Rejoice. Pray. Give Thanks. (1 Thes 5:16-18)
Rejoice (be glad....Attitude). Pray (Don’t give up looking up. Fortitude). Give Thanks (Understand that God is redeeming everything. “Oh, Thank God!! [a sign of relief and letting go of a worry] Acknowledging a benefit. Aptitude). This is God’s will for you.
☛Attitude
manner, disposition, feeling, position, etc., with regard to a person or thing; tendency or orientation, esp. of the mind:
2.
position or posture of the body appropriate to or expressive of an action, emotion, etc.: a threatening attitude; a relaxed attitude.
☛Fortitude
[fawr-ti-tood, -tyood] Show IPA
–noun
mental and emotional strength in facing difficulty, adversity, danger, or temptation courageously: Never once did her fortitude waver during that long illness.
☛Aptitude
1.
capability; ability; innate or acquired capacity for something;readiness or quickness in learning; intelligence: the state or quality of being apt; special fitness.
Definition of GLAD
1
archaic : having a cheerful or happy nature
b : made pleased, satisfied, or grateful —often used with of
a : marked by, expressive of, or caused by happiness and joy glad shout>
Paul Had Great Spiritual Joy
| Paul maintained this Christ-centered faith during at least four years of suffering as a prisoner of the Roman government, first in Caesarea and then in Rome, possibly in other places as well. During his imprisonment, Paul wrote four letters that survive in our New Testament. They are Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon. We, living almost 2,000 years later, are fortunate to have these letters to teach us the inspiring truths of God. We are the beneficiaries of Paul’s spiritual wisdom forged in the crucible of personal suffering. These four letters are among the most hopeful and encouraging Paul wrote. |
Key Passages on Thanksgiving:
Psalm 50:14
Offer to God thanksgiving,And pay your vows to the Most High.
Psalm 50:13-15 (in Context) Psalm 50 (Whole Chapter)
Nehemiah 12:31
So I brought the leaders of Judah up on the wall, and appointed two large thanksgiving choirs. One went to the right hand on the wall toward the Refuse Gate.
Nehemiah 12:30-32 (in Context) Nehemiah 12 (Whole Chapter)
Philippians 4:6
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
Philippians 4:5-7 (in Context) Philippians 4 (Whole Chapter)
PAG’s thoughts on Thanksgiving:
- In scripture, God is always above (mountain, sky, throne). This is meant to cause us to look up and to know that our help and source is from another realm ~ outside ourselves/outside our realm.
- When human can peer thru the distractions/troubles/spiritual battles/spiritual realms and see the reality of God...it blesses God.
- Praise/Thanksgiving shows that a heart can track God’s whereabouts. A person who loves to praise can tell you where God is!
- A heart of praise is trained...(Psalm 4 & 5) talk about seeking God at night upon our bed and seeking Him every morning.
- Eyes that can make out God is this present darkness & send and impulse to the mind and body to actually celebrate God’s goodness~ is a sign of spiritual depth
- Angels saw God and abandoned their posts, ignoring His goodness and vastness only because they “perceived” opportunity. We have never seen God’s face, yet we trust, love and celebrate Him. This brings spiritual authority!
- God doesn’t want to be invisible. Sin clouds our eyes ~ This is why scripture says that the pure in heart shall see God. We know our hearts are pure if when tragedy and hardship hits us and we rejoice. This is a heart that is God’s home!
→What are you willing to sacrifice in order to allow the Holy Spirit to train your heart to be thankful?
→What will a thankful heart do for your relationship with God that is non-existent now?
→Remember: praise/thanksgiving are significantly beneficial to you and God!
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