So if God’s will for you is to constantly rejoice, be in communication with Him, and to do it all with a heart of thanksgiving, then why are we so sad, quiet, and full of complaints?

It’s possible we missed one little word in the text that changes everything.  It’s the word, “in”.   God will for us  in what? In Christ Jesus. You see scripture is clear apart from Christ you can do nothing.  If we are in Christ, we are a new creation, the old has gone the new has come.  The old sad, quiet, and complaining you is gone and the new rejoicing, praying, and thanksgiving you had come. 

So when we walk in the flesh we will see our old self. When we walk in Christ, deeply reflecting on the love He has shown us by ransoming our lives with His very own blood,how can we not rejoice?  How can we not be communication with our Father to praise Him? How can we not have a heart of gratefulness?

Personal Reflection

So who are you in today…self or Christ?  Do a quick assessment are you rejoicing, praying and giving thanks or are you sad, quiet and complaining.  Close your eyes and call to mind the moment you first understood and believed the gospel.  Remember the location, time of day, circumstances, the feeling of being freed from sin and death for all eternity.  Don’t you want to rejoice and talk to your Heavely Father, praising Hima be telling Him thank you?

If you have never given your life over to Christ, know that you have broken God’s law and instead of His wrath being poured out on you, His son willingly went to the cross and took the wrath that was yours, poured out His blood to pay for all of your wrong-doing, past,present, and future.  Surrender and  receive this gift today.  Rejoice, be in constant communication with your Him, praise and thank Him for the wonderful gift you have in Jesus!

Prayer Focus

Gracious Father, thank you for opening our eyes to see the difference of one little word.  Help us to be all in.  All in Jesus.  Let our minds never forget the price that was paid, the power of this gift, and the depth of the love you have given us.  May our hearts rejoice, our souls commune with you, and may our hearts be filled with praise forevermore, in Jesus’ Name, Amen!