| “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” |
| —1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 |
A few days ago, in writing for this blog, I suggested that the Apostle Paul had given the church at Rome a three-pronged approach. I wrote about how motivational speakers often couch their advice in three points. They do this because people remember, retain, and act on three points much easier than they respond to almost any other educational structure. The only better structure for lectures or presentations is the single point.
In today’s Scripture passage, we again find the Apostle Paul urging his readers to follow a three-pronged approach. This time, Paul is writing to the Christians gathered at Thessalonica, as recorded in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18:
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
These three prongs obviously consist of the following:
- rejoice always,
- pray continually, and
- give thanks in all circumstances.
This seems like very simple, yet very profound, advice. The Apostle Paul has given us three memorable points.
As we begin another day, let’s mark this day by doing these three things. Let’s allow our hearts to soar with rejoicing. Let’s follow our rejoicing by sincere and devoted prayers. And, no matter what circumstances may assail us, let’s give thanks. We know this worked for the Christians in long ago Thessalonica. Let’s see if it will work for us today. Okay?
Based on a blog originally posted on Thursday, August 2, 2018
