1 Thessalonians 5:12-21. Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good.
We often lose sight of the blessing and joy of salvation in our relationships with others. Misunderstandings, selfishness, and hurt can steal the peace God intends for us. That is why the first thing we must always do is to rejoice in the unending grace of God in Christ, our ultimate bartizan. Only then can we walk on our covenant journey with the power of prayer and establish heavenly guideposts in our mission fields with thanksgiving.
To this end, God has called us to be His church, the body of Christ. Just as the health of the human body depends on the proper functioning of every part, so the health of the church depends on the unity and maturity of its members. Only when each part is healthy can the entire body thrive. God blesses His people as a community, not just as individuals. When His children walk together in love and humility, His blessings flow abundantly. This is His principle of blessing.
The way we treat our brothers and sisters in Christ should be different from the way unbelievers treat others. God calls us to live by a higher standard, placing the needs and interests of others above our own (Philippians 2:3-4). This is not optional; it reflects the heart of Christ, who humbled Himself to serve. When you live this way, you become a channel of His grace and goodness.
Keep your heart always filled with the joy of salvation. Do not allow circumstances, disappointments, or the actions of others to steal the joy Christ has given you. Enjoy the Giver, not just His gifts. When the seventy-two disciples returned to Jesus, rejoicing over their authority over demons, He reminded them: “However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20). Your greatest treasure is not what you accomplish but who you are in Christ.
Never stop praying. Your Father’s throne is always open to you. Prayer is not a ritual but a living connection with the One who rules heaven and earth. Through prayer, you enjoy your identity and exercise your spiritual authority as God’s child. Jesus promised that whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven (Matthew 16:19). Your prayers can move the throne of the Triune. Stop worrying about your life and start praying instead.
Your heavenly Father, the Creator who formed and established the earth, invites you to call on Him, “Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” He longs to reveal His plans and purposes as you seek Him in prayer.
No matter what happens, always be thankful. In every situation, God’s will for you in Christ Jesus is good, perfect, and unchanging. Scripture reminds us that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). This includes you. Even in trials and temptations, do not doubt His love and faithfulness. Ask and discover His plans in His Word.
Remember Daniel’s example. When the decree was signed forbidding prayer, Daniel did not panic or hide. He went home, opened his windows toward Jerusalem, and prayed three times a day, giving thanks to God just as he had done before (Daniel 6:10). Daniel’s gratitude and faith unlocked God’s power in his life. Like Daniel, keep trusting God and remain thankful, even when circumstances seem against you.
God has plans for your life. He does not intend to harm you but to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). Hold on to His promises and trust His perfect timing. Thanksgiving opens the door to deeper faith and greater blessings.
Do not ignore the voice of the Holy Spirit when He prompts you to act. When He leads you to pray for someone, obey. When He sends you to share the gospel, follow without hesitation. Do not dismiss the Word of God when it speaks to you, and do not grieve the Spirit by pursuing fleeting things that cannot last. Instead, set your heart on the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God (Colossians 3:1). Always remember that you are a child of God, led by His Spirit and called to live a life that bears witness to Christ.
Prayer. Father, I thank You for Your love, even in the midst of problems and trials. I know that You have plans to give me hope and a future. Fill my heart with gratitude and my life with reasons for thanksgiving. Teach me to trust You fully, to love others deeply, and to walk closely with You each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.