Try the latest Words of Life as Spotify Podcasts.

Tip: To see latest Words of Life, use Refine Search to list by Year. If using Mobile device, Refine Search may be located at end of page.

We see the positive instruction through Apostle Paul to the church members in his day who were suffering hardships at the time.  He emphasised it was not his instruction but was the will of God given to us through our Lord Jesus Christ. We note there were to be no ‘ifs’ or ‘buts’ associated with this will of God.

We know we live in a time of world-wide events (pandemic, fire, bloodshed, war etc.) where we see the love of many waxing cold as foretold by our Lord, Matthew 24:12 ‘And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold’. But despite this we are urged to ‘Rejoice evermore’, ‘Pray without ceasing’ and ‘In everything give thanks.’  It is a challenge for us all.

In many ways it reflects our Lords ‘teaching on fasting’ (where we deny ourselves of worldly pleasures) Matthew 6:17-18 ‘But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: shall reward the openly’.

If we do not maintain the words of our text but become visibly gloomy, cease to pray or give thanks for blessings actually received, we are allowing Satan to obtain a victory, as it is a visible sign of mistrust in the word of God and His promises. Psalm 23:4 “Yea, though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

By fulfilling our text, we are gaining a victory over Satan.  Proverbs 25:22 “For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee.” 

Let us meet the challenge knowing that the Lords promises are sure and true. Matthew 24:13 ‘But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.’