Gratitude

May 15th, 2026
by Bruce Smith

And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
-Colossians 2:6-7 (TPT)

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February 22, 2020 - This is such a simple encouragement from Paul, but it may be the least listened to instruction he ever gave. It seems like everything is given priority over growing in our relationship with God. Later in this chapter he states clearly that such priorities are, in fact, idolatry, and yet, that fact seemingly changes nothing. Why? More directly, why has this ever been true in my life? I would say that good intentions fall short, but I doubt seriously that we even have the good intent. The unsettling truth is that, in our me-centered world, we have developed a complete lack of gratitude. We don’t regularly send thank you cards, we criticize war rather than express thankfulness to those who have fought for the freedoms we enjoy, and we see a relationship with God as too demanding on our personal lives. I fear that somewhere in there we are not thankful because we believe we are, after all, deserving of such considerations. What a bunch of pompous idiots we have become! How dare we take for granted the kindness, generosity and sacrifice others have made to give us the life we enjoy. God if anything grieves your heart, this must be our deepest wound.

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Today’s prayer: Lord God, thank you. May my life be lived to honor you, now and forever. Deep roots. Obedience. Gratitude. Love. May these be the defining characteristics of my life, FOR YOUR GLORY!