“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
I must admit, this is one of those scriptures where a “check mark” rises up in my soul, it’s an area that needs refinement, one that I continue to try and work on, so I figure I must not be the only one… Let’s be honest, sometimes in certain circumstances, it is harder than others to give thanks, but this is what we are asked to do. Let’s look at “the why” of it…
No matter what we are going through there is ALWAYS something to thank God for – even when you need to dig deep within yourself to find it. One of the things that I always say to God sincerely is, “Thank You Father for Your forgiveness, Your love, Your mercy AND Your grace.” No matter what we go through in life, HE IS WITH US. I think that the level of thanks that we give to Him is the same measure of faith that we have. Is this an area where you need increasing? I know it is one for me.
Holy Spirit (who was sent to us by the Father and talked about by Jesus) is here to instruct and guide us, and yesterday He made me think of something, I want to share it with you… We come to the Father in thanksgiving and praise (as in Psalm 100:4) we ask for forgiveness of our sins (as taught by Jesus in “how to pray” see Luke 11:1-13) and then we bring our requests before Him and thank Him for answering our prayers) right? So WHY are we so surprised when God answers what we brought before Him? When God ANSWERS our prayers?! It’s like we are astonished… “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1). Do we REALLY believe when we pray that God WILL answer our prayers? (Especially if it is in line with His Word and His will, and how do we know His will? It is in His Word, the Bible).
We need to search deep within ourselves to SEE if we believe that God hears us because HIS WORD IS TRUE. God is NOT a God that He would lie. He IS faithful.
“God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not fulfill it?” (Numbers 23:19)
Here is a tidbit that ol’ slewfoot doesn’t want to bring to you – front and center. When You praise God, OUR heart fills with Joy. Praising God INCREASES our faith. Isn’t that something? God doesn’t NEED your praise, all of Heaven is praising Him BUT He deserves it! AND the loving, merciful, forgiving, patient Father that we have KNOWS that When we worship Him and praise Him and Thank Him, our faith IN Him increases! You can’t thank God and praise Him for who He is without being blessed yourself at the goodness of God! It simply can’t be done! TRY IT. Spend a few minutes just thanking God – even for the littlest of things. Thank Him for waking you up this morning, thank Him for your health, for your family and if you can’t think of anything on the earth to thank Him for – thank Him for what He did for you alone!!! And watch as in doing so, your heart grows light! Joy floods your soul! All because You are being obedient in doing something that we SHOULD do anyways – that honors God BUT that ALSO blesses us with peace of mind and joy in doing it! I call that the gift that keeps on giving!!! 😉
“God so loved the world that He gave His ONLY begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, shall NOT perish, but have everlasting life!” (John 3:16 Emphasis always mine). GOD DIED FOR YOU! THANK HIM. PRAISE HIM! And as you spent time doing that – Holy Spirit will fill you with the MOST explicable joy! Which in turn will increase your faith. Here’s an assignment that I’m going to try myself – with every worry that ol’ slewfoot whispers into your ear to fill you with anxiety, fear, depression or dread – Praise God that He is greater! Let’s try it:
“Father, I praise You and thank You that “greater are YOU in me than he that is within the world.” (1 John 4:4) I thank You for allowing me to drop my burdens (and list here all the things that are troubling you or concerning you – whatever it is you want to “converse with your Father about) at the foot of Your cross. You tell me in Your Word, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30) Lord, forgive me for anything I have done that has contributed to what I am bringing before You in prayer. If there is any evil within me, or anything that needs changing – I beseech You, please change it. Father, help ME to believe that what I am bringing before You IS reaching Your ears. I bring each prayer request before You by the blood of Jesus, who made a way for me to enter into Your presence. Please forgive me for my sins and wash me with Your precious blood. And in bringing my request before You help me to believe that You WILL answer my prayers, according to Your will and promises spoken about in Your Word, the Bible. And now I release my worries to You. I thank You Father! I praise Your name! I worship You this day! I thank You that Your Word tells me, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and ALL else will follow!” (Matthew 6:33) I thank You for all that You have done, all that You are doing and all that You WILL do. I know that Your Word tells me in Philippians 1:6 “…He who began a good work in you will carry it onto completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” I CHOOSE this day to trust in YOU. Thank You Father, for not only hearing my prayer but answering it. Thank You for caring, for being merciful and for being concerned for me. BE GLORIFIED in my life in Jesus name I pray. Amen.”
Now let’s continue to thank Him walking in the belief and faith that He not only hears you, but He will be true to His Word to answer, according to His promises and His will. Being in the center of His will, no matter WHAT we go through, is the best place to be. Praise Him. God IS faithful ALL the time. \0/ \0/ \0/
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