Rejoice Always, Pray Without Ceasing, In Everything Give Thanks; For This Is The Will Of God In Christ Jesus For You
Sin Lets The Devil In
1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
”I Thessalonians 5:16-18 NKJV
https://www.bible.com/114/1th.5.16-18.nkj
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Obviously, we cannot spend our whole time on our knees in prayer, but it is possible to have a prayerful attitude at all times.
This attitude comes from one’s dependence on God, one’s faith in Him, and the decision to obey Him fully and joyfully, and by involving Him in everything we do; not just involving Him, but putting aside our goals and projects and submitting to His will and instruction above all else, while continually building our relationship with Him through prayer.
Then, just like walking with a friend, we naturally continue in spontaneous conversation with God. Conversation means not only to speak, but to listen too. We hear God through many ways; His word, dreams, visions, and from within, intuition, like a gut feeling. God speaks in many ways and we must remain open and receptive to Him.
At times, when troubles fall upon us, we can find it difficult to hear God or pray, especially when one has made a mistake or fell into sin.
But the truth is, it is at those times we need to pray more. The devil is quick to use our failures to put a wall between us and God, telling us how useless we are and reminding us of our mistakes. But the truth is, nothing can separate us from the love of Christ (ROMANS 8:38-39), and our debt is paid- “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”
Romans 8:1 NKJV
So the next time the devil reminds you of your past, remind him of his future.
Our joyful attitude and thankfulness should not fluctuate with our emotions or circumstance. Joy in the Lord is your strength (NEHEMIAH 8:10), but joy in Christ can only come from spending quality time with Him, building relationship with Him, and knowing how awesome He really is.
Prayer and worship are our weapons of mass destruction, it brings victory over the devil and his evil schemes, and over all the troubles we face day to day whether bought by the devil or through our own foolishness.
Sin let’s the devil in, but repentance kicks him out.
“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”
James 4:7-10 NKJV
To resist the devil is to not join him in sin and push him back with your words of command, then he will flee from you and you shall be free to serve God more and more powerfully by the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus said, ““Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”
John 14:12-14 NKJV
All you need do is ask, believe, and say thank You.
All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.
