We were made by a creative Creator, the ultimate Designer, Artist, Crafter, and Maker. Being made in God's image, He has given us various creative abilities as well and God is pleased when we use these gifts of creativity to worship and glory Him. Are all of us given creative abilities? How can we use creativity to glorify God, and why should we?
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
I often hear people claim they are not creative, or that there is not a single creative bone in their body, but creativity comes in countless forms and is a gift from God. God is the source of all creativity. None of it can be attributed to ourselves, but we are responsible for what we choose to do with these skills we have been given.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.
Creativity is not always in elaborate painting, writing poetry, singing songs, or strumming an instrument. Creativity is embedded in all that we do. To be creative is a part of all of our lives. As God is the ultimate Creator, He grants each person skills according to the work He gives each of us to do, and it all requires some form of creativity.
Stay at Home Moms use a variety of creative skills to manage their household, raise their children, prepare meals, organize the home, and more.
Salespeople use creative thinking and methods to learn the ins and outs of various products, technologies, and more in order to help their customers find the products that are right for them.
Scientists and Mathematicians use their skills with numbers and formulas to create medicines, design new technologies, prepare and implement space travel, forecast the weather, and so much more.
Pastors use speaking, writing, reading, research, the study of languages, and other various creative skills to plan and prepare sermons that strategically teach Biblical messages.
The Engineers, Technicians, Janitors, Plumbers, and Builders all use intricate creative skills to plan, prepare, and accomplish their works.
31 He has filled him with God’s Spirit, with wisdom, understanding, and ability in every kind of craft 32 to design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze, 33 to cut gemstones for mounting, and to carve wood for work in every kind of artistic craft.
We all have creative abilities, yet we so often fail to see the artistry in those abilities. No matter what your profession, hobbies, or calling God has bestowed some form of creativity in you, to use to bring Him glory.
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Glorify God with the skills He has given you
How can the Stay at Home Mom, the Salesperson, Scientists, Mathematicians, and each person, no matter hobby, profession, or calling, glorify God with creativity? We are called to do all that we do for the Lord. Whatever we do should be done as to God, versus people.
23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
For me, I have loved writing since I was a kid and now God has called me to use my writing to share Bible studies with the world. I love graphic design, making planners, journals, stickers, and more and I get to use those to create images, wallpapers,Christian planners, Prayer journals, and Bible study journals that help draw people closer to Jesus and encourage them in faith. I love to play Elder Scrolls Online, and I get to be creative in running a community of Christian gamers.
What areas of your life have you not recognized as an opportunity to be creative?
What tasks in your life have you neglected to use to glorify God?
Every area of our lives is filled with opportunities to be creative for the Lord, and therefore to glorify God and benefit His Kingdom. Just like we glorify God through serving others,we glorify God when we use our creativity to serve Him and further His Kingdom. We can serve, worship, and bring glory to God when we use what we have for Him.
Prayerfully get creative for the Creator
In order to give our work to God, we must center our lives on Him and grow in our personal relationships with Him. We must have healthy communication with God in order to know where He is leading and calling us to serve and glorify Him. Prayer is essential to keeping ourselves, and our lives, aligned with God.
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray constantly, 18 give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Before I embark on a task I pray over how to best serve and glorify God with it and encourage others to do likewise. I approach every task with the intention to give it to God, whether it be helping my kiddo with math, cleaning my home, making meals, studying scripture, making new planner designs or wallpapers, or anything else I do.
7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you.
Keeping a faith planner and prayer journal has helped me immensely to align my days with God through prayer, God's Word, and seeking God's counsel every single day. I set my month up ahead, pray over what God has prepared for me, and then lay out each week through prayer, scripture, and strategic planning. In this way I am able to organize my tasks, am reminded to pray over each to-do, pray every morning, read scripture every day, and plan realistically. This has helped me get my tasks in order so that I can better serve and glorify God with my time and the tasks at hand.
All that we do should be done to bring God glory, which includes the various skills, talents, and creative abilities He has blessed us with. What we have is not our own. The skills we have are not merely for our own sake and benefit. Everything we have, and all that we are, we should use to bring glory to God and draw others closer to Him and His Truth, expanding His Kingdom, and doing His will in this life.
17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
The life of every Christian should be filled with the intention to glorify God in all that we do. We are called to serve, worship, glorify and, above all, love Him. There are many ways to glorify God in practical everyday ways, which often feels easier said than done. Today we will focus on one way that should take a front-row seat in the daily lives of Christians. How do we glorify God through acts of service, and why should we?
13 For you were called to be free, brothers and sisters; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity[a] for the flesh, but serve one another through love.
Through faith in Jesus Christ, we are freed from the bondage of sin and are then able to enter into a right relationship with our Heavenly Father. This beautiful gift should fill us up with the desire to please God. We please God when we do His will, serve Him in the ways He calls us to, and share the truth of the Gospel every chance we get.
12 There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.”
When we have faith in Jesus, we get to participate in God's plan to bring the truth to every corner of the world. This is a massive act of service in itself and should be taken on as a joyous honor to serve God in this extraordinary way.
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Serve the Lord by serving others
By bringing the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to others we are participating in incredible acts of service to those who hear it as well as to God. Not only telling others about the Gospel but also living in a manner worthy of the Gospel is an act of service.
27 Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, in one accord,[a] contending together for the faith of the gospel, 28 not being frightened in any way by your opponents. This is a sign of destruction for them, but of your salvation—and this is from God.
When we live obediently to the will of God, with Christ as our example, using our freedom to love and serve others as Christ would, we will bear the fruits of the Spirit in our relationships with others and seek to serve others above ourselves. Our freedom in Christ should not be used selfishly, but selflessly.
40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,[a] you did it to me.’
Through serving others, we are serving God, and through serving God we bring Him glory. In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus explains that whatever we do to others, we do to Him also. This is an important lesson that we should treat others not only as we would want to be treated, but treat others as Christ. Every person is an image-bearer of Christ, and all are offered the very same free gift of salvation. Christ died for every person and we should be serving them in this manner, with and through the love of Christ.
Let the Holy Spirit guide your acts of service
By accepting Jesus as our Savior in faith, we become set apart for God and to God and are given God's Holy Spirit as a guide for right living. We learn how to live as followers of Jesus, and the Holy Spirit teaches us also how to live a life of service.
26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
Acts of service don't come naturally, but we can trust God's promise that He has given us a guide for our life. God will work in us, transforming us from the inside out, to become more like Christ all the time. As we read and study His Word, grow in our personal relationship with Him through prayer, and turn to Him more and more through all of life's circumstances we will find God's Spirit leading, strengthening, reminding, and guiding us.
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
Each person will have a unique relationship with God, will be given their unique set of gifts, skills, and circumstances to use for the unique callings which God will give them. We must trust the wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit and lean deeper into God through prayer, His Word, and also His people, and be obedient when He calls us to an act of service, knowing it is to Him as well as to others.
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Acts of service should be done in love
Through our personal relationship with God, His Holy Spirit, His Word, prayer, and fellowship we learn the ways in which we are called to live to glorify God. We begin to live as Christ, see others the way He does, and treat them with love as God defines love.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not arrogant, 5 is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not irritable, and does not keep a record of wrongs. 6 Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
By living in obedience to God, we should serve Him willingly and in love. Through serving God and others we should begin to bear fruit in our lives, the fruits of God's Spirit. This happens naturally as evidence of our faith. Living obediently in love should lead to a desire to serve others, not putting yourself first but putting God and His Kingdom first, and His will for your life above your own.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things.[a]
Serve because of Christ's greatest act of service for our sakes
Through acts of service, we glorify God.By surrendering to Jesus in faith, we receive salvation and are given the Holy Spirit as a guide for our lives. We learn to live as Christ, serve God by serving others as He calls us to, and share the truth of Jesus out of love and a desire to serve the Kingdom by increasing it.
45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”[a]
With Christ as our ultimate example and model for our life, we can't help but live a life full of service. Willing and joyful acts of service help to increase our own faith, understanding, and relationship with the Lord and also serves to increase the Kingdom of God and encourage others in faith. We should always be ready to use what God has blessed us with to serve others and to serve God and His Kingdom. It all belongs to God, and we should willingly and readily use it for His purposes.
10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
If you have not accepted the grace of God and chosen to believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, I encourage you to pray to God now and invite Him in, accept Jesus as the sacrifice for your sins, and repent of your sins. Submit it all to God, lay it at His feet, seek the forgiveness of God, welcome Him into your life, and believe that Jesus died and rose again to save you from your sins.
