Be a Joyful – Praying – Thankful Christian

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18  |  Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. [ESV]

These three verses (16-18) are part of the closing exhortations found in 1 Thess. 5:12-22. These exhortations, along w/many others are found throughout the NT. These various exhortations were given in God’s Word so that Christians would know how to walk daily before a lost world.

Today it is no different than it was nearly 2,000 years ago when Paul wrote those words. Just as most people in Paul’s day were lost w/o a saving knowledge of Christ – so too are most of those we encounter on a daily basis. Therefore, just as the Thessalonians were exhorted to walk before others putting their trust in God’s sovereign ability to preserve them, so are we exhorted from these same words to walk before others giving a testimony that we worry not about what is going on around us because our surety lies w/God no matter the circumstances of life | cf. Romans 8:1, 28-39.

Greek Syntax – (Grammar) – All three of the verbs used here in the text of the original Greek manuscripts translated as: rejoice  / pray  / give thanks – are of an imperative class of Greek verbs. This type of verb is the strongest type of a Greek syntactical command given in the NT. Here these verbs are also found to be in the 2nd person plural making their subject of these exhortations being a plural “you” or as we say here in the south – “Y’all.”

 

Vs. 16 – [You] Rejoice always

John MacArthur*

The phrase translated rejoice always literally reads “at all times be rejoicing” and emphasizes that truly joyful Christians will always have a deep-seated confidence in God’s sovereign love and mighty power on behalf of His own, and in His providential working of all things according to His perfect plan (Matt. 6:33-34; Rom. 8:28-30; 11:33; Phil. 1:12; cf. Gen. 50:20; Ps. 139:1-5). Therefore, no event or circumstance in the Christian’s life, apart from sin, can or should diminish his true joy | [adapted].

Rejoice – Not of your works – but that your names are recorded in heaven – Luke 10:20.

Rejoice – That this is the day that God has made – Psalm 118:24.

Rejoice – In the Lord that you may have the desires of your heart – Psalm 37:4.

. What circumstance do you think can come up in your life that God cannot be there for you to face?

. What sin can you do that He cannot forgive? – So why be sad? / Unhappy? / Depressed? / Troubled? / Afraid?

. As Jesus rejoiced in securing our salvation, let us follow His example and “always” rejoice in Him!

Hebrews 12:1-2 –  … Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 

Vs. 17 – [You] Pray without ceasing

John MacArthur*

Paul’s exhortation … to pray without ceasing is thus a divine mandate to all believers. … It encompasses all the aspects of prayer: submission, confession, petition, intercession, praise, and thanksgiving. … [It is to be] constant and defines prayer not as some perpetual activity of kneeling and interceding but as a way of life marked by a continual attitude of prayer | [adapted].

Pray – To our Father – in a family relationship – Matthew 6:9-13.

Pray – In Jesus name – we may boldly come in His name – John 14:13-14.

Pray – By the Holy Spirit – He makes intercession for us – Romans 8:26.

. Because God is sovereign – Then in confidence we can call on His name in making our petitions known to Him – with a constant attitude of assurance that He hears and answers us.

Hebrews 4:14-16 – Since then we have a great high priest … Jesus, the Son of God … who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence [boldly – NKJV] draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

 

Vs. 18 – [You] give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

John MacArthur*

[This] simple, direct statement allows believers no excuses to be ungrateful. In everything … refers to all that occurs in life. No matter what struggles, trials, testings, or vicissitudes [i.e., unfavorable event; misfortunes] occur in the lives of Christians (with the obvious exception of personal sins), they are to give thanks. … It is God’s will that all those who are in Christ Jesus should express constant joy, constant prayer, and constant thanksgiving | [adapted].

Philippians 4:6-7 –  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

. How does a Christian accomplish rejoicing always, praying w/o ceasing, and being thankful for all?

.. He does so by trusting God.

