Give Thanks and Praise – Ephesians 5:20

Be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

– Ephesians 5:18b – 20 (NKJV)

Paul is telling the Ephesians to be filled with the Spirit, to joyfully speak to one another with the words of psalms and hymns. To make a melody in their heart to the Lord; to praise the Lord.

A Spirit-filled believer regularly gives thanks and praise for all God has done and is doing for them. They are filled with gratitude, giving thanks to Him. Thanks, always, and for all things to God for His grace, mercy, and blessings.

16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.- John 15-16 (NIV)

We pray to God the Father, in the name of Jesus, in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Giving thanks and praise helps us shift our focus from our struggles to the goodness of God. When we thank Him, we stay grounded in faith, trusting God’s plans for us, and find peace.

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Lord, we praise and thank You for Your love, mercy, and grace toward us. We lift our voices to You in hymns and spiritual songs, praising Your name. Guide our thoughts and steps. Like the forsythia plant blooms every spring, let us be grounded and bloom in faith. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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Anxious – Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. – Philippians 4:6 (NIV)

Paul is encouraging the Christians in Philippi not to be anxious, fearful, or uneasy about anything. Instead of dwelling on problems, take their discouragements and problems to God in prayer. In prayer, we can speak with our all-powerful Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.

When we have problems and worries, we often try to deal with them ourselves rather than taking them to God in prayer. Instead of fretting and worrying, give your problems to God, who has all power and authority. He is in total control; He may not change the situation in the way requested, but He will listen and give us peace in any situation.

Like the Philippians, we should not be overwhelmed and anxious instead, we should pray letting God know our concerns. We can turn our worries into prayers, praying and praising the Lord, giving thanks for His goodness and love. Let Christ’s peace displace your worry.

^6-7Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. Philippians 4:6-7 (MSG)

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Do you spend more time fretting and worrying than in prayer?

Lord, help us to let go of our anxiety and worries and turn them over to You to deal with. Teach us to trust You and to relax; to let go and let God. Guide us to believe in Your power and rest in Your peace. Like the flower of the camellia is open and upward facing, Lord, teach us to be open-hearted and send our problems upward to You. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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Whole Heart – 1 Chronicles 28:9

“And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever. – 1 Chronicles 28:9 (ESV)

In this verse, King David tells his son Solomon the importance of knowing and serving God with his whole heart. David wanted Solomon to follow in his footsteps and maintain a sincere and personal relationship with God. To be committed to God and grow closer to Him, be honest, and put his trust in God. Serving the Lord with a willing mind and wholehearted devotion, relying on Him and trusting His guidance.

The verse continues with the power of the Lord; he searches our hearts. For God sees and knows all things. He knows our intentions and motives. David is reminding Solomon that he cannot hide anything from God.

The verse concludes if you earnestly seek God, He will be found by you, but if you turn away from Him, forsaking Him, He will reject you and cast you off forever.

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Are you serving God with a whole heart and a willing mind?

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, thank You for your patience with us and grace to us. Guide us to reach out to You and develop a sincere personal relationship with You. Encourage us to serve you with our whole hearts and with willing minds. Like the blossom of the yellow rose is open to the sun, let our hearts be open to You and Your Son Jesus. Amen

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The Word – Isaiah 40:8

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.”

Isaiah 40:8 (NIV)

In this verse, the prophet Isaiah contrasts the temporary nature of flowers and grass to the enduring promise of God’s word.
Earlier in verse 6, Isaiah compares people to being like grass and their love and faithfulness being as fragile as a wildflower. Which withers and falls when the wind sent from the Lord blows on it.

“All people are like grass, and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field. 7 The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass. 8 The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” Isaiah 40:6b-8 (NIV)

Permanence and stability are found in the eternal word of God, which endures forever. For God is steadfast, His promises never fail; they last forever. When we trust in God’s word and live in obedience, His word will sustain us for now and forever. The word of God stands firm; it endures forever.

“These people are nothing but grass,
    their love fragile as wildflowers.
The grass withers, the wildflowers fade,
    if God so much as puffs on them.
    Aren’t these people just so much grass?
True, the grass withers and the wildflowers fade,
    but our God’s Word stands firm and forever.” Isaiah 40:6-8 (MSG)

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, thank you for Your grace and love for us. Thank you for Your word and Jesus, The Word. Teach us to read Your word and follow Jesus. May Your word guide and direct us. Your word stands firm and forever, giving us hope. Though we are fragile, like dandelions and wildflowers, let us be strong and secure in our faith. Amen

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