As I was sending out my devotional thoughts yesterday, one of the verses that I quoted really jumped out at me. It was 1 Thessalonians 5:18. It is part of 3 short verses (16-18) that are powerful. I think they are the key to a peaceful and happy life regardless of what life throws at us.
1 Thessalonians 5:18… Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Did you notice that it refers to 3 actions (rejoice, pray, give thanks) and it tells us to do them always, continually, and in all circumstances!
Search as you may…using what ever translation you want, and you will not find an asterisk (*) saying to only do them when you feel like it. You may say “really, does God really want and expect me to rejoice and give thanks in all circumstances?” Yes! Note that He does not say to rejoice and give thanks FOR all circumstances, but we can rejoice and give thanks IN all circumstances!
- Yes…Even if you or a loved one has the coronavirus!
- Even when you are financially impacted by the coronavirus!
- Even when your job is on hold due to social distancing!
- Even when the kids are bored and driving you crazy staying home all day!
- Even when you are lonely and isolated from friends and family!
- Even when you miss your church family and face to face worship!
- Even when there are no sports on tv!
So how is this possible? Well, it is only possible when we focus on the fact that God Loves you on the good days and the not so good days! He is with you on sunny days as well as being with you during the storms of life. He is with you during every physical, emotional, financial, relational, and spiritual blessing you receive…as well as being with you in every storm you face. There is a section from Romans 8 that focuses on the fact that Jesus died (you can worship with us at royred.org on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday) and that He rose again (online worship on Easter) and He did it all for you personally! This section then tells us that nothing can separate Him from you! That He is interceding for you!
Romans 8:31-39… 31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[k] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Now, our verse that we started out with from Thessalonians says to pray continually! Why is that important? Well, first of all it connects you to your Lord and Savior. It reminds you that He is with you, that He cares for you, that He has a plan for you, and that He promises to bring good out of every situation. We can rejoice and give thanks knowing that we are His children. Not sure what to say, then try this format known as the ACTS of prayer.
A =Adore Him for He is almighty, all powerful, all-knowing, All-Loving!
C =Confess that you are sinful but sorry and want to repent and change!
T =Thank Him for all your blessings (food, family, health, etc.)
S =Supplicate, ask and petition. Let Him know what’s on your heart.
It may sound like this:
Lord, I adore you and praise you for who you are, the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings. I confess that try as I may, I let you down, I sin and fall short of your plan for my life. In your mercy and on account of Jesus death, please forgive me. Create in me a clean heart. Thank you for every good thing that I have. It’s all a gift from you. Help me to be a good steward of all that you have entrusted to my care. Lord, I petition you for the desires of my heart. Guide my thoughts, words, deeds to your glory. Lord, bring good out of the evil coronavirus. Draw people close to you in faith. Protect me and my family. Give wisdom to the leaders. Protect those working. Unify families thru this stay in place season. Amen.
So, the reality is that in this world we will have trouble. God does not create the trouble, our sinful world does. But the reality is that the same God who created a perfect world, will make all things new again in His heavenly kingdom. Knowing and trusting that fact will let you rejoice always, praycontinually, give thanks in all circumstances.
May you find God’s Peace in the present storm, His Hope for the future, and His Joy always. May you live a life of Thankfulness. May the Lord use you to impact those in your circle of influence!
So here is my plan for you:
- My next devotional will be on Monday (13th)
- I want you to go to royred.org each day and worship!
- Worship with Pastor Harris on Maundy Thursday (noon or later). Follow Jesus as He commands the disciples (and us) to love our neighbors, as He demonstrates that love by washing their feet…giving them a Holy Meal, a last supper…going to the garden…the betrayal and arrest.
- Worship with me on Good Friday (noon or later). Realize that the sinless life and painful death of Jesus was for you (personally). He paid the price for every one of your sins! The road from Palm Sunday to Easter had to go through Good Friday…He paid the price for you!
- Worship with Pastor Zahrte on Easter (Saturday and Sunday). I suggest you worship with him both days! Watch the traditional on one day and the contemporary on the other day. Celebrate the fact that Jesus rose from the dead…assuring us that thru faith we too will rise one day!
HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED!!!