Ephesians 5:19-20 NLT
“Singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.  And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

It’s amazing to me of all that Paul endured to become a Christian. He was hated by the Jews, feared and unexceptional by most Christians. He is the best example of a man without a country, without friends, like Jesus was in His death. But still Paul was able to write; “making music to the Lord in your hearts.  And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

It’s amazing that despite all he suffered from the Jews;

“Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes.  Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. I have traveled on many long journeys.

I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. 

I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.” (2 Corinthians 11:24-27 NLT)

But Paul was still able to exhort people to; “give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” We get a mean look from someone at church or someone speaks to us a bit harsh and we never want to go back to church.

We get our feelings hurt about something and it changes our whole attitude towards worship. Paul is an inspiration to us all about what it takes to be a true Christian. Make music in your hearts to the Lord, give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayer:
Father, I’m ashamed of how easy it is to put my feelings on my shoulders and allowing them to keep me from praising You!