In all things...

I heard a Word a few Sundays ago...it has really stuck with me...I decided to take a closer look in my private study...and now...I really can't stop thinking about what Paul had to say to the church at Thessalonica...First Thessalonians 5:16-18 says...

16Rejoice always;
17pray without ceasing;
18in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

At first glance...this seems "do-able"...rejoice always...pray without ceasing...in everything give thanks...and then it hit me...rejoice always...pray without ceasing...in everything give thanks...So what do you mean Paul??? Paul you can't mean rejoice in sadness...pray when I'm broke...give thanks when I am stabbed in the back...

Easier said than done...Am I right??? What I like about Paul...is he didn't suggest something that he had never done...in his second letter to the church at Corinth...Paul gives testimony of his sufferings...2nd Corinthians 11:23-30

23Are they servants of Christ?--I speak as if insane--I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death.
24Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes.
25Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep.
26I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren;
27I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.
28Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches.
29Who is weak without my being weak? Who is led into sin without my intense concern?
30If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness.

Paul says...if I can do it...so can you...and trust me you haven't had it like me...

Paul goes on to remind us in verse 18 of Thessalonians 5...that this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus...that you never stop rejoicing...that you never stop praying...that you never stop giving thanks...you can only take on this Christian attitude...IN Christ Jesus...you have to be in relationship with Christ in order to smile...when life suggests otherwise...to pray until something happens...to give thanks when in need...it is God's will that you lean and depend on Him...that you tap into the supernatural...Let's pray...

Lord you are so awesome...you know us better than we know ourselves...so Lord forgive us of our sins...all of them...everything that keeps us from you...remove them now...Lord you are so holy...and it is our desire to be just like you...so help us where we are weak...Lord we really want to please you...although our daily decisions sometimes don't line up with your will for our life...we ask now that you take back our minds...take back our bodies...and use them for your service...that you may get the glory from our lives...help us Lord to rejoice in all things...the good and the bad...to pray without ceasing for ourselves...our families...our community...our nation...we need you God to remind us to give thanks in everything...so Lord stir up the gifts among us...that we might give you all the glory, honor, and praise you deserve...we ask these things in Jesus' name...Amen!!!