Rejoice, Pray, and Be Thankful
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
Tuesdays, in Brown Bag Bible Study, we have been working our way through Paul’s letters to the church in Thessalonica. It has been quite a wonderful journey as we have read, reflected, and shared. The selection above stands out from Paul’s first letter.
In my Bible there is a heading a few verses before this passage that reads, “Final Instructions.” The things we say before we part can be so important. Parents give final instructions to children before they head off to primary school for the first time. We continue to give these instructions as we send our kids off to bigger and better things in life. As you go through a drive through the employee gives final instructions like, “pull up to the first window.” Often after you complete your self checkout process at Publix or Winn Dixie they have an employee poised to say, “Have a good day.” Final instructions often offer wonderful nuggets of wisdom while parting.
The significance of Paul reminding the church in Thessalonica to rejoice, pray, and be thankful should not be glossed over. These three actions have a way of completely transforming our existence on this earth. We can be filled with joy because our God has come to live in us. He intimately seeks a relationship with each of us. For this we can be grateful regardless of the circumstance. So, rejoice, pray, and be thankful! Jesus saves.
Be blessed and be a blessing,
Matt
Tuesdays, in Brown Bag Bible Study, we have been working our way through Paul’s letters to the church in Thessalonica. It has been quite a wonderful journey as we have read, reflected, and shared. The selection above stands out from Paul’s first letter.
In my Bible there is a heading a few verses before this passage that reads, “Final Instructions.” The things we say before we part can be so important. Parents give final instructions to children before they head off to primary school for the first time. We continue to give these instructions as we send our kids off to bigger and better things in life. As you go through a drive through the employee gives final instructions like, “pull up to the first window.” Often after you complete your self checkout process at Publix or Winn Dixie they have an employee poised to say, “Have a good day.” Final instructions often offer wonderful nuggets of wisdom while parting.
The significance of Paul reminding the church in Thessalonica to rejoice, pray, and be thankful should not be glossed over. These three actions have a way of completely transforming our existence on this earth. We can be filled with joy because our God has come to live in us. He intimately seeks a relationship with each of us. For this we can be grateful regardless of the circumstance. So, rejoice, pray, and be thankful! Jesus saves.
Be blessed and be a blessing,
Matt
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