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November 24, 2022

   Being Thankful   

1 Thessalonians 16-18

1 Thessalonians

Always be joyful.  Keep on praying.  No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 

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Thoughts....

Let's look at how the Revised Standard Version (or New RSV) reads....

'Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.' 

Waaaay back in time, many years ago....1976 ?....I joined a very special small ladies Bible Study, with very special ladies, I might add, with whom I sat around a dining room table in the home of the leader.  One of the first things we looked at was this verse. It was a revelation to me to see the word 'in' and correlate it to how I was taught, or may be not have been taught so much as had come to believe, that one gave thanks AFTER having received something, or with hope of receiving something, as in "Thank you for considering my offer."

But it was totally clear and made perfect sense immediately to me.  With faith, we pray, believing.  Believing that what we pray for will occur....in faith.  For years I've said....' according to God's will'.  But should we?  For what is faith, if we have to put a qualifier on a prayer?  Intrinsically, we know God is not going to give us something that is not good for us....or will he....to test us?  Refine us?  

Now, I look at this again, as I am writing this.  Like praying in faith....believing, we should also give thanks with that same faith....belief.  Not just because this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for us, but because when we do give thanks 'IN....ALL circumstances' we can....expect....believing....God's will WILL be done for us.  And truthfully, wouldn't God's will always be better for us, than what we might believe our will should be for us?  Whether we like it or not?  Being a bit spoiled, I kinda feel I should add that.

'Faith....is....the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.'  KJV/NKJV The text we use....the New Living Translation, reads....'What is faith?  It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen.  It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see.' Hebrews 11:1  

Applying faith to giving thanks 'IN all circumstances' engages the substance....the evidence. We will get an answer. 

Perhaps the New Living Translation should have been paraphrased to say 'no matter what IS happening' rather than 'no matter what happens', but I see their reasoning behind the choice of words.  So what IF God doesn't give us what we pray for?  Should we cease giving thanks?  Noooooo.......because we are also thanking him for answering our prayer, and thanking him for having considered it, and answering it in a way that is best for us, whether we see the blessing in the moment or not.  We may not be ready for the blessing we wanted.  But we must be ready for the blessing he gives us....that we NEEDED....the evidence of things not seen.

So when you are giving thanks this day of celebrated Thanksgiving in America, or giving thanks everyday, every moment, as we should, all over the world, give thanks IN....in the midst of....all circumstances, no matter what happens.  

But what if someone is ill, what if there has been a catastrophe, what if that prom dress doesn't materialize, what if that needed job wasn't offered, what if.....?  Continue to give thanks.  

And....there is more.  'Rejoice always'....'Always be joyful', 'Pray without ceasing'....Keep on praying'.  IN the tears, IN the crises, IN the let down, IN the need, not just because you got what you wanted after the fact or something came through to benefit your choice or shore up your hope. 

PRAISE God.  Praise GOD!  "Praise HIM from whom all blessings flow." .... "Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost."

Psalm 150:6 reads....'Let everything that lives sing praises to the LORD!

Indeed!  As Psalm 148 reminds us we should not be alone in our praise....everyone and everything are called upon to give praise....we all have reasons....to praise the LORD IN thanksgiving. 

'Praise the LORD!

Praise the LORD from the heavens! Praise him from the skies!

Praise him, all the angels!  Praise him, all the armies of heaven!

Praise him, sun and moon!  Praise him, all you twinkling stars!

Praise him, skies above!  Praise him, vapors high above the clouds!

Let every created thing give praise to the LORD, for he issued his command, and they came into being. 

He established them forever and forever.  His orders will never be revoked.

Praise the LORD from the earth, you creatures of the ocean depths, fire and hail, snow and storm, wind and weather that obey him, mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, wild animals and all livestock, reptiles and birds, kings of the earth and all people, rulers and judges of the earth, young men and maidens, old men and children.  

Let them all praise the name of the LORD.  For his name is very great; his glory towers over the earth and heaven! 

He has made his people strong, honoring his godly ones - the people of Israel who are close to him. 

Praise the LORD!'  //

And there are a few reasons why we should give thanks in all circumstances....no matter what happens as we learn or are reminded in Psalm 103....

'Praise the LORD, I tell myself; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. 

Praise the LORD, I tell myself, and never forget the good things he does for me.

He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. 

He ransoms me from death and surrounds me with love and tender mercies. 

He fills my life with good things.  My youth is renewed like the eagle's!

The LORD gives righteousness and justice to al who are treated unfairly.

He revealed his character to Moses and his deeds to the people of Israel.  

The LORD is merciful and gracious; he is slow to get angry and full of unfailing love. 

He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. 

He has not punished us for all our sins, nor does he deal with us as we deserve. 

For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. 

He has removed our rebellious acts as far away from us as the east is from the west.

The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.  [**Fear as used here means loving fear, not fear in terror.]

