When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Praise God
1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18
- 1. Rejoice always,
- 2. pray without ceasing,
- 3. in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
Today times are tough. Many people are unemployed, money may be short. You may not be able to pay bills or buy groceries, or buy clothes for you or your family.
You may be older, with health problems. You may not be able to drive yourself or get out because of age or health and have to depend on others all the time.
What ever your need is -- God, our Heavenly Father already knows about it.
-- Living Bible Matthew 6:31. ``So don't worry at all about having enough food and clothing. Why be like the heathen? For they take pride in all these things and are deeply concerned about them. But your heavenly Father already knows perfectly well that you need them, and he will give them to you if you give him first place in your life and live as he wants you to. ``So don't be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time.
As we see by these scriptures, our Heavenly Father knows our needs, our problems, our concerns, our lack, and our grief. And He promises to take care of them too!
But, we as believers, joint heirs with Jesus Christ have a responsibility too!
- We have to put Jesus Christ our Lord first in our lives, we have to live daily for Him.
- We have to rejoice in all things! This is a very important part of our daily walk with Christ.
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
Rejoice means be glad, be glad that you have Jesus, be glad that you have Him to lean on
and trust in. Think about what it would be like without Him.
The thing about rejoicing is - you can’t do it quietly. When you are excited about something-you let people know! Let our Heavenly Father know how glad you are that He is there for you. Being glad that you have Jesus to lean on leads to thanksgiving!
Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
We are to let our Heavenly Father know our needs through prayer with thanksgiving!
1 Thessalonians 5:18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
What exactly does this mean? In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God?
It means no matter what you are going through, no matter how bad things seem, you can always give thanks because you have Jesus to lean on.
The will of God is giving thanks, not for the bad things you are going through. The will of God is that you lean on Jesus because He will never leave you or forsake you.
It means that no matter what the enemy of life throws at you, Jesus will never leave you or forsake you. He will always be with you because you believe on Him.
So rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice!
-- Living Bible Matthew 28:20 and then teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you; and be sure of this--that I am with you always, even to the end of the world.''
-- Living Bible Hebrews 13:15 With Jesus' help we will continually offer our sacrifice of praise to God by telling others of the glory of his name.
-- Living Bible Philippians 4:11-13 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little. I know how to be abased, and I know also how to abound: in everything and in all things have I learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in want, for I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power.
Our Heavenly Father gives us the strength to face our every day battles.
-- Revised Standard
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
This verse can be used to describe two areas of temptation; sin and daily trials.
Trials of every day life such as illness, no job, trouble paying bills, trouble with your
children or family, or difficulty on your job. It could even be changes in your life style, so that you are dependant on others. Just as in sinful temptations, God will always give you a way out of your difficulties. It may not be the way you thought God the Father would handle the situation, but if you are living for Him and seeking His will, He will provide the best answer. You have to be still and wait on Him, and then do what he leads you to do.
Don't try to limit God! He will provide.
So… when the going gets tough, the tough praise God.
Verses for praising God with thanksgiving.
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
Psalms 118:1. Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! Because His mercy endures forever. 2. Let Israel now say, "His mercy endures forever.'' 3. Let the house of Aaron now say, "His mercy endures forever.''
Psalms 18:1. I will love You, O Lord, my strength. 2. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 3. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.
Psalms 27:14 Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!
Psalms 146:2 While I live I will praise the Lord; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
Psalms 145:17 The Lord is righteous in all His ways, Gracious in all His works. 18. The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth. 19. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them.
- The Lord preserves all who love Him, But all the wicked He will destroy.
- My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord, And all flesh shall bless His holy name Forever and ever.
Psalms 150:1. Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty firmament! 2. Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness! 3. Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp! 4. Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! 5. Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with high sounding cymbals!
- Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
If you don't know for sure that you are a child of God, I would like to invite you to pray this prayer.
Dear Heavenly Father, I come to you in the name of Jesus. Your word says, “…and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.” (Jn.6:37), So I know You won’t cast me out, but You take me in, And I thank you for it. You said in your Word, "whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.'' (Ro. 10:13).
I am calling on Your name, So I know You have saved me now, You also said, “…that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes to righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation.” (Ro.10:9,10).
I believe in my heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. I believe He was raised from the dead for my justification. And I confess Him now as my Lord, Because Your Word says, “… with the heart one believes to righteousness…” and I do believe with my heart, I have now become the righteousness of God in Christ. (2 Cor. 5:21),
And I am saved! Thank You, Lord!
I can now truthfully say, I see myself as a born again child of God!
Glory to God!!!! Amen.