Dear Church - 1 Thessalonians 2

April 18th, 2024

Dear Church - 1 Thessalonians 2

What is the difficulty of having joy?
On Tuesday, I showed how others demonstrated joy in the midst of hardships. I don’t want to be glib, but I know having joy in the midst of tragedy is very difficult.
Would you be willing to share with me some of the obstacles you face as you try to have joy in Jesus as you face the difficult things of life? One, I want to pray for you. Two, I want to be able to identify with you and help you. (email me at jimwebster647@gmail.com)

An interesting reel from a graduation speech.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1504100510170735

Cry has three letters, but so does JOY.
We always have a choice. So let’s choose the better side.

*****

We discussed God’s will on Sunday.
How can we know the specific will of God?
I said that God wants you to repent and be in a relationship with Him. He also wants you to love Him and love your neighbor.
Is there a way to know God’s will and help us make good choices in life that will honor Him?

Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

We must live a sacrificial life by renewing our minds. Then and only then will we be able to truly discern God’s will. We can’t live a selfish life and discern God's will.

The following is a condensed/edited version of an article I read last week.

How to figure out God’s will
1. Surrender your personal desires
2. Meditate on God’s Word
3. Spend focused time in prayer
4. Seek other people’s advice
5. Consider your circumstances
6. Think through your decision logically

1. Surrender your personal desires
As you seek God’s will, it’s important to be sure you are fully open to whatever God wants. If you have actually already decided what to do and are only coming to God so He can approve your decision, you are not really seeking His will.

2. Meditate on God’s Word
When you make a decision, it should line up with, or at least not contradict, what God has said through the Bible.

3. Spend focused time in prayer
The most obvious answer to the question, “How can I know God’s will for my life?” is to ask Him. Turn to God in prayer and ask Him what He wants you to do.

4. Seek other people’s advice
Find mature, dedicated Christians and ask them what they think you should do. The pieces of advice you receive may conflict, but they should give you another perspective to think about. Talk to your mentors, parents, friends, pastors or church leaders.

5. Consider your circumstances
God can open and close the doors of opportunity in your life. You may have heard someone say, “God closed the door on this opportunity,” or “God was opening doors to give me the job.” God, not circumstances, should guide your decision-making. But God may use events in your life to point you in a certain direction.

6. Think through your decision logically
God’s Spirit can direct your mind and reasoning. Sometimes Christians are so focused on hearing from God that they forget to use reason and common sense. Just as the Holy Spirit can influence your emotions, He can also influence your mind.

Really submit your will to God’s will.
Read God’s word to find His will.
Pray, pray, and pray some more.
Pursue guidance from trusted followers of Jesus.
Study the events that are happening around you.
Let God direct you through logic, not emotion.

Genesis 12:1 The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.

Poor Abram didn’t have a Bible to read or trusted followers of Almighty God to consult. A God who he did not know spoke to him, and he had to trust (Joshua 24:2).

Walk through these steps and trust God in the journey to take the next step.