JULY 15
REJOICE, PRAY AND BE THANKFUL
1 Thessalonians 5:16-22
Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you. Don’t quench the Spirit. Don’t despise prophesies. Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good. Abstain from every form of evil. (WEB)
Today's Scripture reading is filled with short bursts of exhortation that will help us live a victorious Christian life. Rejoice always... Pray without ceasing... Be thankful for everything... Embrace prophetic encouragement... Don't quench the Spirit... Test all things... Hold firmly to all that is good... Abstain from evil.
Reading this short but powerful exhortation, I sometimes feel overwhelmed if I think Paul is just giving me a list of ‘to-dos.’ If we see the Christian life as a checklist of rules and regulations that we must rely on our own strength to follow, it can feel very intimidating.
However, if we see the Christian life as a dance where the Holy Spirit is leading us, then all we have to do is follow His lead. The more we yield to His guidance in our lives, the more we will see the fruit that abiding in Him brings—joy in every situation, talking lots to our Dad, gratitude for every good gift He gives us, and so on.
The closer we grow in our relationship with the Godhead, the more fruit we will produce—not because we have to, but because it naturally flows from a surrendered life to God. The more we understand that we are already fully accepted because we are in Christ, the more we will follow the Spirit's guidance by living a joyful, prayerful, thankful life, which ultimately pleases our Father.
Romans 8:14
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are children of God. (WEB)
Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you. Don’t quench the Spirit. Don’t despise prophesies. Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good. Abstain from every form of evil. (WEB)
Today's Scripture reading is filled with short bursts of exhortation that will help us live a victorious Christian life. Rejoice always... Pray without ceasing... Be thankful for everything... Embrace prophetic encouragement... Don't quench the Spirit... Test all things... Hold firmly to all that is good... Abstain from evil.
Reading this short but powerful exhortation, I sometimes feel overwhelmed if I think Paul is just giving me a list of ‘to-dos.’ If we see the Christian life as a checklist of rules and regulations that we must rely on our own strength to follow, it can feel very intimidating.
However, if we see the Christian life as a dance where the Holy Spirit is leading us, then all we have to do is follow His lead. The more we yield to His guidance in our lives, the more we will see the fruit that abiding in Him brings—joy in every situation, talking lots to our Dad, gratitude for every good gift He gives us, and so on.
The closer we grow in our relationship with the Godhead, the more fruit we will produce—not because we have to, but because it naturally flows from a surrendered life to God. The more we understand that we are already fully accepted because we are in Christ, the more we will follow the Spirit's guidance by living a joyful, prayerful, thankful life, which ultimately pleases our Father.
Romans 8:14
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are children of God. (WEB)