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“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. “ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Have you ever noticed how often thanksgiving and prayer are mentioned together in the Bible? In the same breath that Paul encourages us to “pray continually,” and also says we should “give thanks in all circumstances.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-17) Author Paul E. Miller, in his book A Praying Life (pg. 89-90), collected over a dozen verses where the apostle Paul explicitly connects thanksgiving and prayer. Here is a sample:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippeans 4:6
“We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers.” 1 Thessalonians 1:2
“I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.” 2 Timothy 1:3
“I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers” Philemon 4
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Colossians 4:2
Prayer itself sometimes will be a struggle, as Paul admits when he explains how Epaphras has been struggling in prayer for their friends in Colossi. (Colossians 4:12) However, by always praying with thanksgiving, we can remain encouraged by remembering what God has done and what He promises He will continue to do. By matching prayer of thanksgiving with prayer of intercession, we will not be weighed down by the prayer needs of others (or ourselves) but instead will balance these needs with the assurance of how God has already provided and will continue to provide for us. In this way, we can, as Paul also encourages, “be joyful always”. (1 Thessalonians 5:16)
Even when we are praying for help in the midst of deep distress and struggle, give thanks to the God who has sustained and will sustain us always!
Questions: What are you thankful for today? What would you like to ask God for, in a spirit of thanksgiving?
About this Author: Darren Hewer
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Have you ever tried to watch a football from ground level? It is difficult to tell what is going on, how many yards there are to go, where the ball is, etc. The view is distorted, which is why coaches are sent to watch from the top and then communicate what is going on with those on the ground, so the sideline coaches can make better decisions.
The same is true for day to day life. Unless you take the time to go a little higher, to sit and watch from a distance, it is difficult to determine which way you are going.
Some days leave us feeling like a mouse in a maze, wondering if we are making one bad decision after another because we cannot see far enough to know where we are heading. After slamming our heads into the wall a few times, we deduct that there must be a better way.
I often wonder if God isn’t looking down on us in this way – watching what we are doing and trying to warn of obstacles that lay ahead, hoping to keep us focused, and trying to communicate with us so that we can make better decisions. During periods of uncertainty and transitions in our lives, it is difficult to know what to pray for, or even how to pray. Sometimes, life doesn’t make much sense from down here.
At the very least, we can pray for a better view – a higher place – and enough distance to see our options more clearly. One of my favorite scriptures for times such as this is Psalm 61:2 which says, “From the ends of the earth I call to you. . . Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” (Psalm 61:2) Even Jesus had to find ways to reach higher for understanding.
Dear God, Sometimes we wish we could sit beside you, to see what you see and know what you know. But at other times, we recognize that you are the only one who can be trusted with our future. Lead us to a place where we can see your will more clearly. Take us to a place where we are no longer distracted by what we see in front of us and we can focus on the bigger picture. Forgive us when we struggle. Deep down, our only desire is to please you, from wherever you are watching. In Jesus Name, Amen
Question: Have you been listening for God’s warnings lately?
About this Author: Janet Morris Grimes
Feel like you’re lacking confidence lately? Not feeling brave in the face of adversity? Talk about it confidentially with an online mentor.
“Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name.” (Genesis 2:19, NKJV)
God commanded Adam (and all mankind by extension) to have dominion over the earth, to tend and keep it. We see God respect the authority that He gave Adam when Adam named all the animals. God did not challenge or undermine Adam by questioning the names he chose, it simply says that “whatever Adam called them, that was their name.” We see this principal again in the New Testament where Jesus tells His disciples “whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Jesus said that all authority had been given to Him and that in His name we have the authority and dominion on the earth. The question is often asked “why does God allow so much suffering?” Is it possible that the condition on the earth is connected to how well we have taken our responsibility to use our God given authority to tend and keep it?
What if we were to take responsibility for binding evil and loosing God’s blessings in our homes, neighborhoods, cities, and nations through prayer? Do you think we could make a difference? It is said that “evil prevails when good men do nothing.” God has given us the tools and the authority, let’s “keep the earth” in the way that pleases Him, blesses us, and causes good to prevail.
