Living the spirit-filled life includes encouraging our self with God’s Word, continually singing praises to God in our heart, and giving thanks to Him for all the incidents that we encounter in our life, even the negative circumstances (Colossians 4:2; Ephesians 5:19-20; Philippians 4:4-8).
We also thank Him for the fellowship of Believers that He leads us to join in our service to His Kingdom and in our joint community (1 Corinthians 1:4). The Lord is our continual strength and shield. Our heart can trust in Him and rejoice, because He always helps us in our times of need.
Our songs of praise to Him bless Him as well (Psalm 28:7). We are bountifully enriched by God’s blessings in our life; therefore, we can erupt in spontaneous praise throughout the day when we experience or remember His personal provision for us (2 Corinthians 9:11).
All that God requires of us is a joyful noise. We have no need of music lessons or college degrees or an award-winning voice. A squeaky, off-key melody from our heart blesses Him just as much as a trained virtuoso. He is our God, our Creator, and our Sustainer (Psalm 100).
We can reject all satanic attempts to overcome us with his jaws of discouragement and anxiety (1 Peter 5:8). God’s peace guides us in our decisions, comforts us in our afflictions and losses, and replaces our human understanding. It also keeps our heart and mind steady, faith-filled, and thriving (Philippians 4:6).
We start and end every day with His praises on our lips. His mercy and truth endure through every generation and throughout eternity (Ephesians 5:20). We are a magnifying glass that enables those around us to see Him more clearly. Our thankful heart, for what He is and does for us, is a testimony for all to see (Psalm 69:30).
Prayer:
Father God, we come before Your presence with gratitude in our heart for all that You did, are doing, and will do for us. We give You thanks and share testimonies in the congregation of Believers about Your provision and protection in our life (Psalm 35:18, 95:1-3, 116:17, 136:26). By Your grace through Jesus Christ, we are enriched by You in thoughts, words, and deeds (1 Corinthians 1:4-5).
Help us to praise You for Your goodness and blessings in our life, so that others will see that You satisfy the longings of our thoughts, emotions, words, and choices. You fill our hungry soul with every good and perfect gift (Colossians 3:17; James 1:17-20). As we lift up our unsaved friends, family, acquaintances and neighbors in prayer and lift You up to them in our conversations, many will come to You and be glad (Psalm 107:8-9).
Thought for the Day:
As we contemplate all that God is and does for us, we always rejoice, pray without ceasing, and give thanks for everything that comes our way; our intimate union with Him sustains us through every circumstance, and we learn patience, perseverance and hope through them all.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
