Rejoice, Pray and Give Thanks By J.R. Miller “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thess. 5:16-18). Be joyful always! Joy is never to be left out of any scheme of Christian life. We are to rejoice not now and then only--but always. Even sorrow should not hush the songs in our hearts. This element of joy can be only in the life in which Christ lives and rules. There is difference in people in the matter of joyousness--but true Christian joy is not that which nature inspires--but the joy which comes from the heart of God--and which nothing ever can overcome or destroy. Pray continually! Prayer is another essential element in every true Christian life. Not to pray--is not to live at all as a Christian, for prayer is the Christians vital breath. The exhortation to pray without ceasing, may seem a strange one. It means, however, that our communion with God never need be broken, never should be broken. We cannot be always on our knees; for we have work to do, duties to perform, which we may not neglect, and which are just as sacred as praying. But we may pray at our work, by keeping always close to Christ, so that anywhere, any moment, we can look up into his face and speak to him and get an answer. Give thanks in everything, for this is Gods will for you in Christ Jesus. Thanksgiving should never be lacking in a Christian life. It is not enough to observe one day in the year for Thanksgiving although that is a beautiful thing to do. Nor is it enough to put a sentence of thanksgiving into our daily prayers, although that, also, is proper. It is the grateful spirit which pleases God, the spirit that is always full of praise. There should be a note of thanksgiving running through all our life. Too many of us go to God only with requests, with our burdens, our worries, our troubles; while we but rarely go to him with any word of thanks. We are not to be thankful only for the pleasant and agreeable things that come into our days--we are to be thankful, too, for the things that appear to us to be adversities. Give thanks in everything. That means,--in the sad days as well as in the glad days, when clouds are in the sky, as well as when the sunshine is pouring everywhere. It is said here that this is the will of God for us. The Christliest life--is the one that is always keyed to the note of praise and thanksgiving.
Posted on: Sun, 23 Nov 2014 20:08:54 +0000
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