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Give Thanks

A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed. Matthew 16:4

We often live our lives praying, “God, if this happens…than I know you want me to go to this school.” “God, if this happens…than I know you want me to be this.” “God, if this happens…than I know you want me to marry this person.” We pray these prayers because we say we want to do “God’s will.”

But Jesus clearly states, only a wicked generation ask for signs. We ask God for signs because we’re afraid to make the wrong decisions. We’re afraid to marry the wrong person. And if our prayer is driven by fear, is this true faith? Are we able to do God’s will?

Paul has been and gone from Thessalonica, and left behind a group of recent converts. With their newfound faith, unfortunately, came persecution. So he wrote to them with instructions, as well as messages of love and hope.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 says: Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit.

God’s will is that you give thanks in EVERYTHING! The Thessalonians are being persecuted, they’ve lost love ones, they’re being overwhelmed by a pagan society (who are worse than our current secular environment), and Paul encourages them to give thanks.

How are they able to do that?

Because right before Paul tells them what God’s will is for us, he tells us to “Pray without ceasing.” When you are at your worse situation, God seems to be the farthest from you. WHY are you suffering? Why is God allowing you to go through this situation when you’ve been a “perfect” Christian?

But were you truly praying, or just mouthing familiar words? Were you inviting God to participate in your life? Or were you gliding in your routine of the good life and church, but not really inviting God’s involvement.

As Koreans, we often keep things inside because we need to “save face.” We need to project only the perfection of our Christian life and Korean family. And we rarely open up to each other for fear of judgment. But when we converse with a trusted friend or family member—we invite their help, their comfort, and their trust. This conversation also needs to happen in our prayers.

We pray not because God doesn’t know what’s going on in our lives, but because we need to invite God into it and have His involvement.

When your back is against the wall, God doesn’t seem to be there. It makes you NOT want to pray. But that’s when you need Him the most (Quench NOT the Spirit). You may not be able to turn to a friend or family, but you can turn to Him. When you can’t fix the problem, your friend and family can’t fix the problem, and it seems God is NOT fixing the problem—He’ll help you through the situation and come out on the other side (sometimes with surprising results).

This is why Paul says to pray without ceasing. Pray in the good times. Pray in the bad times. Keep praying and you’ll be thankful – NOT because God fixed the problem, but because God is with you. This is God’s will for you.

You want God to help you make decisions, then Pray—and you make decisions for God’s glory (this is why we have Free Will), live a life of Love, and you will be doing God’s Will.

That job you want, will it help you live a life showing God’s Love?
That person you want to marry, will s/he reciprocate a self-less life of God’s Love?
That school you want to go to, will it help you grow a Spiritual life of God’s Love on campus?

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Colossians 3:17

Don’t ask for a sign, make choices with God involved in it and live a life Giving Thanks.


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