LEARNING DAILY

 

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

 

Not one of us has chosen the circumstances we face. Would you agree that is a fair statement? What each of us can do is choose how we face them; our attitude is important. We can blame someone or something for what is happening or we can choose to rise above those circumstances.  “We can realize the capacity within each of us, with God’s hand on our backs, to rise above the circumstances. Our choice reveals the depth of our inner character directing our lives and will shine brightly in the most dire circumstances, whether the outcome is life or death” – Tony Dungy.

 

There are terrible things going on all around us. Many are sounding alarms of events that may be happening now or are close to happening that might sound very troubling. There are those things that are even frightening as I have pointed out. Lies and fears are all around us. Paul writes to you and me “to rejoice and pray without ceasing”. He is not saying we are to be in constant formal prayer but to be having a “constant conversation with God in our heart” (LSSB). The LSSB notes continue, “This implies prayer of all kinds and on all occasions throughout the day, conversations and longings such as happen naturally with those whose minds are focused on Him”. Too often we pray for only those emergency sort of things. Being in constant communication with God helps us stay focused on Him and to stay focused on walking the narrow way to His kingdom; it helps us to rise above the circumstances.

 

That leads us to “give thanks in everything”. No, I don’t believe we give thanks for the bad things. Instead, we realize that God is at work in them in order to produce good. Romans 8:28 tells us “All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” That should encourage all who are going through unwanted circumstances because He is working through the circumstances to conform us to His image and ultimately be ready for eternal life in His kingdom. Now, this is only going to happen for those who love God and have submitted to Him through Jesus Christ.

 

To be honest, I have not enjoyed going through any of those tough times. But to look back on them I understand the changes they brought into my life. What about you? I look back over the trial and tribulations my family members and friends have gone through and I see the Lord’s hand in every situation. Can you see the Lord at work in the circumstances we face in this country? Is He separating the wheat from the chaff, at least the line between true Believers and those acting like one might be beginning to be made? Perhaps the events we are seeing in our country and the world are drawing the “last days” to a close and the rapture of true Christians is near!  Oh my! What do we do? We “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you”.

 

Have you given thanks to Him who provides daily for you? Each of us has so much to give thanks for. We are blessed beyond what we could ever ask for. Why don’t you take time right now to give God the time to talk with Him about what you are thankful for. Have you accepted His offer of salvation through Jesus Christ? Have you been healed of disease or sickness? Has He given you protection from anything? How about your food supply, your housing, your ability to put gas into your car? God has been so good to each of us.  He is worthy to be praised and given our thanksgiving – would you not agree?

 

From now on DJSB will be used to note information or quotes from the David Jeremiah Study Bible and LSSB will refer to information and quotes from the Life in the Spirit Study Bible