His Will ...

‘Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.’ I Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice – recall the wondrous things which God has done in and through your life and experience being ‘re-joyed’ all over again as you give Him praises.

Pray without ceasing – the call is for continual prayer to God. Yet, too often we can become preoccupied with praying for ourselves instead of praying for others. But the Word of God give us these confidences:

• The LORD Jesus Christ intercedes for us (Lk. 22:32)
• The Holy Spirit intercedes for us (Rm. 8:26)
• The Father hears (I Jn. 5:14)

Therefore we can focus less on ourselves in prayer and more on the needs of others. So often we have no idea what is going on with neighbors, with brothers and sisters in the LORD, with natural family. So many are facing situations and circumstances which have them bound, imprisoned by tears and fears. Yet, there is something we can do and that we are called to do: ‘Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.’ Hebrews 13:3 NLT

In everything give thanks – give thanks in everything. There is a reason for thankfulness in every situation, in every season. Thankfulness does not say that everything is good – rather it searches out the good in everything and honors the Giver of ‘every good and perfect gift’. It understands and acknowledges that ‘Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.’ James 1:17

I cannot tell you how many people I have talked to who have wondered what the will of God is for their life. Yet our lead verse tells what the will of God is:

• Rejoice always
• Pray without ceasing
• Give Thanks in everything

May God bless you richly today and always and may you make the time to bless someone else, in word or deed or prayer!