If you would like to learn more about salvation, you can find a couple of studies that may help here:
Gratitude is a vital part of our lives, and Christians should be filled to overflowing with it in all relationships and areas of life. We have so much to be grateful for, even when life is downright difficult, depressing, or feels impossible. There are several areas of life in particular that we can show gratitude in practical and creative ways.
I pray these 30 practical ways to show gratitude encourage you to be more thankful and show more appreciation throughout your life. Let God work from the inside out to transform your heart and lead you to live a more grateful life.
There are so many ways to show gratitude to God. We should strive to live out gratitude for God in all circumstances, and with all that He does and provides for us. When we live grateful hearts, we are more receptive to God and His instruction.
2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
God's Word instructs us constantly to be grateful, to thank God, to have a heart of gratitude. God is worthy of all praise, honor, and thanks no matter what we face.
10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.
There are so many practical ways to show gratitude to family and friends, and this is another essential responsibility we have within all of our personal relationships. We are placed in the relationships we are on purpose, for God's purpose. We have a beautiful opportunity to be God's steward in these relationships, bringing His light, love, and truth to those He has placed in our lives. Sometimes these are the toughest relationships to see in this way, and we often take thankfulness for granted when it comes to friends and family.
No matter how you are treated, no matter how you have been made to feel, show gratitude to strangers and share the love, mercy, grace, and kindness of God with them. Every little chance we get should be taken with a grateful heart and used to serve God and draw others closer to Him. We should appreciate the salvation and blessings we have received in our own relationship with God so much that we cannot help but show gratitude to strangers and plant seeds to draw them closer to the Lord and share in the blessings.
9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.
16 For God loved the world in this way:[a] He gave[b] his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
God sent His Son to die for you, me, your family and friends, and also every other person on this planet. He has given us the greatest command to love Him, and also to love people. By showing gratitude to strangers we are extending God's love beyond our comfort zone and inner-circles, and showing God's love to people we don't know and may never know, but also don't know how God will use that seed of love in that person's journey toward saving faith.
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I pray these 10 ways to show gratitude to strangers ignite a passion for expressing gratitude to the passersby in your life to make a Kingdom difference every chance you get.
Perform a random act of kindness
Pay it forward
Pay for the person behind you in line
Hand out cards that highlight scriptures about thanksgiving
Gratitude is an essential part of every Christian's life on this earth. It is a primary characteristic of the Christian heart, that we first show our gratitude to God, Creator of all things, to Jesus Christ, Savior and Redeemer, as well as God's Holy Spirit, whom God gives to those who believe in the Son as a guide through life. Our gratitude for God should be so great that we cannot help but pour it out all over our life.
Gratitude to God should be so genuine that it is evident in every area of our life. We are none of us perfect, we all miss the mark, we all fall short, and we all fail to be appreciative, but we can repent and be made clean again, and pray for the strength and change of heart to become more grateful.
10 God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast[a] spirit within me.
What ways do you find helpful to show gratitude to others? How do you realign your own heart with God and gratitude? How would you like to encourage someone else in gratitude and thanksgiving today?
Gratitude can be shown in many ways and to all people. We know we should show gratitude to God. We probably show gratitude to our family and friends. However, there are lots of other opportunities to show appreciation, care, and thanks. In fact, it can be a life changer when we take the time to show gratitude to strangers as well.
In this fast-paced, self-centered world, how can we possibly stop and show appreciation to people we don't even know? Why on earth would we in the first place? Let's dive into some encouraging ways (and reasons) to show gratitude to strangers that pass through our lives, and grow in our understanding of how this, too, brings God glory.
Perform a random act of kindness
First and foremost we must remember that we are called to love everyone. And not just love as we understand it, but love as God defines love. We are to love because God is love, because God loves us, and also because God loves everyone else as well. A vital aspect of Biblical love is kindness. By simply being kind we can express love and gratitude for others.
Random acts of kindness are generally spur-of-the-moment opportunities to do something out of pure kindness and love for someone else. We don't do it to benefit ourselves, but to purely show some appreciation for our fellow human beings struggling alongside us in this human life. It could be buying the groceries for the mom struggling in line with her toddler, grabbing a coffee or sandwich to give to the homeless man on the corner, or any number of other opportunities to show kindness to others on a whim.
4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;[a]6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Another way to be kind is through generosity. Generosity is a beautiful way to show appreciation, and paying it forward is a great opportunity to express your gratitude to strangers. Paying it forward is doing something for someone else and then encouraging them to do likewise for someone else instead of them paying you back directly. There is no desire or expectation to be repaid, but instead for the generosity to be given to someone else instead.
42 And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”
This can show someone you appreciate them simply existing in the same world as you and can be life-changing if not simply day-changing. One thing I love about paying it forward is that it is done not knowing someone's need but simply trusting God's prompting to be generous, loving, and show gratitude to strangers. Don't stop to wonder God's reason, whether someone can afford it, needs it, or deserves it, but just trust God's instruction to show this incredible level of gratitude to strangers He puts in your path.
17 Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.
An extension of paying it forward is paying for the person behind you in line. This is a fantastic way to pay it forward if someone has bought your order, but it is also simply a generous way to show some appreciation for strangers. This is done not knowing if the next person will pay it forward or not, but you do it knowing you got to love on someone and show gratitude to strangers with a simple act of generosity.
I remember when someone did this for me. I was stressed out and having a rough day and decided to spend the few bucks I had on a comforting coffee when the people in the car ahead of me had paid for my drink. I literally cried. At that moment I had so badly needed someone to show some love, and that was the ticket. God showed me the love I needed at that moment through a complete stranger. It turned my entire day around and years later I have never forgotten it.
6 The point is this:[a] The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously.
Hand out cards that highlight scriptures about thanksgiving
If you are creative or even a little bit introverted, a fun option could be making little cards, or even grabbing some cute ones from the dollar store. Giving thoughtful little cards can be such a nice way to show someone you appreciate them.
17 But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?
When my kiddo and I go pick up groceries she loves to make handwritten notes to give to our grocery helpers that load up the bags into the car. It is always such a sweet exchange and clearly warms the hearts of our hard-working grocery workers.
12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Adding something special like your favorite Bible passage, or even a little note saying "God bless" or "God loves you" can be a seed planter as well. These little opportunities can have such a huge impact. We may never know the impact it has but God does. In this, we can show our gratitude to God for the salvation and blessings we have received when we share it with others, as well as show gratitude to strangers He gives us the opportunity to bless in this small but impactful way.
Greet and smile at passersby
So simple yet such a needed reminder to smile at passersby rather than avoiding eye contact, acknowledge someone's existence with a smile and a kind word. This can again show that you appreciate other fellow human beings just trying to make it in this world. As believers, we have our hope and joy in the Lord which should be reflected in how we see and treat others. We should absolutely show God we appreciate His creations and show His creations our gratitude for them as well by acknowledging them warmly and lovingly.
13 A joyful heart makes a face cheerful, but a sad heart produces a broken spirit.
Don't look away, avert your eyes, avoid eye contact, or act as if someone isn't there. Don't give the stink eye because they are in your way or you're just in a bad mood. Show kindness and gratitude with a smile and a kind greeting, even if it's for no other reason than God put that person in your path at that moment. Take it as an opportunity to share His love and show some compassion and thanks to a perfect stranger.
22 A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.
Compliments are such a strange commodity in our culture nowadays. People seem to feel it will be taken the wrong way or it'll just be awkward and they throw the whole idea out the window. I'd encourage you to take little opportunities to pay someone a compliment every day. This not only shows others they are appreciated but can help transform your heart from judgment toward seeing people as God sees them.
23 To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is!
Another thing my kiddo likes to do when we get groceries is telling the grocery helper that they look nice. Man or woman, young or old, she tells them sweetly "you look nice today". I love it. We get a variety of helpers and even when it's the same person they never fail to show they appreciated the compliment every time, and in turn, my kiddo gets to show some appreciation for them as they tackle the challenges of their job.
5 It is well with the man who deals generously and lends;
There are countless opportunities to acknowledge something you appreciate about random strangers. Compliment their smile, their eyes, or their name. I love to find things that are not material or that may be something they seem to feel self-conscious about but you want to encourage them about. Whatever you compliment, it is a great way to show gratitude to strangers as well as to God.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
This is likely to be the most controversial idea on the list, but nevertheless, I highly encourage you to show gratitude to the people serving you by tipping generously. Being generous should always be done out of a heart of giving, love, and thanks and never grudgingly. Giving can change our heart and perspective, and communicates to service workers that their work is appreciated.
