John Piper’s ‘Pierced by the Word’ is another excellent daily thought prompter that the NTV and I have used together and it is on my kindle so often comes with me on trips away.

When I opened it on Saturday morning the intriguing title that appeared on the screen was:

‘How to drink orange juice to the glory of God’

Now I don’t actually drink orange juice, but the principle stands! Paul writes:

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31

And in Colossians chapter 3 he writes:

¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. 

Of course there is loads to be said from these verses, but I just want to share the bit that stuck to me that morning.

Basically, at every point in our day we face a choice. We can either proceed as if God is a fairy tale or a lie, OR as if he is the maker of all things, the judge and the rescuer on who we depend and in whom we delight.

When we approach things with thanksgiving, when we respond with gratitude, we acknowledge who God is and we glorify him.

The flip side is that we so often act in practical unbelief.

It is clear from Romans 1 that a lack of thanksgiving is at the heart of sin, it is a way of denying the truth about him.

¹ For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Saying thank you – it is so simple, but so alien to our sinful hearts.

Lord please increase my thankfulness to your glory, In Jesus name, Amen.