1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – 16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
When life is joyful, it’s good.
I’ve always told people, if you think you’re happy or if you think you’re unhappy, you’re right. That’s what you are. Nobody can make you be one or the other, you choose.
Now I’m not oblivious to the obvious. Our lives at times get turned upside down from close events near us. Still how we choose to perceive them is up to us. We must turn them over to the Lord and still be grateful for all that we have and all which He has done.
If you have Jesus as Lord, you should be happy. You have what you need. However, you still choose after that how you will view things.
God wants this for us. It is His will that we give thanks, pray to him continually and that we be joyful always.
You’re a creature that has been made with a free will. You don’t have to obey. You don’t have to love God. You don’t have to be happy. However, you won’t have the last say and its God’s will that you do choose correctly and seek Him so you may live in eternity with Him. For those who don’t, it’s a lake of fire according to His Word.
Myrtle Hintz
November 16, 2011 at 11:56 am
Thanks for sharing this verse today. I pray this verse all the time. For the small, silly insignificant times and also for the hard, serious, difficult times. I can do this because I know God is sovereign, in control and because He works also things together for good to those who love Him, to those who are called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son. We are facing many tough circumstances in our family right now and I have the confidence He is going to be Jehovah Nissi, our banner/victory – our everything. We can already testify to God’s faithful, love etc. We are going to persevere in fasting and prayer – that He will have His way. I am confident of this,that He that began a good work in us will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.