“We appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, to instruct those who are not in their place of battle. Be skilled at gently encouraging those who feel themselves inadequate. Be faithful to stand your ground. Help the weak to stand again. Be quick to demonstrate patience with everyone. Resist revenge, and make sure that no one pays back evil in place of evil but always pursue doing what is beautiful to one another and to all the unbelievers. Let joy be your continual feast. Make our life a prayer. And in the midst of everything be always giving thanks, for this is God’s perfect plan for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:14-18 TPT
We are entering the week set aside each year to remember to give thanks, even though this should be a daily occurrence, we so often tend to take His many blessings for granted. When we make a genuine effort to acknowledge that all we have, and all we ever hope to have, is a true blessing from our Heavenly Father, thanking Him can become a daily renewing of our fellowship with Him, as we seek his presence. Unfortunately, so many times, circumstances occur, causing it to be difficult, just to say thank you, but in his presence, we can find it possible to feel His Joy, and His Peace, as we Thank Him.
In this passage the Apostle Paul is telling us to be joyful, pray continually, and give thanks. He is not telling us that all will be well, but that in all things, God’s Presence will be with us. We are to encourage one another, demonstrate patience, resist revenge, and be faithful to stand our ground. In this season of Thanksgiving, Paul is reminding us that with a thankful heart, His Presence can be ours, it is all in the asking!
Heavenly Father, help us to remember that even when life gets messy, He stands ready to
answer our call, and be ever so thankful.
In Christ Love
Margaret