“in everything give thanks.
For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
(1 Thessalonians 5:18, NET)
It is raining today (Sunday). It has rained a lot this past week. We were only able to get two days of work completed on the new cottage here at Living Waters Bible Conference. This week it is expected to rain more. We may not be able to get much done. How should we view these developments?
Paul wrote the Thessalonians to encourage new believers in their faith, to exhort them to godly living, to give them assurance about the eternal state of believers who had died, and to defend the integrity of his ministry as an apostle. Towards the end of his first letter, he encourages them to give thanks in everything for that is God’s will!
We are to give thanks when it rains and we cannot accomplish what we want! A 19th-century pastor, John Albert Broadus, provided six reasons for the value of thankfulness: it ends unhappiness, it soothes distress, it helps to lessen anxiety, it deepens penitence, it brightens hope, and strengthens us for endurance and exertion.
We may not get as much done as we would like this week, but by being thankful for all the good these past weeks, including the bonus of repairing four unscheduled picnic tables and the fun we have with our co-workers, we can be happier, less stressed and anxious, hopeful for what we can accomplish, and strengthened for the work ahead. We are thankful for what we have accomplished! 🤠🤗
This week’s Blessings, Prayer Requests, and Schedule are here.
3 Responses
It has been a great time and I am thankful for our build crew👍
And don’t forget the encouragement you probably gave to those that are employed at the project. God sends us where we can edify the saints.
Maybe you were able to rest because you could not work in the rain. I am praying for you. Do you think you would ever like to be in one place doing maintenance work along with teaching and speaking? I a praying for you.