08 - Thanksgiving
Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
Nine Days ofTHANKSGIVING
Day 8 | REJOICE, PRAY, GIVE THANKS
Nine Days ofTHANKSGIVING
Day 8 | REJOICE, PRAY, GIVE THANKS
REJOICE, PRAY, GIVE THANKS
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (NASB)
These verses are simple, short, and full of things to DO.
They are some of my favorites, especially since they are wrapped up with “this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Thus, if you’re a Christian wondering what God’s will is for you, start HERE.
God says here, in this writing by the apostle Paul, that we are to…
(1) REJOICE always. Yes, that means just what it says, ALWAYS. You might logically ask, “Ok, Pastor Jim, how do I do that when my heart is broken, the sky is dark, and my fears have taken over?" We walk by FAITH. We REJOICE by faith. “Faith is the substance of things HOPED FOR…” (Hebrews 11:1) Praise God despite the stuff going on in our lives. Despite the hurt. Despite the doubt. Despite… whatever.
As I write this, there is much to be disturbed about in the world. I don’t use this verse to be thankful FOR all the sins and bad people in the world, but I can learn to be grateful despite all the problems in the world.
Remember, too, that the just (Christians) are to walk by faith. Keep your eyes on the LORD God and find a way – even in the darkest times – to rejoice, pray, and give thanks.
Prayer: LORD GOD, I don’t always feel like doing these verses, and yet, I know that You had them put in the Bible for me. Please teach me how to put these into practice. Amen.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (NASB)
These verses are simple, short, and full of things to DO.
They are some of my favorites, especially since they are wrapped up with “this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Thus, if you’re a Christian wondering what God’s will is for you, start HERE.
God says here, in this writing by the apostle Paul, that we are to…
(1) REJOICE always. Yes, that means just what it says, ALWAYS. You might logically ask, “Ok, Pastor Jim, how do I do that when my heart is broken, the sky is dark, and my fears have taken over?" We walk by FAITH. We REJOICE by faith. “Faith is the substance of things HOPED FOR…” (Hebrews 11:1) Praise God despite the stuff going on in our lives. Despite the hurt. Despite the doubt. Despite… whatever.
Then…
(2) PRAY and pray and pray (without ceasing). The more problems, the more prayer. The more darkness, the more prayer.And finally…
(3) GIVE THANKS for everything (good and bad). I know giving thanks in the bad doesn’t make sense, and it may not be early on in your practice of these verses, either. But this is part of God’s will for YOU in Christ Jesus. Sometimes, God allows things in our life that are not pleasant but are ultimately for OUR benefit.As I write this, there is much to be disturbed about in the world. I don’t use this verse to be thankful FOR all the sins and bad people in the world, but I can learn to be grateful despite all the problems in the world.
Remember, too, that the just (Christians) are to walk by faith. Keep your eyes on the LORD God and find a way – even in the darkest times – to rejoice, pray, and give thanks.
Prayer: LORD GOD, I don’t always feel like doing these verses, and yet, I know that You had them put in the Bible for me. Please teach me how to put these into practice. Amen.
Posted in Thanksgiving