Packed into a few sentences Paul manages to give 7 treasured finds of what he believes God wants for our lives.
How should I live? It is in these 7 points.
They are straight to the point, no in-depth explanation and certainly no negotiation.
Here is the third command: “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5 v 18)
The word for thanksgiving is eucharistia where we get our Lord’s Supper/Eucharist from.
We have no choice but to bring thanksgiving, it comes from the sacrifice. His sacrifice of love forces such a response.
When you know you are saved you are thankful.
Thankfulness is missing when we are arguing over what we feel is rightfully ours.
Thankfulness is missing when we complain about our circumstances.
Thankfulness is missing when we devalue people because we hold them responsible for our circumstances.
Thankfulness is missing when we are dismissive of people as not helpful to changing our circumstances.
Thankfulness is missing when the gospel story is not played out in our lives.
Remember the feeding of the multitudes? When the head of the Church gave thanks for what was in HIS hand you knew something was going to happen.
When the Church gives thanks for what it has and who they are and the town and city they belong to then something is going to begin to happen.
Stop complaining. Try thanking. It just may work!
Missions Paul 