Verse of the Day for November 29

At the end of this letter Paul starts firing off short commands, one after another, like a parent at the door calling out final reminders. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks. Quench not the Spirit.

Notice the small word. In every thing, not for every thing. Paul is not asking you to be glad that your father has cancer or that the business failed. He is asking you to keep giving thanks while you are in it, because God is still in it with you.

Then he says something people search for their whole lives. For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. We often want to know God's will about a job or a marriage. Here is a piece of it, stated plainly, and it fits every road.

The next command is about fire. To quench is to put out. Long roads tend to dampen things, and gratitude is one of the ways the flame is kept going over years, not just weeks.

If you are a long way into something hard, a long marriage, a long illness, a long ministry in a small place, do not try to feel thankful for the whole road. Find one thing in today's stretch of it. That is enough of the will of God for this morning.

Part of God's will for you is already known, and it can be done today.

Gratitude keeps the fire from going out on a long road.