This is God's Will For You in Christ Jesus

Today's full reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:4-28

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV)

In the midst of Paul's final instructions in this first letter to the Thessalonians we find many simple straight forward reminders of how to live our normal everyday lives. In our day the question of discovering God's will for your life is common for most believers and church fellowships.

For many people there is much mystery in discovering God's will. However, the most encouraging words to read in the Bible are some like the ones we have read today because they remove the mystery from at least part of God's will for every believer's life.

I've heard it said that if you want to know God's will for your life the best place to start is by doing what you already know God wants you to do. Why would he reveal more of his plans for your life if you are being disobedient to the plans he has so clearly given you.

Today, as an act of worship, "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV)

(Tomorrow we begin Paul second letter to the church of the Thessalonians. It is going to be great! Stay in the Word!)

Live A Holy Life

Today's full reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-5:3

"It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit." (1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 NIV)

One of the main purposes for Paul's letter to the Thessalonians was to offer them some practical reminders about their daily lives. Because of intense persecution Paul was forced to leave the young believers after only a few weeks (see Acts 17:5-10), and he, no doubt, had deep concerns for their perseverance. His words apply directly to us as well.

Today, as an act of worship, surrender to the Lord your whole life - every thought, action, motive, and desire. Ask the Lord for supernatural self-control as you follow him with your all your heart.

Accept It As The Word of God

Today's full reading: 1 Thessalonians 2:9-3:13

"And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe." (1 Thessalonians 2:13 NIV)

The Almighty Creator God works in mysterious ways, ways that blow our minds and leave us boggled in wonder. When I read of how the Church of the Thessalonians began I am shell shocked. The right and only explanation for their receptivity of the Gospel and the Word of God is the mysterious work of God.

God gave the Thessalonians such a faith that they received the instructions of Paul and his companions not as the words of men, but as it actually was the Word of God. WOW! I pray that my faith remains strong enough to always receive the Bible for what it actually is, the Word of the Almighty Creator God.

Today, as an act of worship, thank God for his perfect Word. Respond to his Word with faith and trust that what he says is more important that what anyone or anything in this world says.

"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12 NIV)

Small Group Theme

Today's full reading: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-2:8

"We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us." (1Thessalonians 2:8 NIV)

I remember reading this verse several years ago in the context of developing a small group strategy. The words jumped off the page and quickly became my battle cry in personal disciple making. God taught me during that time that authentic Christian fellowship in more about developing relationships than organizing and/or attending activities.

Today, as an act of worship, I pray you will commit this verse to memory and with the Lord's strength live it out every day. Let me encourage you to get in a small group of Christ followers and be completely honest and transparent as you make disciples of all nations. If you cannot find a group start one; you won't regret it. There is something uniquely special when Christians gather for authentic fellowship to share their lives together. In that context they often pray together, encourage one another, hold each other accountable, and study the scriptures.

Strength Will Rise: Obeying The Will Of God

"The following night the Lord stood by [Paul] and said, 'Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.'" (Acts 23:11 ESV)

Paul set an amazing example of persevering in the will of God. He endured much grief, pain, stress, and persecution for the Kingdom. Acts chapter twenty three records a turning point in his ministry and future. It is here that we read the clear word he received from the Lord about him going to testify in Rome. What great assurance and joy it must have given Paul to know he was on track with God's will for his life. This was a huge moment of confirmation.

Each of us who desire to live a Christ-centered life need to know what God's will is.
We need to pursue it will all our heart. It can sound confusing and very mysterious to hear some people describe the process of discovering the will of God. There are certainly things we cannot know about the will of God, however there is still much we can and should know about his will for our lives and his church.

A good word of advice I once received from a Christian friend about discovering the will of God is this: "Don't worry about the mysterious and confusing aspects of the will of God until you are certain you are obeying what is clearly identified in the Bible as the will of God."

Here are some verses that clearly identify what God's will is for every Believer.

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.

Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. living as servants Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

(Mark 12:30, Matthew 28:19-20, Romans 12:1-2, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22, 1 Peter 2:13-17)

Once we are certain we are living in obedience to the word of God, if there is any doubt about a decision that we need to make we should simply take it to the Lord in prayer and wait for him. He will confirm his will to us and strengthen us to accomplish it. There is a popular worship song called "Everlasting God" that echoes Isaiah 40:31 saying "Strength will rise when we wait upon the Lord." How true those words really are!

Today, as an act of worship, surrender your life to the will of God as outlined in his word. Praise him for promising to strengthen us to go where he wants us to go, do what he wants us to do, and be who he wants us to be.

Enjoy the video below (on the blog) of "Love The Lord" by Lincoln Brewster. It's a great song based on Mark 12:30 which we read today. I'm excited about learning the song and using it in corporate worship sometime soon. (I use it in personal worship quite frequently already!)