Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God’s will in Christ Jesus that you do this.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 GW
What is God’s will for your life? What does He desire to see in your walk with Him? What does the fruit of obedience look like?
It looks like joy. No matter what. Joy is a fruit of abiding in the Spirit. Love, joy and peace. That’s the evidence that someone is following Christ with their whole heart.
Where does this joy come from? It comes from knowing God and repenting from living a life of sin. Sin is disobedience. Righteousness is following God and imitating His way. Get rid of sin and joy will grow in its place.
The internal condition of your heart will produce all the thoughts, actions and behaviors in your life. Instead of being a hypocrite who does right but inwardly is empty, focus on keeping the attitude of your heart right and everything you think, say and do will bring approval from God.
We already have God’s approval because of what Jesus did. Walk in that knowledge. Repeat after me, “I am loved and accepted by God, no matter what, because I believe that Jesus died for my sins.”
How does that make your heart feel? Guard your thoughts with the helmet of salvation. We are saved by faith. We can and will mess up on a daily basis. But thanks be to God that He’s not holding our faults against us. Isn’t that wonderful? Doesn’t that cause joy and thanksgiving to well up in your heart? Let it overflow.
Let the love, joy, peace, grace and gratitude you feel be the water that springs forth that speaks life and love to everyone you meet. Rivers of living water spring forth from within to quench the thirst of barren souls who hunger and thirst for something real. The Holy Spirit speaks through us when we speak the truth in love. The Gospel really is Good News.
Give thanks this Thanksgiving and don’t be ashamed of the Gospel which brings us peace. Be known for your joy. And never stop praying. Keep an open line of communication with your Heavenly Father. He will lead you and give you what to say. You may even surprise yourself when you witness yourself being used by God.
Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God’s will in Christ Jesus that you do this. Whether we live or we die, we exist for Him, and will live with Him forever. That’s certainly something to be thankful for.
What are you thankful for this year? Good times? Bad times? All the times God used your circumstances to mold and make you more and more into His image and likeness? When you know God, you know all things work together for good. So no matter what is happening, we can be joyful and give thanks to God, because Jesus Christ is Lord.
Say a prayer for me. I pray that God uses you for His glory today and everyday.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Don’t put out the Spirit’s fire. Don’t despise what God has revealed. Instead, test everything. Hold on to what is good. Keep away from every kind of evil.
1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 GW
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