Kentucky Chaplain David Chaltas

“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.” (Colossians 2:6-7)

A dear friend sends me and several other people an inspirational ‘verse of the day’. I always read it and then I pass it forward. This particular verse that I received really made me reflect upon the value and quality of life. It brought to the forefront the importance of our walk with Christ and being firm in faith. And to me the resounding charge is the next line that states, “As ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.” Wow, the power of the Word! To me we must teach and be taught by reading and listening to the Word. We must dwell in it and digest its meaning. How many times have I read the passage and received a different blessing or meaning added to the verse?! It is amazing what simply mediating on the Word of God can reveal. General Jackson was noted for reading the Bible and praying during the battle. General Lee would stop in the battle and join his boys in prayer. General Stuart was known to be constantly singing and praising the Almighty Rock of Ages. Most men of character were men of faith. Most women of faith were women of character. That character; that faith and that joy are built upon the Word AND then comes that ‘abounding thanksgiving’ that we share as Christians.

When have you rejoiced? When have you sung the praises of our Awesome God? When have you felt His presence in your life? The answer is usually when we are feeling good and things are going our way. But what about the shadows that occur in our lives, do you rejoice then? The vows of marriage are likened unto the promise we have offered to God when we become Christians. ‘For richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, for better or worse;’ in all situations we will give our abounding thanksgiving. Paul when imprisoned glorified God and was an example for all in abounding thanksgiving. So was Stephen as he was stoned to death. For they that follow Christ knows of the secret of life. It is that peace that passeth all understanding and a knowledge that “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” {Philippians 4:19) Abounding thanksgiving comes from the teachings that are rooted in our lives; the faith of a mustard seed and the end result is abounding joy in our thanksgiving to our Creator. Do you long for peace and joy? Do you want the happiness and thankful heart of knowing Him? He is only a prayer away and longs to bring you into His fold. My prayer for you is to seek the abounding thanksgiving known only by those that follow God. I remain your obedient servant, the old general.