REJOICE ALWAYS
PRAY WITHOUT CEASING
GIVE THANKS IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES
(this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.)

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

Paul’s advice to the Thessalonians is worth heeding nearly two thousand years later.

Rejoice always. To the Philippians Paul would write, “Rejoice in the Lord always.” Rejoicing is more than positive thinking. It is a discovery of delight, a taking of pleasure. So we are to discover delight in the Lord and take pleasure in God. Certainly rejoicing is easy on a day when the last fall leaves cling to the trees, the sky is blue and we don’t need a coat for a mid day walk along River Road. Nothing particularly faithful about that. But the Apostle then adds “always.” Christians rejoice when the bitter winter winds blow and we’re numbed to the bone and just can’t seem to get warm. Christians rejoice in the Lord not just in our surroundings.

Pray without ceasing. It’s easy to pray sometimes, especially when we need something – especially when our prayer is more about us than anything else. Prayer without ceasing is harder and mostly about God (the source of our rejoicing) and the world he so loved. As you are praying today, please include:

…members who are hospitalized

…the High School Youth Group who will be away on their fall retreat this weekend.

…those from the church family who are serving in the Middle East.

Give thanks in all circumstances. Like rejoicing, giving thanks is not dependent on circumstances. Christians know that true thanksgiving is not just for, it is also to. For most of us, our circumstances are of rich blessings. Certainly we are the most materially blessed people on all the planet. We give thanks:

…for the recent elections, and that change in power in our country does not mean tanks in the streets. We give thanks for the men and women who have been elected to office and pray for their wisdom in governing.

…for all Veterans of our armed services as we remember them this Veteran’s Day.

…for our church and its officers and leaders who faithfully serve and diligently seek God’s will for our mission and ministry.

…for family, friends, health, jobs and resources. (And in times when family relationship are broken, friends are few, health jeopardized, jobs lost and resources thin, we still give thanks to God for his mercy that never comes to an end.)