38 give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
Not only are we showing them our appreciation, but we get to worship God through an act of generosity, being a good steward of what God has entrusted us with. It is not ours, but God's and He calls on us to be generous. Next time you get that takeout, pick up a latte, or get your hair cut, give the tip God lays on your heart to give and show those who have helped you some gratitude.
5 It is well with the man who deals generously and lends;
There are endless causes and charities that always need help and support. From animal shelters to missions trips in third-world countries. Your church likely has a need for volunteers, and the foster care system needs Christmas gifts for the kids in their care. I loved going to nursing homes around Christmas growing up and singing Christmas carols, serving the elderly dinner, and visiting with them.
2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
I also used to find ways to help the homeless in my area, make blankets and scarves, donate my old but still usable clothes to a women's shelter versus a thrift store. Find ways to give of your time and the variety of resources God has blessed you with, and show gratitude to strangers as well as to God. Your time is precious, and the strangers who benefit from you spending some of your time to show them love and care will appreciate your appreciation and acknowledgment of their needs.
40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,[a] you did it to me.’
One thing all of these ways to show gratitude to strangers have in common is they are all acts of kindness and respect to our fellow human beings. All people are created by God, loved by God, and should be loved by us. Kindness and respect are often considered things to earn or it is not shown, but we certainly have no right to that claim.
32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
God tells us to be kind to one another, to never tire of doing good, and He also tells us to do unto others as we would want them to do unto us. This is not what the world teaches, but is what God instructs. Showing kindness and respect to other people is a powerful way to encourage them and make them feel appreciated. We can never earn the love of God, and we should never treat others as though they have to earn it from us.
31 Just as you want others to do for you, do the same for them.
Show gratitude to strangers by simply being kind and showing them respect, no matter how they have treated or done to you. Love others, even your enemies, those who persecute you and mistreat you, and be the light in those moments as well as the joy-filled times that are easier to be kind and loving. Be grateful for the other people God created because He created them in His image and with a purpose and path as well.
9 Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith.
In all of these ways to show gratitude to strangers, we get to be examples of Jesus Christ. By treating others with kindness, love, respect, and appreciating that God put others alongside us on this earth we are able to grow in gratitude to God, to the people closest to us in this life, and strengthen our ability to appreciate the strangers who walk in and out of our days.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
With a heart of gratitude toward all people, we are better able to display the fruit of God's Spirit and pour out the love of Jesus on the people we pass. All that we do should be done as to the Lord. We should remember that we are working for God out of love and gratitude to our Creator and Savior. Let God's love pour out of you into the lives of others as you allow yourself to be filled with and show gratitude to strangers in your life, as well as to God and your family and friends.
35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
16 For God loved the world in this way:[a] He gave[b] his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
How can you show gratitude to strangers and encourage others to do the same? In what ways would you appreciate others to show you some gratitude as you go through this life alongside them? Let's exhort one another, encouraging each other to do good, and love others as God has called on us to do.
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Gratitude according to scripture is an active expression of thankfulness, not just words or actions but actually displaying and living as you mean it. We have taken a deep dive into gratitude itself, as well as 10 ways to show gratitude to God. It is also important to focus on showing those closest to us in this life that we appreciate and care for them, and that we do in fact truly appreciate them. What are some practical and creative ways we can show gratitude to family and friends?
We are in a season where people are more specifically focusing on being grateful and expressing their gratitude for and to others. It is always interesting how we are so prone to neglect gratitude the rest of the year and reserve our thanksgiving for the holiday season. I want to encourage us, though, to use these ideas in practical, everyday life all year long, not just leading up to Thanksgiving itself.
Tell them what you appreciate and love about them
One of the most basic but impactful things we can do to show gratitude to family and friends is to flat out tell them that we appreciate them, what we are thankful for, and that we love them. It sounds so simple, but if you're like me we need these reminders. Something as simple as a compliment and word of appreciation can make a huge difference to someone's day.
32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
I love that my husband and I have a habit of daily telling each other that we appreciate one another, and I always strive to thoroughly express my gratitude for him and what he does for me. Whether it be little or big, I thank him for it. And not just saying it, but I put my heart into it and truly strive to display my genuine gratitude.
For my kiddo, I try to make sure I thank her when she does something for me or even when she does her chores or listens to instructions I've given her. She always very obviously cherishes it when Mom says thank you and that she is appreciated.
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive. 14 Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
For my friends, I try to be intentional about expressing my appreciation to and for them. I express to each friend my gratitude in ways that speak more personally to each person. To clearly communicate love and appreciation requires us to go out of our way in ways that will speak to them specifically.
Each relationship and person is unique, and each will receive a clear sense of appreciation and affection uniquely as well. It is important that we take this into account when expressing something so important to those close to us. What doesn't change is the need for this expression and communication within each relationship.
Thank them for both menial and significant tasks
Whether my kiddo completed an expected chore she is well trained in, takes a dirty dish to the kitchen for me, studies hard for a test, offers to do something for me, or makes me a heartfelt surprise, I make sure I thank her for it. This certainly should go hand in hand with telling our loved ones that we do in fact love and appreciate them, but again we so often need the reminder to say a simple yet important "thank you" every chance we get.
2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly[a] mentioning you in our prayers,
Remember, not only are you to serve the Lord in all you do, but I find it helpful to remember that our family and friends are called to do the same. We should treat our loved ones as fellow workers for the Lord and exhort and encourage them in the work they are doing, no matter how significant or menial it seems to be. Thank them for choosing to bless you with their service, as well as for how they serve God in other ways outside of your personal relationship with them.
17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Before the pandemic when my kiddo was attending school in person I used to send little love notes in her lunchbox all the time. Now she has a whiteboard in her room and I sneak in there and write a little something to her. She likewise enjoys leaving sticky notes around places she knows we will find them.
These little notes are amazing. Whether it is a thank you, I love you, or a silly joke, it lets the person know you care and appreciate them. This level of expressing gratitude is beautiful because it surprises the other person, and it requires some thought and effort on your part.
12 The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!”
Some other practical ways to leave a little note of affection and gratitude are making or buying some thank you cards, leaving a handwritten note where they will find it, sending a text or email, or making a phone call. These are such simple ideas to show gratitude to family and friends but can have a profound effect on the receiver of your note.
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Make special time for them
It so often feels like time is the number one reason and excuse people give for not spending time with loved ones. We place work, hobbies, other people, and so many other things above spending time with our loved ones. Making time to invest in our relationships with family and friends is vital to the health of those relationships, and it is a massive way to show gratitude to family and friends.
9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!
I have said it before, and I will say it again - you have time, you just choose to spend it differently. Throughout scripture, God teaches us how to prioritize our relationships. He always comes first, our spouse, then children, parents, and other direct family. Then comes fellow believers, ministry, and work.
The main point I want to make right now is that work and ministry come after our personal relationships. We should be prioritizing investing in our personal relationships and striving to live an orderly life, which in turn will help us show gratitude to family and friends.
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.
This requires making time for the people God has blessed us with. We show gratitude to family and friends by making time for them, showing them they matter to us, we appreciate them. This enables us to treat them as the blessing from God that they are. Not only does this show them we are grateful, but expresses to God that we are grateful to Him for the people in our lives. Treat those close relationships with true appreciation by investing some time into them.
Pray for them and teach them about Christ
Above all, no matter what else you do, never neglect to show gratitude to family and friends by praying over those relationships. This is a beautiful thing we can do even without them knowing, but also seeking out how we can pray specifically for them will show them we care as well. I pray for my husband and kiddo daily, as well as for my parents, siblings, and other direct family. I also seek out how to lift my friends up in prayer. When I don't know what specifically to pray for, I still lift them up to God. I thank God for them and seek His protection, guidance, and peace for them.
4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus,
Rely on God's Holy Spirit to guide your prayers over the people in your life. We don't need to know the details, because God does. Simply lift the people in your life up to God in prayer and encourage them that you are doing so. Express to God as well as to them that you are praying over them, the greatest blessing you could do for them.
2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
Another aspect is to encourage them with God's Word. Even with my family and friends that are not believers, I let them know I am praying for them, encouraging them with scripture, and am unashamed by my faith and encouragement toward them. Sharing scripture, even for the people in your life who are not believers, can be used by God to uplift them and show them your love and appreciation. It also, of course, can be used to help draw them closer to God.
15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved,[a] a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
It can be something as simple as a card or note with an encouraging Bible passage, a text to ask how you can pray for them, or just simply praying over them each day. You can show gratitude to family and friends by daily lifting them up in prayer, praying scripture over them, and sharing appropriate passages with them when the opportunities arise. It is a great act of love to share God's love with others.
