“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.” Psalm 136:1, 26 “Give thanks” is an encouragement for the community to give thankful praise to God for His goodness as expressed in His works of creation and redemption detailed in…
“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” Colossians 3:16 “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly” is a parallel thought to Paul’s statement in Ephesians…
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe…” Hebrews 12:28 The earth shook at Mount Sinai during Jesus’ crucifixion. The earth and heaven will shake in the latter days. But the kingdom of God will not be shaken, for…
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17 “Whatever you do” indicates that there is no division between the sacred and the secular. We should commit everything we do or say to Jesus and…
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:6-7 “Christ Jesus as Lord” is a phrase that would have reminded the readers of the earliest Christian baptismal…
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” Psalm 100:4-5 “Enter” indicates that the people of the Lord may actually come into God’s presence and bring Him worship that…
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15 The term “rule” means to act as an umpire. Hence, the peace of Christ should be the arbiter of all choices and decisions in life. The “peace of Christ” rules…
“Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.” Psalm 95:1-2 “Come” … the psalm begins with energy and delight at the prospect of worshiping God in the temple. The use…
“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:17 “Sanctify” means “to set apart.” God sets His people apart from the world by means of His Word. All Christians are “holy” or “set apart” before God through Baptism. However, a few Christians, such as the apostles and prophets, are “set apart” for a…
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105 “A lamp … a light” are metaphors that reveal the use of God’s Commandments to teach us, to show us the good way to go. The Law shows us a way of life; while, Jesus, the Word and the Way…