Rejoice in Thanksgiving

Philippians 4:4–7 KJV 1900

4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. 5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Rejoice in the Lord Always

How is such a thing possible?

How can you rejoice in bad times?

When there is a Corona-virus?

When the economy is in trouble?

when there is political turmoil and civil unrest?

When there are problems at home?

And isn’t it weird and insensitive to rejoice when people are suffering?

We do not rejoice because of suffering, but we can rejoice in it

we still mourn with those who mourn, but we can do so from a position of rejoicing in the Lord

(example: hospital visit with Dad)

In fact, the bible tells us to rejoice (glory) in tribulation- Paul set this example often

Romans 5:1–4 NKJV

1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

So, we can rejoice even in our tribulations becasue:

We have been justified by faith

we have peace with God - though we were enemies of God through wicked works

Through Jesus, we have access by faith into this grace

We can rejoice becasue we know that even our tribulations will produce something of value in us

perseverance

Character

Hope

The Lord is at Hand

Let your moderation be known to men (gentleness)

Moderation - stay calm - don’t freak out when trouble comes

stay calm - and gentle - control your reactions -

The Lord is at Hand -

what if every Christian lived their life with the full knowledge that The Lord was at hand?

How much different would we be?

First, I suppose that would only matter if Christians actually knew something about who He is

they would not be running up and giving Him a high five —

How much calmer would we be — not like the disciples on the boat in the storm

How much more thankful would we be — not like the children of Israel ungrateful for the manna

The Lord is at hand — He is right here - He is in this boat with you

Be Careful for Nothing

Careful - or Anxious as some translations put it -

So many Christians are altogether too careful

They would love to live by faith - but we have to be careful

they would love a miraculous testimony, but they are anxious about what could go wrong -

Anxious about the danger of living by faith -

Careful about the cost of living by faith

Anxious about the risk of loss, suffering, ridicule of men, that comes with living by faith

Wanting to step out- to speak up - to glorify God - but afraid of the risk

Be Careful for Nothing!!

We shouild not worry about tomorrow - What does the Lord, who is at hand - require today?

We should not worry about the cost - that is if The Lord is at hand

We should not worry about the reward -

And, we should not worry about the size of the request -

So many Christians are “careful” not to pray for too much

only praying out loud for the things they are confident they could get anyway

But not daring to ask for the impossible - in faith

Be Careful for Nothing - Ask - Believe - Act

Supplication With Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving should be a way of life -

We can be thankful always, and in all things

Being thankful does not mean we do not have need, or that we do not earnestly desire help in these needs

Being thankful does mean that we are much more likely to get help with the things we need

I had a recent experience with an ungrateful person - who had to be limited -

in fact, ungrateful people always want more - you do them no favor by giving it -

Supplication: the action of asking or begging for something earnestly or humbly.

So, we are encouraged to humbly ask God for the things that we have need of

James says we have not becasue we ask not

Oh that men would ask for more - and for more of the eternal

at times, this supplication, or prayer, may be so earnest, and so fervent that it seems as begging, or pleading - in faith and with hope

Even in this state of earnest pleading with God, we must be thankful:

in fact, if there are not some things in your life that you are earnestly pleading with God for, I suggest you check your faith

And, if all of the things you find yourself pleading with Him for are temporal, I suggest you check you faith.

This may be one of the greatest keys to increased faith and answered prayer: being thankful in supplication

not just being thankful - and not neglecting to be thankful

The book of Philippians may be one of the best examples of thankfulness if you understand the context:

Paul’s first trip there was filled with tribulation

Yet, in their worst trials, they were thankful

They began to sing praise to God - and the prisoners heard t - it was known to the men there

The Miracle Follows

It was after the thanksgiving and praise that the walls shook

God is more than able to break your chains and set you free also

Be Careful for nothing - Rejoice in Him. Express your thankfulness in the sight of all men.