For he understands how weak we are; he knows we are only dust. 

Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die. 

The wind blows, and we are gone - as though we had never been here.

But the love of the LORD remains forever with those who fear him.  [**] 

His salvation extends to the children's children of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments!  [Obey?  Yes.  Pray for me, I'll pray for you.]

The LORD has made the heavens his throne; from there he rules over everything.

Praise the LORD, you angels of his, you mighty creatures who carry out his plans, listening for each of his commands.

Yes, praise the LORD, you armies of angels who serve him and do his will!

Praise the LORD, everything he has created, everywhere in his kingdom.  As for me - I, too, will praise the LORD.'  //  

I pray you all find reasons to give thanks IN everything....this, and every day, now and forever....Amen.

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Let Us Pray

God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, teach us, lead us, guide us into all your truths.  Help us to not rely on what someone tells us, but spend time with you and your Word to know your truths that we need to hear from and with you....for your sake....and ours.  Keep us humble, focused, healthy, and going forward WITH you, until that day when we will be in each others arms....in heaven.  Carry us when we need to be carried.  Embrace us when we need you to do that.  And help us to listen when you need us to hear you.  Equally important....help us to respect you in the faces and hearts of others.  And while we are doing all that, help us to give thanks IN ALL circumstances, and no matter what happens, always be thankful.  Help us to rejoice always/always be thankful, pray without ceasing/keep on praying for this is your will God, in Christ Jesus for us/for this is your will, God for all of us who belong to Christ Jesus.  And while we are praying, we need not think we are alone, for you, God, created all of us that we might pray together to you....with you....and for you.  I pray a day of rest for you, which can only come when we obey you and your commandments.  May we all pray for each other to 'shine bright' for you....and with you.  May we all pray in Jesus' name....by and with the power of the Holy Spirit....to you and with you....and with each other.  We praise you!  We thank you!  We love you!  Amen.

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Great IS Thy faithfulness!

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Now....PRAY....EARNESTLY....to get to the Kingdom of Heaven with the Lord! 

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(Follow Medical & Scientific guidelines for COVID 19 and pray believing.)

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Majesty....worship His Majesty !

NOT fallible mankind ! 

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 More love.... 

  Benediction....Blessing

Let us hear from Paul as he prays:  

When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.  And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.  May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.  Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now glory be to God!  By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.  May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.  Amen.  Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT         

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Scroll down to read Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving...'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'.

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Definition of a Christian:  Anyone who believes in God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Regardless of church name or religious affiliation. 

'All who have been united with Christ in baptism have been made like him.  There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female.  For you are all Christians - you are ONE in Christ Jesus.'  Galatians 3: 27

  It is not how we worship, but that we worship....the Trinity!

Teach tolerance....reach in acceptance....worship as one!

Respect....Embrace....Encourage!

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Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this:

I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

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  Our Continual Cause

It is time to reach into the community and the world around you to see wherein lies the greatest need.  As you choose to focus on these areas, do so with a servant's heart.  Whether the need is for children, adults, animals, the earth, or any cause in between that will help those in need, ask God how you can best serve his needs, what path you must take, and how long you should persevere.  Sometimes we are to be in the lives of others merely as stepping stones.  Sometimes we are to touch those lives forever.  Whatever journey you are called to take, whatever team you will be a member, know this:  God is with you always...even til the end of time.  He loves you, is grateful for you, and will help you along life's way, especially if you are helping others along theirs, persevering with a servant's heart.  

Please accept my sincerest thanks....and God's....and may God richly bless you ! 

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  One last thing....

Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving

'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'

"Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer:  "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.  You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people.  Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."

Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.  "The Father has given me all these things to do and say.  This is a unique Father - Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge.  No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does.  But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen."

"Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn how to live freely and lightly.

Matthew 11:  25-30

  The Message

And the people said,

"Amen."

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I now write most prayers in the position of ' I ' (first person) because most people are sitting at their computer alone, not in groups, and it allows those reading and praying to personalize the prayer as coming from them going to God.  Variations may appear on holidays when families may wish to use the prayer provided.  I encourage you to pray your own prayers as well.

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Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.

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NOTE:  I said it long ago, but let me say it again.  If you are wanting to lead a group, start a church, or are confined in an institution, or live in a country where the Gospel is not preached, and you don't know what to say or how to say it, and yet feel led to share, teach, or preach, besides just reading straight out of the Bible and sharing what God puts on your heart, please feel free to share any or all of what I've written, if it will help you, as long as you include where it comes from, due to copyright laws.  Jesus gave God's love and healing freely, as well as his message.  Our responsibility is to get the Word out to those who need to hear it.  If what I've written....by the power and direction of the Holy Spirit....or what he has said through me....has helped you, it may help others that you know.  You are welcome to share it.  God calls all of us to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the world.  Please share it with the fullness of love that God, Jesus, Holy Spirit....and I....have given it.  Amen!

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