God's Will For Your Life
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Rejoice always!
Pray constantly.
Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Back a few months ago we looked at the first part of chapter 4 where Paul said This is God’s will for you, even your sanctification; flee sexual immorality. We spent several weeks looking at God’s design for sex, marriage, and a good sexual ethic. If that’s all that was said you might go away thinking, “as long as I don’t mess up sexually I’m good, I’m doing God’s will.”
When we come to know Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we should start to desire what He wants from the inside out. What is God’s will, and how do I live it out.
This is important when it comes to attitudes also. Some of the best ways to cultivate a right attitude are found in these verses
Look for the Joy in the Day
Look for the Joy in the Day
Rejoice always!
Rejoice! Be Joyful. Its even translated “Good Morning.” It can be a greeting but so much more than that.
It is important to understand that this command to rejoice is in the good and bad of life.
I was reading the commentary translators with the United Bible Society use when making a new translation. They said in some languages and equivalent may be “let your happy heart be known” or “let the song within your insides be heard.”
It is what the shepherd did when he left the 99 sheep to find the one. He rejoiced.
It is what the angel told Mary to do when she found out Jesus was going to be born.
It is what the father did when the prodigal returned.
It is what the disciples did when they saw the nail prints in Jesus after the resurrection.
It is what the early church did when opposition tried to stop them from preaching the Gospel.
It is what the Ethiopian did when he came up out of the water from his baptism.
It is what the Gentiles did when they learned they could be saved.
It is what we are told to do with those who rejoice… JOIN IN
It is something we can do even in grief (2 Co 6.10)
It is what Peter tells us to do when we suffer for the Lord .
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
If we can learn to find what we need, not in the ups and downs of life, but in the consistent faithfulness of God, it will revolutionize our attitude.
This is not naming it and claiming it, or pretending like life doesn’t have sorrow, sufferings, and struggles.
It means for the Christian that we set our sights on something higher.
God’s will is also that you
Talk with The Lord throughout the day
Talk with The Lord throughout the day
Pray constantly.
Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.
Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving.
This is not the continual recitation of prayers.
It means pray at the drop of a hat. Never give up on talking to God. Pray as a first resort.
Pray generally, pray specifically. Nothing is too big for God. Nothing is too small for God. No time is a better time for God. No time is a bad time for God.
He really is close as the mention of His Name.
This word for prayer is a general word. It would include any kind of talking to God.
I am convinced that if we prayed at the drop of a hat, we would have less fretting over every thing that comes along. Not flowery prayers. Not rote prayers. Not formulaic prayers. Just conversation with a good Father.
Talking and listening. I promise you, He is interested in what you have to say. What you want to ask. Lately, I have felt a strong sense that I am most like my Heavenly Father, when I take time to converse with my boys. No agenda, just talk.
This too is God’s will for your life. As Erica sang recently “ How long has it been since you talked with the Lord?”
Finally, the will of God is that you
Give Gratitude to God for the day
Give Gratitude to God for the day
Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
We desperately need to cultivate this attitude of gratitude.
I am certain that God smiles at our thankful acknowledgement of all He does for us.
Even on the hardest days, we have much for which to be thankful.
God has been so good.
I could make a list of reasons to not be thankful.
We all could.
Life is filled with heartache and trouble.
But God has given much, much more good.
I sat in my office and had a little spell just letting God remind me what I have to be thankful for.
And you all rank high on this list.
Salvation.
Serving My King.
Serving with my wife and kids.
Walking through life with all of you.
Seeing people come to Jesus.
Seeing God bless our church.
Having a nice home to extend our ministry.
Thank YOU LORD.