Thanksgiving 2024

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (NASB95)

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

Rejoice Always

This means to be glad at all times.

Lexham Theological Wordbook χαίρω

The kind of rejoicing the term chairō denotes is not only a feeling and expression of joy but also an action one chooses. For instance, Paul exhorts his believers to “rejoice with those who rejoice (χαίρειν μετὰ χαιρόντων, chairein meta chairontōn)” (Rom 12:15). Like other verbs for rejoicing, chairō can be used in a positive way (e.g., 1 Cor 13:6) and in a negative way (e.g., Rev 11:10). Jesus’ disciples are instructed to rejoice when they are persecuted (Matt 5:12; Luke 5:23) and believers are to rejoice as they share in the sufferings that Christ experienced (1 Pet 4:13). While the world may rejoice now, when Jesus returns to the disciples they will rejoice (John 16:20–22). Paul exhorts believers to rejoice in the Lord (χαίρετε ἐν κυρίῳ, chairete en kyriō; Phil 3:1). This again emphasizes that joy or rejoicing is the appropriate response to what God has done. Philippians 4:4 suggests that the believers who are at Philippi need extra encouragement to choose to rejoice, as Paul says it twice: “Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say, ‘Rejoice.’ ” The stress that this rejoicing is in the Lord implies gratitude for what God has done for them. As with other biblical words for rejoicing, chairō has both positive and negative uses, points both to an emotional state and a chosen behavior, and can be a response to people, things, events, and is especially connected with God and his actions among humans

Rejoice in the tough times

Matthew 5:12 NASB95

“Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

We can rejoice when we are persecuted by this world because we are gaining rewards in heaven when we are persecuted on earth. When we are actively standing for Christ and building His kingdom we will face persecution. It is not the persecution that we rejoice in, it is the reward that we gain for the persecution.

1 Peter 4:13 NASB95

but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.

When we share in the sufferings of Christ the sweeter and greater our exultation will be when Christs glory is revealed. It is like working very hard for something for a long time and finally getting success for your hard work.

Rejoice in the Lord

Philippians 3:1 NASB95

Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.

We can rejoice in the Lord for who He is and what He means to us. He is sovereign, holy, righteous, kind, patient, loving, all powerful, all knowing, eternal and the list can go on. Jesus is perfect and He desires relationship with us. He desires to speak into our souls and manifest Himself in our lives. We can rejoice in the Lord.

We can rejoice in the Lord for what He means to us. He is like a Father. He protects, provides, and teaches. The Lord protects us from harm, sickness, and evil. The opportunities for these to affect us are great.And in the few time that He allows them to affect us we can rejoice knowing that He is going to use it for His glory and our good.

The Lord provides all our needs. All of us have food in our pantry, roof over our head and clothes on our back. 1 Tim. 6:8

1 Timothy 6:8 NASB95

If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.

The Lord cares for our basic needs.

The Lord also teaches us about life. The 10 commandments instruct us on how to live in right relationship with God and right relationship with others.

We can rejoice always because the Lord is never changing. He is a consistent rock in our lives!

Pray Without Ceasing

Taken literally this means that we are to always be talking to God without stopping. This is not what this means. What this does mean is that we are to use prayer in our everyday living.

In your home, it’s easy to get caught up in the routine and forget to connect with God throughout the day. Perhaps your mornings are hectic, leaving little room for prayer. Consider setting a specific time for prayer, like before meals or during family gatherings. Make it a family tradition to pray together, allowing each member to share their thoughts and requests. This not only strengthens your faith but also builds a spiritual bond among family members, turning your home into a sanctuary of prayer.

At work, you might feel overwhelmed with deadlines and responsibilities, and prayer could feel like an afterthought. Try to incorporate brief moments of prayer during your breaks or before important meetings. For instance, when you feel stressed or distracted, take a moment to close your eyes and invite God into your situation. You might even send a quick message of encouragement or prayer to a coworker who seems to be struggling. This practice can transform your work environment into one where faith is interwoven with daily tasks.

Praying without ceasing means to not forget that God is with you. He is available 24/7/365. There is never a time where you will pray that the Lord is not listening.

