloom and doom has always been around, and the world still searches for hope.  

 16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
Colossians 3:16-17 (NLT)

 Are you worn down today? Drink in His Word.  Sing praises. Tell God what you are thankful for.  When the peace of Christ rules in our heart, every detail of what we do in word or action begins to overflow with God’s love and joy, because rather than circumstances, our joy is found in Jesus Christ.  As we build our life on Him, our praise and thankfulness will overflow. Will your attitude speak a message of Jesus today? Will you live out thankfulness? 

 PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Dear Lord, You are worthy of all praise and glory.  Thank you for loving me and for dying on the cross for my sins.  Teach me to have a thankful heart and to be rooted in You alone. Remind me of Your Word and Your goodness, Your creation, Your promises and Your blessings. May this be my attitude today and every day.  In Jesus Name, Amen.  

 MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
Hebrews 13:15-16
Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.