Give Thanks Always

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

It might surprise some that a person who writes to encourage others sometimes feels discouraged, feels less than thankful, gets tired of dealing with life’s storms and feels like their faith is about to falter. But as is always the case with Jesus and His Spirit He gives the words that need to be heard by the heart to keep up the good fight and find words of encouragement to share. 

This week’s simple passage contains a powerful message that rests on three words: “always, continually and all.” The passage is found in Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonica church as part of his final instructions to the people, his words are more than a simple suggestion - they most definitely imply a standard of behavior the followers of Christ should strive for.

Be joyful always, at all times and in any event. 

Pray continually, continuing indefinitely in time with our interruption, without ceasing.

Give thanks in all circumstance, the very best, the very worst and everything in between the extremes. 

Whether our lives are currently filled with sunshine or storm clouds by the power of the Spirit we can be joyful. No matter what circumstances we are facing the one thing we can always do is pray - laying our needs down at Jesus’ feet and letting Him act on our behalf, He promises to supply us with an abundant life. Whether on the mountain top or in the valley, whether in a garden of abundance or in a dry and weary place there is something to be thankful because we are not alone - God is with us and we have each other. 

King David says: “I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies” (Psalm 23:4b). If David could find a reason for joy, the need for continual prayer and for being thankful - so can we. 

Make this season of your life a sacred space by always, continually and in every circumstance being joyful, prayerful and thankful.

A Prayer
Father - Thank you for your word that speaks love and encouragement into our hearts and lives. Help us to see the joy in life. When we feel like we can’t pray, gives us the words. Help us to be thankful always and especially in the hard times. In the name of Jesus - Amen.

Giving Thanks Courageously

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9

The holiday season is upon us and with all the fun, all the celebrations, all the great food, also comes stress, family drama, depression, and a whole myriad of other not so pleasant things. I was thinking about that as I stood on my corner, in the rain, with a real pain in my neck and an empty checkbook at home. Then I remembered God’s words to Joshua. “Be strong and courageous, I will be with you wherever you go.” What a great promise!

Joshua, was about to lead the new generation of Israelites across the Jordan River and into the promise land. In preparation for this move God is giving Joshua a pep talk and repeatedly tells him to be strong and courageous. You see the Israelites weren’t marching over a well constructed bridge into an uninhabited land - no they were going to cross a river that was at flood stage and then they were going to have to take the land away from the current inhabitants by force - doesn’t that sound like fun. Joshua’s task was to follow God into the great unknown and get everyone else to follow him as well. When they all got to the other side of the river and got settled into the first camp - they celebrated the Passover. God was with them, He was with them with every step they took, he was with them in every battle they fought - they knew it He was there, that His promise was true and they regularly gave thanks and enjoyed His provision.

Life on this planet it tough, we may not have to cross a flooding river, but we will face trials, battles of a different sort will take place, storms will rage around us and sometimes the holidays magnify the tough stuff of life - but can you hear Him whispering to your heart? “Be strong and courageous, I will be with you wherever you go.” He’ll be there, that is a promise you can count on.

So no matter what you are facing, no matter what the battle is or how furiously the storm is howling around you - remember you are never truly alone - so you can give thanks courageously.

A Prayer
Father - Thank you for being with us every step of the way. Help us to be strong and courageous as we follow you into the great unknown. Grant us hearts the graciously and courageously give you thanks all along the way. In the name of Jesus - Amen.

Generous Giving = Giving Thanks

“You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”
2 Corinthians 9:11

As I sat thinking about how easily we take things for granted; how we get discouraged when we don’t get the things that we think we need and how this can make us thankless and selfish - this week’s passage came to mind, probably because we had been talking about it at church. The Message version say’s it even more eloquently: “This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God.”

I think this is the antidote for the - “I’m taking life for granted and acting like a spoiled child” rut we often find ourselves in. But, how do we cultivate a generous life that leads to a life of giving thanks? We must follow the extravagant example set for us by the God we serve.

God, the Father, gave us his only Son (John 3:16).

The Son, Jesus, gives us peace (John 14:27). He gave us His life to pay our debt (Matthew 20:28) and then He gives us His Spirit (John16:7) to teach and guide us.

The Holy Spirit gives us wisdom, and other amazing gifts needed to be and do all that God has called us to - helping us to reflect Jesus to everyone around us.

You see we serve an extravagantly generous God, in fact everything we have He has given us and as we read in the Message version of this week’s passage He expects us to give it away. In giving it away we are participating in a more powerful form of giving thanks, than the simple words we sometimes mutter. 

Need a cure for the “I’m taking life for granted and acting like a spoiled child” rut? Become a giver because generous giving = giving thanks. 

A Prayer
Father - Thank you for the extravagant generosity you show us each and every day. Forgive us for the times we take for granted all that we have. Teach us how to be extravagantly generous so that every day can be a thanks giving day. In the name of the Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit who model extravagant generosity we pray - Amen.

If You are Reading this... Be Thankful

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 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 3:15, 17

If you are reading this, it means you are alive and kicking - be thankful.
If you are reading this, chances are you have a decent roof over your head - be thankful.
If you are reading this, you probably have plenty of clean water to drink and good food on your table - be thankful.
If you are reading this and have family and good friends nearby - be thankful.
If you are reading this and have made it through one of life’s many storms - be thankful.
If you are reading this and know what the peace of Christ feels like - be really thankful.
If you are reading this and have made a difference in someone else’s life - be thankful.
If you are reading this and someone has made a difference you your life - be doubly thankful.
If you are reading this and know without a doubt that Jesus loves you - be joyously thankful.
If you are reading this and do everything in the name of Jesus - be thankful.
If you are reading this and have seen the majesty of the mountains, the power of the sea, the spectacular colors of a rainbow, a sunrise and a sunset - be thankful and praise the Lord.

On our worst days, when our bodies want to fail us, when people let us down, when our bank accounts are empty, when life is a roller coaster ride that we would like to get off of - we still have so much to be thankful for. 

If you are reading this, this week - let thankfulness color your world and see just how beautiful it really is.

A Prayer
Father - Thank you for teaching us that being thankful is part of what being your child looks like. You never promised us a life that was easy, put you promised one that was abundant and filled with Your love and that is plenty to be thankful for. Thankfully we pray in the name Jesus - Amen.