Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for YOU. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

This has been our theme and theme verse for 2017. In preparation for our Thanksgiving service, I revisited the Scriptures to discover some nuggets regarding this three exhortations from the Apostle Paul that are not just suggestions or recommendations – they are principles to live by and to put into practice:

1. Rejoice always
   • God rejoices: “The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
   • Creation rejoices: “Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for He comes, He comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his faithfulness.” Psalm 96:13
   • Angels rejoice: “Likewise, I say to you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:10
   • We rejoice: “Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy, That we may rejoice and be glad all our days!” Psalm 90:14
   • We rejoice with others: ^“Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” Romans 12:15
   • Rejoice because it’s God’s will for your life: 1 Thessalonians 5:17
2. Pray Without Ceasing
   • Pray When You Are Tempted: “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
   • Pray without ceasing for others: For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers … Romans 1:9
   • Pray with thanksgiving: Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; Collossians 4:2
   • Pray when you are sick: Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. James 5:13
   • Pray because it’s God’s will for your life: 1 Thessalonians 5:17
3. Give Thanks
   • Give thanks in praising His name. It is good to give thanks to the Lord, And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High. Psalm 92:1
   • Give thanks for His goodness and mercy: Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Psalm 118:1
   • Give thanks for His righteous judgments: At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You, Because of Your righteous judgments. Psalm 119: 62
   • Give thanks because His mercy endures forever: Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Psalm 136:1
   • Give thanks that He gives us victory through Christ: But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57
   • Give thanks because it is God’s will for your life: 1 Thessalonians 5:18

So how are you doing in these three areas? It’s not too late to put them into practice in your daily walk. We at America’s Keswick trust you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. More next week about our 2018 theme!!!

Rejoice! Pray! Give thanks!

Bill Welte
President/CEO America’s Keswick

Written by Bill Welte, President/CEO of America’s Keswick: Bill has been married to his child sweetheart for 40+ years and has four married kids and 11 amazing grand kids. He loves music and is an avid reader.

The Daily Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 23-25| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Think About This: Praise teaches us to be joyful and thankful regardless of our circumstances. It prepares us for God’s service and helps us to see beyond our present circumstances to the immense possibilities that are ours through faith in Jesus Christ. Michael Youssef

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; Colossians 4:2

 

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,  in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

I had a friend who used to say, “Some Christians look so sour that it is like they sucked up pickle juice in their noses with a straw.”

Well I know that is gross, but how true. You’ve been around them. No matter what good is going on around them, they are just plain miserable. They don’t even have to say anything – you can see it written all over their faces.

Welcome to this new week of Freedom Fighter blogs. I am rejoicing today that you give us a few minutes of your day to encourage you to walk in victory.

The word “rejoice” is a word that is used 238 times in the Bible. I guess that means it’s something worth looking at. Here is a quick synopsis of what I gleaned:

• Rejoice about God’s goodness
• Rejoice with you and your entire household
• Rejoice when you bring your sacrifices
• Rejoice as you celebrate and worship
• Rejoice with fear and trembling
• Rejoice over our salvation
• Rejoicing comes from the heart
• Rejoice regarding His mercy
• Rejoice over righteousness
• Rejoice in adversity
• Rejoice in His name
• Rejoice in His Word
• Rejoice with the wife of our youth
• Rejoice when something lost is found
• Rejoice when a sinner repents
• Rejoice in hope
• Rejoice in truth
• Rejoice in suffering
• Rejoice when your children are walking in the truth

Several years ago, I went to the movies with several of our staff guys. We went to a 3D movie and when I got into the theater, the image on the screen was blurry with my 3D glasses.

I went to the manager to fuss over the blurry image. 3D movies cost more than the regular ones. He asked me which theater I was in and he said he would check it out.

When I went back in, it was still blurry – so now I was ticked. So I grabbed my glasses and started back to give him the what for. And on top of that two of the guys 3D glasses were busted.

Just as I was walking through the door, I looked down at the two broken pairs of glasses and saw these words written on them: 3D Glasses. Mine had these words: Polaroid! Ouch. My 3D glasses where tucked in my shirt pocket. I had never put them on.

I thought about that later. Isn’t that how some of us deal with life? When we look at life through the wrong lenses it totally distorts our perception and how we see.

If you are not rejoicing always or practicing rejoicing in the ways listed above, life really will be miserable, unhappy, and guess what – your lack of joy will rub off on others and you will become a joy robber vs. a joy giver.

Paul’s exhortation doesn’t give us much wiggle room: Rejoice most times? Rejoice some time? Rejoice when everything is going my way? Nope. It’s pretty straightforward = ALWAYS!!!

How are you doing in this area of your life? Are you a joy-robber or a joy-giver?

Rejoice! Pray! Give thanks!

Bill Welte, D.D.
President/CEO of America’s Keswick

Written by Dr. Bill Welte, President/CEO of America’s Keswick: Bill has been married to his child sweetheart for 40+ years, and has three married kids, one that is engaged, and 11 amazing grand kids. He loves music and is an avid reader.

The Daily Bible Reading: Leviticus 10-12| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Think About This: Joy is the gigantic secret of Christians. G. K. Chesterton

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

“Hear a just cause, O Lord, Attend to my cry; Give ear to my prayer which is not from deceitful lips.” Psalm 17:1