Always For Everything

 DEVOTION

THE LETTER TO THE EPHESIANS

ALWAYS FOR EVERYTHING

Eph 5:15-20

15 Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

NIV

Being careful how we live includes or we should say, comes down to one single truth, which is always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. There is no other way to put it than how this is said. Always, means never ceasing, at all times, every moment of our day, there is never a time that always does not include. There are no exceptions, not even the slightest reason or time that is not included in always. It is also clear as to what we are to do always, and that is giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We should also note that within the always there is another inclusive word, everything. However, first, we are to always give thanks to God the Father. This would mean that we should not take credit for anything. If we are always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, then we cannot give thanks or take credit for our own talents, abilities, accomplishments, or anything we do or say. This brings us back to the idea of the word “I” should not be a part of a believer’s vocabulary. Everything in our life, down to the very breath in our lungs and our beating heart is what we are to give thanks to God the Father for. Even when we have pain in our bones, we should give thanks to God the Father. Always giving thanks for everything would eliminate our complaining, or grumbling as well as any form of pride or conceit, along with envy, jealousy, the lust for more, or any other reason for discontentment with our lives. We are so incredibly thankful for the life the Father has given us, and the call he placed on our lives. He has called us to be a member of the body of Christ and has given each of us a place in which we can be useful in the advancement of His Kingdom, being that living stone that He is building into His Holy Temple. However, giving thanks to God the Father for everything also means that when we experience anything in life, that those would do not know Jesus would use as a means of complaining, we give thanks for it. What it comes down to is always giving God the Father thanks for everything, and that means always for everything, and we do this in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. The other thought that occurs to us is that when Jesus healed people, we have reason to believe that Jesus thanked the Father before he healed someone. Perhaps we may have been going about prayer for the sick the wrong way because we beseech God for healing, or for Him to intervene in a situation, showing our faith in Him. We wonder if we should thank God the Father first for this person’s life, and their infirmity so that God the Father gets all the credit for healing the sick, the lame, the blind, the injured, every pain known to man. Thank you, Father, for the pain in my body, or arthritis in my bones, and for all that you have done in my life, the blessing that you have poured out upon me, so much so, that I do not have all the room to contain all those blessings. Thank you, God, my Father for every beat of my heart which you healed and sustain until the day you decide to call me to yourself. Thank you, my God for everything in my life, you’re working in me, sending me your Holy Spirit to lead and guide me through this life so that I can live to please you. Thank you, Father, for every breath, for it is you who put your breath within me. Thank you, Father for my family, for the woman you gave me to be my life's partner, and for my children and my grandchildren and my great-grandchildren. You have blessed me even though I am unworthy. I have nothing without you, Father, I will always have praise on my lips, because I will always have praise in my heart, for you Father God, and I give you thanks in that name of my Lord Jesus Christ always for everything.