I Thessalonians 5:18 “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” Two key words in our text today are the words “In” and “For”. The word “IN” gives us the parameter of our expression of thankfulness. The word means “among”. The idea is that among all our experiences in life giving of thanks is to be a constant. The word “FOR” gives us the reason for our gratitude. It is the will of God. This week let’s keep our Thanksgiving real. Let us accept the pain or sadness that often accompanies our lot in life. Let us accept that many times we do not understand all that God is up to in our lives. Yet at the same time let us give thanks to the God that, in love, is at work in every area and at every moment in our lives to accomplish His will. To God be the glory!

Matthew 26:75 “And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.” Peter had experienced the greatness of God’s grace and the sweetness of His presence. Yet when faced with the pressure of the lost world around him he bailed out! His denial of the Lord was clear, energetic and consistent. What would our answer be if the question was, “In denying our Lord, how much are we like Peter?” Are we denying Christ by adapting to the pressure of the world to conform? Are we denying Christ by abandoning God’s call to live rightly in the midst of a wicked world? Today, let us avoid the pain and grief that denying Christ brings. Let us kindly but clearly identify ourselves with Christ by the words we use, the choices we make and the actions we take.

1 Timothy 2:1-2 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions,
and giving of thanks, be made for all men;  For kings, and for all that are in authority; that
we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

This is election week in the US and a good time to think through our relationship to
human authority.

The Christians in Paul's day lived under human authority that, as a rule, had no place for God.  Not completely unlike the conditions many Christians live under today.

What was, what is, a Christian to do?

We know from other scriptures that it is right for believers to fulfill their civic duties and participate in the political system. Christians should vote.  Believers should seek to influence their country for God as they engage in the politics of the day as God leads them. (Matthew 22; Romans 13)

Yet the one responsibility every Christian has, not only to civil authority, but to all authority in life is to pray.

Pray for those in authority over us regardless of their political leanings, religious leanings or personal conduct.

Let us this week add to our prayer list those whom God has placed in authority over our lives. Not only in the political world, but in other areas of our lives such as work, school, etc.

Remember, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much”. James 5:16b