4-29-19 Today in the Word

GIVE THANKS ALWAYS
Monday, April 29, 2019 | 1 Thessalonians 5:1–28

As we marvel at the incredible gifts God has given to us, what should be our response? Paul has three excellent suggestions: rejoice, pray, and give.
The day of the Lord is drawing near! In this life, we cannot expect that life will always be tilted in our favor. God’s people will face difficulty, trials, and persecution. Suffering is a reality. But because of who we are in God and what we have been so freely given, we do not have the same perspective as the rest of the world. “He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him” (v. 10). Our lives are transformed, not just for eternity but now.
Verse 16 offers three ways to live each day mindful of our new life in Christ. First, we are to rejoice always. We are to be people who find joy despite and through all of life’s circumstances. This joy is not merely being happy or living life blindly, but finding contentment and hope in God Himself.
Second, we are to pray continually. We are to remain connected to God through prayer. How can you possibly pray like that? We give each and every situation over to God. Praying continually is an ongoing conversation with God. We give each worry and concern to Him.
Finally, we are to be people marked by thankfulness. We are to count on our blessings, recognize the gifts we have been given, and be ready to praise. Paul suggests that as we live in the will of God, we are thankful for His care and guidance of each moment of our life. Whether or not the circumstance seems to our liking, we are thankful that He is in control and that He will see us through.
APPLY THE WORD
Let’s follow Paul’s urging to rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks. Write those three words where they will be noticeable: Rejoice. Pray. Thank. No matter the circumstances, remember who you are in Christ. Through Him, we are made new. He meets our daily needs. He gives us His wisdom. We have so much to thank Him for!

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