1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
In yesterday’s E-Votional I made a glaring error. I was thinking Joseph, but typed David. It was not my lack of understanding, but perhaps just my fumbled fingers working while my thoughts were racing ahead. I am so thankful for dear friends who picked up my mistake and alerted me. Being thankful is not, or at least it should not be a rare commodity. As members of God’s family we are to be thankful at all times, even when we have made mistakes. It is not our prerogative to choose what we will be thankful for.
In today’s Scripture, Paul admonishes the church at Thessalonica (as well as all of us) that we are to: BE JOYFUL ALWAYS. It is easy to become defensive and resentful when it is clear that we have been wrong. It is important that we grab hold of Paul’s admonition and be joyful that there are friends who care enough about us to correct our errors.
Paul’s second admonition is that we are to: PRAY CONTINUALLY. Here is another embarrassing question: How is your prayer life? Are you continually speaking to the Lord in prayer? It is a discipline that we need to pursue.
The last admonition is in line with today’s topic. Here is what the Lord expects of us: GIVE THANKS IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES. Our life should be different from the world. We grow in grace as we recognize that we need each other. It is like steel sharpening steel. Thanks to all of you who are faithful to keep me true to the Word of God.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil