JOY, PRAYER, GRATITUDE
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
In the original text there are no commas and periods or verse numbers. All of these were added by the translators to help us. One scholar chose to put commas in these three verses instead of periods making it one sentence with one thought. With that interpretation we discover that God’s will for followers of Christ is to always be joyful, never stop praying, and be thankful in all circumstances. Perhaps the key is when we learn to never stop praying, we become thankful and that leads to being joyful. It is impossible to be thankful and not joyful. The question becomes how can I be thankful in “all circumstances?” Life sometimes throws us some real curve balls. Sickness, loss of a loved one, loss of a job, a broken relationship, or a child making bad choices are just a few of the curve balls that often come with life. Our flesh wonders if God cares for us or is even present with us during these trying moments. Sometimes we question what sin we have done to have such bad things happening to us. The key is also remembering Romans 8:28. In this passage tells us that God “causes all things to work together for good to those who love God.” It is not just the good things that God causes to work together for our good, He uses the curve balls of life to work good in our lives. I personally do not believe God causes bad things to happen to us. We live in a fallen world with fallen people. Bad things happen to good people. Bad people do bad things to good people. But when we choose to never stop praying for God to reveal how He wants to work good out of our bad, and we choose to give Him thanks for Who He is, and we choose to keep a joyful attitude in the pain, then we will see God work the bad for our good. Today is a great day to pause and be thankful. Despite the pain, frustration, hurt, loss, or difficulty of life we can be thankful that God is still God. God is working for our good. God will never leave us or forsake us. God is in charge.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit show me today that You are working in my life. Thank-you for Your love, protection, and direction. Thank-you for guiding me and working all things for my good. Thank-you for being my loving Heavenly Father.
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