2 Timothy 1:12 – For this reason I also suffer … nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. [NKJV]

. Trusting God – it is committing our way (life) to follow the Lord – Psalm 37:5 | Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.

 

* [MacArthur John, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary: 1 & 2 Thessalonians, (Chicago, Moody Press, 2002), 183-190.]

ba – October 21, 2009

Dutifully Just Thinking …

Have you ever just wondered about God? Does he really exist? If he does exist is he involved with the creation personally or has he just made it and left it to chance since that time? If God does exist how can I know him? Does he want to know me? 

These are fair question to be asked. God does not mind it when humans ask about him. Psalm 19:1 says – The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. I know that many scientists tell us of how great our universe is and how minute our atomic world is. It seems amazing to me that they can talk about so much of its consistency in both scientific aspects and not see God as the source of its very being. - It seems to me that they are missing an excellent and good testimony of how God’s creation is declaring his glory. Is God personally involved in his creation? Colossians 1:15-17 states that Christ Jesus is the image of the invisible God … for by him [Jesus] all things were created in heaven and on earth visible and invisible whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Jesus told Nichodemus that unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God | John 3:3. The bottom line is that each of us as individuals must recognized that we are sinners by nature and through our daily sinfulness need to humbe ourself before God. My friend have you seen yourself in this place in your life? Do not know where to turn? – Turn to Christ he will save your soul – John 14:6; 1 Timothy 1:15; and 1 Peter 1:18-21. Later …

Eternal Destiny?

A lot of famous individuals have passed away these last few days and all have now entered into their eternal destiny. This is an appointment of life that all of us eventually must face.

Jesus declared – You must be born again to see or enter into the kingdom of God. So where in eternity will you go and what will you see? Only you can answer  concerning yourself. So I urge you to seriously look at you life – repent of your rebellion towards God and except God’s way. Jesus Christ was sent into this world to save sinners - 1 Timothy 1:15; Matthew 1:21.

ba

Trust …

It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes. | Psalm 118:8-9

Our nation is facing many difficult and troubling times. We are financially in hoc over our eyebrows, we are becoming morally inept in our practices, and we are found to be dividing between ourselves as to who is right or wrong in accordance to our correct and uncompromising PC worldview. As the old movie, Music Man proclaimed – “We’ve got troubles – I tell you, troubles – right here in [the good ole’ USA]!”

I think most, if not all, of us agree that we definitely as a country are now experiencing some rough times. Thus, as we go through these rough times the most natural thing for us to do is to seek a way out of them or at least a way to stop or slow down this runaway mess and return to some sense of normal. Being anxious, as a nation we seem now to be screaming: “Do something, even if it is wrong!”

May I suggest that as Christians we should stop for a moment, take a deep breath, and look to our Lord first before we join this national chorus of asking our national leaders and government to fix everything? God’s word here tells us not to put our trust in man or our princes (leaders). Why (?) – because even the very best of men and our leaders’ good ideas, all too often, usually end up making problematic matters much worse than when they started. If God is smart enough to create the universe, sovereign enough to make sure it works, and providential enough to bring about all things for the good of his own, then why would you, a Christian, even want to trust in any man or princes (leaders) to solve our problems?  “The just shall live by faith” | Romans 1:16-17.

So my question to you dear reader – Is it better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust man or in princes?

I am curious how you would answer, especially my Christian friends.

ba

Have We Gone Past the Point of No Return?

Gen. 15:16 | … the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.

 Cindy (my fiery-sidekick) and I were talking the other day about all that seems to be going on with our country. As our conversation progressed both of us wondered aloud if we as a nation have reached a point of no return. We looked at this nation’s great financial problems, our political lack of morals concerning right and wrong, perversions which are so prevalent in our society now, and how our government – both local & national seemingly goes out of their way to show public disdain concerning God. We agreed that our beloved United States is becoming more and more in appearance as a nation which is falling apart.