Thank them for simply being in your life
Again, such a simple thing but such a profound impact. I make sure to tell my husband and child that I am grateful for them being in my life. I love my kiddo's reaction every time. She always has this response of pure wonder. She asks me sometimes if I am happy she is my kid and I tell her every time "absolutely. I thank God for you every single day, and am blessed to have YOU as my child."
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Letting the people in your life know that you are grateful simply to have them in your life is such a beautiful way to show gratitude to family and friends. They don't have to do anything significant. Just the simple fact of them being in your life is a blessing and is something you are grateful for without anything extra.
Be a good steward of your home and relationships
One way I love to show my husband in particular that I appreciate him is to take care of our home and family as a homemaker. I see caring for my home as an investment into my family and my relationships with them. Even while I was working full time I was the one primarily tending to the home because it is an act of service I know I have been called to provide to show my appreciation for my family and my home.
13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
I work hard to ensure my family is fed, clothed, and lives in a clean, orderly environment filled with love. We can all do this in a variety of ways. From housework, grocery shopping, and meal prep to praying, reading scripture, and bedtime stories I make it my mission to show my family my appreciation by how I care for them.
No matter who you are, being a good steward of your relationships and your home is an act of service that communicates that you are grateful for them and want to serve them. It should not be done grudgingly, not grumbling for them to help, but simply act out of a heart of love and appreciation for them, choosing to serve them in the ways God provides for you to do.
4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;[a]6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Serve your relationships by showering them with love, patience, kindness, joy, honesty, and support. Live out God's definition of love in your relationships, shower it over your home, and relish in the blessings of that love. Pour God's love out into your relationships to show gratitude to family and friends.
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Display the fruits of the spirit within and about your relationships
As we pour out God's love into our relationships, we will better bear the fruits of His Spirit in those relationships. Love, patience, joy, peace, kindness, gentleness, self-control... all of these fruits take intention. We must choose to express and dwell in these attributes. We should never expect them to just come naturally. We should never just give up when they don't show up. They take work, intention, and investment. They are a choice.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
When we invest in our relationships and intentionally choose to express these fruits, God blesses these relationships. When we strive to treat others as Christ does, remembering that He died not just for us but also for them, we can humbly serve, love, and cherish those relationships. In cherishing these relationships we show gratitude to family and friends in that we are willing to invest and purposefully take steps toward love and care.
Be a listening ear and comforter in times of need
By investing in the fruits of God's Spirit, we should be patient, bearing with our loved ones, and choose to stop and listen, help, comfort, and guide them through whatever life throws their way. Just like making time for the people in our lives is important, taking it a step further to make time for them regardless of the ups and downs of life is profound.
17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.[a]
Whatever your friends and family are facing, be there for them. Show gratitude to family and friends by simply being there when they need you. Be there when they are rejoicing, when they are mourning, when they are feeling utterly broken or brand new. As Christ is there for us in all seasons, we should be there for those family and friends God has given us.
Offer to help and listen in times of want and in times of plenty
Sometimes simply being there, listening, comforting, and rejoicing is not the end of the call. Sometimes we are given an opportunity to go above and beyond for the friends and family in our lives. It is so important to remember that God has given us all we have in order to bless others. What we have is not simply for ourselves, but to be shared and used to advance God's Kingdom and care for fellow people on this planet as well.
11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
Sometimes God will give you opportunities to use what He has given you to help your family and friends. Obeying this call, taking the opportunity, sacrificing for their sake can be an incredible way to show gratitude to family and friends.
10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.
The other day I needed to drop my kiddo off with my mom for a few hours for a doctor's appointment. On my way to pick her up, I stopped and grabbed a coffee for my mom, knowing this would show her how much I appreciate her help that day. When a friend is in need, I pray for God to reveal how I can best serve that need and help my friend. Every occasion will look different, but we should always have a heart willing and ready to be used to serve the needs of others in the ways God calls on us to do.
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Why we should show gratitude to family and friends
All of us share the call to love God and love others. Expressing our gratitude for others is an important part of expressing our love for the people in our lives, as well as our gratitude to God for giving them to us and us to them. It is also an act of service to love and show gratitude to family and friends.
There are countless ways to show gratitude to family and friends. What are some other ways you show gratitude to the people in your life? What are some areas you struggle to show gratitude to family and friends? Let us know in the comments below and let's encourage one another to grow in gratitude toward God as well as the people He has placed in our lives.
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Gratitude is a vital part of the Christian life. God Himself instructs us all throughout His Word to be thankful and to have grateful hearts. This gratitude, as we discussed last week, is not just saying "thank you" but actually actively expressing and living out our feelings of gratefulness. So, how do we apply this? How do we show God that we are grateful? Let's walk through 10 ways to show gratitude to God!
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Thank God in prayer and worship
Prayer is the first and foremost way we should be expressing our gratitude to God. Prayer is our communication with God, therefore thanking God in prayer is literally telling Him you are thankful. Again, gratitude isn't just words, so thanking God in prayer should be honest and expressed. In Matthew 6, Jesus is giving the Sermon on the Mount. In this incredibly valuable sermon, He instructs us specifically about prayer.
5 “Whenever you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites, because they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by people. Truly I tell you, they have their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
There is a time for private prayers and a time for "public" prayers. A time to pray alone with God and a time to pray to God with others. I love how an article on page 1648 in my CSB She Speaks Truth Bible puts it. It is explained as there being a time for PDA (Public Display of Affection) and a time for sacred intimacy, which is private.
Just like any relationship, we should not just express our gratitude, or other affections, publically and then act totally different behind closed doors. Nor should we actively express our love and gratitude in private and fail to do so when we're around others. There is a right balance to be found in all relationships, including in our relationship with God, in order to foster healthy intimacy and to show our gratitude in the ways that speak to the love language of God.
2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
Intentional prayer and worship are vital to expressing our gratitude to God and we should be actively pursuing both every single day.
Spend time in and obey God's Word
Later in Matthew 6, we see again an instruction to seek first the Kingdom of God. In other words, seek God first. Prioritize God and His desires for you. Align your desires with His. We learn how to do this by spending time in His Word, and in turn show God our gratitude by spending time learning more about Him, who He calls us to be, and growing in our personal relationships with and understanding of Him.
33 But seek first the kingdom of God[a] and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.
God's Word is His instruction book to us. When we prioritize time in His Word, we live out our gratitude by actively learning what God has in store through His Word. Spending time in the Bible should draw us closer to God and teach us even more about how to live in gratitude to our gracious Heavenly Father.
12 For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Making time not just to read the Bible, pray, and worship, but to purely BE with God. It is too easy to just read the Bible or pray every once in a while, on a whim, scattered and unplanned. When we actively plan out time to spend with God, we show Him we are grateful for Him; for who He is, for what He does and gives, and for all we have. We can live our gratitude by making a habit of spending time with God, intentionally.
15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Over the Summer (way too late in the year, mind you) my kiddo and I decided it was time to start gardening. This idea is a fun one, but even though our first little garden was a failed effort this time we got to really invest in it as a means of worship. Growing something as a means of acknowledgment, gratitude, and worship toward God is incredible.
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
A fun idea to draw closer to God with a grateful heart is to plant, nurture and grow a living plant, recognizing God's hand in the process. I love the imagery here. We are related to being part of the Vine of Christ, needing to be pruned and bear fruit. As we water our gratitude garden we can pray over it with thanksgiving that God is watering us in our lives and growing, pruning, and developing us into the fruit bearers He intends us to be.
Start a gratitude journal
Keeping a record of the things we are grateful for helps us to truly place some focus on these things. It gives us a space to unleash and identify the little and the big things, as well as all the in-betweens, that God does and provides for us. Gratitude journals are a wonderful way to express our gratitude to God because we are intentionally taking time to think about God's hand in our lives and record our thanks for it all.
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
Gratitude journals also allow us to look back at what we have thanked God for in the past. This can remind us that God is faithful and worthy of our gratitude in all seasons of life. No matter what we face today, He has shown Himself faithful before and will continue to be faithful again and again. We need those reminders sometimes, and this is a wonderful way to remember.
Use talents & resources He has blessed you with to serve others
As with the reminders we get while recording in a gratitude journal, or praying to God our thanks, we need the reminders that all we have is from God. Not only this, but God gives us what we have in order to use it to bring Him glory and advance His Kingdom. Living out our thankfulness to God by serving others with what He has blessed us with brings God great joy.
