Listen to this devotion
Living in the Spirit … Helps Me Be Thankful
In the Word
… be filled with the Spirit. … always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:18b, 20).
Of the Word
A certain church member was very critical of his pastor. The pastor had never been able to do much of anything to please that cantankerous parishioner. But the pastor took the high road, never repaying hurt for hurt. He tried, and tried hard, to find good things to say. One day he said with a wry smile, “You know, Joe has the cleanest car in town.” Instead of concentrating on his parishioner’s criticisms, he found one small thing to commend.
“… be filled with the Spirit …,” says St. Paul. Spirit-filled people have no room left over for grumpiness, faultfinding, negativity, or thanklessness. Instead, they have an “attitude of gratitude” to God that spills over into relationships with others. And when bad attitudes invade, as they will because of Satan, the Spirit is there to strengthen God’s people once more.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful (Colossians 3:15).
Walking with my Lord
Dear Lord, fill me with Your Spirit so that my life will be a chorus of praise to You. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Mustard Seed: Living in the Spirit. Authors: Marcia Gomulka, Dcs. Betty Knapp, Myrna Lou Meyer. 6/30 ©2007 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
