Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
If I recall correctly, this was Gloria's favorite verse(s) that she shared with us one Wednesday evening.
The commands:
1) Be joyful always
2) Pray Continuously
3) Give thanks in all circumstances
You must be kidding me! Unless your life is complete happy, everyone loves you, and nothing but blessings are being poured out to you, it will be pretty difficult to be joyful always. to pray continuously, and give thanks in every situation no matter good or bad.
This verse, according to the author of today's devotional Laura MacCorkle, is the skip over verse simply because this is near impossible to do. It is easily stated and used as solutions to problems, but if we truly put forth an effort to apply this to our lives, we will most certainly come empty handed.
How can I be joyful when I study my butt off to get that failing grade when a slacker gets through with a passing grade? How can I be joyful when I go to every meeting and work hard only to come out short? How can I be thankful when a bus sees you there and drives through the puddle of water next to you anyways? How can I be joyful when a friend does not want to speak to you anymore? How can I pray when it seems like nothing is going the way that it should be?
These 3 instructions were from Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians. Paul was reminding the church of Thessalonica how God's people should live and that our attitudes should not be influenced by circumstances.
As Christians, we have accepted that our lives are for the greater glory of God for He has given us a second chance. So how do we carry out Paul's seeming "impossible" instructions?
I can do everything through him who gives me strength (Phil. 4:13).
Anything is possible if we believe and have faith in our Father. It was through His grace and mercy that we were allowed to even breathe another breath of air. Christ died on the cross and took the wrath of mankind onto Himself so that we may live. And it is ONLY through Jesus Christ that helps us live this way. And this is the kind of living that God wants for His children just as Christ has lived.
Allow God to pick you up and smile ^^
Amen.
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