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:
Jesus told us that the greatest command is two-fold- to love God, and to love people. Loving people and taking care of them as God commands and instructs us to do, sacrificing our wants or desires for the sake of God and others, with a grateful heart, not grudging, is a beautiful way to show God how grateful we are. In this we love out the fact that all we have belongs to God and that in our gratitude for this we give it back to God in the ways He calls us to. In our gratitude we are generous with love and in service in order to advance the Kingdom of God with a grateful heart.
36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
Alongside love and service is giving. Generosity should always come from a grateful heart. Giving doesn't have to mean money, either. God calls on us to be generous in all kinds of ways, some examples being:
Time
Resources
Skills and talents
Posessions
Finances
Giving requires us to be generous, willing to sacrifice something God has given us in order to bless and benefit someone else. Doing so expresses to Gid that we are grateful for all He has provided for us.
35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
38 give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
God made us in His image, and when we enter into a relationship with Him through faith in Jesus, the Holy Sport comes to dwell in us, making us His temple. As such, we should care for our bodies as the temple of God with thanksgiving.
13 “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food”—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.
Keeping our bodies pure and honoring to God shows God we trust Him and are grateful to Him. It is an act of worship with our bodies to remain pure. Even when we fall short, coming to God with a repentant heart restores us to Him, washes away our sins, and places us in a position of gratitude once again.
16 Do you not know that you[a] are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? 17 If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.
Some examples of living out gratitude through purity are refraining from sexual impurity, gluttony and sloth. These are some of the sins that can defile our bodies, and lead us away from grateful obedience and honor to God.
19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
The icing on top so to speak is being a good steward of all He provides. By using what God gives us to serve, worship, and live in grateful generosity and love, we can be good stewards of the things and people God has placed in our lives. All we have is from Him, and IS His, and should be used to serve Him with grateful hearts. Be ready at all times to show gratitude to God no matter the circumstances you face, no matter what you think you lack, what you desire, what you have or have not... do all you do for Him because you are grateful for Him.
14 By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.
There are so many ways to show gratitude to God. We should strive to live out gratitude for God in all circumstances, and with all that He does and provides for us. When we live grateful hearts, we are more receptive to God and His instruction.
How has being grateful changed your life? How do you enjoy showing God gratitude in your life? I would love to hear what ways you would encourage others to live out your thanks to our Heavenly Father. Share with us in the comments below!
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Gratitude is an interesting topic for most people. Sometimes we feel guilty because we realize our lack of it, then five minutes later we are back to taking the things we should be more grateful about for granted. We live in a world full of people who want others to show them gratitude, but so often don't think to show it themselves. We think we are worthy of it but treat others as if they are unworthy of it. Because of sin, we are not prone to naturally express gratitude the way God would have us do.
What is gratitude according to scripture?
In 1 Thessalonians 5, the Apostle Paul gives us some vital instructions. He tells us to rejoice always, pray constantly, and give thanks in everything (1 Thess. 5:16-18). With this exhortation comes other vital instructions for how Christians are to treat one another.
11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing. 12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you[a] in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to regard them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we exhort you, brothers and sisters: warn those who are idle,[b]comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient with everyone.15 See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all. 16 Rejoice always,17 pray constantly,18 give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
In verse 18, Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, tells us to "give thanks in everything". This term "give thanks" comes from the Greek word eucharisteō (G2168) and is used all over the New Testament. It means both to feel thankful as well as to actively express gratitude, and is most often used when giving thanks to God.
I love the context of giving gratitude, meaning it is not just a feeling, it is also displayed, shown, given. One participates in the act of expressing the gratitude one feels. Gratitude is much more than saying "thank you". It is also much more than just feeling thankful. It is actively displaying your thanks. Gratitude if lived, not merely spoken or felt.
How should we show gratitude?
Scripture has a lot to say about gratitude, and many ways we can apply gratitude to our lives. An important aspect to note is that gratitude is intentional. We must act on and express our thankfulness. Over the coming weeks we will be exploring different ways Christians can express gratitude in different areas of our lives, including:
We will dive into what scripture says, as well as how we can practically, creatively, and purposefully live out gratitude in all areas of our lives. I invite you to commit with me to being more intentional about showing thanks to God and to others in your life, and learning more about how to do so.
Gratitude is God's Will
While Paul encourages Christians to be thankful in everything, he also gives us the reason - gratitude is the will of God for those who are in Christ. The will of God is that His people are grateful. As followers of Jesus we should be filled up with gratitude for the salvation we have through the grace of God, and this gratitude should pour out of us to God and in our lives.
17 And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
We should be seeking to please God in all things, and gratefully acknowledge all that He has blessed us with. Gratitude, again, is active. It has to start inward, and then should flow out of us and be evident in our lives. When we delight in the Lord, we recognize His work and will in our lives, and we are thankful for Him, hunger and thirst for Him. This leads us to live out our gratitude toward Him in all areas of our lives because we gratefully delight in God and His will for our lives.
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.
Telling God what you are grateful for as well as living it out in your life is vital to the Christian life. We should be recognizing God's blessings every day. I personally have found that prayer journaling has helped me to stop and focus on what I am thankful for. I spend time every morning thanking God for what I have, what He has done, what I am waiting on, and everything in between.
Being able to write down my prayers and thanksgivings allows me to reflect back on it and reminds me again and again to not take these things for granted and to continue to be thankful. It also helpes me recognize when God has answered prayers, encourgaing me to lift up thanks now and see His work in my life constantly. I also plan to start a Gratitude Journal this month to really invest in cleaning my heart and focusing more on being intentionally thankful in more areas of my life on a broader scale.
First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone,
Throughout scripture we see examples of thanking God in prayer, and are encouraged to do likewise. Every morning I thank God in my prayers first, and I encourage you to take up the habit as well. It has helped me to see God's hand and blessing in my life more clearly, and take them for granted less often.
20 giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
The more we acknowledg God's blessings in our life, the more grateful we become and the more natural it is to be actively grateful throughout our lives. Devote yourself to gratitude, and join me in developing more grateful hearts through intentional habits and centering our focus on Him every day.
2 Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving.
To help us along, you can grab the free Thankfulness Bible Reading Plan, a free printable Gratitude Journal, and a printable with ideas about how to show gratitude as a Christian. Each were put together as free resources to encourage us all to live more thankful lives, intentionally and prayerfully. You can grab the Gratitude Journal and idea list when you signup for the mailing list, which will also set you up to recieve all kinds of other Bible studies, printable resouces and more.
Join the conversation and let us know in the comments below what has helped you develop a more grateful heart, as well as where you need some encouragement in your own journey. We are here to do life together, and part of that is sharing one anothers burdens and encouragements.
I am grateful for you being here and taking this journey with me, and I look forward to exploring more ways to express gratiutude together in the coming weeks.
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After diving into what grace is and why we need it, what it means to be justified by grace, and how grace abounds in our lives, we must bring it all together to realize how to also be good stewards of God's grace. Knowing how to be good stewards of God's grace is vital to the life of every Christian because it helps us to understand the calling we have all been given.
Having a grasp on what grace is and how God uses it in our lives, we then turn to how we should be good stewards of God's grace. Each follower of Jesus Christ receives the same calling to follow Christ; abide in Him, obey His instructions, and love as He loves.
34 “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
By following Jesus we live like Christ. We display His attributes, bearing the fruit of the Spirit, and draw others to Him by His love and grace pouring through our lives. To be good stewards of God's grace is to imitate His grace, pouring it out onto others as Christ did and does for us.
4 Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things.[a]
We do not become more like Christ by our own efforts or power, but by the power of the Holy Spirit, indwelling us by the grace of God, transforming us from the inside out. His Spirit works in us as we choose to follow and learn more about the ways of Christ throughout our lives. By investing time with God in prayer, in His Word, and with His people, we can come to know Him more and therefore become better examples of Him to others.
20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
2 Do not be conformed to this world,[a] but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.[b]
Remember, grace is undeserved. We likewise don't deserve forgiveness from God, and we often believe others don't deserve it from us. If we hold to and act upon that belief then we are neglecting the grace we have been given that we likewise do not deserve, and we fail to imitate Christ. While you, me, and that person you don't want to forgive are all sinners who deserve punishment for our sins, Christ died and paid that price for every one of us.
23 For all have sinned and fall short of the[a] glory of God;
25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil. 28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
5 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.
Christ died for all people, not just the ones you like or agree with, or the ones you think deserve it - all. This is all by God's grace that any of us are offered this free gift of salvation and can repent and be forgiven of our sins, to then be transformed by the work of the Holy Spirit within us who leads us to Christ-like, godly living. By forgiving others, we are being good stewards of God's grace, and obedient to His commands.
