ListenDaily – 5 November 2010: Days of thanks, part 2
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit.
I Thessalonians 5:16-19
Happy Thanksgiving!
Rejoice always - "Rejoice" means to feel great joy and delight. If the Scriptures call us to do this, it means God will provide us with what we need to feel great delight!
Pray without ceasing - Does not mean constantly on your knees, with your eyes closed and hands folded. Prayer is conversation, talking and listening to God. To "pray without ceasing" means to always be aware of that the Spirit is always - without ceasing - with you; always - without ceasing - bringing God's Word to you; and always - without ceasing - carrying your cares to the ears of the Father.
Give thanks in all circumstances - Thank God for the good in the good circumstances; and thank Him that you don't have to face the bad circumstances alone.
This is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. "This" = always giving thanks, always rejoicing, always praying. Oh, and this is God's will. For you.
That and this: Do not quench the Spirit. Don't put out the fire!
-- Don't let the flame die out in your own life by refusing to rejoice and be thankful. Ever-awareness of the Spirit fans the flames!
-- Don't let anger and resentment in your home douse the flames. Strive to rejoice, give thanks, and pray, and lead your family to it.
-- And oh friends, don't quench the Spirit in your church. Don't choke the fire out of the Body by suffocating it by pleasing man instead of God in worship. Don't let the life get sucked out of the fire in committee meetings by leaning on human wisdom and understanding and not completely trusting God. Don't drown His power by staying out of the world - or by letting church become a worldly place.
Happy Thanksgiving, Pastor Jim
INTERESTING THOUGHT
Mac and Cheese thanks:
http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=9B021NNU
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