5/30/10 1 Thess 5 & 2 Thess 1
Rejoice, Pray, Give Thanks
(1 Th 5:16-18)16Rejoice always; 17pray without ceasing; 18in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
This is God’s will for a believer’s life. A believer is to be joyful. When we consider the great grace and salvation that has been provided by Jesus Christ there should be nothing that would steal our joy. This does not mean believers go around day to day with permanent smiles on their faces, but as a believer encounters and walks with the living Christ there should be a joy that is evident in their life. (Ps16:11)11You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. If you want ultimate joy practice the presence of Christ in your life. Certainly, all believer’s happiness wanes at times but happiness is different than joy in that happiness is based upon current circumstances and joy on eternal realities. Too many people are looking to be happy instead of desiring to be united with Jesus Christ.
A great way to practice the presence of Christ and be united with Christ is to spend time in prayer. The meaning of ‘praying without ceasing’ does not mean that it is continuous and without interruption. It means that prayer is part of your lifestyle. Praying is frequent, regular, persistent, and often. When a believer understands that God goes with you wherever you go, because of the presence of the Holy Spirit, then praying is just like speaking with a spouse, child, or a close friend. How many times do you speak with those you are closest to? Our praying should be like an on-going conversation thus unceasing, it is perpetual. God’s desire (will) is that you would take time to speak with him face to face at times, on the way to your appointments, during your breaks, not just before meals but during them, and a host of other times.
Thirdly, God’s will is that in everything believers give thanks. Now we all know that everything includes a host of which we are not thankful. I think that the important thing to realize is that there are moments when we will certainly not have an attitude of thankfulness, but as we seek and submit to God’s way we will be able to come to a point where even the most painful experience can be offered as a sacrifice to God as thankful worship. We have heard of testimonies or even admit that when we were children we did not like what our parents did, but when we matured we learned to be thankful for the “NO’s” and “DO’s” even when at the moment we were not thankful. We came to understand that their commands where from different perspective and filled with love. Our great Father in heaven does the same for his children. So if there is pain in which you cannot be thankful for now, just know that as you mature you will come to a point to be thankful.
Prayer: Father thank you for giving us three simple commands here concerning your will. I pray that I will now be faithful to do as you command. Oh, Lord may I understand your presence in my life in a new and fresh way. Show me more of you and less of me. Give me your joy and forgive me for seek happiness based on things and circumstances. Transform my mind and attitude to be a person filled with joy at the deepest levels. I ask for a more disciplined prayer life. Teach me the benefits of abiding in your presence and involving you in my daily routines of life. Father give me a spirit of thankfulness. Show me what you are doing in situations where I will have a Godly understanding and perspective that can genuinely give abundant thanks to You, in Jesus name. Amen.