Daily Devotional

A Ministry of the Kerwin Baptist Church

November 20, 2019

by Pastor Hawtree

BIBLE READING: I Thessalonians 5

16 Rejoice evermore.
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In every thing give thanks……

One of my dad’s favorite sermon resource book years ago was a book entitled “Brief and to the Point”. It was a book of sermons for people with short attention spans. No fluff, and straight to the point. I like it that way.

This chapter has some “brief and to the point” statements. These are three of my favorites. In fact, if we could just manage to incorporate these three commands into our daily lives, it would change everything in our lives.

REJOICE EVERMORE
This command does not seem to be dictated by circumstances. It is not fluctuating with the stock market, nor wavering because of a doctor report. As God’s children, we are simply to “rejoice evermore”. The word rejoice is present tense. The word evermore is future tense. This statement means that we are to rejoice both now in the present, and forever in the future.

PRAY WITHOUT CEASING
Years ago, I heard a preacher describe this statement. He said it is like waking up in the morning, picking up the phone, and calling God; being mindful to never hang the phone up the entire day. To always be on the line with the Lord. I do not know necessarily that this phrase means that we are supposed to pray the entire day, although that would not be a bad thing. I personally think that the principal implied here is that we must be careful to never allow seasons in our life when we are not faithfully calling on the Lord in prayer. There will be ups and downs, but we must be careful to never cut off communication with the Lord.

“IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS”
Now this is a tough one. This is not easy. I have not arrived on this one yet but let me explain something. This verse doesn’t say we have to give thanks “for” everything. It says we need to give thanks “in” everything. I must admit, there is enough things in my life right now that would be very difficult for me to be thankful “for”, but I must learn no matter what happens to keep a grateful spirit to the Lord through whatever happens.

There you have it!
REJOICE, PRAY, AND GIVE THANKS. That’s a busy day!