1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)
Give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
“This is God’s will for you.” God’s will in my circumstances, or God’s will in my thankfulness?
Both! The circumstances aren’t a surprise to God, and a thankful attitude shouldn’t come as a shock.
Are you thankful?
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NASB)
In everything give thanks.
“In everything.” All the time. Good and bad.
God sets a high bar. 
Iran is in the news. Folks are afraid they’ll use nuclear weapons to bully the rest of the world. Right now, the Iranian authorities bully their own Christian citizens.
According to Open Doors, an organization supporting persecuted believers in more than 60 countries:
“Christians in Iran are forbidden from sharing their faith with non-Christians. Consequently, church services in Persian (Iran’s national language) are not allowed . . . Leaders of groups of Christian converts have been arrested, prosecuted and have received long prison sentences for ‘crimes against the national security.'”
Lord, we pray for your faithful followers in Iran, those who hide in their homes, those who worship in prison cells and those who risk so much to share the gospel. Shelter them with your love, strengthen them with your power, protect them with your Spirit. Grow your kingdom in the midst of persecution.
“We’ve a story to tell to the nations,
that shall turn their hearts to the right.”
H. Ernest Nichol, 1896
Mark 16:15 (NIV)
Go into all the world and
preach the gospel to all creation.
Tell the story–with your words, your actions, your prayers and your love.
“Tell me the story of Jesus,
Write on my heart every word.”
Fannie Crosby, 1880
Lord Jesus, write your story on my heart.
Tell me, teach me, so I can tell others.
Tell your story, short and simple.
Tell others what God has done for you. No exaggeration, no made-up details.
Tell the simple truth.
Just do it.
Psalm 96:2 (ESV)
Tell of his salvation from day to day.
Not because you have to, but because you love to.
“I love to tell the story
Of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory,
Of Jesus and His love.”
Katherine Hankey, 1834-1911
Your life is a story.
What does yours tell?
Take a hint from Scripture:
Psalm 78:4 (NIV)
We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done.
Tell God’s story.
Yea for moms who pray for their children!
Amazing things happen when mothers gather together to pray for their children. Moms in Prayer International helps women organize for that purpose.
“We believe that a mom can be the single greatest force for good in the lives of her children and the children around her. We believe that lives and whole communities are changed forever when moms gather together to pray to the only One who can change a human heart. Moms can make the difference as they reach out to God in prayer.”
Lord, send your little children out into the world under the safe shelter of their mothers’ prayers. Thank you for Moms in Prayer and other groups who help make these mom-prayers happen.
I confess, Lord, that I don’t always catch the proper meaning of your Word. You never miss the true meaning of my words. For that, I’m grateful.
