Tuesday, August 07, 2012

Three Points and Practice

"Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (1Thessalonians 5:16-18 KJV)

Rejoice always, pray always, and always give thanks are three keys to obeying the will of God. I certainly want to obey his will. There’s a challenge involved, however, because our daily lives are not always joyful. What is the problem? We are all unique individuals and there is no easy, pat answer.

If we could flip through our lives and understand the problems, troubles, difficulties, challenges, and so forth, we might be able to devise a common solution. Now, there are those who warble on passionately, and immaturely I might add, about how to have peace and happiness. Count to ten before responding. Be one with nature. Find your center. Read this Scripture. Say the Lord’s prayer. Refuse to accept the situation. Confess and profess positive things. The list is almost endless. God has already provided the perfect, three-step plan for acknowledging and responding to his will.

Rejoice always, pray always, and always give thanks. It is a fact of human life that problems and troubles occur in all our lives. Absolutely no one is immune to them. So, no matter what the situation or circumstances, what is God’s will for us? First, continually rejoice that he is God and in control. Second, continually pray about the issue until it is resolved. Third, continually thank God for his blessings and guidance.

Of course, we all know instinctively that our rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks must begin long before the trouble and difficulties begin. These three keys must be developed as daily-life-habits in order for them to be truly effective at the time of crisis. So we rejoice about our jobs, our schoolwork, the food we enjoy, our friends and family, our church, our country, and so forth.

We also pray about those same issues. And we give thanks to the Almighty God that he allows us to enjoy our blessings and be intercessors for these concerns. By developing these three keys in our lives, we develop a relationship with God that enables us to know his heart, his concerns, his interests, and his will.

Dear Father, thank you for your grace and mercy. Empower us with renewed joy, gratitude, and a conversation with you. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN

Be strong and courageous today practicing God's plan,

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