Concise Commands Series from 1 Thessalonians 5:14-22
Sometimes God shares an enormous truth in a nutshell. Such is the case with 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18:
"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."
Rejoice when?
Always!
Pray when?
Continually!
Give thanks when?
In all circumstances!
Why?
This is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
God knows our lives aren’t always easy or happy. But He has designed us to overcome our sorrow, pain, rejection, and brokenness by rejoicing, praying, and being thankful.
Are we supposed to be joyful and thankful for bad situations? No.
But we can be joyful and thankful in bad situations.*
Prayer keeps us connected with God and reminds us that He can bring good out of bad (Romans 8:28).
In Christ Jesus “our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18).
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18
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* In the end we can even rejoice for bad things because they do a good work in us, and sometimes bad things accomplish things that good things never could! For a biblical example, see Genesis 50/20 Eyesight and God Uses Bad People.
Bible Love Notes
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