“The heavens, even the heavens, are the Lord’s; But the earth He has given to the children of men.” (Psalm 115:16, NKJV)
“And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever you lose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:19, NKJV)
Question: What difference does it make when we pray?
About this Author: Emmie Stanley
Need help praying? Contact us and an online mentor would be glad to hear your concerns and pray with you.
Originally written by Charles H. Spurgeon, published in “Mornings & Evenings,” entry for April 27th, AM.
Updated to modern English by Darren Hewer, 2008.
“God, even our own God.” Psalm 67:6
It is strange how little use we make of the spiritual blessings which God gives us, but it is stranger still how little use we make of God Himself. Though He is “our own God,” we rarely take our problems to Him, and ask little of Him. Seldom do we seek counsel at the hands of the Lord. In fact, we often we go about our daily lives without seeking His guidance!
In our troubles we constantly strive to bear our burdens ourselves, instead of casting them upon the Lord so that He will sustain us. We can take our problems to God, for the Lord seems to say, “I am yours, come and make use of me as you need; you may come freely to use my resources, and to Me, the welcome offerer.”
It is our own fault if we don’t make use of the riches of our God. Since you have such a friend, and He invites you, draw from Him daily. Never crave spiritual nourishment when you have such a great God to go to; never fear or faint while you have God to help you. Go to your treasure and take whatever you need – there is all that you can want. Learn the divine skill of making God all things to you. He can supply you with all, or, better still, He can simply “be” to you instead of all.
Let me urge you, then, to make use of your God. Make use of Him in prayer. Go to Him often, because He is your God. Who would disdain to use so great a privilege? Fly to Him, tell Him all your wants. Use Him constantly by faith at all times. If some dark thoughts are clouding your mind, use thy God as a “sun”. If someone is causing you harm, find in God a “shield”. For He is a sun and shield to His people. If you have lost your way in the mazes of life, use Him as a “guide” for He will direct your steps. Whatever you are, and wherever you are, remember God is just what you want, and just where you want, and that He can do all you want.
Questions: Do you sometimes find it difficult to pray? What prevents you from having a more active prayer life?
About this Author: Charles Spurgeon
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“Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1. Thessalonians 5:11
How our world needs encouragers, people who will inspire us with courage and hope. Do you know of someone like that?
Mr. Turner, an elderly gentleman in our church, was such an encourager to me. He would leave reassuring notes in my mail box that said, “We believe in you!” Sometimes he’d phone and say, “If ever you need to talk, remember Mrs. Turner and I are here for you.”
When I arrived at their small townhouse, Mrs. Turner would serve me a cup of tea. Mr. Turner would position himself so he could hear me better. Then they’d listen intently. They never minimized my pain. They had no pat answers. They admitted that sometimes it is difficult to understand God’s ways. What I remember most about our visits is how valued I felt. Listening to them pray for me boosted my spirit and gave me hope to believe that God was still with me and He would see me through this.
I want to be an encourager like that, don’t you? These are some ways we can do it:
- Value others as God does. You will then treat each person with dignity and respect.
- Listen carefully without bringing in your own stories.
- Make a choice to build people up. “God never allows us to see another person’s faults so we may criticize them, but only that we might intercede (pray) for them,” writes Oswald Chambers.
- Praise them for the strengths you see in them.
Father, I thank you for each person who’s encouraged me on my faith journey. I want to encourage someone else today and build them up in the faith.
Question: Who has encouraged you in your faith? How can you return the favor to someone else that you know now?
About this Author: Helen Grace Lescheid
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“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.” Galatians 5:16-18
Have you taken the BIG STEP yet? Have you surrendered to the Lord your life and all that you consider important? If the answer is yes, you are on your way to a Spirit-filled life. If your submission to the Lord’s authority occurred in the distant past, then take time now to recommit yourself to living a life of total dependence on Him.
Once we have submitted, our biggest obstacle is sin. No surprise there. So how do we remain under the Spirit’s control? It is important to realize our relationship to sin has changed and it no longer has mastery over us. This is fact, regardless of times we have not experienced victory.
