Listen to this devotion
Living in the Spirit … Helps Me Be Thankful
In the Word
Be filled with the Spirit … giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father 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.
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. 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, Deaconess Betty Knapp, Myrna Lou Meyer. 6/30 ©2007, revised 2024 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
