Thanks

“IN everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Are you interested doing the will of God? It might surprise you that more times than not we are trying to figure out His will when the Word of God already tells us what His will is for our lives.

Thanks for joining me for this new week of Freedom Fighter blogs. Several years ago Pastor Bill Raws shared a devotional at one of our monthly Hymnsings from 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

It was interesting to see the reaction on the faces of people when Pastor Bill shared that Paul doesn’t exhort to give thanks for everything – but IN everything. Big difference.

I can think of a number of thanks that I am not thankful FOR right now. But I can be thankful IN each of the circumstances/situations that I am going through right now.

And it is even more exciting to know that by doing this I am in God’s will – doing what HE wants me to do.

There is an old Swedish Hymn that expressed thanks FOR things … think about the difference it makes from changing the FOR with IN:

Thanks to God for my Redeemer
For all Thou dost provide!
Thanks (for) IN times now but a memory,
Thanks for Jesus by my side!
Thanks (for) IN pleasant, balmy springtime,
Thanks (for) IN dark and dreary fall!

Thanks (for) IN tears by not forgotten,
Thanks (for) IN peace within my soul!
Thanks for prayers that Thou hast answered,
Thanks (for) IN what Thou dost deny
Thanks (for) IN storms that that I have weathered,
Thanks (for) IN all Thou dost supply!

Thanks (for) IN pain, and thanks (for) IN pleasure,
Thanks (for) IN comfort in despair!
Thanks (for) IN grace that none can measure,
Thanks (f0r) IN love beyond compare!

Thanks (for) IN roses by the wayside,
Thanks (for) IN thorns their stem contain!

Thanks (for) IN home and thanks for fireside,
Thanks (for) IN hope, that sweet refrain!
Thanks (for) IN joy and thanks (for) IN sorrow.
Thanks (for) IN heavenly peace with Thee!
Thanks for (IN) hope in the tomorrow,
Thanks thro’ all eternity.

Oh by the way, IN the midst of the aftermath of the storm, I was looking around my garden and was grieving because of all the damage to my garden/yard. It was then I spied the rose blooming IN the garden – and right then I stopped and quoted Paul’s words: “IN everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ concerning you.”

Good reminder! Are you ready to do God’s will today? Put 1 Thessalonians 5:18 in practice. – Bill Welte is President/CEO of America’s Keswick

Team YOU: Ezekiel 11-13; Proverbs 19; James 1

Motivations: Be thankful for the smallest blessing, and you will deserve to receive greater. Value the least gifts no less than the greatest, and simple graces as especial favours. If you remember the dignity of the Giver, no gift will seem small or mean, for nothing can be valueless that is given by the most high God. Thomas a Kempis

Practice to Remember: Level 1:James 3:17-18; Level 2: James 3:13-18

Powered Up:  Prayer is not a question of altering things externally, but of working wonders in a man’s disposition. – Oswald Chambers