...you are in the plan of God. The Lord kept you so that He may fulfill these plans in your life. Celebrate in in His presence and give Him joyful thanks...
Text: -Colosians 1: 12-14 “...and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
INTRODUCTION
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| Reverend G. S. Adeyemo |
Have you ever stopped and count what the Lord has done for you in the year to see the reasons why you need to give thanks to God? Sometimes, we pay more attention on what do not have or could not do allowing it to dictate our moods. These is a great mistake because it is hurting to do that. If we consider what God has done, we will discover that we have more than what we lack.
Reasons for Joyful Thanks
From the passage above, Apostle Paul gives three reasons among many for giving joyful thanks.
First, we are rescued from dominion of darkness. The darkness began it's fight for dominion over the earth during creation. The Bible says, "And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters." Gen. 1:2. Darkness is habitation of chaos, confusion and damnation. Wherever darkness rules, peace will elude it. Death abounds where darkness exercises Dominion. To God be the glory for sending Jesus Christ the Light of the world. He is the Light and darkness cannot comprehend Him. John 1:5 says, "And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not." Anyone born of God is delivered from the dominion of darkness. Rescued from confusion, damnation and hopelessness.
Second, we are translated to kingdom of Light: Life in the light is glorious. Coming with light is life and peace. Darkness is associated with fruitlessness but light brings progress and fruitfulness. Thank God for the light of God's word and life eternal. It is the light that shines on you for protection in the world of darkness.
Third, we are redeemed and pardoned:- This is the sum-total of the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He opened the doors of eternal inheritance for us. God promised to give us the hidden treasures of the darkness. The word of God says, "And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel." Isaiah 45:3.
Conclusion
Melody Beattie says, “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.” Brothers and Sisters, you are in the plan of God. The Lord kept you so that He may fulfill these plans in your life. Celebrate in in His presence and give Him joyful thanks.
