Give thanks

1 Thess 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Eph 5:20 "giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ"

These are two passages of scripture I have been thinking a lot about lately.  And since it's "that time of year" I thought I'd go ahead and share my thoughts. I think I'll just break it apart verse by verse so here we go....

Rejoice always-  What does that mean?  I think if we take scripture at face value it means just what it says.  We should be "full of joy" at all times. 

Pray without ceasing- Yet again....just what it says..make request and thankgivings to God without stopping.

In everything give thanks-  express gratitude in all that exists; for this is the plan of God in Christ Jesus for you.

And since we already "defined" all the words in Eph 5:20 I won't do that again.

Those two verse are probably two of the most difficult verses in the Bible for Christians to follow.  Why? We are taught that it is okay to "feel sorry" for ourselves when things go wrong.  We can be "angry" when things don't go as planned.  We can be disappointed or hurt when things fail or people are sick.  But that's NOT what God tells us.  He tells us to full of joy, expressing gratitude in all that exist.  And He even goes as far as to tell us when which is "at all times".  That's a far cry from what the world is teaching us. 

He even tells us how to  rejoice always and give thanks in everything.  We can do that by praying without ceasing.   If we continually go to Our Heavenly Father in prayer and let Him be in control of our lives then we will be aware that; whatever, He presents us with He will be there to guide us thru and in that we can rejoice.  We can also rejoice in knowing where we will spend eternity IF we are following His will no matter what may happen in this life. 

Will you choose to follow the world or what God tells us to do? Can you rejoice in all things knowing where you will spend eternity?

Here is how you can know:

Become a Christian according to Word of God:
-Hear
Rom. 10:17
-Believe (Have Faith)
John 5:24
-Repent
Acts 17:30
-Confess
Matt. 10:32-33
-Be baptized
Acts 2:38,41

How to go to Heaven:
-Become a Christian
-Be faithful
Rev. 2:10