In Everything Give Thanks!
“in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
Happy New Year!!! Feliz Ano ~Nuevo! 새해 복 많이 받으세요!
May God bless you all through out the New Year 2011! It is my hope and prayer that in this New Year 2011, all of our faith to grow more than last year. Also, I hope and pray that all of us may be transformed more than last year. More than any other thing, it is my hope and prayer that in year 2011, all of us may be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus (2 Tim.2:1).
Our church New Year Motto is “In Everything Give Thanks!” And our church New Year Motto Bible verse is 1 Thessalonians 5:18 – “in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus”(NASB). In the midst of pain and suffering due to disease, economic depression in last year, maybe this New Year 2011 may not be easy. We may face more difficult circumstances than last year. Only God knows. Thus you may wonder why our church’s motto is “In Everything Give Thanks”. The reason is because I thought and believe that we already received so many blessings from God in Christ Jesus. And I believe that this is a good opportunity for us to give thanks to God for what we already have. In other words, when we are in need that are worldly and temporary things, that is the good opportunity to reflect on every spiritual blessings that are eternal and that God already gave us in Christ Jesus and give thanks to Him. But not all people take this as an opportunity to take give thanks to God in this time of need. Rather, the people may complain and grumble like the Israelites did during the time of exodus. But I really hope that our church members do not commit that kind of sin in this year 2011. Rather, it is my hope and prayer that we remember God’s already given blessings and give thanks to Him in the midst of needy circumstance. How can this be possible? How can we give thanks to God in everything? We can do this by two ways:
First, we can give thanks to God in everything by praying to God continually.
Look at 1 Thessalonians 5:17. Before Paul says “in everything give thanks in verse 18, he said “pray continually”. Don’t you wonder why? I think it is because when we pray continually we can give thanks to God in everything. Look at 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3: “We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers; constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father,” When we continually pray to God, let us constantly bear in mind our work of faith, labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ(1:3). By doing so, we can give thanks to God in every circumstances. In other words, in this year 2011, let us devote ourselves in prayer. And when we pray, let us remember God who loves us and who has chosen us(1:4) gave us three gifts of blessings. They are: (1) precious faith (1:3), (2) God’s divine that is being poured into our heart with the Holy Spirit (Rom.5;5) and (3) the living hope of Jesus’ second coming(1 Thess.1:10). As we do so, we will be able to give thanks to God in everything/in every circumstance.
Second, in order for us to give thanks to God in everything/circumstances, we must hold fast to that which is good and abstain from every from of evil.
Look at 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22. “But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.” We can never be thankful when we are hold on to any form of evil. How can we? When we keep on sinning against God, we cannot give thanks to God. Rather, it will make us to feel guilty and be depressed. Therefore, we must examine everything carefully and hold fast to that which is good. And we must get rid of every from of evil. It is my hope and prayer that throughout this New Year 2011, let us do our best to throw away every from of evil. Rather, let us do our best to hold fast to that which is good so that we may give thanks to God in everything and in every circumstance.
As I conclude this message I just want to bless you that we may be able to give thanks to God in everything and in every circumstance so that we may fulfill His will for us. May God bless you all!
Give thanks to the Lord, O My Soul!
James Kim(