God's will for us in these times.
"a new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another."- John 13:34
-THIS SUNDAY'S TEXT- God’s will for us in these times I am so thankful to our God, for His wisdom is higher than mine; His power is greater than all; His timing, His work, His control are all perfect because He is perfect and what He does is right! When God led us to the letter of 1 Thessalonians, He knew we would soon be facing the coronavirus. God knew we would need the same encouragement that Paul was giving the church of Thessalonica. God knew that we would face conditions in which we have to look beyond the temporary, earthly conditions and set our hope on Christ and the eternal. God knew that we would need to admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, and help the weak. God knew that we would need to be patient with each other. God knew that we would need to be reminded to rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances.
As we continue to walk through 1 Thessalonians, it is important to remember what was going on with the church of Thessalonica. They were a young church. They were a persecuted church. They were a people facing much affliction.
Paul wrote earlier in the letter – for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit.
Knowing the pressures of life on earth and especially the pressures of being a Christian, Paul reminds the church of God’s will for them in Christ Jesus.
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 (This Sunday we will focus on verses 16-18)
God’s will for us in Christ Jesus:
- Rejoice always
- Pray without ceasing
- Give thanks in all circumstances
This sounds much like Paul’s encouragement to the church of Philippi. Read Philippians 4:4-7.
· God’s people are going to look and be different than the world, even in the most difficult times. · Our joy and confidence is in Christ Jesus our Lord, not in our wavering, earthly situations, conditions, & circumstances.
How is it that we can rejoice always and give thanks in all circumstances?
-
We have to know God - Through His word and by His Spirit, we know God and His promises.
-
We have to depend on God - Through prayer, we commune with God and depend on Him.
-CONSIDER & MEDITATE- In preparation for this Sunday, it will be helpful to read and meditate on the following passages and how they relate to our having a heart of joy and thanksgiving:
John 17:12-15 Luke 22:14-20 Hebrews 12:1-2
How is your time in the Word and prayer? Is the meter of your heart registering low in joy and thanksgiving? If so, most likely your time in the Word and prayer is low.
Time in the Word and prayer keeps our eyes on the heavenly matters and hearts settled confidently in Christ. Therefore, Christ remains our joy and He stirs up in us thanksgiving to the Father.
-PRAYER & THANKSGIVING- I have found this week that the reading of Psalm 107 has created in my heart thanksgiving to God for His steadfast love. Check it out and give thanks to the Lord through prayer.
Think of all the blessings we have in Christ and thank God for those blessings.