Daily Devotions

Colossians 2:7

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him—rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

The phrase “abounding in thanksgiving” means to be overflowing with gratitude—not a passing emotion, but a deep and steady posture of the heart. True thanksgiving grows from a faith that is rooted in Christ. As our trust in Him deepens, we begin to see God’s goodness even in difficult circumstances.

To abound in thanksgiving is to live as a disciple known for gratefulness. It means choosing to look for grace in the ordinary, to celebrate what is good rather than dwell on what is lacking. Gratitude, then, becomes not just something we express—but something we embody. Our words, our actions, and our attitudes flow from the humble awareness that everything we have is a gift from God—far more than we could ever earn or deserve.

There’s a story told from the early 1900s in Chicago. A policeman, walking his evening beat, noticed a man standing quietly outside a small mission. The man had removed his hat and stood still, head bowed. Concerned, the officer approached and asked, “What’s the matter, Mac? Are you ill?”

The man looked up and smiled. “No, sir. My name is Billy Sunday. I was converted right here in this mission. I never pass this way without pausing for a moment to whisper a prayer of thanksgiving.”

That simple act captures what it means to abound in thankfulness. It’s not about grand gestures or public displays—it’s about a heart tuned to God’s presence, finding reason for gratitude in every step of life’s journey.

Prayer

Dear Lord,

Just as we have received Christ Jesus as Lord, help us to walk faithfully in Him.

Strengthen our roots in Your love, build us up in Your truth,

and establish us firmly in the faith we have been taught.

May our hearts overflow with thankfulness each day,

so that our lives reflect Your grace and bring light to those around us.

We ask this in Jesus’ name,

Amen.