“16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Dear Beloved,
It is the time of year where our country stops from the busyness of life to gives thanks for all their many blessings. People all over our land will gather around tables and share with each other what they are thankful for in their lives. This is good thing. I pray that many of you will be counted among the many that rejoice in thanksgiving to God for all that He has given us.
Although Thanksgiving is a wonderful day to give thanks, we must use it as a reminder that we are to give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus. Our country stops for one day to give thanks for their blessings, but as Christians we are called to never stop giving thanks for our blessings. Even more, we are called to give thanks not only in our blessings, but in our trials. James 1:2-4 says, “2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
As Christians we must use this Thanksgiving season to remind us that God wants us to be joyful always, to pray continually and to give thanks in all circumstances. We must go beyond the thanksgiving of our world, because our hope goes beyond this world. Romans 5:3-5 shows us that our sufferings eventually lead to hope; a hope that does not disappoint us because God has poured into our hearts the Holy Spirit. We give thanks in all circumstances because we know that God will use all our circumstances for our good.
Beloved, I know that many of you face trials this season. Although you are facing trials, give thanks because your trials are leading you to glorious hope (Romans 5:3-5). So let us give thanks this season, not as our world give thanks, only in blessings, but in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior.
In Christ,
Pastor Dave
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