In everything give thanks: – 1Th 5:18
Greetings Beloved, and welcome to the New Year.
I'll begin by explicitly declaring God’s will for you this year. Indeed,
not just this year, but for your entire life. And that is, THANKSGIVING.
OK, admittedly, it doesn't sound very charismatic, or even ‘prophetic’,
but it really is God’s expectation of you this year.
The New Year is usually the time when we lay out big plans and
resolutions for ourselves. It's also the time when we lay out BIG plans for God
to carry out. Those plans come in the form of our prayer lists, our
“expectations for the year”, our “17 miracle for 2017”, our
"requests", etc. Whatever name we call it, when reduced to its most
basic, it’s simply a list of things for God to do for us before the year runs
out.
Well, here’s one thing God requires of us: giving Him thanks.
1Th 5:18 says, “In everything give thanks: for
this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you .”
That’s God’s plan, His purpose, and His desire.
Beyond the miracles, God wants you
to give thanks.
Beyond the requests, God wants you to give thanks.
Beyond the plans, God wants you to give thanks.
Give thanks, not just for what He will do, or what He has done; but for
who He is and what you are.
When your life is characterised by thanksgiving, you’re zooming out to
the Big Picture; you’re taking a God-perspective of life. You’re seeing things
the way God sees them and are persuaded that all things are working together
for your good, because you love God, and are the called according to His
Purpose.
As we step boldly into this season, here’s the Apostle Paul’s admonition
to us:
Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you are called in
one body; and be thankful. (Col 3:15).
AMEN.
More Blessings await you today; you’ll not miss them in Jesus’ Name.
GREG ELKAN
Sir, I heard a friend say in a group chat "this will of God thing is really getting some people confuse". In His opinion he said the believer should just know the will of God and agree with it. This he said when a fellow said "I would love to serve as a Corp member in Kano, but my mum is not in agreement, and said let God's will be done". I just need clarity on -finding out God's will for any situation, and how being real sure that a matter is God's will.
ReplyDeleteHello Segun,
DeleteThere's the general will of God and the specific will for each living situation.
While your friend is mostly correct, it is somewhat dismissive of real-world challenges that people face.
Yes, we should just simply "know the will of God and agree with it"; but the struggle will always remain of being SURE that path is what God wants us to take.
"We know in part, and prophesy in part".
But as long as your wish is to do God's will and seek His face in it, you can be rest assured that He's going to be with you all the way.
Just be sensitive to His nudges, He rarely leads by dramatic (read: "not needing faith to follow") ways.
Blessings.
P.S. with respect to knowing God's will, the posts of 'The Word For Today' for the next 2 weeks should be of some assistance.