1 Thessalonians 5
"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the desire of God in Messiah Jesus for you" (1 Thess 5:18).
Toward the end of his letter, Paul urges the Thessalonian believers to give thanks in whatever circumstances they face. This is because their salvation is certain (vv. 8-9) and they are in the process of being sanctified completely by God (vv. 23-24).
Our family is going through a big move, and every day is filled with placing items on Facebook marketplace and TradeMe, interacting with buyers, packing boxes, saying goodbye to friends, and preparing my final sermon for this Sunday. It seems too much. But this verse reminds me to give thanks to God for everything that is happening right now. My salvation is certain, and God is sanctifying me through these things.
Father, I give thanks to you for everything you are doing in our lives today. Thank you that Averil and I are going to the gym regularly and feeling good. Thank you she is going for a Vitamin C treatment today in Gore. Thank you for our many Precept and discipleship groups, and the potlucks we have had this week. And thank you for all the help we are receiving from the body of Christ as we move. Father, we have so much to be grateful for. You are a good, good Father. Let me continually thank you today. In Jesus' name, amen.
- Jeff Coleman