One of the hallmark attitudes of a focused Christian life is being thankful. The very foundation of our Christian beliefs is the fact that being redeemed from sin and death by the love and sacrifice of Jesus is a gift that is in every case beyond our ability to earn or deserve. We are freely given life in Christ, and therefore we have great motivation to live in a state of gratefulness. That being said, how far should this grateful attitude go? Is it really supposed to encompass each and every experience we have? Does being thankful in everything mean we should never be sad or anxious?

There is a profound challenge requiring a necessary spiritual discipline before us if we are attempting to live with gratitude in all circumstances. We base this on 1 Thessalonians 5:18: “In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” This teaching builds on two prior principles— “Rejoice always” and “Pray without ceasing”—to form a triad of Christian conduct that fosters spiritual resilience and peace.

To meet this challenge, we must accept that true thankfulness is not a fleeting emotion but is instead a cultivated state of perception. It means viewing life’s hardships—grief, loss, uncertainty—through the lens of trust in God’s providence. The Apostle Paul models this in 2 Corinthians 12, where he expresses gratitude for unanswered prayers, recognizing that weakness becomes strength when Christ is present.

• A spiritual lens that reshapes how we interpret suffering.

Paul’s Epistles demonstrate that thankfulness should be expressed both to God and to others. His joy over the Thessalonians’ faith despite their persecution illustrates how mutual encouragement strengthens the body of Christ.

There are MANY reasons for us to be thankful daily.

Ultimately, thankfulness is a spiritual discipline that equips Christian believers to endure trials, uplift others, and align with God’s will. It’s not about denying pain. It’s about trusting that even in pain, God is present and purposeful.

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To live a truly dedicated Christian life is to live a life that has a firm grasp on prayer. It is a life that strongly and regularly seeks out God’s will and blessing in all that we do. It also seeks to regularly ask for blessings and providence over the lives of our fellow disciples. There are many scriptures that teach us about how to pray and how not to pray. So, how does all of this fit into the life of a Christian living in the 21st century? Does the fact that our life experiences are so vastly different than the times of the apostles change or alter anything? We are taught to “pray without ceasing.” How can we practically accomplish this on top of managing all of the other responsibilities of life?

When Paul wrote to the Thessalonians to pray without ceasing, he was not suggesting nonstop verbal prayer. The phrase refers to cultivating a continual attitude of prayerfulness—a spiritual reflex that keeps communication with God open throughout daily life. This mindset is closely tied to the practice of rejoicing always and giving thanks in everything. Together, these habits create a kind of spiritual resilience that keeps us grounded and connected to God.

Paul’s letters offer examples of this ceaseless prayer: he regularly remembered the faith and love of the Thessalonians, expressed gratitude for their reception of the gospel, and interceded for the broader Christian community. His prayers were not limited to urgent needs but included repeated thanksgiving for past blessings, showing that prayer is both reflective and forward-looking.

• Micro prayers—brief, breath-length expressions of thanks or need

When it comes to deeper and more intense prayers, “supplication” is an essential and distinct form of prayer. It involves earnest requests regarding specific challenges. Supplication should be paired with thanksgiving to avoid demanding to God what we want. Even Jesus modeled this in Gethsemane, praying intensely yet always submitting to God’s will.

Ultimately, to pray without ceasing means living in constant spiritual awareness by bringing every joy, struggle and decision before God. It’s not about thoughtless repetition but sincerity, gratitude and trust. Our privilege is to embrace this privilege and deepen our connection to God through consistent, heartfelt prayer.

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A Christian life is supposed to be an energized and fulfilled life. It is supposed to be this way because we have been called to follow in Jesus’ footsteps. This means our lives are to be centered around following God’s word and will, regardless of what our circumstances may lay before us. So, when things are going smoothly and difficulties seem to be at a minimum, we can rejoice and thank God for His providence. By the same reasoning, when things are unstable, disastrous and traumatic, we can rejoice and thank God for His providence. Wait, what? How do we do that? How do we find and embrace true rejoicing in our lives when our external circumstances and our internal emotional state are breaking down?

