God's will for you...be joyful always....

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18  NIV

¹⁷ pray continually, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 

There's part of this scripture that I didn't add on at the beginning of this little series of blog posts, so I would like to add it now....

 ¹⁶ Be joyful always, 

 Be joyful always.  Joyful.  There's that word again.  Funny how one day, you wake up and choose joy.  And the next day...that joy seems so far away.  You must choose it again.  And again, and again.  Why is it so hard? Seems simple enough, doesn't it?  Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances.  Easy to say, not so easy to do when we let all the little annoyances of our days take up space in our minds.  When we let those things dim the light that is Christ Jesus in our lives.

Choose joy.  Then pray often, continually.  Give thanks - all the time.  When we pray, when we give thanks how can we not be joyful?  How can we not see what God is doing in our lives if we are thanking Him for the daily blessings he bestows, the silver linings, the gifts?  And when we see He IS at work, and see what He offers, the joy overflows.

But then those words, "for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." It is His will that we join in relationship with him.  That we rejoice, that we pray and talk to him, that we live our lives out of the gratitude that comes from what He offers us.  And when we do this...we will find joy.  Not necessarily day to day happiness and a life of roses.  But deep down joy that can only come from God's love for us.  Joy that overflows and gives us strength.  Joy that helps us withstand suffering.  Joy that gives light in the darkest places.  It's God's will for me...it's God's will for you.

I choose joy!  I trust in Jesus, my great deliverer!

 

Give thanks in all circumstances...

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18  NIV

¹⁷ pray continually, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.


Give thanks in all circumstances.  All?  Really?  Yep, that's what it says - in all circumstances.  It's easy to give thanks when things go well.  When we are being treated well, when good things happen, when we receive above and beyond our expectations, when the sun is shining and there are no storm clouds on life's horizon.  It's easy to smile, or jump up and down in joy, lift our hands to God and say "Thank you, God. Thank YOU!"


But what about when things aren't so great?  What about when life seems to be about tearing you down instead of building you up?  What about when those bad things that only happen to other people happen to you?  What about when your family members turn their backs on you or your friends suddenly don't want to spend time with you any more?  What about when you lose your job all of  sudden or your car is gone?  What about those times?


How can you say thanks for the times of pain and suffering?


Have you ever looked back on one of those times and realized that in the end, it was a blessing in disguise?  That you learned something big that will affect how you live your life in the future?  What if, through that difficult experience, you gained knowledge to help someone else who might be going through the very same situation?  What if it opened your eyes to see things from someone else's point of view?  What if it taught you something about yourself that needed to change?


"In all circumstances" doesn't mean just the good times, but also the not so good, and yes, even the bad times.  Give thanks in all circumstances.  Hate doing those humdrum chores around the house?  At least you have a house....or dishes to wash...or food to eat off those dishes you have to wash. What about when the car breaks down...AGAIN...but you have friends you can call who will give you a ride, or loan you a car, or even just listen to your frustration and empathize.  The chronic pain you suffer makes you tired and maybe a little blue...but maybe someday someone will cross your path who you can help through the same kind of pain.


We don't know where all these situations and circumstances will ultimately take us.  But we can still give thanks for God's presence, for His undying love, for His foresight and knowledge of how He will use all these things for good in some way.  Jesus came to our earth as a human being to share in all these things with us.  He's been there.  He understands fully what it means to be human, to hurt, to fear, to worry.  He understands the emotions we feel.  He gets the anger.  He knows.  And He is there to help us get through all those things.


So give thanks in all circumstances...and trust Him.

Unchanging One...by Todd Agnew

He alone never changes...our God...

Pray continually...

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18  NIV

¹⁷ pray continually, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

As I go about my day...do I talk to God continually?  Um, no.  Much as I'd like to think I have a pretty good ongoing conversation with my Father...I'm thinking I don't pray continually.  In fact, some days I realize I've gone several hours without giving Him much thought at all.  Pray continually.  As in all the time.  Each breath in and each breath out.  He who formed us from dust, breathed His very own life into us, He who sent his son...Himself...to breath his last human breath on the cross for us, He who provides, who comforts, who guides, who lifts us up when we stumble, He who created all things, who was and is and is to come....He deserves our full, prayerful, attention.  Not just once in a while, but continually.  So, if I am not talking to him continually, how can I pray constantly?  Perhaps the way I live is a prayer...  Do I live my life as a prayer to Him?  If I look at what I do during the day...are all my behaviors in some way a prayer to my God?  Uh oh.  There are some things I don't really want to be saying to Him, right?  Was that my "out loud voice?"