 Folks in the know, the poll takers, often will state that anywhere from approximately 70% to 85% of this nation claims to be Christians. I truly hope that is true, however, it seems that often many of them cannot be found – (Perhaps it is because they only consider themselves as “closet-Christians”). Many Christians and probably some non-Christians feel that this country desperately needs another Great Awakening or at least something similar to those to bring the people of this nation back to their senses. We agree with that somewhat, but, to be honest (as opposed to what, I wonder?), Christianity really needs a revival first before we can ever expect an awakening of others (2 Chron. 7:14). Thursday is the official appointed and set aside day for “National Prayer.” May I suggest that we Christians pray that God will move among us to live our lives before others so that they may see Christ, our savior, in all of our actions?

 Has the United States gone past the point of no return? I hope not! But if the depiction of those who have turned from God as described in the book of Romans 1:18-32 is any indication of a nation that has – then we too as a people may find that God has given us up because our iniquity as a nation is just about complete.

 ba

Torn & All Mixed Up …

A father wanted to read a magazine but he was being bothered by his little girl, Shelby. She wanted to know what the United States looked like.

 

Finally, he tore a sheet out of his new magazine on which was printed the map of the country. Tearing it into small pieces, he gave it to Shelby and said, “Go into the other room and see if you can put this together. This will show you our whole country today.”

 

After a few minutes, Shelby returned and handed him the map, correctly fitted and taped together. The father was surprised and asked how she had finished so quickly.

 

“Oh,” she said, “On the other side of the paper is a picture of Jesus. When I got all of Jesus back where he belonged, then our country just came together.” [unknown]

 

Sometimes children are much wiser than the grownups!

 

ba

Time to Think!

Doing what you do – what are you doing?

ba

Can We Know …

I recently read a very good article – “The Universe Factory:  Do astronomers attempt to peer into the mind of a creator?” by Gordon Reade [reade@stanford.edu], (Sky & Telescope, March 2009, p. 88).

I thought the article was done in good taste. The thrust of the article seems to be as to why astronomers, both in the past and those of today, devote much of their working lives to studying the heavens above. In particular the author mentioned Isaac Newton from the past and the present-day astronomers, though not mentioning anyone by name. All-in-all the article was honest and not a slamming (except for perhaps the opening remarks about the theologian & the atheist) of those whose religious beliefs guided those of history’s past and even still today guide some intellectual eyes upward toward the heavens in asking questions. His contrast between these two groups (theological and scientific) was gracious.

In ending his article Reade wrote:

Psalm 19 begins, “The heavens declare the glory of God.” I don’t know if that’s true of not, because I have no idea who or what God is. I don’t think anyone does.  But I do know that astronomy is a pursuit that compels us to examine the nature of our reality. I think it’s time well spent.

Reade’s statement, “[that] I have no idea who or what God is. I don’t think anyone does” caught my attention. As a Christian, I have to ask, do I believe that statement? My answer would have to be no – for the Bible declares to us that we can know.  

The Bible is very plain in Genesis 1:1 – “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”

Thus: “Who is God?” -  God is our Creator. For me to declare otherwise, would be to say I do not believe that the Bible is God’s word (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Second, “What God is?” - From the Bible we learn that “God is a Spirit and those who worship Him must  worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24).

Lastly, how do we know for sure that we can know Him? – The Bible declares concerning our God and Creator, that He is revealed to us through His Son (John 14:7-11). “[Jesus Christ] is the image of the invisible God … for by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist (Colossians 1:15-17); (cf. Romans 11:33-36).

Can we know? Yes! – “The heavens declare the glory of God” (Psalm 19:1ff).

If I may play off of Gordon Reade’s final words in his excellent article, as for him: “… astronomy is a pursuit that compels us to examine the nature of our reality.” So too, I must say: Studying the Bible “is a pursuit that compels us to examine the nature of our reality.”  Alas, we both end in agreement, “I think it’s time well spent.”

ba

Refuge in Harsh Times

Psalm 118:8-9

It is better to put trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.

