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Dexu Xia

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Jul 18, 2018, 2:09:50 AM7/18/18

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Saying Grace

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. Colossians 3:17

For many years, I’ve enjoyed the writings of British author G. K. Chesterton. His humor and insight often cause me to chuckle and then pause for more serious contemplation. For example, he wrote, “You say grace before meals. All right. But I say grace before the play and the opera, and grace before the concert and pantomime, and grace before I open a book, and grace before sketching, painting, swimming, fencing, boxing, walking, playing, dancing; and grace before I dip the pen in the ink.”

It’s good for us to thank the Lord before every meal, but it shouldn’t stop there. The apostle Paul saw every activity, every endeavor as something for which we should thank God and that we should do for His glory. “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” (Colossians 3:17). Recreation, occupation, and education are all avenues through which we can honor the Lord and express our gratefulness to Him.

Paul also encouraged the believers in Colossae to “let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful” (v. 15).

The best place to “say grace” is anywhere and anytime we want to give thanks to the Lord and honor Him.

Thank You for Your gift of life eternal. May we acknowledge and honor You throughout this day.

In all we do, let’s give thanks to God and honor Him.

凡事谢恩

无论做什么，或说话、或行事，都要奉主耶稣的名，藉着祂感谢父上帝。-歌罗西书3章17节

多年来，我一直很喜欢阅读英国作家切斯特顿（G.K. Chesterton）的著作。他的幽默和洞察力常令我忍俊不禁，但随之会停下来认真地省思。例如，他曾写道：“你在餐前感恩，那是好的。但我在观赏戏剧和歌剧之前感恩；在音乐会和哑剧之前感恩；在我看书、写生、画画、游泳、击剑、拳击、散步、下棋、跳舞之前都会感恩；甚至在我把笔沾上墨水之前，也都感恩。”

在每次用餐之前都感谢上帝的恩典，那是好的，但不应仅此而已。使徒保罗也要我们为所做的每件事情、每份努力感谢上帝，并为荣耀祂而行，正如他说：“无论做什么，或说话、或行事，都要奉主耶稣的名，藉着祂感谢父上帝”（歌罗西书3章17节）。无论是在休闲娱乐、工作或学习时，我们都可以尊崇上帝，并表达我们对祂的感谢。

保罗也鼓励歌罗西的信徒，说：“又要叫基督的平安在你们心里做主，你们也为此蒙召，归为一体；且要存感谢的心。”（15节）

当我们要感谢尊崇上帝时，任何地方，任何时候，都是感恩的最佳时机。

上帝啊，谢谢祢赐给我们永生，你帮助我们能一整天都感谢尊崇祢。