Daily Bread: Living a Life of Praise, Gratitude, and Unity in Christ

😇 Shalom to all.
God’s word today:

“And speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God our Father, and submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
(Ephesians 5:19–21)

Ephesians 5:19–21 is the apostle Paul’s exhortation about living a life that is filled with the Holy Spirit. This can be seen in the context of verse 18, which says, “…but be filled with the Spirit.” From these verses we can see God’s will for His people in three important areas: our mouth, our heart, and our daily life.

“Speak… Give thanks…”

Our mouth is called to praise the Lord and give thanks. In the midst of various circumstances in life, God desires that our words are not filled with complaints, but with thanksgiving that glorifies His name and strengthens others.
Biblically, this shows that God’s will is:

a. Our mouth is used to strengthen one another’s faith among believers.
Paul says, “speak to one another.” This is in line with:
• Colossians 3:16 — “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.”
So praise is not merely music, but words that are filled with the Word of God.

b. A mouth that gives thanks, not complaints.
Verse 20 says, “always giving thanks for everything.” This also shows a heart attitude that trusts in God’s sovereignty. The Bible affirms:
• 1 Thessalonians 5:18 — “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will.”

Therefore, a person who is filled with the Spirit is usually recognized by their words: there is thanksgiving, praise, and uplifting speech, not bitterness or words that tear others down.

Let us pay attention to and listen to the words that come out of our own mouths:
Do our words bring people closer to God, or do they weaken them?

O Lord, enable my mouth to become a voice of praise and thanksgiving to You, and a testimony that glorifies Your Name before others. Amen.

Bless you
ps caleblusi