Subscription Lists

November- The Month of Thankfulness and Praise.

Duty

“But we all ought to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.” 2 Thessalonians 2:13

Paul, Silas, and Timothy had ministered to the believers in Thessalonica. Paul felt it was their duty to lift them up to God in prayer and thank God for the work He had done beforehand in the hearts of the people. We should follow this pattern and pray for those whom God has given us.

God had set them apart before their birth. This makes each of God’s children special in His eyes.

What can we praise God for? We can praise Him for the basics of our very lives. Do we thank God for the kindnesses shown to us by others?

Shouldn’t we develop this practice of giving praise on a regular basis? We have a lot of things to for which we should be grateful. Can you name three things for which you are thankful?

I am thankful for my salvation. I am thankful that I live in the United States of America. I am thankful I have the freedom to worship God as I choose, that no government can tell me how and where to worship.

I don’t usually get into the current news of our nation because that’s not what God usually wants me to write about. However, the events of this past week in response to the outcome of the election causes me to speak. Those who believe their choice was overlooked and that person lost the election need to realize that we are AMERICANS. We live in the UNITED states. We all need to work TOGETHER and be patient and wait and see where we will go AS A NATION. Pray for our president elect as we are directed in the Bible to pray for our leaders.

t

God’s Will

“Be joyful always; pray continually;

give thanks in all circumstances,

for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

Paul pens these words as part of final instructions to the believers at Thessalonica.

“Be joyful always. . .” People who read these words for the first time might think, “What does Paul mean by this? Can we be joyful in times of sadness? Paul hasn’t been through some of the sad times we have seen in present times.”

“. . . pray continually. . .” Again, babes in Christ wonder, “How can I always be in prayer? I have a family to raise. I work outside my home. I have hobbies I pursue.” I believe Paul asks us to be willing to go into a mode of prayer anytime we face hardships, ours or those of our friends. As we listen to our friend’s circumstance, Jesus may whisper into our ears that it is time to pray for this friend and his/her needs.

“. . . give thanks in all circumstances. . .” One new to Christianity might voice some concern, “What, give thanks in ALL circumstances? What does Paul mean?” Let’s look at this phrase carefully. He says to give thanks in all circumstances.

When the house right across the street from us caught fire, I gave thanks for the firefighters who were on our street two minutes after I called. When my friend’s son-in-law was diagnosed with a rare cancer, we were able to praise God every step along the way for the very attentive medical team that worked with him and his wife. We also gave thanks when he became cancer free.

“. . . for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” God, being our heavenly Father, teaches us to be appreciative, much like our earthly parents taught us to thank others when they do something for us. This is a small part of who God is.

"Today's Little Lift" from Jim Bullington

Who Won?