Oftentimes, our perception of a situation determines our understanding.  Take for instance how we might have our day planned, student conferences scheduled, appointments to keep, grades to be entered, and personal tasks we just need to do.  Then interruption enters our day, and the clock does not even read 6:15 am.

“in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Sometimes our will gets in the way of God’s will and God’s plan because we just cannot comprehend the higher ways of our Father.  Take for instance how we testify to another how Jesus changed our lives, share time reading together God’s Word, individually pray asking God’s Holy Spirit to bring conviction to the other’s heart, and then see how the person rejects Jesus.

“pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

There have been times when we cannot understand why life-situations are hard.  Take for instance how we are called to live separated from our children, how miles and kilometers keep us from sharing time and hugging one another.  Even in this, we are to rejoice for the children God has provided.  We also may wonder why we are called to walk through valleys of grief or why we are given opportunities to learn how to lean on Jesus when our health is suffering.  Even then, we must raise our hands in praise &

“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

How long and in which life-situations should one mark these times on the calendar?

“ALWAYS” & “WITHOUT CEASING” & “IN EVERYTHING”

ALWAYS—While living in the good times and while living in not-so-good times.

WITHOUT CEASING—In good times and in not-so-good times.

IN EVERYTHING—During the good times and during not-so-good times.

Within God’s Word, we are instructed to keep doing and to continue and to never stop keeping on keeping on Rejoicing, Praying & Giving Thanks, and then we are told WHY & HOW we must.

“for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”

WHY WE ARE TO REJOICE, PRAY & GIVE THANKS—

• Because God’s Amazing Grace is enough!
• Because God’s grace will sustain us through every situation we walk through each day.
• Because absolutely nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.
• Because even when our words fail us, the Holy Spirit will intercede for us with groanings and utterances lifted to our Father.
• Because God can use our difficult times for our eternal benefit.

“for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”

HOW WE ARE TO REJOICE, PRAY & GIVE THANKS—

• As a child of God, we have the authority and the ability to live as God commands.
• As a follower of Jesus, we have the authority and permission to activate the presence of God through prayer.
• As a redeemed one of Christ, we have the authority and the opportunity to live under God’s protection and God’s control.

CLEARLY, WE KNOW HOW WE ARE TO—“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; “for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

May we count our blessings, naming them one-by-one.  Let us prayerfully reflect on Jesus and how God has redeemed our souls.  Consider how God has walked us through past-troubles and reflect again today (and again tomorrow) of our heavenly home that awaits.  Regardless how difficult our circumstance, STILL WE HAVE SO MANY REASONS TO THANK GOD because we belong to HIM!

• May we look at what we were when God called us to be His.  &
• May we remember who holds us and who has held us from the very beginning, even today.

The Creator of the world loves each of us personally.

We can (every person alive) know God through Jesus Christ—His Priceless Gift.