1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Keeping eternal perspective we can always rejoice because of God's salvation despite our temporary circumstances. We can rejoice always, even in persecution, because we believe in God’s promises. Our hope is in the Lord, for He is our rock and our salvation (Psalm 62:6). Praying continually. Every waking moment we live in the awareness that God is with us and that He is actively involved and engaged in our thoughts and actions. Unceasing prayer is continual dependence and communion with our Father in heaven. Give thanks in all circumstances. We can give thanks in everything because we understand how God is using those things in our lives to grow us now and in the future. Thankfulness produces joy. Lets do God's will by rejoicing always, praying continually and giving thanks in all circumstances. Happy Thanksgiving!
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Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.
No action is good enough to provide our own salvation. No good deeds can undo the sins we have committed. Salvation is a gift. Further, it is a gift only God can provide. No matter how much we desire to give salvation to another person, we cannot. Only God can offer the gift of eternal life. Instead, we are called to proclaim the gospel, live it, share it, pray for the salvation of others, and help people grow in the grace of God. Receive the Gift of Salvation that the Lord gives us freely by His Grace. John 4:23-24
"But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." To worship God in spirit and in truth, is to declare that God is worthy of our reverence. We do it with a heart inclined toward God and in submission to Him. We worship God when our attitudes, actions, and words declare that He is worthy of our praise. It is also expressed in our daily lives through prayer, scripture reading, acts of kindness, gratitude, pure thoughts and showing Christ's love. Oftentimes we offer worship to God out of a sense of duty, or in expectation of blessing, or as a result of being taught a tradition. The Father in heaven is seeking true worshipers. Let's all worship Him in spirit and truth. Matthew 6:26-27
26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? When we trust God and abide in Him, His peace and contentment surpasses our anxiety and, everyday worries about things that don't matter. Our heavenly Father takes care of the birds, how much more valuable are you? You are of ultimate value to God. Leave all your cares and concerns to Him and He will take care and provide your daily needs. God has declared us of ultimate value by sending his Son to redeem us. We should commit to pursue what is of ultimate value, the Father and His Kingdom. When we do that, the necessities will fall into place. Let's seek God's wisdom to know that God values you more and, trust Him in all your cares. Psalm 37:5
Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will act. No matter our circumstances, commit your way to the Lord. It may not be easy but with Lord's help we can stay the course and walk with Him every step of our way. When life doesn't go the way we wanted, it's easy to derail and wander. But when we are fully committed to the Lord and walk in His spirit, He shapes us and grows us in His righteousness (Psalm 37:6). God cannot lie, so when He says that He will act on your behalf, you can believe Him. So trust Him completely and don't give up when it gets uncomfortable. When we commit our ways to Lord, He will accomplish His work in our lives. Proverbs 20:27
The Lord’s light penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive. Everyday when we pray to God, welcome His inner scrutiny into our inner being and willingly submit to His searching our hearts, our hidden thoughts and our secret motives - so that we may be fit vessels to shine forth His light to others. The lamp is not that Light of God but the vessel through which the Light of Christ may shine - illuminating our hearts and shining forth the Light of Christ and the Love of God to this world. The human spirit is God's lamp in a dark world of sin and suffering. We are not created with the capacity to shine ourselves - only the Light of Christ within our human spirit, can illumine the spirit of man, and shed light in a dark world. Let's shine forth the Life and Light of Christ that indwells in us. Psalms 112:7 He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.
The unknown things of the future overwhelm us and cause anxiety. We set our heart firm in God trusting Him constantly and consistently. God cares about you and what’s going on in your life right now. He is with you in the midst of what you’re facing, and He can help in your uncertainty and suffering. The confidence of people who follow God is based on the character of God, not the circumstances He allows them to experience. When you fear the unknowns in your life, you can look to the One who is all-powerful and knows all things. God can give you strength and steadiness to face whatever is ahead when your faith is in Him. Amen! Psalms 27:13 “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.”
In the times of uncertainty, who do we put our confidence in? When things go wrong, who do we trust? What do we seek when we need answers? As Christians, we put our confidence in God. And we seek Him and, find comfort and peace in our situations. Being positive and remaining confident in His promises. Stop seeking the world for answers, instead lay at Jesus’ feet and find strength to overcome. John 16:33 says “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Pray first and always remain confident in Him. And put your Hope in Him that we will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living, for all our lives. Amen! Romans 12:2
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Lot of our lives can be positive by changing the way we think. This is where God can transform you into a new person. Don’t hold onto your past or repeat play past hurts. It will only bring negativity and agitation to your soul. Which in turn hurt others around you by your words. Instead meditate on God’s word and seek His presence by constant communication with God in prayer. Then God can speak to you clearly and, His will and direction is easy to follow. God’s will for you is good, pleasing and perfect. Always follow God’s will. That is where we have perfect peace and contentment. God, help us to follow your ways and your will. Amen! 2 Corinthians 3:17 For “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom”.
Christ gave you new life, so don’t look back and bring back the sin that tortured you all these years. Get rid of the evil spirit of the past, and walk in the Spirit of the Lord and in the new found freedom. There is no condemnation in Christ. Romans 8:1 says, Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Don’t listen to lies of the enemy and feel guilty of your past, instead move on and live in Grace of God. And start living a life that is pleasing to God. The Holy Spirit empowers you with the freedom to walk in your new life in Christ. “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36. Live in His freedom because He already set you free. Happy Independence Day, everyone! |
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