In 1 Thessalonians 5:16, Paul gives a deceptively simple command: “Rejoice always.” As we look more deeply into the meaning of this teaching, we begin to see that rejoicing is not about emotional highs. Rather, it is about cultivating a calm, thriving state of being rooted in trust and purpose. Jesus modeled this state of being perfectly. Hebrews 12:2 says he endured the cross “for the joy set before him.” This joy was a joy that was grounded in fulfilling God’s will without trying to escape pain and suffering.

The apostles followed suit. In Acts 5 after being flogged for preaching, they rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for Christ. Their joy wasn’t a euphoric feeling. It was focused, resilient and a mission-driven mindset.

• Rejoicing is calm and centered: It means thriving in God’s will, even amid grief or hardship.

Ultimately, rejoicing always is about living with spiritual clarity and purpose. It’s a quiet strength that fuels endurance, uplifts others and reflects the joy of being held in God’s care. Whether we’re weeping or celebrating, this kind of joy is our daily invitation to thrive!

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According to the New Testament, Christians are instructed to work together as a community. Even more than that, we are instructed to care for one another as a family, humbly serve one another and protect one another as soldiers in battle – even to the point of being willing to sacrifice ourselves. All of this is to be put in place while we each are dedicated to following the clear and godly teachings of Jesus in Scripture. So, how do we go about making all of this happen? In Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, he gives us a list of practical ways we should take care of one another. While this list is not comprehensive, it alerts us to several of the foundational principles of sound Christian conduct.

This episode of our Christian Conduct Series focuses on how each believer can actively contribute to the health of their church community. Drawing from 1 Thessalonians 5:12–15, we can see the Apostle Paul lays out a blueprint for mutual care, beginning with honoring spiritual leaders and extending to everyday interactions within the body of Christ.

These instructions aren’t just ideals—they’re actionable steps rooted in humility, empathy and discipleship.

Paul’s list includes five key responsibilities that shape a spiritually vibrant church. Each of these reflects the character of Christ and reinforces the interdependence of believers. A major foundational point here is that these contributions are not optional niceties but essential disciplines for anyone seeking to live out their faith within the Christian community.

• Admonish the unruly: Gently correct those who are out of step with Christian principles, aiming for restoration—not shame.

• Encourage the fainthearted: Comfort those who are timid, anxious, or overwhelmed with emotional and spiritual support.

• Help the weak: Cling to and support those who lack strength—physically, morally, or spiritually—through loyal, spiritually based companionship.

• Be patient with everyone: Practice forbearance by restraining reactive impulses and allowing space for small steps of growth.

• Seek good for all: Reject retaliation and pursue what benefits others, modeling the selfless love of Jesus.

By living these principles, we can create a healthy church with a culture of compassion, accountability and spiritual resilience. The message is clear: mutual contribution isn’t just about helping others—it’s about embodying Christ in every relationship.

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Christians are supposed to live lives that reflect godliness every day and in every way. This is not only difficult but frankly looked down upon. Because our world is driven by technology and social media, we are saturated daily with images, commentary, suggestions and pressure to stand for ourselves with pride and conviction. To stand as one subservient to God through Christ and to be guided by the Bible (which to many is misguided, ancient and outdated) is seen as a useless and even dangerous way of life. So, what do we do? How do we stand firmly and confidently as disciples of Christ? It all begins with the biblical principles we claim to hold as sound and true.

The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:12 that striving to genuinely appreciate those who are tasked with shepherding Jesus’ flock is one of those biblical principles that should guide our behavior. In this epistle, Paul highlighted many of the character traits, responsibilities and sacrifices of true Christian leaders. We should follow and appreciate our shepherds only as they follow Christ.

Interestingly, Paul’s personal model of leadership is a strong guide for us to grasp what shepherding really looks like. His example is rooted in humility, integrity and spiritual maturity. He emphasizes that shepherds must serve willingly, not for personal gain, and must be examples of Christlike living. Paul’s personal interactions with the Thessalonian church showed how he prayed for them, recognized their growth and endured persecution while supporting their faith.