32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
All we do should be done for God, with a heart of willing and obedient service, out of love for our Creator and Savior. We are instructed to love as He loves and forgive as He forgives us. Love others as God defines love, bear with one another, encourage each other, build others up, and serve in the ways with the blessings and resources which God, by His grace, has blessed you with.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not arrogant, 5 is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not irritable, and does not keep a record of wrongs. 6 Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
To be a good steward of God's grace is to use the blessings, resources, skills, position, talents, and all that we have been given to follow Christ, live like Him, forgive, love, and serve God. All that we have is by the grace of God, and should likewise be used to display His grace in all areas and relationships in our lives.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.
23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
God blesses us with everything we need and more to complete the work He has prepared for us to do. He gives us opportunities to love and serve people in order to honor and serve Him. By serving His people with the desire to serve and bring Him glory, we are good stewards of the grace of God. Nothing we have is of our own making or doing. All of it is a gift from our Heavenly Father by His grace alone and should be used in the ways He instructs and prompts us.
35 And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”
24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.[a]
By believing in and following Jesus, loving and obeying Him, forgiving and serving others out of love, and recognizing that all we have is from and for God, we can be good stewards of God's grace in our lives. By these things, we can pour out His grace into all areas of our lives, as well as to the people around us, which can plant seeds in the hearts of others and draw them closer to the Truth of the Gospel and faith in Jesus as well.
If you have not accepted the grace of God and chosen to believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, I encourage you to pray to God now and invite Him in, accept Jesus as the sacrifice for your sins, and repent of your sins. Submit it all to God, lay it at His feet, seek the forgiveness of God, welcome Him into your life, and believe that Jesus died and rose again to save you from your sins.
If you would like to learn more about salvation, you can find a couple of studies that may help here:
God extends His grace to every human who has ever and will ever live, drawing them to Himself, offering them salvation through the blood of Jesus, and is graciously patient with each of us. None of us can come to Christ unless God Himself draws them, and it is His grace that abounds over us drawing us to Him to be saved.
44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and [a]Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
When we obey the call, listen to God drawing us in, and choose to enter into a relationship with Him through faith, we must repent of our sins, seeking God's forgiveness. The amazing thing is, God does forgive us every sin.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Repentance is an essential part of abounding in God's grace. If we do not confess and repent of our sins, we are not forgiven, and we will grow or remain distant from God. When we allow ourselves to drift and become distant from God, letting unconfessed sin pile up, we are rejecting His grace and failing to live within it.
20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more,
We need to confess our sins with a repentant heart, release our sins to our Heavenly Father, receive His forgiveness, and rest in right-standing with Him again. It is by His grace that we can come to Him, repent and confess, and receive His forgiveness which frees us from the bondage of sin.
13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, [a]to repentance.”
23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
In His grace, He is ever-present in our lives, revealing Himself in all of creation, providing for us, loving us, having mercy on us, and correcting us all the time. God's grace pours out upon all of us as His creations whom He loves and desires to have a relationship with.
4 Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function, 5 in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another. 6 According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy, use it according to the proportion of one’s[a] faith; 7 if service, use it in service; if teaching, in teaching; 8 if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness.
In His grace, He equips us and provides for us throughout our lives. God has work He has prepared for us to do and whatever He calls us to do, He will equip and provide for us to do. In His grace, He lavishes us with Spiritual gifts, necessities like clothes and food, and countless other blessings throughout our lives.
31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
The Lord teaches, guides, and provides for us. It is up to us whether we obey the instructions or use the blessings for the work He has prepared for us, but it is by His grace that we receive any of it. Each of us has a part to play, work to do, and an impact to make for the Kingdom of God. Even when life hurts, circumstances are tough, or we are in a time of great suffering He will not leave us without anything we need and more to do what He calls on us to do.
24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
Service can mean a lot of things. For some it may be helping in the local church, others take missionary journeys around the world, and there are endless day-to-day ways to serve the Lord.
31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Ask others how you can pray for, help, or serve them
There are truly endless ways to serve God. It doesn't have to be big elaborate things. Serving God is often done in the mundane daily tasks, turning those tasks into work for God versus for self. Not allowing ourselves to be distracted by the world, by the culture, by problems or contentment, but living in God's grace allows us to see the world through His eyes and see everything as an opportunity to serve God.
9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
God's grace uses us to display His love and share His truth
God equips us and provides for us so that we can serve God, fulfill our calling, and be good stewards of His Word. We are called to go out into the world, be examples of Christ, display His love, and share His Truth with the world around us. We are all members of the Body of Christ, each given our personal callings which God prepares us for, and also given a shared calling which He likewise provides and equips us for.
19 Go [a]therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [b]Amen.
All of us are called to share the grace, love, mercy, forgiveness, and salvation which we have received so that more people may know and trust in the Truth as well. We have a beautiful role in planting seeds in the lives and hearts of others that God may water and grow them, leading them also to be saved as we have been saved. The grace of God abounds when we display it to the world around us and share the Truth of His grace in the ways and opportunities which God will provide for us to do.
8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God,
By accepting God's grace, having faith in Jesus as our Savior, and entering into a relationship with God we welcome the Holy Spirit to dwell in us. We then have the full grace, love, and power of God Almighty in us, and He begins a new work in us.
The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament[a] shows [b]His handiwork.
God's Spirit works in us, transforming us from the inside out, teaching us to live in God's grace, how to please God, to become more like Christ, and to worship Him in Spirit and truth. We are justified through faith, and then sanctified by the Spirit of God living in us.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 [a]gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
The Holy Spirit takes root inside of us, and as we grow in our faith, continuing to live in the grace of God, we will display the evidence of our saving faith. This evidence will be seen in the way we choose to live. The fruits of the Holy Spirit will spring up in our lives, we will have true desires to please God, to reside in His grace and share His grace with others, and we will become more like Christ.
Our faith will be evident by the fruits we bear. If we are growing in the fruits of the Spirit, others will see this, sense it, and be drawn closer to God through your genuine faith, hope, and love of God. We will be more patient, more kind, gentle, loving, have self-control, be faithful to how God teaches us to live. We will be filled with God's peace and joy even in times of pain and suffering.
4 Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
As we abound in grace, and God's grace abounds in our lives, we will begin to delight in the Lord and our desires will match up with His desires. We will put off the old self and embrace the new creation God is working in us to become for His honor and glory.
To abound in grace we must live within the grace of God, allowing our very selves and lives to be transformed by Him. We must have a willing heart to be used by God for His works to bring Him glory and honor.
7 But as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see that you abound in this grace also.
What areas of your life do you need to reside in the grace of God more?
Fellowship is an important part of every Christian's life. Together we can learn, grow, and become more of what God is working in us to become. How can we encourage you and come alongside you in your faith journey? I'd love to hear from you in the comments below, and hear from you how you have been encouraged in your faith to abide and abound in God's grace.
11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
If you have not accepted the grace of God and chosen to believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, I encourage you to pray to God now and invite Him in, accept Jesus as the sacrifice for your sins, and repent of your sins. Submit it all to God, lay it at His feet, seek the forgiveness of God, welcome Him into your life, and believe that Jesus died and rose again to save you from your sins.
If you would like to learn more aboutsalvation, you can find a couple of studies that may help here:
Grace can be difficult for us to grasp. It is complex to understand, and likewise difficult to give. Did you know that you have been offered grace? Every day, God showers His grace on all of us. Every day we are given the gift of grace and are also commanded to show grace in our lives. What does this mean? What is grace, and why do we need it? Why should we accept it, and why should we give it? I've heard, read, and seen so many different definitions for grace, but today we are going to look at what the Bible teaches us about grace.
What is grace?
Throughout the New Testament, the Greek word charis is used for our word "grace". According to Strong's Concordance and Zondervan's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, charisboils down to undeserved favor bestowed on believers by God through Jesus Christ. It is loving-kindness, goodwill, and mercy from God given to sinners who don't deserve it. Grace is a gift to humans who could never earn it. It also has to do with the spiritual condition of those who have been given grace.
Therefore, grace not only initiates the means of salvation but is also continuously poured out to sustain believers and lead them to become more like God. God's grace is sufficient to save sinners, and then to transform and sustain them through sanctification.
10 By this will, we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all time.
By the grace of God, believers receive salvation, are given spiritual gifts, empowered to love the way God loves, and display His grace to those around us. Just like God bestows love and grace on us while we do not deserve it, we are called and empowered by His Spirit to do likewise.