The Scriptures command us to regard ourselves as dead to sin. (Romans 6:11) Christians who are Spirit-controlled will see themselves as God does – rescued from sin’s enslaving force and under God’s protective power. We will believe that in Christ, we can resist temptation and refuse to give in to it. As we embrace the Spirit’s authority over us, we will become free of our bad habits and ungodly ways. It may take a while, but if we persevere in remaining yielded to Him, we can win that battle.
Through Christ, we have been given the freedom to choose godliness. The Holy Spirit desires to produce the fruit of self-control in us – He will provide the divine power we need to exercise restraint. When we do, God is pleased.
When was the last time you said no to sin? Thank God for His Spirit, who enabled you to do so.
Question: Have you made the discovery of the Spirit-filled life?
About this Author: Charles Stanley
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Since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ’s body, let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be.” (Romans 12:4, Msg)
God deserves your best. He shaped you for a purpose, and he expects you to make the most of what you have been given.
Don’t let another day go by. Start finding out and clarifying what God intends for you to be and do.
Begin by assessing your gifts and abilities. The best way to discover your gifts and abilities is to experiment with different areas of service.
I could have taken a hundred gifts and ability tests as a young man and would have never discovered that I was gifted at teaching because I had never done it! It was only after I began accepting opportunities to speak that I saw the results, received confirmation from others, and realized, “God has gifted me to do this!”
Consider your heart and your personality. This is simple. Paul advised, “Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that.” (Galatians 6:4, Msg)
Examine your experiences and extract the lessons you have learned. Review your life and think about how it has shaped you.
Moses told the Israelites, “Remember today what you have learned about the Lord through your experiences with him.” (Deuteronomy 11:2, TEV)
Forgotten experiences are worthless; that’s a good reason to keep a spiritual journal.
In heaven we are going to serve God forever. Right now, we can prepare for that eternal service by practicing on earth.
Like athletes preparing for the Olympic, we keep training for that big day: “They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally.” (1 Corinthians 9:25, Msg)
We’re getting ready for eternal responsibilities and rewards.
Point to ponder: The time we’ve been given here on earth is best used to serve God.
Verse: “Since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ’s body, let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be.” (Romans 12:4, Msg)
What will you do about it: Try serving in a new way. Get involved in a ministry you’ve never been involved with before and see if you’re gifted to serve there.
Prayer: Ask God to show you where to serve, when to serve and how best to serve. Ask him to open up the right doors and give you clear direction about your unique area of ministry.
Question: How are you using what God has given you in service, in your church or elsewhere?
About the Author: Rick Warren
If you’re going through trials, there’s no need to feel like you’re going through them alone. Contact us to talk or let us know your prayer requests.
“He … comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials. And why does He do this? So that when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement, we can pass on to them this same help and comfort God has given us” 2 Corinthians 1:3,4
For two years, Annette had suffered through the agony of her beloved husband’s terminal cancer. Meanwhile, their only son had been drawn into drug addiction through the influence of an undesirable group of students in the local high school. She was devastated. Her whole life was filled with heartache and sorrow. She had nothing to live for. Then a neighbor told her of Jesus – how He could give her peace of heart and peace of mind and could provide the purpose she needed in her life. He could even change her son.
So Annette received the wonderful gift of God’s love, the Lord Jesus Christ, and began to pray for her son. At first he was antagonistic, but gradually he became aware of the dramatic transformation in his mother, and in answer to her prayers, along with those of her new-found friends in the local church, he too came to worship the Savior and make Him Lord of his life.
In the meantime, Annette was suffering great financial difficulty because of the huge doctor and hospital bills and her lack of ability to work during her husband’s illness. But God wonderfully comforted and strengthened her so that now she can witness joyfully of His gracious mercy and faithfulness in her behalf. She and her son are ministering effectively to others who are experiencing heartache and tragedy similar to those which once plagued them.
Are you experiencing difficulties, sorrows, heartaches, disappointments? Ask the Lord to show you how to translate them into victories so that He can use you to be a blessing to those around you who are experiencing similar difficulties.
Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7
Today’s Action Point: Knowing that God is faithful in His love and wisdom, I will trust the indwelling Holy Spirit for the power to accept the trial or adversity I face today, and will expect God to use it to comfort and help someone else through me.
About this Author: Bill Bright
Wherever you are in your spiritual journey, online mentors are standing by, ready to walk beside you. Contact us today!
“Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”" Matthew 26:36-38
Transparency is an oft – overlooked element in our growing closer to Jesus Christ. Intimacy with the Lord requires our full, humble, and honest openness before Him.
Jesus Himself was a wonderful model of openness as He dealt with His disciples. For instance, we read in today’s Bible verse that, in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus shared with the disciples His anguish over His upcoming crucifixion and brief separation from God the Father.
Knowing that the sins of the entire world were about to be cast upon Him, Jesus grieved, even to point of near death. Here was God, clothed in human flesh, being completely honest, open, and forthright about His emotions. This is how Christ would have us react to Him.
A proud, arrogant, egotistical, self – sufficient Christianity bristles at the thought of such transparency. Why should I burden God with this when I can handle it myself? I’m just not going to deal with God about this. Such thinking and behavior goes against everything for which God created us.
However, God cherishes and honors a humble, contrite spirit from someone trying to be himself or herself before the Lord. Confess sin, worry, doubt, and fear. He already knows all, but your willingness to intimately share with Him all the details speaks volumes about the bent of your heart.
Question: Where do you find it easiest to have “intimacy” (private time) with God?
About this Author: Charles Stanley
Ever wondered what the importance of church is? Felt like it wasn’t worth it? Explore our interactive online study series “Why Church?“
“By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35
Step 5: Be willing to plant stakes in the ground
When we recognize there has been hurt in our church, we must be willing to take a stand to say what will be different from this day forward. So often we experience hurt within the church walls and we retreat for awhile, only to return to find a new vision or a new program. A “forgetting what is behind” attitude can spring up without ever acknowledging why we got to the hurtful point we did.
If there is one thing we have learned throughout history it is that history repeats itself. The struggles with pride and accountability, with tending the seeds of our heart and not recognizing our enemy are day-to-day struggles. Unless we recognize where we have been in hurting times and plant some stakes that serve as markers to check us when we tend to spiral into the same patterns, we have not taken the opportunity to mature and move ahead in our journey with God as a church. Ask yourself
“Am I willing to acknowledge my part and take steps to prevent a repeat?”
When conflict threatens your heart and your church, as it will, seek first to be intentional about raising the prayer banner. This invites the Spirit of God to be at work in the lives of those involved and minimizes our tendency to lean on our own understanding. It moves us toward recognizing afresh our utter dependence on God. God alone is the hope of the hurting church.
If you are part of a church that is experiencing hurt and conflict, confusion and disorder, God gives a measuring stick to determine what value system is at work.
Two kinds of wisdom:
James 3:13-17 talks about the two kinds of wisdom. One that does not come from heaven and one that does. The one not based on heavenly values is centered on earthly, unspiritual values with envy and selfish ambition at the core. Not hard to spot. The trademark of love will be missing as well.
The wisdom based on heavenly values will be pure, peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
This higher value system can be reached by applying these five steps based on the foundation of love. It’s love that comes from the heart of our Father God to our own individual hearts. Then the world will see our trademark and glorify God in Heaven.
Tend your heart wisely! The state of your soul, the health of your church, and a watching world needing Jesus depends on it.
Father God, I thank You for my church. I pray that You will work in me and through me to display Your love and Your wisdom within my church. Help me to do my part to keep my heart pure, peace loving and considerate so that You will be honored in this community by our trademark of love. In Jesus’ powerful name I pray, amen.
Question: What has stuck with you most from this series on healing a hurting church?
About this Author: Gail Rodgers
Soul Cravings: Seeking
Is it possible that God has been actively seeking you, possibly even for a lifetime?
>Watch
Do you crave destiny? (Part 2)
Destiny? Is this really me? Was I really born for great things?
>Watch
