1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Be Joyful #164

What better way to start off the Thanksgiving week with a verse on being thankful? This was my favorite verse when I was younger and I am not sure how I have managed to share 164 verses without sharing this one. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Be joyful always, pray at all times, be thankful in all circumstances. This is what God wants from you in your life in union with Christ Jesus.” 

Be Joyful Always? How can someone be joyful always? Because joy doesn’t come from circumstances, but from God. That means even when life is really hard there can be joy. Yes, your circumstances will change; some will be really good and some will be really bad, but God? God always remains the same.

Pray at all times? Yes! God wants to communicate in and through all things. Prayer is simply communicating with God. It doesn’t have to be anything formal, but we can talk to God at all times.

Be thankful in all circumstances? Yes, that too! God wants us to be thankful in all things. Not just the good things. Not just when we get what we want. He wants us to be thankful in the hard days. Remember, you don’t have to be thankful for each thing, but you should be thankful in each thing.

This is what God wants for your life. He wants you to be joyful, pray and be thankful! I hope this encourages you as you head into this week that no matter what you are facing, there is reason to find joy and be thankful. If you can’t come up with a reason then remember that God is the perfect reason.

PS. It’s a huge honor to be featured and interviewed on my friend Cheryl’s blog. She is such an encourager and has an amazing testimony and I hope you not only read this post, but follow her blog as well.

PPS. Order In Due Time Devotional Today

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