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation[a] for all people, 12 instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
This grace, and this salvation, is not "of yourselves". This is a gift from God. We cannot earn it, we don't deserve it, but God offers it freely as a gift to each of us. His grace then sustains us and leads us to become more like Him as we wait for Christ's return.
8 For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— 9 not from works, so that no one can boast.
As we receive grace from God, we are to share in this grace by living in it, living it out, and bestowing it on others. We must remember that we don't deserve this beautiful gift, and neither do others, but we have received it and are instructed to give it as well in love. We must show grace to others, loving others as God loves them, and loves us. Accept this gift with a grateful and humble heart and then live in it, not rejecting the grace of God.
9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good. 10 Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Take the lead in honoring one another. 11 Do not lack diligence in zeal; be fervent in the Spirit;[a] serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer. 13 Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Give careful thought to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes. 18 If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
If I speak human or angelic tongues[a] but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so that I can move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 And if I give away all my possessions, and if I give over my body in order to boast[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.
If you have not accepted the grace of God and chosen to believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, I encourage you to pray to God now and invite Him in, accept Jesus as the sacrifice for your sins, and repent of your sins. Submit it all to God, lay it at His feet, seek the forgiveness of God, welcome Him into your life, and believe that Jesus died and rose again to save you from your sins.
If you would like to learn more about salvation, you can find a couple of studies that may help here:
Have you ever been frustrated with someone over differences you have? Has anyone ever slandered, mocked, hated, or mistreated you because of a difference between you? Have you ever seen people divided over how each decides to worship? In John 4 Jesus teaches how God wants His people to worship Him. Jesus tells us that we should worship in spirit and truth. What does this mean? How do we worship in spirit and truth?
In John 4, Jesus traveled through Samaria with His disciples and a Samaritan woman brings up a key difference between the Jews and the Samaritans - that the Jews believe the only place to worship is in Jerusalem, and the Samaritans believe it is on the mountain (v. 20). This is something I think most of us can relate to in some way. We have our beliefs about worship; how to worship, when to worship, where to worship, how not to worship... but Jesus addresses this bluntly.
23 But an hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and in truth.[a] Yes, the Father wants such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and in truth.”
Jesus tells us that the "true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and in truth." When Jesus made this proclamation, He was saying that God the Father doesn't want pompous displays of piousness. God does not want fancy displays. The Lord doesn't want us to put on a show of worship.
Jesus was explaining to us that our Heavenly Father wants our hearts.
Worship in the Spirit
When we accept Christ as our Savior, we invite the Holy Spirit to dwell in us and for Him to lead and instruct us in how to live as reborn children of God. God's Spirit dwells in us and teaches us, and also changes us, making us alive in the spirit, and leading us to worship God in the spirit, with our hearts, out of love and thankfulness to God through Christ. To worship in the spirit is to be transformed and led by the Holy Spirit and worship God with our whole heart and soul.
26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.
To worship in truth is to worship through Jesus, because of Jesus. Because of our faith in Jesus, we have been saved, and through His blood, we are free to worship God in the spirit, and in truth. We should worship through learning more about God through the Word of God, seeking to understand His truth and the Truth that is Jesus Christ.
6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
31 Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you continue in my word,[a] you really are my disciples. 32 You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Worshiping in spirit and truth means to worship God with our life, truly meaning it, truly desiring to please God, through our faith and relationship with Jesus, by means of the Holy Spirit who gives us spiritual life.
13 But we ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because from the beginning[f] God has chosen you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14 He called you to this through our gospel, so that you might obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold to the traditions you were taught, whether by what we said or what we wrote.
To worship in spirit and truth, we must accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and then let God's Holy Spirit guide our lives. As followers of Christ, we must learn more all the time about how to live as Christ and allow the Holy Spirit to work in us to make us more like Him. Not only to learn but to apply what we learn.
Some of the best ways to commit to true worship are:
Develop a strong, honest, and real prayer life between you and God
Spend time in the Bible every single day seeking to learn and grow in your relationship with God
Fellowship with God's people and build relationships with other Christians
What is some encouragement you would give to someone learning how to genuinely worship God? What are some questions you have about true worship? I invite you to share questions or encouragements you have for others, as well as how we can continue to encourage you to worship in spirit and truth as true worshipers of God.
"Sacrifice" is an uncomfortable word. Who wants to make sacrifices? Why would we want to give up what we want for the sake of someone else? Why should we? These are common questions, and sadly we are hearing them asked more and more as this COVID-19 pandemic wanes on, closely approaching the 2-year mark. Sacrifice is not something we seek to do, but it is something we should seek after for the sake of our God.
What does sacrifice mean?
In the Old Testament, we see Abel offering a sacrifice that is acceptable to God. In Hebrews, we see that it was acceptable because it was offered in faith. This kind of sacrifice is a minḥâ, a gift or present offered to God.
4 And Abel also presented an offering—some of the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions.(A) The Lord had regard for Abel and his offering,(B)
4 By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was approved as a righteous man, because God approved his gifts, and even though he is dead, he still speaks through his faith.(A)
14 Offer a thanksgiving sacrifice to God,(O) and pay your vows to the Most High.(P) 15 Call on me in a day of trouble; I will rescue you, and you will honor me.”(Q)
In those times, sacrifices were offered in order to atone for the sins of the people. A blood sacrifice was required in order for the people to be forgiven of their sins and be in right standing with God. Jesus became our ultimate and final blood sacrifice for all mankind by sacrificing Himself for our sake by death on a cross.
6 Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little leaven[a](A) leavens the whole batch of dough?(B)7 Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new unleavened batch, as indeed you are. For Christ our Passover lamb(C) has been sacrificed.[b]8 Therefore, let us observe the feast, not with old leaven or with the leaven of malice and evil,(D) but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Jesus fulfilled the Mosaic Law's requirement for a blood sacrifice for the atonement of sins. When we accept Jesus's sacrifice for our sake, in faith believing He died on the cross and rose from the dead, defeating sin and death, and accept the salvation He now offers us because of this sacrifice, we are redeemed, saved from the penalty of our sin. Blood sacrifice was paid by Jesus Christ Himself on our behalf.
25 He did not do this to offer himself many times, as the high priest enters the sanctuary yearly with the blood of another.(A)26 Otherwise, he would have had to suffer many times since the foundation of the world. But now he has appeared one time, at the end of the ages,(B) for the removal of sin by the sacrifice of himself.(C)27 And just as it is appointed for people to die once—and after this, judgment(D)— 28 so also Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many,(E) will appear a second time,(F) not to bear sin, but[a] to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.(G)
17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit[a](A) that is increasing to your account. 18 But I have received everything in full,(B) and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied,[b] having received from Epaphroditus(C) what you provided—a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing(D) to God. 19 And my God(E) will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Our lives are no longer our own. We have been bought and paid for by the precious blood of Jesus, and we are now called to present our bodies as a holy sacrifice to God. We are to become a new creation in Christ Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit which God has given to us.
Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you(A) to present your bodies as a living sacrifice,(B) holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship.[a]2 Do not be conformed(C) to this age,(D) but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,(E) so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will(F) of God. 3 For by the grace(G) given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think.(H) Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith(I) to each one.
Living a life worthy of the calling we have received when we accepted Jesus as our Saviour is how we worship God, bring Him honor and glory, in the way we live, grow in faith, love others, serve God, provide hospitality, and live as godly stewards of this precious gift. We worship God when we dedicate our life as a sacrifice for the glory of God.
Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord,(A) urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received,
Seek to grow in the image of God every day, being imitators of Christ, growing in the likeness of our Creator. Live the life He calls you to live, drawing nearer to the throne of God, and please God with this beautiful sacrificial worship. It is a precious gift to be able to serve God with our whole life, in all we do, to bring Him honor, glory, and praise, to thank Him with our lives for who He is, what He has done, is doing, and will do. Our God is worthy of all honor and praise and we get to commit to living a life that pleases God, sacrificing the earthly wants and desires that once enthralled us.
31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.(A)
The more time we spend with God, in His Word, in prayer, in fellowship with His people to more we learn, grow, and display God in our lives, giving Him honor and glory in all we do.
How are you worshiping God through a life of faithful sacrifice? In what areas have you experienced this kind of sacrificial living for the sake of God's glory? How has your life been blessed and your faith grown through this form of worship?
Want to dive deeper into God's Word and learn how to pray more deeply and intentionally?
Check out our Bible study tools, specifically and prayerfully designed, tested, and used to help Christians grow into a stronger faith and relationship with Christ.
