Responding with Gratitude - Pt. 1

 

I therefore, ma prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. (Ephesians 4:1-7 ESV).

 

With the beginning of November, we begin a particularly delightful season of the year. Most of the things I like to do take place in the fall of the year. The sights and sounds of the next two months make me rejoice with fond memories of years past. I hope you can have some of that as well in the next few weeks as we explore how we might respond to the grace of God with gratitude. In order to accomplish this I will be focusing on Ephesians 4-6. I pray these devotional readings will also prompt us to reflect on various Scripture passages to highlight many aspects of living a life of gratitude, including practical actions like showing humility, being gracious, striving for unity, and serving others.

 

I will also be drawing from my experiences both from ministry and personal interactions with others to emphasize the call to respond to God's grace by living transformed lives. He challenges us to examine our relationships, actions, and attitudes considering God's mercy and love.

 

Through reflections on honesty, self-control, and generosity, these devotions encourage readers to embrace the new life offered in Christ, embodying gratitude in every aspect of daily living. Because of Christ’s saving work on the cross, we are called to live out our gratitude in ways that reflect the transforming power of God's grace. Make a commitment today to use this time as we approach Thanksgiving and Christmas to consider just how you are expressing your gratitude both to God and to others.