rjones
Member
- Joined
- Jul 28, 2007
- Messages
- 314
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus".
In these verses of scripture we find the basic necessities of daily Christian worship. If we can adhere to these 3 commands, we will find ourselves in "God's will".
1. Be joyful always: The Word of God tells us to not only be joyful in happy things, but in sorrows also. As Christians, we can always be joyful because our joy isn’t based in circumstances, but in God. Circumstances change, but God doesn’t.
Nehemiah 8:10 "...for the joy of the LORD is your strength".
“Turn this book over and see if there be any precept that the Lord has given you in which he has said, ‘Groan in the Lord always, and again I say groan.’ You may groan if you like. You have Christian liberty for that; but, at the same time, do believe that you have larger liberty to rejoice, for so it is put before you.” (Spurgeon)
2. Pray continually: Christians are to pray continually. We can’t bow our heads, close our eyes, and fold our hands continually, but those are customs of prayer, not prayer itself. Prayer is communication with God, and we can live each minute of the day in a constant, flowing, conversation with God.
There is significant, important value in a time where we shut out all other distractions and focus on God in a time of closet prayer (Matthew 6:6). But there is also room - and great value - in every-moment-of-the-day fellowship with God.
There are many valuable implications from this command:
· The use of the voice is not an essential element in prayer.
· The posture of prayer is not of primary importance.
· The place of prayer is not of great importance.
· The particular time of prayer is not important.
· A Christian should never be in a place where he could not pray.
3. Give thanks in all circumstances: We don’t give thanks for everything, but in everything. We recognize God’s sovereign hand is in charge, and not blind fate or chance.
“When joy and prayer are married their first born child is gratitude.” (Spurgeon)
After each one of these exhortations - Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances- we are told to do them because it is the will of God. The thought isn’t “this is God’s will, so you must do it.” The thought is rather “this is God’s will, so you can do it.” It isn’t easy to be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, but we can do it because it is God’s will.
May God bless you abundantly today.
In Jesus name, Amen.
In these verses of scripture we find the basic necessities of daily Christian worship. If we can adhere to these 3 commands, we will find ourselves in "God's will".
1. Be joyful always: The Word of God tells us to not only be joyful in happy things, but in sorrows also. As Christians, we can always be joyful because our joy isn’t based in circumstances, but in God. Circumstances change, but God doesn’t.
Nehemiah 8:10 "...for the joy of the LORD is your strength".
“Turn this book over and see if there be any precept that the Lord has given you in which he has said, ‘Groan in the Lord always, and again I say groan.’ You may groan if you like. You have Christian liberty for that; but, at the same time, do believe that you have larger liberty to rejoice, for so it is put before you.” (Spurgeon)
2. Pray continually: Christians are to pray continually. We can’t bow our heads, close our eyes, and fold our hands continually, but those are customs of prayer, not prayer itself. Prayer is communication with God, and we can live each minute of the day in a constant, flowing, conversation with God.
There is significant, important value in a time where we shut out all other distractions and focus on God in a time of closet prayer (Matthew 6:6). But there is also room - and great value - in every-moment-of-the-day fellowship with God.
There are many valuable implications from this command:
· The use of the voice is not an essential element in prayer.
· The posture of prayer is not of primary importance.
· The place of prayer is not of great importance.
· The particular time of prayer is not important.
· A Christian should never be in a place where he could not pray.
3. Give thanks in all circumstances: We don’t give thanks for everything, but in everything. We recognize God’s sovereign hand is in charge, and not blind fate or chance.
“When joy and prayer are married their first born child is gratitude.” (Spurgeon)
After each one of these exhortations - Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances- we are told to do them because it is the will of God. The thought isn’t “this is God’s will, so you must do it.” The thought is rather “this is God’s will, so you can do it.” It isn’t easy to be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, but we can do it because it is God’s will.
May God bless you abundantly today.
In Jesus name, Amen.