40 But everything is to be done decently(A) and in order.
As we pointed out last week, most of the time worship is thought of as music before the Sunday morning sermon. We don't often think about how else we are called to worship our Lord, but this is an incredibly important question we should ask daily. Worship applies to every area of life. How can we possibly worship God in every area of our lives? How do we live a life of worship?
16 For by[a] him all things were created, (A)in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether (B)thrones or (C)dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created (D)through him and for him.
In living this calling, and walking worthy, we worship God with our life. We are honoring our Heavenly Father in the details of the day-to-day, in loving others, serving God in the ways He provides, how we help, encourage, evangelize, fellowship, teach, learn, and grow. As we spend more time with God, in His word, in prayer, and with His people, we learn more about God, the life we are called to, become more like Him in every area of our life and worship Him better every day with the glory we bring Him.
Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord,(A) urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, 2 with all humility(B) and gentleness, with patience,(C) bearing(D) with one another in love,(E)3 making every effort to keep the unity(F) of the Spirit(G) through the bond of peace.
36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, (A)“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And (B)a second is like it: (C)You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you(A) to present your bodies as a living sacrifice,(B) holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship.
We are His creations, made for Him and His purposes, and called to worship God with a life that brings Him glory. Learning to live as Christ, bear the fruit of the Spirit, and worship God all require contentment with our circumstances and that which God provides through it. If we fail to be content regardless of our circumstances, we fail to honor God in our circumstances. When we allow Christ to strengthen us through all circumstances we are able to endure it all in His strength, not relying on ourselves, and glorify Him by trusting in His power and strength to lead us through. This contentment comes from trusting to Christ's strength and will over our own, acknowledging His way is better, and that He is worthy of worshiping with our trust and obedience.
11 I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. 12 I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot.(A) In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. 13 I am able to do all things through him[a] who strengthens me.(B)
What areas of your life do you need to rest in the hands of God and allow Him to be your strength? Where in your life are you not worshiping God in the way you love, live, and serve? How are you worshiping the Lord in the minor and the major aspects of daily life? How can your life be an example to others of worshiping God with your life?
23 Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people,
Let us go forward today, seeking God's strength, learning to be content wherever we are, whatever we have or have not, and striving to actively honor and worship Him in all things.
When you hear the word "worship", what comes to your mind? More than likely your mind went directly to music in church before the Sunday sermon begins. Worship at church has become classified as singing praises to God before the pastor comes to the pulpit, but is this what God means when He calls on us to worship Him? What is worship, really, and when should we worship God?
Worship is to give honor, to pay homage, to God, recognizing His worthiness of such special honor. To worship God is to acknowledge His divine perfection and supremacy (1). Throughout scripture, we have many examples of worship.
In Old Testament times, worship was done by means of the Tabernacle, sacrifices, and visiting the synagogues, whereas worship has changed since the death and resurrection of Christ.
We can worship God in many different ways. The point of worship is to give honor to God. Keeping that in mind, some examples of worship since the resurrection includes:
In the Early Church, Christians would gather together and worship God through many of these means and more. They usually gathered on the Sabbath Day, which is a day dedicated to rest from work and focused on the worship of the Lord. We, too, are called to hold a Sabbath day.
Worship for these early Christians, and for us as well, is acknowledging how worthy God is of honor and praise, and giving Him that due honor and praise for who He is, what He has done for us, and what He promises to do for us. Sabbath Day is not the only time we should be giving God praises and honor, though.
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When should we worship God?
Not only does God teach us what worshipping Him is, and why we should worship Him, but He also provides many examples and instructions throughout all of scripture for when to worship Him.
The answer to when we should worship God is very simple, actually. We should worship God always. As scripture says, "forever and ever". The beautiful thing about worship is we should be seeking to worship God in all we do; bringing God honor, praise, and glory throughout our days.
16 But I will sing of your strength;
I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning.
From the moment we wake to the moment we go to sleep, worship God in prayer, in spending time with Him in His Word, in fellowship with other believers, in sharing the Gospel, in singing praises. These are all practical things we can and should be doing every day, and each will help us grow in our personal relationships with the Lord as well as grow in our understanding of who God is.
Over the coming weeks, we will explore how to worship God in these ways more deeply. My prayer is to help each of us come to understand both in our heads as well as in our hearts the true meaning of worshipping God and learn how to practically and naturally grow in our worship of God and therefore develop stronger personal relationships with Him.
How do you worship the Lord? I would love to hear what ways you praise God, acknowledge Him, and pay Him homage in your daily lives.
This week I decided to make some soup. It was the kind that you just use what you have leftover from different things. I grew up watching my mom make soup this way. We were pretty poor growing up and often didn't have food in the house, so every little scrap that could be used was used, and more often than not we got a "leftover soup". This week we had some different odds and ends of things that I decided to turn into a "leftover soup" of my own.
I used my handy-dandy Instapot, added some beef, assorted veggies, broth I'd saved from a recent pot roast, and a little bit of lentils and quinoa I had been saving for such a time as this. The soup had cooked, it was still pretty brothy (totally a word), and I decided to add a little more quinoa and lentils. When it had cooked some more... it was no longer soup! I ended up with a sludge-looking goup. It smelled delicious, but MAN did it look nasty! Who would want to eat this goupy (again, totally a word) looking mess?
Seeing myself in this goupy mess
Here I am staring at this not-soup-goup and, as silly as it sounds, I saw myself. I look at this soup and say to myself "it should look different", "this couldn't be very good", "this is not worth having", "my mom's always looked so much better", "if I had just done something different...".
In reality, I ate some not-soup-goup and what'd you know? It was delicious, filled with nutrition, and will feed my family all week. This felt so much like God's work in my life. So often I feel like the different struggles, experiences, pains, joys, and in-betweens have nothing to do with each other. How could this heartache have anything to do with that joy over there? How could this blessing have to do with that struggle? How could these pieces possibly fit together? Simple.
28 We know that all things work together[a] for the good[b] of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
God works in everything, every circumstance, every pain, every joy, every gain, every loss. God planned you and took pleasure in you before He even made the universe. You are exactly who God made you to be, where He called you to be, and He has a plan for your life that was made specifically for you. Every detail of your life is used for His purposes. All the experiences of your life; past, present, and future, God uses to grow, steep, stew, and brew you into the complete creation He intends you to become. It may look like a goupy mess now, but remember that God's not done with you yet.
4 For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him.[a]5 He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace that he lavished on us in the Beloved One.
16 “For God so loved the world,[a] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Reading Luke 18 this week I was struck. Jesus is telling us about a Pharisee and a tax collector who were both praying. The Pharisee thanked God that he was not like "other men", while the tax collector prayed for God to have mercy on him.
The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed[a] thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
Have you looked at someone and thought "at least I am not as bad as them", "at least I have this and not that", "thank you God that I am not like that person", "I may mess up, but at least I haven't messed up as bad as them"?
Do you tend to beat yourself up thinking, "I'm not good enough", "I can't be useful to God", "I'm not nearly as good as them", "their life looks so perfect, I want their life, car, home, husband, friends, job," "I want that body, I need to be thinner, taller, shorter, larger"?
When we compare, we in our pride are telling God that His design is not good enough. We place God in a box and say His sacrifice wasn't enough, and His plan isn't good enough. When we don't put on the identity we have in Christ, we slap God in the face and tell Him He made a mistake.
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.[a] The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
Comparisons are dangerous and tell God "the way you made me, and the life you have called me to isn't enough". It tells Christ that His blood that was shed for you wasn't enough.
Judgment and comparison affect the heart and blinds us to our sin. Like the tax collector, we must acknowledge that we are all sinners in need of repentance, forgiveness, grace, and mercy and likewise are called to show forgiveness, grace, and mercy. We are called to imitate Christ and lead others to Him through our lives and testimonies. Grace and mercy leave no room for prideful comparisons. In being imitators of Christ, we should bear the fruit of His gracious Spirit rather than the sinful fruits of this dark world.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Where do you need to rest in the life God has blessed you with? Where do you need to repent, to be grateful, to forgive, to extend grace? Where do you need to let God in and turn the goup into a delicious, satisfying, eternal relationship with Him? Where do you need to stop comparing and start glorifying?
Give it all to God today and thank Him for the life you're in. He is making you into a beautiful masterpiece and loves you just the way you are, goup and all.
I am a wife, mom, writer, crafter, and above all, a Child of God. I love to study the Bible, fellowship with other Christians, and serve God. I am thrilled to invite you to join me in seeking to satisfy our thirsty souls with the Living Water of Christ, which is what Water On Thirsty Land is here to do.
