1 Thes. 5:16-18

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

How simple are these three verses and yet we think that there is so much more we need to do, for us to be in God's will. We take them in and let them out so easily. As if God CAN'T want something so simple, He is a BIG God and so He MUST want something BIG. This is a lie. We run around in circles trying to figure out the will of God and yet we can't seem to find it because we are looking in the WRONG direction. We hear God, We MOVE, and then leave God in the dust because He made a turn and we didn't hear him because we didn't STOP and ask. God doesn't change, His plans for us don't change, YET we seem to think that He is the one that changes when we head in the wrong direction. We blame Him for ditching us and not telling us when to move, when REALLY it is us who didn't stop and ask for a new direction. We just go off on this path and then expect God to follow us. Although He meets us where we are, we are the ones who move. So if God's will is so simple and we can't seem to figure the big stuff out, maybe we aren't supposed to. I have heard SO MANY christians say, "If God would just tell me what His will is for my life, then I could just do it, but I have not a clue where to start." So my question to you is, if you are not doing these three simple things, then you are out of Gods will. Be JOYFUL ALWAYS!!!! That is Gods will for you. But you have to CHOOSE JOY and you have to do two other things to please God. Pray Continually, this may seem hard, but really it is keeping the lines of communication with God open at ALL times. Giving Thanks in ALL circumstances, this is a hard one, but SOOOO necessary to learn how to fight and do what you need to in Christ. You NEED to train yourself to do this all the time. Say thank you Jesus constantly. This is a great way to fight our daily fight if we could just keep this in mind as the enemy throws those firey darts at us. And as we continue to walk this way, God's plan will happen and you will be able to know how to deal with the blessings and the hardships. It is amazing how your view will change on EVERYTHING as you begin to allow God to change you and as you begin to thank Him for ALL He has done, is doing, and will do. Be confident of Him, He sure is of you. Thank you Father, that eventho it seems so simple, you HAVE told us how to do your will, please allow us to be aware of that and allow us to KNOW that as we begin to take those steps you will change our view. Thank you for giving us your will for us in your word. Thank you so much for allowing us to be mindful of you.

As we approach Thanksgiving, what do you have to be thankful about? What can you continually pray for? How can you be joyful always?