Giving thanks in all circumstances
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
When is it easiest to be thankful? When things are going well, right? While it might be easier to praise God when you are most happy and comfortable, it is just as important, if not more important, to thank Him in the midst of trials. And this has certainly been a year of trials.
In 1 Thessalonians, Paul tells the church at Thessalonica to rejoice always and give thanks in all circumstances. This can be hard to do, especially when things aren’t going well. So why do we have to give thanks? Why can’t we give in to cynicism and thanklessness? Because God calls us to a life of continual thankfulness. It is God’s will that we give thanks.
This is not to say we need to be always smiling. Sometimes things in life are bad and we should mourn or be upset, but it is in these moments that God asks us to thank Him anyway.
The trials in our lives are not pointless. God has a purpose for everything, even the bad. We might not be able to see the good, but God can see the whole picture and we can gain hope in knowing that our suffering is not in vain, but rather, part of God’s greater purpose. Romans 8:28 states, And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Furthermore, in Colossians 3:17 it says, “And whatever you do whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
No matter how we feel at any given moment, we are still in control of what we say and do, and we should use this opportunity to point our lives back to God. A defining characteristic of a Christian is how he or she responds to trials. By finding the good in the bad and giving thanks despite the negative circumstances, Christians set themselves apart from the rest of the world while simultaneously lifting their own spirits by fixing their eyes on God instead of on the world.
So as we begin this month of October and move towards the Thanksgiving holiday, whether you see the blessing abounding in your life or you are struggling to find anything to be thankful for, turn to God, the one who blesses you with grace and salvation daily and who longs for you to praise Him in the midst of your suffering, trusting in Him and His perfect purpose for your life now and forevermore.
Every blessing,
Pastor Barry Risto
Lead Pastor
Prayer Points
Scriptures: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; Romans 8:28; Colossians 3:17
Confess any known and unknown sins.
Father, I thank You that I am able to participate in today’s fasting program.
Commit the month of September into the Lord’s hands. Pray that you will end the month well in Jesus’ name.
1 Thess 5:16 – Lord, release Your joy into my life.
1 Thess 5:16 – Jehovah, release Your joy upon PPT and the global church.
Father, release Your joy upon humanity during this pandemic. (pray this seriously)
1 Thess 5:17 - Father, release upon me and my household the spirit of prayer.
1 Thess 5:17 - El- Elyon, stir up the spirit of prayer in Your church. (PPT & global church)
Jehovah Nissi, break the shackles of prayer hindrances in my life. (mention them and pray seriously)
Lord, break every shackle of prayer hindrances from Your church.
1 Thess 5:18 – Lord, I thank you for my situations and believe, You will turn it around for me. (mention them)
1 Thess 5:18 – Jesus, despite the pandemic conditions around us, I will still praise and thank You for Your goodness. (mention them)
Romans 8:28 – Jehovah El-Roi, turn the adverse impact of COVID-19 in our favour. (pray this seriously)
Lord, turn these bad situations around for me in Jesus’ name. (mention them)
Psalm 126:4 – Restore our fortunes O Lord, in Jesus’ name. (pray this seriously)
Colossians 3:17 – Lord, I give You thanks for all that You have done for me and my household during this pandemic. (pray this seriously)
Pray for the sick among us for total and complete divine healing.
Unleash Your protection and providence upon the persecuted church globally in Jesus’ name.
Lord, drive out the COVID 19 virus and the plague from our midst. (pray this seriously)
Wednesday, October 7, 2020
Pastor’s Chat with Pastor Barry at 8:00 pm
ppt.church/live
OR
Dial: 647-977-2648 (Canada) / 202-602-1295 (USA)
Code: 827-220-552#