Tag: 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Pray This Way…

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Our Father in Heaven…
Matthew 6:9-13

One of the first prayers we learn, even as a child, is the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus taught this simple prayer to His disciples telling them to “pray this way”. This prayer is recited by multitudes of believers worldwide daily. Some believers understand its power and how it can ignite & increase our faith, many however do not and the prayer is just a ritual of obedience & religion.

Today’s verses commence with “Our Father in heaven…” It is essential that He is our source & the supply of everything. When we need anything at all our first port of call must be God. It shouldn’t be our financial advisors, legal team or even our treasured family members. When we approach God first, we open up the infinite treasures of His promises. These treasures provide all the wisdom, hope & favour we’ll need. When we go to God first, we empower Him to direct us to the right people, in the right places, at the right time.

In the verses following Jesus demonstrates 4 vital areas that should always be taken to God first…

Provision >> “Give us” v11
Direction >> “Lead us” v13
Protection >> “Deliver us” v13
Pardon >> “Forgive us” v12

This week let’s empower God to connect us with the answers of His promises. If we need provision, direction, protection or pardon let’s do what Jesus said by taking it in prayer to our Father first. Let’s be open, honest & real in our prayer so we can receive all the wisdom, hope & favour we’ll need. Then start giving thanks to Him for what He will do [1 Thessalonians 5:18]. Before long we’ll be looking at our answer, excited that we did it God’s way & got His results.

Thank You Too…

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“Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God’s will in Christ Jesus that you do this.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18

Our yearly celebration of the birth of our savior, Jesus, is upon us. It is a time of giving and receiving gifts as a way of honoring the greatest gift of all: Jesus. Christmas is often an intimate time of joy, of gathering together to make memories and catch-up.  For some though it may have been a difficult or painful time.

Today’s verse reminds us of a great truth. It does not say God is responsible for all that happens in our world. It simply reminds us to give thanks no matter what happens!  Giving thanks… even in adversity… is God’s way of getting us into a greater future.

To give thanks simply means to “readily express gratitude, show appreciation and return kindness.” We must always be ready & willing to give thanks. Sometimes we easily direct our thanks to Jesus but God wants us to learn to also thank those who have personally been kind & generous to us. Whether others generosity has been small or great we are to do as God says and give thanks to them as well.

This week let’s activate God’s Word and complete our Christmas celebration by giving thanks. Why not mail a card, make a quick phone call, send an email or text a great big THANK YOU to all the people who have reached out in kindness to you this year. It is God’s will in Christ Jesus that we give thanks today so let’s just do it.

A Wandering Mind…

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“Bless the LORD, O my soul”
Psalm 103:1,2 – Psalm 103:22 – Psalm 104:1,35

Does your mind ever wander? Sometimes it happens in the middle of what might be an important presentation or conversation. It happens exactly when we should be concentrating. At these times we find our mind churning through “to do” lists, future plans or even holiday destinations. We’re often embarrassingly snapped back when someone asks a question or demand a comment. Our mind was being lazy, escaping rather than paying attention.

Today’s verse describes what David did to make his mind work properly. 5 times in Psalms he instructs his soul to Bless the Lord. Our soul embraces our mind, will & emotions. Our soul is designed to praise and bless God, enjoy his friendship & delight in his favor. Unfortunately many people seldom use their mind, will & emotions for this. They just let them do what they want to do, unhindered.

Like David, the most effective thing we can do is to speak to our mind and make it do what it needs to do. Even when it doesn’t want to. Joshua was told to make his mind speak & meditated on God’s Word [Joshua 1:8], Paul told us to make our mind give thanks in all things [1 Thessalonians 5:18, Ephesians 5:20]. When we make our mind work, rather than be lazy, we pay attention to all the promises, blessings & hope that God has for us.

This week let’s wake our minds up by speaking to them. Let’s not accept a lazy or disinterested response. Let’s employ our minds appropriately in God’s Word. Let’s read, speak & meditate on God’s Word. Let’s make our souls give thanks for everything that is happening. Then, before long, our minds will be alert, excited and passionate to go further & deeper into the things of God.

Everything Needed…

Posted on by admin

“Our Father in heaven” Matthew 6:9-13

One of the first prayers we learn, even as a child, is the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus taught this simple prayer to His disciples telling them to “pray this way”. This prayer is recited by multitudes of believers worldwide every day. Some believers understand its power and how it can ignite & increase our faith. Many however do not and the prayer is just a ritual of obedience & religion.

Today’s verses commence with “Our Father in heaven.” It is essential that He is our source & supply of everything. When we need anything at all our first port of call must be God. It shouldn’t be our financial advisors, legal team or even our treasured family members. When we approach God first we open up the infinite treasures of His promises. These treasures provide all the wisdom, hope & favour we’ll need. When we go to God first we empower Him to direct us to the right people, in the right places, at the right time.

In the verses following Jesus demonstrates 4 vital areas that should always be taken to God first…

  1. Provision >> “Give us” v11
  2. Direction >> “Lead us” v13
  3. Protection >> “Deliver us” v13
  4. Pardon >> “Forgive us” v12

This week let’s empower God to connect us with the answers of His promises. If we need provision, direction, protection or pardon let’s do what Jesus said. Let’s take it in prayer to our Father first. Let’s be open, honest & real in our prayer so we can receive all the wisdom, hope & favour we’ll need. Then start giving thanks to Him for what He will do [1 Thessalonians 5:18]. Before long we’ll be looking at our answer, excited that we did it God’s way & got His results.

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Thank You So Much…

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1 Thessalonians 5:18 “Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God’s will in Christ Jesus that you do this.” (GW)

Our yearly celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ has just passed. It has been a time of giving and receiving gifts as a way of honouring the greatest gift of all in Jesus. For most of us Christmas has been a time of joy, of gathering together and making memories.  For some it may have been a difficult time.

Notice our verse does not say God is responsible for all that happens in our world it simply instructs us to give thanks no matter what happens!  This is God’s way.

To give thanks means to “readily express gratitude, show appreciation and return kindness.” We must always be ready and willing to give thanks. Sometimes we easily direct our thanks to Jesus but God wants us to learn to also thank those who have been personally kind and generous to us. Whether others generosity has been small or great we are to do as God commands and give thanks to them as well.

Activate God’s word today and complete your Christmas celebration by giving thanks. Post a card, make a quick phone call, send email or text a great big THANK YOU to all the people who have reached out in kindness to you this year. It is God’s will in Christ Jesus that you give thanks today!