Thanks Givings!

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As we approach the Thanksgiving Holiday, lets all remember the things we have in life in which to be thankful for. Often it's too easy to take our trials, and hardships on as burdens, and negate God's presence in those circumstances. 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 says "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." Our joys, our prayers, and what we have to be thankful for should not merely fluctuate with our circumstances or our roller coaster of emotions. It's easy to see where obeying these 3 commands, be joyful, pray continually, and give thanks, would go against our natural disposition. But, when we make a concerted effort to look for God's presence, and do what He says, we also will begin see God's will at work, and the "circumstance" in a whole new perspective. Think about times when you have relied on God's guidance, and how He showed up in those major ways that you needed him in those hard times...now, looking back, do you see Him more? That's your JOY! There's your Thanksgiving! In verse 18, Paul is not telling us to thank God FOR everything that happens to us, but rather to give thanks IN every circumstance! Evil doesn't come for God, so we shouldn't be thankful for that, but we can be thankful for God's presence in the midst of our trial, and for all the good that He will carry out through our distress. I know many of us are going through hard times, and have many worries right now. You are all in my prayers. If you know of someone that is in the midst of a trial or hardship right now, send them an encouragement today. If you have a prayer request, email one of the leaders in class, or post a comment here on the blog. It is our pleasure and honor to pray for you!