 

Times are tough. The harshness of the recession that this country is experiencing has affected nearly all areas of life. Gas is high, food is expensive, home foreclosure is up, and the dollar does not go as far as it used to. Thousands are being laid off from their jobs and many face cutback of work hours. With banks failing and wall-street crashing people are becoming frightened because they fear that we are going into another depression era like that of the 30’s.

 

Because of these mass problems people are now looking to the government for answers. Our political leaders tell us not to worry because their solutions will work. They say, “Just trust me!” This is despite the fact that many of these same leaders are part of the problem, which may help explain as to why nothing that the government tries to do seems to have any effect on the recession.

 

So what now? Where do we turn? This passage tells us to trust (Heb. – take refuge in, flee to for protection – i.e., a place to hide) in the Lord and not to put our confidence (Heb. – to be sure, having confidence, trusting in – i.e., seemingly to display an open cockiness) in man’s or princes’ abilities. Now considering the track record of man and his devices – I personally will hide in the refuge of the Lord and not depend on man’s abilities or leadership to get us thru these harsh times. May we fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith.

 

Bruce    

God’s Mighty Men

2 Samuel 23:8-39

These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: Josheb-Basshebeth the Tachmonite, chief among the captains. He was Adino the Eznite, because he had killed eight hundred men at one time. … Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, one of the three might men with David when they defiled the Philistines who were gathered there for battle, and the men of Israel had retreated. He arose and attacked the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand stuck to the sword. The Lord brought about a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to plunder. … Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite.  The Philistines had gathered together into a troop where there was a piece of ground full of lentils. Then the people fled from the Philistines. But he stationed himself in the middle of the field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. And the LORD brought about a great victory. … [v. 13-39a | remaining list of the name of David’s mighty men] [v. 39b] … thirty seven in all. [NKJV]

 

I. David’s Mighty Men

In Israel | Judea – to be known as one of David’s mighty men was one of the greatest honors a man of that time era could have. Just the mention of their names brought accolades concerning their mighty exploits of courage.

These men would have the same standing as our heroes of today who we reward with the prestigious Medal of Honor.

When time permits examine their deeds: Adino – Eleazar – Shammah, etc.

The common thread – Of these mighty men of David were found to be:

1. Courageous

2. Ready and Prepared

3. Willing to do the Impossible

 

Courageous

No matter what the odds, they were going to engage in battle despite the consequences.

 

Ready and Prepared 

Constantly in Training, skilled in the tenets of warfare, they knew it took all to win.

 

Willing to do the Impossible

Determined the Principle at Stake – whether alone or with others, God would be honored.  

 

II. Christ’s Mighty Men

Just as in the OT past there were mighty men of God – so too today in the NT times does Christ have mighty men/women to be found –

YOU MAY BE ONE OF THEM – what a privilege today for us to be called the sons/daughters of God. You too as a man/woman of Christ can become like these mighty men of old:

1. Courageous

2. Ready and Prepared

3. Willing to do the Impossible

 

Courageous

Face the battles that God allows to come into your life –

No matter what the odds, engage in battle despite the consequences.

 

Ready and Prepared 

Pray | Study | Submit

 

Be constantly in Training – become a Prayer-Warrior

Be skilled in the tenets of warfare – Study God’s Word

Know what it takes to win – Give Yourself over to Him

 

Willing to do the Impossible

Walk in Faith

Determined the Principle at Stake – whether alone or with others: God is to get the glory

 

How do you dear Christian become like one of the Mighty Men of David –

Simple:  Imitate | Imitate | Imitate:

Loved the king – Love him more than your own life – Love serving no matter the cost.

 

Then you will become a Mighty Man/Woman in the Lord – a person that stands out – a person that is different than the rest – a person  that truly knows – it is all about Christ, our Savior, not us!

 

ba