Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – April 21, 2016
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. Colossians 3:16
By default, I think many of us spend our days focused on our own needs, wants, and desires. From basic health and nutrition to our ambitions and dreams, we are wired to care chiefly about ourselves! As Augustine said, because of sin and brokenness we as human beings are “curved in upon ourselves.” Yet the beauty of the gospel is that when we encounter the love of Christ, not only are we made new but we also learn to turn our focus away from ourselves and onto the needs of others and the worship of almighty God.
One of my favorite quotes comes from 20th century pastor and theologian Michael Ramsey, who once said, “Thankfulness is a soil in which pride does not easily grow.” How true that is! If you struggle, as we all do, with an inflated sense of self-worth or self-interest, rush to plant yourself in the soil of thanksgiving. As Paul reminds us, lift up your heart and soul in thanksgiving and praise to God. Let the love of Christ dwell within you and heal you from the empty love of self.
You may today find yourself feeling helpless about your life situation and needs. You may, on the other hand, feel incredibly proud of your success and accomplishments. However, to focus on our failure or our success is to miss the heart of the gospel. In all things and at all times we are meant to respond to God with thankful hearts.
No matter how desperate your need, there is always so much for which you can give thanks. And no matter how great your success, you are always a child of God who must come to him with a humble heart of gratitude, acknowledging that all that you have comes from him alone (1 Chronicles 29:14). As such, take time today to intentionally look for ways to live with gratitude and thanksgiving to God.
Thankfulness isn’t simply an internal thought but a lived experience. Write a letter to someone you love and for whom you are thankful. Or, call the friend or family member that led you to Christ and tell them how grateful you are for their investment in your life. And above all, respond to the love of God shown to us in Christ “with thankfulness in your hearts.”
Cultivate the soil of thanksgiving in your life. It is a God-given path to a genuinely joyful life!
Prayer
Father, help us be free from unhealthy self-love so that we can live lives of joyful thanksgiving and praise.Application
Try and find at least three ways today to intentionally cultivate and express thankfulness to God and others.Related Reading
1 Chronicles 16:8; Psalm 9:1; Psalm 30:4; Hebrews 12:28Post/Tweet today
Thankfulness is a soil in which pride does not easily grow. #MichaelRamsey #WisdomHunters #thankfulnessWorship Resource
5 minutes –Christy Nockels: You Revive Me Check out Boyd’s newest devotional book Two Minutes in the Bible for Men. Order now! If you are blessed by these daily devotionals please prayerfully consider a donation to support Wisdom Hunters Resources. We are trusting the Lord for His provision. Learn how to help. Our free Apple app Our free Android app
