Paul’s writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit.”

The words “Do not quench the Spirit” caught my attention. It reminded me of hearing someone say, “Don’t lose your Joy.” or “Keep your chin up,” which I think that is what Paul is trying to get across to the folks in Thessalonica, and to us.

Paul tells us in Galatians 5:22-23, “the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” So “quenching the Spirit” would be suppressing or stifling these characteristics.

I think putting these pieces together tells us that rejoicing, praying and giving thanks, helps us avoid quenching the Spirit, and helps us maintain the characteristics or fruit that the Spirit produces.

Dear Lord, praise and thanks to you for all you give us. Help us nurture the fruit the Holy Spirit puts in us so that we may keep our joy under all circumstances. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Most people have heard Bobby McFerrin song “Don’t Worry Be Happy,” and most, if asked, would probably agree that it is easier said than done.

Why?

I think the answer is because it is difficult to take our focus off of the things that are worrying us and focus on those things that are pleasant and make us happy.

Similarly, in Luke 8:50, Jesus tells a man who was just told that his daughter died, “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well.” This may seem also like an impossible suggestion. How could someone in his situation not be afraid?

The key is to change the focus from the thing that scares us, to Jesus, in whom we have faith.

1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your cares on Him, for he cares for you.”

As difficult as it may be for us to overpower those fearful thoughts, If we think about the fact that God, the immeasurably powerful force that created everything, cares about us individually, and personally, we can displace our fears with faith. God has our concerns completely under control, we do not need to fear.

Dear Lord, You tell us many times in Bible accounts that our faith effects events. Help us truly believe in your power and hand over our concerns and fears to you, with faith that you will work them out. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The account that follows is about the twins born to Rebekah and Isaac, their names were Esau and Jacob. Esau was the first to be born, and by tradition at the time should have been the child to inherit the family “business,” and get the special blessing. But as the text describes, God had a different plan.

Romans 9:11-12, “Before the children had been born or had done anything good or bad, Rebekah was told that the older child would serve the younger one. This was said to Rebekah so that God’s plan would remain a matter of his choice, a choice based on God’s call and not on anything people do.”

Genesis 25-27 tells the entire account of these two sons of Isaac, but the point is that God has a plan, and he calls people based on his plan. He doesn’t wait around to see if we are good or bad, We are each a part of the plan God is executing.

Jeremiah 1:5 says, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I set you apart for my holy purpose.”

The twists and turns in our lives are not a surprise to God. He is using all of us and our experiences for his “holy purpose.”

Dear Lord, we cannot understand how we can have our own free will, and also be a pre-determined participant in your plan, but this is what we know from your word, and we will just accept it. Help us, as a result, get power to act boldly for you and have peace, knowing and trusting your plan for us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Psalm 100:4-5 says, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.”

Let us remember, not just to be thankful, but to whom we are being thankful.

Even amidst the strange and uncertain times we face in 2022, we have so much to be thankful for. God is good, though we don’t always know what he is up to, we can be thankful in everything as Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

Dear Lord, You have showered blessings upon all of us. We live lives of comfort, convenience, and abundance. Help us remember to be thankful to you for these blessings, and use them to be a blessing to others. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

About 600 years before Jesus Christ was born, the remaining Israelites in Judah were taken into slavery by the Babylonians, and Jerusalem was destroyed. 70 years later, they were allowed to return, led by their leader Zerubbabel.

Against all odds, criticisms and harassment by neighboring peoples, Zerubbabel leads the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem.

Zechariah 4:6-7 tells us, “This is what the Lord says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. Nothing, not even a mighty mountain, will stand in Zerubbabel’s way; it will become a level plain before him! And when Zerubbabel sets the final stone of the Temple in place, the people will shout: ‘May God bless it! May God bless it!”

I think the lesson for us in this story is; When we strive to do God’s will, and dedicate our activities to him, our success doesn’t come because of our “force or strength,” but by God’s Spirit at work.

Paul has a similar message in 2 Corinthians 5:7 saying, “for we live by faith, and not by sight.”

If we stop and look, we will see occasions where God has made things happen according to his plan, against the odds and obstacles.

Dear Lord, help us remember to put your will first, and have faith that when we do, your Spirit will overcome all obstacles. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.