I started out this post with the thought of thankfulness.  I had a whole different direction I was going to take this today.  But then I got stuck on those two words at the beginning of this verse.  And now, I find I have something entirely different to ponder today....

I choose JOY

I've been thinking about joy today.  Elusive sometimes, isn't it?  And yet, it's within our reach.  It's within the moments of every day.  It's there for us to choose.  "To choose?" you might ask.  Yes, to choose.  When you wake in the morning, do you say to yourself "Today I am going to have a crummy day?  Today I choose to be grumpy.  Today I choose to look at the wrong side of the fabric and live my life with fear, anxiety and desperation.  Today I will let bitterness and anger rule in my heart."  Of course, you don't.  Who would choose to have a bad day?

On the other hand, however, how often do you get up in the morning and say "Today, I choose joy!  Today I will look at the brighter side of things.  Today I will trust God to direct my footsteps.  Today I will look on Him for all I need.  Today I will say "Yes" to His purposes for me.  Today I will be grateful for the things I have, the gifts I am blessed with, the people who grace my life."

Ok, so the first one is a little extreme.  But what if you wake in the morning and open your eyes, take a deep breath and say "Today, I choose joy."  How would that change your outlook?  Maybe just try it right now.  Breathe in deep, and as you slowly let it out let your heart say these words...."Today, I choose joy."

Today I choose to trust in God.  Today I choose to give all my trials, fears, worries to Him.  Today I choose to live a life of thankfulness.  Today I choose to love those around me with the love of God...not my own weak version of it.  Today I choose to forgive and let go of the things that hurt me.  Today I will let those who matter to me know it.  Today I will give as God would have me give.

Today, I choose joy.

P.S.  I read one of my favorite blogs today and the post there was also about joy...Oh how I love the way the Lord works.  Here I am thinking on this very topic, and one of my favorite writers was also there.
Here is a link to her page...it is a beautiful post, even though a little heartbreaking.


A Holy Experience

Called to pray...

...not now, Lord.  I have so much to do.  I don't have time to stop and pray.  Come on, Lord, I've been thinking about that person all day, and I know they probably need prayer, but isn't this good enough?  God, you know I am worried about this...and that...and how will I ever get through everything?  Oh and I think I forgot to eat dinner....  I want to talk to you, Father, but can we make it quick? 

Do you ever feel the nudging from the Spirit that tells you to slow down and pray a little?  To stop what you are doing and just rest in the Lord?  To tell Him about your day, and your worries, and the people you care about?  Are you called to pray?   Jesus took time out of his day to go to a quiet place and pray.  Jesus, who was already one with the Father, took time to pray.  He gave us example after example.

Sometimes, I realize a whole day has gone by and I haven't taken much time to talk to God.  Or I find excuses to put off the conversation.  I will even admit that right now, as I write this blog post...I am feeling pulled to pray.  To turn off the noise, the computer.  To just stop, sit down, close my eyes and come quietly before the Lord. And yet, I am avoiding it.  WHY??

He's been nudging me today.  Sending thoughts that say..."Hey, I want to talk with you.  Won't you take some time with Me?"  And I've been busy.  Busy, busy, busy.  And looking back over the day...I can't say I have accomplished a lot.  Except maybe worry, fret, forget to eat and take time to rest.  I am running behind and running late.  I need to go to bed, but have things that are unfinished that need to be done for tomorrow. 

What's keeping me from talking to God?  Maybe I am afraid of what He might say to me.  Maybe He has a task in mind that is too much.  Maybe He has no answers for today, but only that quiet, dreaded word...wait.
Why do I grieve His heart by keeping my distance?

Do you need to pray?  Do you have concerns to share with Him?  Is he putting someone on your heart who really needs intercession?  Are you worried about something?  Is your schedule too hectic? 

Stop. Rest in Him.  Give up all the feeble excuses and MAKE the time to talk with your Father.  He certainly has time for you.  He is waiting.  He will give you peace.  He will give you the strength you need.  He will give you a balance to help you get done what is important and know what can wait.  Stop.  Turn off the noise.  Sit with Him.  Seek His face.  Seek His heart.  Pray....

I'm going to spend some time with Him right now...will you?

Sidewalk Prophets - Live version of "The Words I Would Say"

From my heart to yours...