Ephesians 5:17-20

Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, let the Holy Spirit fill and control you. Then you will sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, making music to t he Lord in your hearts. And you will always give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:17-20

This has been a difficult portion of scripture for me at times. When I am upset and I am struggling with life’s challenges, giving thanks is difficult, if I am in the flesh, or operating out of my human spirit and not the Holy Spirit. If you will notice this portion of scripture added “give thanks for everything” after it tells you to be full of the Holy spirit, letting Him, the Holy Spirit fill and control you. Man, what an invitation, the worship and encouraging one another in song will be a natural out flow of your life.

Another expression of being filled with the Holy Spirit is giving thanks in and for all things. Not because God wants to hurt you, His plans are good not evil. He does give a future and a hope as He declares in Jeremiah. But if you see every pain, problem and situation as an opportunity for God to work in power and might for you and the Kingdom of God’s sake, then there will be another perspective. An eternal perspective, not earthly or temporary; one that is alive and hopeful. It is a wonderful life when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, when song flows from our heart and we are alive in our spirit. It is a great way to live in our heart; not denying the struggles and painful things we go through, but realizing no matter what we face, God is bigger still. And He will show up and work on our behalf, that HE may receive glory, not us. We will be secure in Him. There are times when believing God is on our side is hard, but He is. Believe in His heart; He didn’t save you to hurt you, but to transform you into the image of His son Jesus Christ. I want the transformation, I just want it my way and there in lies the problem…my way. But He is wiser still and He will transform us into the image of His son, His way. So in the transforming process let us trust God, anchor in Him and rejoice for He is working all things for our good and His glory.

Looking forward to new levels of faith and rejoicing in Him, we will grow in thanksgiving. It will help us keep perspective and Kingdom focused.

Pastor Darrell