Rejoice, Pray, Give Thanks
We need reminders sometimes to do things that seem so simple when read, but hard to remember when tested. As Paul closes out the first letter to the Thessalonian church, he gives the charge in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 to "REJOICE always, PRAY without ceasing, GIVE THANKS in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." We need to remember that when things get tough it is not doing us any good to wallow in our pity. It is one thing to grieve and deal with pain and loss, but there is a point when you need to not look at the circumstance anymore. Dave Guzik writes "The Christian can rejoice always
because their joy isn't based in circumstances, but in God. Circumstances
change, but God doesn't." Praying without ceasing connects us to the Holy Spirit and puts the focus on our faith in God. Giving thanks in all (not some, most or many) circumstances shows us that while things are not where and how we want them, we still love the good that God has done. Trust me, I know it is tough, but we need to remember to keep God at the center of our lives.
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Encouragement of One Another
Paul spends the portion of this letter reminding or informing the church of how they should be living their lives according to the Holy Spirit. If it is fleeing from sexual immorality and knowing how to control one's body as in verses 3-8. Or it could be the informing of the coming of the Lord (second coming perhaps) as well as our ascension into Heaven (even those who have "fallen asleep" in the faith) in verses 13-17. Overall, Paul wanted people to be informed and also encouraged which is why in verse 18 he says "Therefore encourage one another with these words." If we are not encouraging one another with the truth from scripture then what are we doing with it?
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As We Do for You
"As we do for you" are words that Paul wrote to the church in conjunction with Timothy's report about the church. Timothy was mentored by Paul and Timothy had good things to say after visiting the church of Thessalonia. Paul makes several references to being connected to the church spiritually. In verse 6 he says that Timothy reports that they remember kindly Paul and the others he is with and that they long to see Paul and the others as he longs to see them. There is a connection there. In verse 7 Paul says that he and the others are comforted about the church because of the faith of the church. Paul didn't have to be concerned with them because they kept the faith according to Timothy's report. And in verses 11-12, Paul shows us once again the connection he has to the church (which to me is very encouraging). He sought for the church to get their proper direction led by God and Jesus. He also wanted them to "abound in love for one another and for all" as Paul and the others did for them. It was bigger than just leading a church and helping build it but as he said before like a nurturing mother or an encouraging father. Paul cared about what he was doing and why.
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Leading and Loving Like Parents Should
I noticed a couple of things Paul said in this chapter that stuck out to me more than other verses. He compared the way that he was gentle and how he exhorted (encouraged) the church. In verse 7 Paul says "But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children." He is talking about his approach to correcting the church for missteps. He was gentle. He wasn't harsh and full of blame, he was gentle like a nursing mother would/should be. He also makes the comparison in verses 11-12 to being like a father and encouraging the church to "walk in a manner worthy of God." He is saying this is what a father would. He should his solidarity with the church by comparing his style to that of their parents. And since honoring your parents is in the law (Ten Commandments) then it would be in their best interest to respect Paul as such as the parent of the church, metaphorically speaking.
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Be Consistent
If you have been reading along or have already read through the New Testament you may have noticed something that I think is remarkable. Some may say it is not, but to me it shows character. When Paul begins his letters to the churches (1 Corinthians 1:3, 2 Corinthians 1:2, Romans 1:7, Galatians 1:3), he consistently opens up with "peace" and "grace" and shows what he represents in God and in Christ. To some, that is no big deal as he is just writing letters. You will see though that these letters are also letters of direction or correction. I know when some of us are correcting or directing others that we are in charge of, we can become tyrannical. Paul consistently sends grace and love. He does not stray off the path of being loving even when correcting or directing. Why? Because he represents Jesus. We could learn from Paul's example.
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'Tis the Season
'Tis the season to be jolly. It's a nice lyric. I don't know anyone who wants to be around a Scrooge type of person during what many call the "most wonderful time of the year" where we are "walkin' in a winter wonderland." But there has to be more about this season than just being jolly. This is the season (in conjunction with Thanksgiving) where many people want to donate their time to the homeless and the less fortunate. Now is a great time to start. I am 100% in favor of that. My hope and aim is that we can do more than just be jolly and joyful and loving during this season. I mean think about it, what if God only answered our prayers during holidays like Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas? He loves us all the time (1 John 4:19). We need to be loving all the time to Him and then to others as well because that is how people know we are disciples (followers) of Christ (John 13:34-35).
Psalm 41:1 teaches us that we are blessed for being considerate to the poor. This does not just mean the poor in finances. But, it can also mean the poor in spirit, the poor in health, in relationships. Another word used to replace poor was weak. That does not only cover finances. It covers those who need a shoulder to cry on, a listening ear and a loving heart. It covers those who are sick in hospitals. It covers those going through a rough relationship time as well. It covers the emotionally and spiritually weak. The following verses tell us that there are promises of being sustained by the Lord in our sickbed (we get weak too). The Lord keeps us alive and restores us to full health. We don't do these loving acts because of what we get out of it from God, but we do loving things because we love.
And we can't forget about being joyous during these times. But what are we joyful about? Is it because we love the season and the cold and the fireplace being lit with hot cocoa in our hands? Those are nice things and are very comforting, but are we forgetting to give thanks to God for those nice times that we can have that are very relaxing? We can take for granted the lifestyles we have grown accustomed to, while completely overlooking the provider for us. It's like we only want to thank God when things are going well, but we are to thank God in all circumstances and always be joyous and pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). We can't focus on the season without looking at the creator of the season. Can we?
Overall, God wants us to do these wonderful things at all times not just during certain days or months or holidays. He wants us to see Him first (Matthew 6:33). Let us remember to give to others and love others as God loved us first.
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And when he had given thanks...
Sometimes we can over look something so simple and easy. It may sound silly but when I come home late and there is a good parking spot in front of my house, I thank Jesus. When I make it home safely and pray before bed, I thank Jesus for my safety. I give thanks. In Luke 22:19, it is literally right in front our faces and we overlook because it is not a major part of the story, but still gives insight into who Jesus was and how we can interact with God.
During the Lord's Supper as he takes his bread, Jesus says thanks. It's just a piece of bread. Nothing major, but still food to eat and something that Jesus gives thanks to God for. Pretty simple and insignificant for some people. But for me, it shows how even in the small things, we can be thankful.
The small thing of giving thanks before eating the bread shows how Jesus could be thankful for something seemingly insignificant and small. remember Luke 16:10, "one who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much." If Jesus were the type to over look even the smallest of things to be thankful for and to be faithful in such as giving thanks and his personal prayer life, then that would be evidence to show him to not be the Messiah.
Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." This is exactly what Jesus did. Jesus knew his body would be broken and his blood would be spilled but still gave thanks to God anyway before telling the disciples about the upcoming events. Give thanks.
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