HOW THEN SHALL WE LIVE – REJOICE! PRAY! GIVE THANKS
Posted on November 27, 2017 by Graeme Wilson in Freedom Fighters
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for YOU. 1 Thessalonians 5:17
This has been our theme and theme verse for 2017. In preparation for our Thanksgiving service, I revisited the Scriptures to discover some nuggets regarding this three exhortations from the Apostle Paul that are not just suggestions or recommendations – they are principles to live by and to put into practice:
- Rejoice always
- God rejoices: “The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
- Creation rejoices: “Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for He comes, He comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his faithfulness.” Psalm 96:13
- Angels rejoice: “Likewise, I say to you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:10
- We rejoice: “Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy, That we may rejoice and be glad all our days!” Psalm 90:14
- We rejoice with others: “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” Romans 12:15
- Rejoice because it’s God’s will for your life: 1 Thessalonians 5:17
- Pray Without Ceasing
- Pray When You Are Tempted: “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
- Pray without ceasing for others: For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers … Romans 1:9
- Pray with thanksgiving: Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; Collossians 4:2
- Pray when you are sick: Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. James 5:13
- Pray because it’s God’s will for your life: 1 Thessalonians 5:17
- Give Thanks
- Give thanks in praising His name. It is good to give thanks to the Lord, And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High. Psalm 92:1
- Give thanks for His goodness and mercy: Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Psalm 118:1
- Give thanks for His righteous judgments: At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You, Because of Your righteous judgments. Psalm 119: 62
- Give thanks because His mercy endures forever: Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Psalm 136:1
- Give thanks that He gives us victory through Christ: But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57
- Give thanks because it is God’s will for your life: 1 Thessalonians 5:18
So how are you doing in these three areas? It’s not too late to put them into practice in your daily walk. We at America’s Keswick trust you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. More next week about our 2018 theme!!!
Rejoice! Pray! Give thanks!
Bill Welte
President/CEO America’s Keswick
Written by Bill Welte, President/CEO of America’s Keswick: Bill has been married to his child sweetheart for 40+ years and has four married kids and 11 amazing grand kids. He loves music and is an avid reader.
The Daily Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 23-25| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here
Think About This: Praise teaches us to be joyful and thankful regardless of our circumstances. It prepares us for God’s service and helps us to see beyond our present circumstances to the immense possibilities that are ours through faith in Jesus Christ. Michael Youssef
This Week’s Verse to Memorize:
Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; Colossians 4:2