Have you ever noticed that while you are minding your own business life happens? It appears that all is going well, everyone is getting along, and out of no where – boom – you are hit with a struggle, pressure, or problem. I call that life arising! This happens to everyone.
For Christ – followers we have a real hope during these sudden outbreaks. Our hope is the resurrection life of Jesus Christ. We gain this hope through a simple adjustment in our lives. We gain it thru FAITH; simply taking God at His word.
1 Thess. 5:16-19:
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit's fire
Here are some simple steps of FAITH:
Relate everything, minute by minute as it arises, to the adequacy of what Jesus is in you, and assume that his adequacy will be powerful –
1 Thess. 5:16 – proves we can be cheerful, in fact, must be cheerful. There is no excuse for gloom or doom for the Christ-follower.
1 Thess. 5:17 – pray without ceasing – this means that you expose by faith every situation as it arises, to the power of the one who lives in you.
Any pressure, promise, problem, responsibility, or temptation you expose to the Lord Jesus in faithful prayer.
1 Thess. 5:18 – when you have done all this you have no alternative but to give him thanks in EVERYTHING. A good rule of thumb is the thank before you receive, thank as you receive, and thank after you receive. “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1)
If there is any situation that you are not ready to step back – in recognition of the total adequacy of Christ in you – then you are out of the will of God – and “quench the Spirit”. 1 Thess.5:19
You are called by God to this HOPE – to walk by faith.
Have you learned to step out of every situation and relate it wholly to what He is in you, and faith say “Thank you”?
Always Enthusiastic,
Dr. Rusty Newman