• Christian leadership is defined by humility and service (John 13:14).

Ultimately, what’s the best what to appreciate our spiritual leaders? The Apostle Paul taught it is to: follow their Christlike example, grow in faith, and then pass on what we’ve received.

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As Christians who are to walk by faith and not by sight, the statements Jesus made about having faith as a mustard seed are sure appealing. In Luke, Jesus says faith like a mustard seed can uproot a tree and toss it into the sea. In Matthew, he said mustard-seed faith can move a mountain and make nothing impossible for us! So, what did Jesus mean? Obviously, he was using picture language, but he was still showing us that mustard-seed faith can dramatically change our lives. Why a mustard seed and how does this work? What do we need to do to have such a strong and foundational faith that the obstacles of our lives will be diminished before us?

The disciples asked Jesus to increase their faith after hearing difficult teachings about forgiveness and accountability. Jesus’ response to their request was the mustard seed analogy. His purpose was not to highlight minimal faith, but rather to illustrate faith’s capacity to grow and overcome great obstacles.

In related teachings, Jesus used the phrase “you of little faith” on four separate occasions. Applying these lessons in the order they were given reveals a progressive development of our mustard seed faith:

Magnitude: In calming the storm (Matthew 8), Jesus showed that mustard seed faith must recognize the vast power of God. The disciples had faith but lacked confidence.

Practicality: In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6), Jesus taught that this kind of faith should relieve anxiety by trusting in God’s provision.

Deliverance: Peter walking on water (Matthew 14) demonstrated that mustard seed faith enables us to step out in trust, even if we falter. Jesus’ rescue of Peter showed compassionate support for growing faith.

Guidance: When the disciples misunderstood Jesus’ warning about leaven (Matthew 16), he corrected them, urging spiritual discernment over physical concerns.

This kind of faith must be nurtured, tested and matured. It begins small but is rooted in the right foundation: God’s truth and Christ’s example. Mustard seed faith is all about transformation, starting small but growing strong through life’s trials and divine guidance.

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As Christians, we all draw great comfort from the promise of Jesus’ return. Just as in his first advent, his presence in his second advent proclaims that God’s plan is not only underway but unbreakable as well. The challenge comes when we as Christians try and comprehend the mechanics and timing of his return. There are many prophecies, many hints and many seemingly confusing statements about his return. So, what are we supposed to do with all of this? In this episode, we are suggesting we look at an overview of several aspects of his return and then settle in on one aspect that describes a specific sign of his return that is plain and simple, and yet somewhat hidden from many who watch.

To understand the many and varied signs of Jesus’ return, we need to grasp the biblical distinction between the New Testament Greek word translated “coming” and its true meaning being “presence.” This simple and appropriate correction helps us see Jesus’ return not as an abrupt arrival, but rather as a gradual, multi-phase process beginning quietly, like a “thief in the night,” and culminating in visible glory and restoration.

This understanding is verified in the many descriptions of Jesus’ return.

Rather than predicting future events, we live at a time when looking backward at fulfilled prophecies can provide overwhelming evidence of Jesus’ presence. The regathering of Israel to their homeland is just one key sign of his return. Jesus linked the fig tree as a symbol of Israel to his presence. Israel’s restoration—starting with the settlement of Petah Tikva in 1878, and then nationhood in 1948—is a visible fulfillment. These historical facts and the way Jesus linked them in prophecy should not be taken lightly.

Revelation’s depiction of the church’s historical timeline (Revelation 2–3) serves to verify the fig tree prophecies. In Revelation, seven churches depict seven phases of Christian history. In the final stage, Jesus is “standing at the door,” meaning he has arrived, exactly as he said he would when Israel was to be restored. This exact language contained in both prophecies is a strong verification of where we stand regarding prophecies fulfilled in God’s plan today.

