BE THANKFUL
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Col. 3:15-16 NKJV).
One of the evidences of a Spirit-filled, Spirit-controlled life is the expression of thankfulness. Christians may not be happy with the way life goes every day, but we always have something for which we can be thankful every day: “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:57 NKJV). Concerning the debt Jesus paid for the forgiveness of our sins, and the free gift of eternal life in heaven we have received through placing our faith in Christ as our Lord and Savior, we have victory in Jesus every day.
A Christian may not feel like being thankful, but even in the midst of difficulties, we are not to follow our feelings but to believe the Bible. Believing the Bible is living it. The theme of thankfulness is found throughout the Word of God. Singing is a means by which you can develop a spirit of thankfulness regardless of your circumstances. Peace will rule in your heart as the Word of the Lord dwells in you richly, and as you sing with grace in your heart to the Lord. Not only make the “Him Book” (the Bible) a part of your daily spiritual diet, but use the Hymn Book to energize what you have been fed spiritually from the Word. If you have a favorite hymn, Scripture song, Gospel song, or chorus, sing it as a praise offering to God or as an expression of your soul. You will also find that many verses of the Bible can be sung to the tune of your favorite melodies. Whether you can carry a tune or not, every Christian ought to, at the least, have a song in his heart. Remember, too, that the psalmist said, “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, . . . come before his presence with singing” (Ps. 100:1-2). Some of the most blessed singing I hear is not always the best, as far as hitting all the notes just right, but because of the thankful spirit by which it is delivered, it is pleasing to God.
Have a Blessed Thanksgiving,
Bobby Mullins