November 23 2014
Give Thanks In All Circumstances, For This Is God’s Will For You In Christ Jesus!
1 Thessalonians 5:15-18 (NIV)
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.
Give thanks in ALL circumstances; are you making a joke here? Most of us living in this world today would have a very difficult time in abiding by this suggestion that Paul made to this church group. In the USA today, there are lots of people who feel as though they are guaranteed to a life of leisure, just because they are Americans. It is sometime correctly called the entitlement generation. Do you feel entitled to all of the goodies you possess? There are storage buildings all over the USA for people to store their surplus stuff, as their house and barn is already full, and thus, they need more off-site storage.
Recently I saw a picture of some missionaries in a poor country helping the children who are starving, because they lack basic food and water. It was noted by a missionary, that these children were very content and actually happy with the basic stuff they were receiving from these missionaries. So what is the point trying to be made in this commentary, you may wonder? Well honestly, I’m not sure, just yet! With a lot of help from the Holy Spirit, maybe some good points will come to me. Of course, I’m also guilty of these greedy thoughts, in America we just always want more, than we currently have. Most of us think that maybe if we get enough, then we will become satisfied? Rich people committing suicide seems to disprove this idea!
In the news recently, there have been reports of people groups in this country forming alliances with each other and against the police, because they believe there was police brutality used resulting in the death of an innocent person, who is a member of their ethnic group. Thus they have felt it is appropriate for them to loot stores, and confront the local police, and threaten them with great harm, if there are no apologies and admissions of guilt given by the authorities. It makes me wonder, if the authorities admit to this wrong, then will this group feel provocation for continuing with their unruly acts, and thus feel they deserve the right to riot and plunder?
Paul wrote about how Jesus controls everything, because He created everything, and thus, continues to control this universe. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:16-17) He existed before everything else began, and He holds all creation together. Are you attempting to follow Jesus in this life, or are you actually following the ideas on mankind? Jesus told His disciples and us about how following the ideas on mankind may lead us astray. He told His disciples about how following the church leaders of His time may mislead them. Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit. (Matthew 15:14) Do you depend on the leading of God, or on the leading of mankind? God desires to lead us not to dominate us!
In this season of thanksgiving it is very important for us to know what the most important thing we have, and in which, we should be most thankful. It is not our earthly wealth and possessions that are of the most value. Most of these things we can attribute to our working for attainment of this stuff through our efforts, but we should also believe this stuff is given as blessings by God. Then there is that most important possession we have that was given only by Jesus. It is our eternal salvation, and is certainly priceless! For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no-one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
You did not do anything to earn your eternal salvation, yet it is by far the most priceless possession we have, and it cannot be taken away from you by any action of mankind! If you are honest with God He will grant you other treasures too that cannot be earned by just hard work. He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. (Proverbs 2:7, NLT) Do you believe you possess common sense? Did you somehow inherit it from some other human being? Well there is some effect on your common sense based on your upbringing and friendly surroundings, but for the most part it is a gift from God to those who love Him. If you believe this, then you will be sure to thank Him for this gift!
Paul wrote about true love, which may reflect the love of God to us, more then to the earthly love professed by mankind in the cursed world. In our current world saying that “Love never fails,” seems to not really be true, as we see and experience, actions that do not seem to represent a love that cannot fail! What do you think about this statement? Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a)
Next week make a big part of your thankfulness be directed to Jesus for everything we have is actually supplied to us by God! Try your best to always “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” The only truly free gift is your salvation, and it is your most valuable possession!
Wishing you and yours,
A Happy Thanksgiving!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
1 Thessalonians 5:15-18 (NIV)
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.
Give thanks in ALL circumstances; are you making a joke here? Most of us living in this world today would have a very difficult time in abiding by this suggestion that Paul made to this church group. In the USA today, there are lots of people who feel as though they are guaranteed to a life of leisure, just because they are Americans. It is sometime correctly called the entitlement generation. Do you feel entitled to all of the goodies you possess? There are storage buildings all over the USA for people to store their surplus stuff, as their house and barn is already full, and thus, they need more off-site storage.
Recently I saw a picture of some missionaries in a poor country helping the children who are starving, because they lack basic food and water. It was noted by a missionary, that these children were very content and actually happy with the basic stuff they were receiving from these missionaries. So what is the point trying to be made in this commentary, you may wonder? Well honestly, I’m not sure, just yet! With a lot of help from the Holy Spirit, maybe some good points will come to me. Of course, I’m also guilty of these greedy thoughts, in America we just always want more, than we currently have. Most of us think that maybe if we get enough, then we will become satisfied? Rich people committing suicide seems to disprove this idea!
In the news recently, there have been reports of people groups in this country forming alliances with each other and against the police, because they believe there was police brutality used resulting in the death of an innocent person, who is a member of their ethnic group. Thus they have felt it is appropriate for them to loot stores, and confront the local police, and threaten them with great harm, if there are no apologies and admissions of guilt given by the authorities. It makes me wonder, if the authorities admit to this wrong, then will this group feel provocation for continuing with their unruly acts, and thus feel they deserve the right to riot and plunder?
Paul wrote about how Jesus controls everything, because He created everything, and thus, continues to control this universe. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:16-17) He existed before everything else began, and He holds all creation together. Are you attempting to follow Jesus in this life, or are you actually following the ideas on mankind? Jesus told His disciples and us about how following the ideas on mankind may lead us astray. He told His disciples about how following the church leaders of His time may mislead them. Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit. (Matthew 15:14) Do you depend on the leading of God, or on the leading of mankind? God desires to lead us not to dominate us!
In this season of thanksgiving it is very important for us to know what the most important thing we have, and in which, we should be most thankful. It is not our earthly wealth and possessions that are of the most value. Most of these things we can attribute to our working for attainment of this stuff through our efforts, but we should also believe this stuff is given as blessings by God. Then there is that most important possession we have that was given only by Jesus. It is our eternal salvation, and is certainly priceless! For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no-one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
You did not do anything to earn your eternal salvation, yet it is by far the most priceless possession we have, and it cannot be taken away from you by any action of mankind! If you are honest with God He will grant you other treasures too that cannot be earned by just hard work. He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. (Proverbs 2:7, NLT) Do you believe you possess common sense? Did you somehow inherit it from some other human being? Well there is some effect on your common sense based on your upbringing and friendly surroundings, but for the most part it is a gift from God to those who love Him. If you believe this, then you will be sure to thank Him for this gift!
Paul wrote about true love, which may reflect the love of God to us, more then to the earthly love professed by mankind in the cursed world. In our current world saying that “Love never fails,” seems to not really be true, as we see and experience, actions that do not seem to represent a love that cannot fail! What do you think about this statement? Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a)
Next week make a big part of your thankfulness be directed to Jesus for everything we have is actually supplied to us by God! Try your best to always “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” The only truly free gift is your salvation, and it is your most valuable possession!
Wishing you and yours,
A Happy Thanksgiving!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
|
|
|