Thankful in all things

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. I Thessalonians 5:16-18. (NKJV).

The Apostle Paul has many pleasant memories of his time spent with the young church at Thessalonica.  He encourages them to excel in their newfound faith, to increase in their love for one another, and to rejoice, pray, and give thanks always.

He writes this from Corinth, the first of two letters he wrote to the church at Thessalonica.  The date is A.D 51.

Paul’s advice back then to the church at that time, is just as valid today to us living in our time.  … in everything give thanks … It was God’s will for them then and it is God’s will for us now.

As we approach Christmas, we can get caught up in the busyness, the pressure, the hype, the hurry, the deals and deadlines, and forget the reason for the season.

Here in New Zealand Christmas coincides with the summer holidays.  Too easily it gets swallowed up in the activity of preparing for and taking a break.  Life somehow takes on a warp speed all of its own!  And yet the Apostle Paul’s encouragement rings in our ears, … in everything give thanks …

He’s not asking us to give thanks for everything, but to give thanks in everything.

We’re taught from a young age to be appreciative and thankful for the things of life, for gifts given to us, for acts of kindness shown.  At the time we are grateful.  The feeling of gratitude though doesn’t last long as we soon forget.  The reason we forget is because our thoughts of gratitude are conditional and our emotions fluctuate based on circumstances.

Our circumstances may not always be good, but God always is.  Our circumstances may not seem to inspire gratitude, but God knows and is always working good out of them.  In seasons of disappointment, it is praise and thanksgiving to the Lord that helps us move forward.  God doesn’t call us to deny what is happening.  But He is calling us to thank Him in everything.

At Christmas time, we have much to be thankful for, and much to be thankful in.  The practice of gratitude or thankfulness protects us for the destructive impulses of envy and resentment, greed and bitterness so prevalent at this time of year.  I’m told grateful people experience higher levels of joy, enthusiasm, love, happiness and optimism.

We read of the announcement of the birth of the Saviour, that a multitude of heavenly host, couldn’t hold back but burst out in praise to God!

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2:13-14. (NKJV).

Oh that we would have a similar response.  That we too would burst out in gratitude and thanks and praise to the Lord just at the mention of His Name.

Christmas time reminds me of more than just the Nativity, and the circumstances of Christ’s birth and early life.  It reminds me of the whole Gospel story.  The reason He came.  He came to live.  He came to die.  He came to give His life.  For me!  So that I can be saved.  Rescued.  Redeemed.  Released from the grip of sin.  Transferred into the everlasting love of our Almighty, eternal Father.

Christmas reminds me of more than just the wonder of His first coming.  It reminds me that He is coming again a second time!  It reminds me that because of the whole Gospel story, I am Heaven bound, forgiven, purchased, and filled with His Holy Spirit.

Those are things that are worthy of thanksgiving.  No matter what circumstances I may be in, those truths remain.  I am thankful for all that God has done, and I can be thankful in the life I’m living now.

Maybe your circumstances are not what you’d be thanking God for.  Remember, God is with us, in us, and goes through things with us.  He is right there in the midst of our pain and pressure.  God remains God.  His truth remains truth.  His love remains His love.  When we can thank God and be grateful in these times, I believe it releases something of the Holy Spirit’s anointing.  We can get through, we can face it, we can last the distance, when the Lord of all, the omnipotent One is with us and in us.

In the busyness of celebrating Christmas – and let’s celebrate well – lets also pause, remember all that Lord has done for us, and give thanks!  Let’s thank God for loving us, sending the Saviour, forgiving us, filling us with His Spirit, and preparing a place for us to live with Him forever.

My wife Wendy and I send our love and greetings, and pray that you and your loved ones will know His presence, His love and His blessing as you celebrate Christmas and remember the reason for the season – Jesus Christ.

Special Message for Brief Word Readers.

An update.  My second book Brief Word – A Collection, is nearing the production phase.  Progress is being made.  The final edit is almost complete.  It is a collection of the first 40 Brief Words, and will be released 12 February 2019.

It is very exciting!

Please pray with us for a smooth preparation, production and publication process and for the funds needed to publish it.  Thank you!

More information will be out soon about how to order and other details!

My second book Brief Word  — A Collection, is nearing the production phase.  I am very excited!  It is a collection of the first 40 Brief Words, and will be released 12 February 2019.  Already, we have seen the Hand of God on the project.  Please pray with us for a smooth preparation, production and publication process and for the funds needed to publish it.  Thank you!

More information will be out soon!