I am sitting here reflecting on the amazing blessings that I have and continue to experience. I am blessed with an incredible wife, amazing parents, siblings and children, wonderful sister and brother in-laws, great friends, a good job, wonderful life in the USA, a church and church family that is vibrant and supportive. It is humbling, and almost challenging to find anything to complain about, and for all that I am incredibly thankful, and strive to be joyful.

In 1 Thessolonians 5:16-18 Paul writes to the believers there, “Always be joyful, Always keep praying, No matter what happens, be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

I am sure some of the folks Paul was writing to had wonderful lives, and some had problems like we do. Arguably, their problems were more dire than we can imagine in the developed world of 2016. But he tells them, and us, to be joyful. God is always there for us, and whether things are going our way, or we are struggling, God knows, and is there with us.

Dear Lord, Help us remember Pauls words, and be Joyful and Thankful. Joyful because we are saved and we know you will support us through our problems, and Thankful in for this amazing gift. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.