Well, I have been pretty sick these last few days. This strain of the flu is awful. Up until today just reading the Bible was all I could manage. It feels good to be able to write again. What does the Apostle Paul have for us in his closing remarks?
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." I Thessalonians 5:16-18
Many moons ago I was blessed to be able attend Capernwray Bible School in Carnforth, England (http://www.capernwray.org.uk/). There was this fellow student whose name was Ivanhoe. He loved to greet you first thing in the morning with a hearty, "This is the day the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad in it!" Now, although I am an early morning person, I am also a cup of coffee before we talk early morning guy. I don't think Ivanhoe had read Proverbs 27:14, "If a man loudly blesses his neighbor early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse." Ivanhoe meant well.* But, being joyful isn't just about putting on a smiley face and spouting spiritual catch phrases. We are joyful because we are in Christ.
We are also to pray continually. One of the most amazing truths about God's love for us is that he wants to talk with us. Prayer is part of that conversation. Keep the channel open all day long.
Paul shoots out another little blast to give thanks in all circumstances. Give thanks for what? for the circumstance? No. We give thanks that God works out all things for out good (Romans 8:28).
Finding our joy in Christ, seeking to live continually in prayer, and being thankful that God is working is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Father, help us to be joyful, prayerful and thankful. Praise be to you in us today!
*Ivanhoe eased up after I "greeted" him early one morning while he was attending to his personal business.
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