"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
1st Thessalonians 5: 16-18

Thanks

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1st Thessalonians 5: 16-18) What a great verse! Good advice! When should we be 'joyful?' Always! When should we 'pray'? Continuously! What should we do in 'all circumstances?' Give thanks! I know, in the 'real world' it's not that easy. We are not always joyful, feel like praying, and there are circumstances that happen that we are not very thankful for. We are not guaranteed that everything in our lives is going to be great & cheery. Difficult times come with the good. But where else can we turn? In good times or bad let us turn to God. Go to Him in prayer and give thanks to Him for all He has done.

King David understood this well. His life was full of challenges and difficult times. Yet he writes in Psalm 34: 1-8 "I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them." The Lord 'delivers' them!

Lord we do give you thanks. We offer our lives to you, we pray that our actions and deeds will bring you praise. We thank you for the gifts of Your love & grace. The joy and peace that fills our hearts. Guide us Lord and direct our paths to You. Thanks! Amen.

I pray that all is well with you. Please let me know if you have any prayer concerns or praises. Have a great week and remember to smile :), the Lord loves you!

Take a moment and encourage someone this week.

In Christ,

Shan D. Hartsough

"I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them."

Psalm 34: 1-8

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