1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
The command from the Lord is to “Rejoice always.” We who are His, yes we, we are a gift to each other. We ought to receive each other as a gift from God and we ought to live our lives as though we are God’s gift to each other. Not in pride, but in in service to each other. Let us live humbly, loving each other and serving each other while our eyes are resolutely set upon our God and our Savior. If we all do this, none of will hurt. Not because hard times will not come, but rather because we are all loved. We were designed to be loved and to love.
Let us think about what is good. Let us be kind. Family, please, let us forgive one another. Forgiveness is not only an attribute of God, and is also a command from God on how to treat each other. Forgiveness is a fruit of love and without love, God’s love, flowing through us, we do not belong to God (1 John 4:8). Jesus said that the greatest commandments are to love God with all that we are and to love each other. Two commandments that if we fulfill then we fulfill all the commandments. Just two. Let’s do these two commandments and love each other. If we do that, then we can rejoice every morning. Let us slow down, go outside and listen to the songs the birds sing. Think of how much God has blessed us. Living in love and forgiving each other makes living in thankfulness to God so much easier.
Let us pray without stopping. Yes, it is possible. It is a command. Why? Because our God who created us loves us and knows what is best for us. Every day continually thank God for the innumerable blessings we receive. Remember our daily blessings, as best we can, and every night and every morning recall the blessings and thank God. Blessings vastly outweigh troubles. Talk with God. Enjoy His company. More than your parents, more than your grandparents, more than your best friend, He wants your company. He wants to talk with us. How grand and wonderful is that! Take time to slow down and talk with our Father God. If we do so then our days will be brighter and our hearts lighter.
To continually rejoice we must know the love of God. If we know Him, we know His love. If we walk in His love and His word, we will give Him thanks continually. As He has expressed to us, this is His will for us. Let us be obedient and live in His love and peace. You see, God has shown us what is good (for us) and what the Lord requires of us. He wants us to treat each other rightly, to love being merciful and forgiving, and with these in mind, walk humbly as we remember that the eye of God is always upon us. Like any parent, He wants to see us do well and His heart swells with pride. This morning, let us be rejoice and be thankful to Him. Our day will be better for it. Love God. Truly love God, and your heart will sing. And no one can rob us of His love and the soul deep peace and joy that only comes from Him. Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.