1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Thankful in the rain

I'm breaking out of my usual blogging pattern today because, well, it's Thursday, and it's very wet and windy outside. And as I sit here and listen to "Hurricane Helga" pound on my windows and my patio furniture, I could easily slip into a funk and get nothing done or roll over and take a nap. Rainy days -- especially several in a row -- can really get me down.

But I'm not going to do that. And here's why. My circumstances (or the weather) are not going to dictate my attitude or state of mind. (Yes, I'm stubborn that way.) So I'm going to flip the coin over and see what is on the other side.

Thankfulness:

I'm thankful for the rain because we in Northern California need the rain, those in the mountains need the snow for skiing and for the Spring melt. Southern California needs us to get rain so we can supply them through the summer months. And my roses love it.

I'm thankful for my home. God has blessed us beyond anything we deserve with a home that keeps us warm and dry. And for my metal patio cover that allows me to hear the rain as a soothing ping, ping ping.

I'm thankful for my family because in bad weather and in good, they love me through it all.

I'm thankful for friends to share a cup of coffee with, or an email, or a text message. No matter what storms are brewing, we're connected.

I'm thankful for my vehicle so I don't have to walk out in the rainy cold to do what I need to do today. And I don't need to pump gasoline.

I'm thankful for a full pantry on multiple levels, but especially so I don't have to lug groceries through the rain today.

I'm thankful for the rain knocking the blossoms off the fruitless pear trees and thus shortening my horrible allergies.

I'm thankful for my nephew, Austin. (Because today is his 18th birthday;)

I'm thankful for rainbows, and the promise that comes with them.


Even when the rain pours and the wind howls, I can still be thankful because I know that up above the dismal gray clouds, the sun is shining. And someday very soon, I'll see the sun again.... And then I'll need to remember to be thankful for the sun.

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
~1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Further Thoughts:

1. What are you thankful for today?
2. What do you need to do to remind yourself to be thankful in difficult situations?
3. Have you been a friend to someone today? Remember, it may be raining where they live, and they need to hear your words of encouragement.

Dear Father, the weather or my life may not always be sunshiny and cloudless, but I know you see me in the rain and will not let it overtake me. Thank You for your blessings and love so abundant in my life.

Romans 5:1-2 "Rejoice!"

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. ~Romans 5:1-2

When was the last time I really "rejoiced" about the hope of the glory of God? The Merriam-Webster Dictionary says that "rejoice" means: "to feel joy or great delight." That word, rejoice, really jumped off the page at me today. Maybe it's because it is raining and it's hard to feel delight on a dreary day. Maybe it's because I have to move everything out of the bedrooms today for the carpet cleaner coming tomorrow. Or maybe it's because I haven't spent enough time lately reflecting on His amazing gift. We can get so caught up in doing things for Him, doing things for our family, doing things for ourselves, that we don't take the time to meditate on how amazing and BIG a God we serve. Life clutters and that noice mutes the voice of joy that should permeate everything I do.

When I take the time I need in solitude to be still and listen. To pour over His Word and let His guidance wash over my soul. Then I remember the amazing joy I have of a Father who loves me and cares about my every step. Then and only then do I remember that the "hope" does not just mean for now, but for my time with him for eternity. Even death will not be an end, but a return to Him. Charles Spurgeon said, "Death is no longer banishment, it is a return from exile, a going home to the many mansions where the loved ones already dwell." I can rejoice now in my life in exile from my true home because my dear Holy Spirit is always with me. And I can look forward to the day when I shall stand before the throne and meet my Lord face to face. What other response can I have to such hope than to rejoice?

Further Thoughts:

1. Have you failed to rejoice for a while? Why?
2. What needs to change in your life so you live in joy again?
3. Do you let the circumstances of life steal your joy? Why? What does Scripture say about that?

Father, I rejoice in You and You alone today. You are my Rock, my Salvation, and my Hope. There is no one that will ever surpass Your greatness. Thank You for my joy. Amen.

1 Peter 1:10-12 "Prophesy Fulfilled"

Read 1 Peter 1:10-12.

"It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you...." NIV

The prophets knew that they would never see the Messiah on this earth. There job was to report to the people what was to come, not what they would themselves live. In an instant gratification culture, this is a difficult one to grasp. The prophets were being told by the Lord the most important event in the history of man. They "saw" visions of the hope for their people and actually all mankind, and yet they knew they would not live to see it happen. It's difficult to have passion and drive about something we will not see fulfilled. Think about it, you write a book knowing you will never see it published. You build a car knowing you will never drive it. You start a company knowing you will never receive any profit from it. You find a cure for cancer knowing your cancer will not be cured by it.

The prophets watched their people wandering in hopelessness knowing that hope was coming -- but not yet.

We still have the return of Christ that we are looking forward to -- and may never see in our lifetime. But the greater difference is that we already have the salvation that has come. When we promise hope, it's now. When we share joy, it's now. When we tell of a cure for sin and the destruction it brings -- it's now.

Live joyfully in the salvation we have today. We are the of the prophesy fulfillment, so we should be living victorious. Christ has come!

Further Thoughts:

1. Are you living out the joy of your salvation? If no, why not? If yes, how?
2. Is your faith wavering? How can knowing we are living in the fulfillment of the prophesy increase your faith?
3. Listen to this song by Hillsong United, Salvation is Here and be thankful.