In a small town, a farmer faced a severe drought. Despite his worries, he would walk his fields each day, praying silently as he looked at his parched crops. Neighbors laughed at him, claiming it was useless, but he firmly believed that prayer could change his circumstances. Weeks went by until one day, dark clouds rolled in, and rain began to pour. His faith and unwavering prayer had kept his hope alive, reminding us that prayer should be our instinct in all circumstances, as we continuously seek God’s will.

In the New Testament, Paul urges believers to 'pray without ceasing.' Imagine a lighthouse, its beam casting light over stormy seas. Prayer is that light guiding us through life’s tempests. A man once found himself lost at sea, terrified and alone. In his moment of despair, he cried out to God. As he prayed, a beacon of light appeared, leading him back to shore. This illustrates how our prayers, no matter how desperate, are always met with God's guiding light when offered in faith without ceasing.

We are to involve the Lord in every aspect of our lives. We should have discipline prayer times as well as spontaneous prayer. The Lord loves our prayers. 1 Peter 3:12

1 Peter 3:12 (NASB95)

“For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, And His ears attend to their prayer, But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Prayer keeps us righteous. We are to pray without ceasing.

5 Practical ways to pray:

1. Incorporate Prayer into Daily Activities:

Mindful Prayer: Engage in everyday activities with a prayerful mindset. Whether you're cooking, cleaning, or working, offer up your actions as a form of prayer.

Breath Prayers: Breathe in a short phrase like "Lord, have mercy," and breathe out a phrase like "Christ, have pity." This can be done throughout the day, especially during stressful moments.

Gratitude Journaling: Regularly write down things you're thankful for. This practice not only fosters gratitude but also naturally leads to prayer.

2. Scheduled Prayer Times:

Morning and Evening Devotion: Dedicate specific times for morning and evening prayer. This can involve reading Scripture, meditation, and personal prayer.

Midday Reflection: Take a brief pause in the middle of the day for a short prayer or meditation. This can help refocus your mind and connect with God.

3. Communal Prayer:

Prayer Groups: Join a prayer group to pray with others and be accountable.

Family Prayer: Pray together as a family, especially during mealtimes.

Church Services: Participate actively in church services, joining in the prayers and singing.

4. Listening Prayer:

Silent Reflection: Spend time in silence, listening for God's voice. This can be done through meditation or simply sitting quietly.

Journaling: Write down your thoughts and feelings, allowing God to speak to you through your reflections.

5. Intercessory Prayer:

Pray for Others: Pray for the needs of others, both those you know and those you don't.

In Everything Give Thanks

This is to have a heart of gratitude. We live in an entitlement culture that robs us of a heart of gratitude. The entitlement heart believes that it should have what it desires and when it does not have it it gets upset. A heart of gratitude does not focus on what it does not have, but is grateful for what it does have.

Give thanks in difficult times

Often times we think we are to be thankful when things are good. The Bible tells us to be thankful even int the difficult times. James 1:2-4

James 1:2–4 (NASB95)

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

God will use difficult times in our lives to perfect us.

When I faced a season of deep personal loss, I felt as if I was engulfed in darkness. Each day was a struggle, yet, through those trials, I began to see God's hand shaping me. Just as gold is refined in fire, I emerged with a stronger faith and greater compassion for others. James 1:2-4 reminds us to consider it joy when we face trials, for they lead us to maturity in Christ.

The story of Job in the Old Testament serves as a powerful reminder of how God uses suffering to challenge and strengthen our faith. Job lost everything—his wealth, health, and family. Yet he remained steadfast, ultimately experiencing God's restoration in a way that deepened his faith and understanding of God's greatness. Our trials can lead to profound spiritual transformation, just as they did for Job.

Job 1:21–22 (NASB95)

He said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God.

Job went through the most difficult time. More so than many of us will ever go through. However, in spite of his circumstances he was grateful to the Lord.

We too should not allow our circumstances to hinder our hearts of gratitude. We have been given far more than we will ever deserve.

Thankfulness in the good times

The greatest times in my life were when I met the Lord as my Savior, when I met Rachel, when I had children, and the relationships that the Lord has allowed me to form. All of this is from the Lord. James 1:17

James 1:17 NASB95

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.

God is the Father of lights. This means He is 100% good all the time. Our lives are meant for gratitude. The Lord is so good to us! This is why Paul reminds us in Phil. 4:4

Philippians 4:4 NASB95

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!

Rejoice always; pray without ceasing, and in every situation give thanks.