WE SHOULD REJOICE PRAY AND GIVE THANKS

Proclamation:

“And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.  Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  1 Thessalonians 5:14-18 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Thessalonica.  Paul begins this fifth and final chapter in this letter by stating that he does not have to remind them that the day of The Lord is coming for they are children of the light. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-8)  He encouraged them to build one another up, just as they were already doing.  He also told them to acknowledge those among them who work hard for The Lord and to hold them in high regard. (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13)  Then he urged them to warn the wrongdoers, to help the weak, to encourage the down-hearted, and to be patient with everyone.  Then he told them to rejoice always, to pray continually, and to give thanks to God in all situations. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) 

Application:

We should acknowledge those who are doing a good job, and warn those who are doing poorly.  We should encourage the depressed and help those who are in need.  Remember the old saying, “There, but for the grace of God, go you or I.”  We should always be patient with others, for at some point in our lives someone was patient with us.  Believers should not walk around with a negative attitude.  We are to rejoice, everything is going to work out in our favor. (Romans 8:28)  So we should count everything as a joy, even our trials and tribulations. (James 1:2)  We should have a prayerful attitude and pray about everything. (Luke 18:1, Ephesians 6:18, and 1 Thessalonians 5:15)  We should also acknowledge God’s hand in everything (Proverbs 3:6) and then we should thank Him for everything. (1 Chronicles 16:8, Psalm 92:1, and 1 Thessalonians 5:18)

PRAISE THE LORD FOR ALL THAT HE HAS DONE

Proclamation:

“For what You have done I will always praise You in the presence of Your faithful people.  And I will hope in Your name, for Your name is good.”  Psalm 52:9 (NIV)

Explanation:

The words of this psalm were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by King David.  He began this psalm describing boastful, disgraceful, deceitful, evil men who tell lies to harm people (Psalm 52:1-4) and what The Lord God was going to do to them. (Psalm 52:5)  David ends the psalm stating that he is secure, protected, and productive like the long-living olive tree in the courtyard of God’s holy temple, and that he will put his trust in God’s goodness, mercy, and unfailing love. (Psalm 52:8)  He will also praise The Lord for all that He has done.

Application:

Sometime we focus on the wrong things.  We focus on our problems instead of on The Lord our God.  We tell our God how big our problems are, but we should tell our problems how big and powerful our God is.  We should not concern ourselves with the presence or the prosperity of evil doers for they will soon be cut down. (Psalm 37:1-2)  We should reflect upon the things which The Lord God has done, and then we should praise Him publicly and privately.  When we think about what He has done for us, we ought to continually thank and praise Him. (Psalm 34:1 and Ephesians 5:20)

BLESSED FROM THIS DAY FORWARD

Proclamation:

"Now give careful thought to this from this day on, consider how things were before ... ‘From this day on I will bless you.’"  Haggai 2:15 and 19 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the prophet Haggai.  The people of God had sinned so much that God considered them and all that they did to be defiled. (Haggai 2:13-14)  Haggai told the people several times to "consider your ways." (Haggai 1:5, 1:7, and 2:15)  Their selfish indulgence led them to beautify their own homes while leaving God’s house in ruins (Haggai 1:9) and God punished them for that.  The people heard Haggai and responded with repentance and obedience.  Because of their obedience The Lord said to them from that day forward He would bless them.

Application:

As we live from one day, or year, to the next, it is a good idea for us to consider carefully where we were and where we stand.  As believers we all have from time to time taken God’s blessings for granted.  We spend our time enriching and enjoying ourselves instead of focusing on glorifying God.  If we repent and become obedient, and put Him first, He will bless us from this day forward.  We need not worry about our past sins as He has forgiven us. (1 John 1:9)  Just like every lost sinner who believes, repents and comes to The Lord, we can do nothing to erase our past sins and mistakes.  Forgiveness from sin, like salvation, is a gift from God. (Ephesians 2:8-9)  We should just thank Him for His goodness, His mercy, His grace, and for His willingness to bless us from this day forward.  Then we need to proceed with our Christian walk knowing that our past sins are forgiven and that blessings are forthcoming.

Give Thanks To God In All Situations

"And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.  Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.  Be joyful always;  pray continually;  give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."  1 Thessalonians 5:14-18 (NIV)

Under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, the Apostle Paul wrote these words in his letter to the believers in Thessaloniki.  Paul was providing them with practical instructions for Christian living.  He told them how they ought to walk and talk in order to please God.  He said that they should comfort, encourage, help, and warn one another.  He also said that whatever they were going through, they should be joyful because it was part of God's permissive will for them. 

These words are as relevant for believers today as they were for those believers then.  We need to be reminded that we are children of God (Galatians 3:26), and that we are in this world but not of it. (John 8:23)  We are to behave in a Christ-like manner, and we are to help one another.  We are even to love our enemies and haters (Matthew 5:44), and kill them with kindness. (Romans 12:20)  Whatever our current situation, it is only a test and part of God's permissive will for us. (James 1:12)  So, let us count all things as joyful. (James 1:2)  Let us pray sincerely and frequently (James 5:16), and let us give thanks to God for everything. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)