BE JOYFUL AND GRATEFUL

Where is that joyful and grateful spirit you felt then? —Galatians 4:15

Are you and I full of joy because we know Jesus and we are part of His church? Do we have a grateful spirit toward Him and His people— about life in general? Do you think much of the person who shared the gospel with you and are so full of joy for that person that they took the time and effort to do so? Are you grateful for that person? Have you ever shared that gratitude toward them for their being faithful to God in sharing the gospel of our Lord Jesus with you?

We who follow the Lord Jesus should be the most joy-filled people on the planet. The Holy Spirit bears fruit in our lives. The first in the list from Galatians 5:22 is love. The second is joy. When we are truly living in the love of God and have a love for others we will surely be experiencing joy.

When I think of how the Lord drew me to Himself, I am filled with joy and gratitude toward the pastor who shared the gospel with me back in February of 1979. My life took a different direction. Would I even be alive today? Would I be in prison? Would I have just pursued wealth or pleasure? Yes, I am grateful for the pastor the Lord put in my path! Are you grateful toward the one or many the Lord put in your path to lead you to Himself? You surely should be!

Dear Father, thank You for the wonderful ways in which You work. May I be the source of joy and gratefulness in other people’s lives as You work through me to draw them to Yourself. May it be so in Jesus Name!