#1472. Always giving thanks (13/3/26)

Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (posted, at present, every weekday) as we continue our Ephesians series: Ephesians - To the praise, for the purpose, in the power of God.

From Ephesians 5:15-20, let’s reflect on the vital place that thanksgiving and gratitude plays in the healthy Christian life. 

To watch this devotional, please select the link below:

1. Always giving thanks

In a landmark 2003 study on gratitude, Dr. Robert A. Emmons (University of California, Davis) and Dr. Michael E. McCullough (University of Miami) found that participants who regularly recorded things they were thankful for - such as keeping a weekly gratitude journal - experienced significantly higher well-being and optimism. They reported fewer physical symptoms, engaged in healthier behaviours (including exercising more), felt more positive emotions, showed greater determination and energy, and were more likely to help others, compared with those who focused on daily hassles or neutral events.

Thankfulness is good for anyone and it’s no surprise that the Bible is saturated with this practice. 

Another defining feature of a Christian - and of a church community - that is filled with the Spirit is thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving (eucharisteō) means to express gratitude.

Earlier in this letter, Paul has already redirected our speech:

Spirit-filled speech is not marked by corruption, but by gratitude.

And we have so many reasons to give thanks. The book of Ephesians pours truth upon truth into our hearts — truths that, if rightly understood, cause us to overflow with praise. The letter opens with a cascade of blessing:

We have received every spiritual blessing in Christ. Therefore, of all people, we should be saturated with praise and thanksgiving.

Gratitude is not peripheral to Christianity — it is central.

2. Giving thanks to God the Father

Our thanks may rightly be directed to Father, Son, or Spirit, yet here Paul emphasises gratitude to God the Father.

This reminds us of our adoption and His fatherly care. We were once outsiders, but now we belong to His household:

To know God as Father changes everything. Those who understand their adoption — who know they are secure members of His family - will overflow with joy and grow in a deep sense of worth and security.

Gratitude flourishes where adotionn is understood.

3. Always and for everything

We are to give thanks always and for everything.

This includes the obvious blessings - spiritual, relational, material, experiential. But it also includes times of trial and loss. God remains loving and sovereign in every season. He ordains both comforts and challenges for our ultimate good.

This can be deeply difficult. Yet thankfulness, even through tears, is true worship. It is a declaration that we trust His heart when we cannot trace His hand.

Such gratitude is not denial of pain — it is confidence in God.

4. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ

Finally, we give thanks to the Father in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Our worship and prayer are possible only because we come through Him. Through His death for our sins and His indwelling Spirit, we have access to the Father and share in these spiritual blessings.

As Paul writes:

The name of Jesus and the gospel must never drift from our minds in worship. Every expression of gratitude rests upon His saving work.

Response

We have been invited to come to Jesus and drink — to be filled with His Spirit. And the Spirit-filled life overflows in thanksgiving.

The Holy Spirit has perfect love for the Father, and He imparts that love to those who come with receptive hearts.

So let us ask:

Are we truly thankful?Are we grateful for the spiritual blessings we have in Christ?Are we thankful even in times of trial, trusting His sovereign love?

May we be those who are filled with the Holy Spirit — who walk in the joy and peace of God, and who are ‘overflowing with thankfulness’ (Colossians 2:7).

Community Group Notes

1. Notices

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.

Please ensure that everyone is aware and is signed up to our 50-hours of prayer that is starting on 11th March. Here’s the link to get the app:

https://my.jovoapp.com/invitation/?t=aW52aXRhdGlvbjoxMzA1ODpzX2tGTnN4eVNHcnZnZlJ1ZjN6WEhRTHVsVHc%3D

2. Icebreaker

Something that builds relationships and confidence to share; it’s good to regularly use this moment to ask the group: How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you? 

3. Worship together

Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.

4. Study and pray together

Balanced Time Allocation - Please ensure a balanced focus on discussion, SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite), and prayer so that each section is meaningful and fruitful.

On Sunday, we continued our new series entitled: Ephesians: to the praise, for the purpose, in the power of God. 

Please read Ephesians 5:15-20 and discuss:

• Personal Reflection – From Sunday’s message and this passage, what stood out to you? Was there anything the Spirit particularly impressed on your heart?

• Get wisdom - How do we get wisdom and why is it important to get it?

• God’s wisdom is to our being under the right influence - Why does God put drunkenness and being filled with the Spirit side-by-side?

• Wisdom with Alcohol - Alcohol is a good gift, but when would you say that it’s become a problem? 

• Be filled - How can one apply this command to ‘go on being filled with the Holy Spirit’? 

• Psalms Hymns… - How, according to our text is worship related to the work of the Holy Spirit?

SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite)

• SIV - From our text, what can we learn about how God’s wisdom and being filled lead to our becoming a light in our community?  

• Sharing Stories – Have you had any recent opportunities to Serve, Invest in, or Invite someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another by sharing stories of how we’ve seen God at work through simple faithfulness.

• Practical Next Steps – Who might God be placing on your heart at this time? Are there any “people of peace” (see note) in your life—those who seem open, welcoming, or receptive to spiritual conversation?

Let’s Pray Together

Let’s pray for one another in light of what we’ve studied and bring any other needs before God.

• Pray for courage, wisdom, and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit in our Serve, Invest, and Invite opportunities.

• Pray specifically for the ‘people of peace’ in our lives - that God would open hearts and deepen relationships.

• General prayer: From our study, or from personal needs, how do people want prayer?