The return of Jesus is a multi-faceted process for the ultimate purpose of the restoration of the earth and humanity into harmony with our Creator. Though the completion of this restoration passes through trouble and strife, the results will be the establishment of God’s glorious kingdom on earth!

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The man Christ Jesus stands at the center of the faith of hundreds of millions of people. His very existence, along with the words and actions of his life, creates a remarkable tapestry that truly provides a strong foundation for believers. Sometimes questions arise about how and why Jesus did all that he did. Was his life scripted? This question can have several layers. First, did Jesus do the things he did in a mechanical way, solely for the purpose of fulfilling Old Testament prophecies? Second, and on a much deeper level of skepticism, could Jesus have fulfilled the prophecies he fulfilled just as a show, to gain followers and notoriety? Could his life have been a collection of events designed to merely draw attention to himself and create a movement?

To emphatically answer these questions, we will just examine 14 of the hundreds of prophecies that Jesus actually fulfilled in his life. We will find they were all fulfilled in ways that were far beyond human orchestration.

First, it is important to establish that Jesus absolutely desired to do the will of his Father in heaven. One could argue that such a desire might lead to mechanically “checking boxes” to show his compliance. As we review these prophecies, we will see this objection become irrelevant.

Here is a small sampling of prophecies that Jesus was part of but could not control. First, we begin with his birth and childhood:

As an adult, Jesus knew the Scriptures, but he still could not force their fulfillment.

The only logical conclusion to all of this is that Jesus’ life wasn’t scripted by manipulation, but rather fulfilled divine foresight through personal submission, love for the Father, and the actions of others guided by God’s plan.

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The teaching Jesus gave to his apostles the night before his crucifixion about him being ‘the way, the truth, and the life’ was a profound foundation that described the path of every true Christian. Jesus as ‘the way’ opened up the opportunity for average, sinful individuals to become acceptable to God through the merit of Jesus’ sacrifice. He was and is the path we are to follow. As we walk this path, we can recognize Jesus as ‘the truth’ by accepting that his actions, teachings and example were always a direct reflection of the ultimate and pure truth that comes directly from the Father. Being on the path, following Jesus’ example and absorbing the truth of God’s words spoken through Jesus, we now can begin to open ourselves to understanding Jesus as ‘the life.’

At the beginning of John 15, Jesus taught us about how he is ‘the life’ in a rich metaphor of spiritual vitality. He called himself ‘the true vine,’ labeled God as the “Vinedresser” and his disciples as “branches.” These relationships highlight spiritual nourishment and fruitful discipleship rooted in obedience and love.

• Jesus as the ‘true vine’ shows us that his disciples must remain connected to him in order to bear fruit. God nurtures and prunes these branches to increase spiritual growth.

• Any and all fruitfulness comes as a result of his disciples abiding in Christ, receiving cleansing through his words as well as yielding to the loving discipline of God.

• Selfless love is central to bearing fruit, and Jesus openly modeled this specific kind of love through crystal clear obedience to his Father’s will. His disciples were commanded to love one another sacrificially by following his example. His sacrifice IS life to us!

As we look beyond this beautiful vine and branches teaching for just one other example of Jesus being ‘the life,’ the resurrection of Lazarus comes to mind. Lazarus had been dead for four days. As Jesus proclaimed himself to be ‘the resurrection and the life,’ he demonstrated God’s power through him to miraculously reverse death and even decay. This incredible event foreshadowed the final resurrection and restoration of all humanity.

Ultimately, Jesus is ‘the life’ because through him, death is overturned and eternal connection with the Father becomes possible. His life defines our purpose and our spiritual fruitfulness. Marked by love, it proves we truly “abide” in him.

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It seems odd that in our present day of technology and knowledge, it is very difficult to determine the difference between truth and opinion. You’d think it would be just the opposite. Yet here we are, in an environment where we can’t even trust news reports to reveal the whole story. Two-thousand years ago, Jesus proclaimed he is “the way, the truth, and the life.” By being ‘the way,’ he was telling us that finding a path towards God would come through knowing him. But what about Jesus being ‘the truth’? In a practical sense, how do we begin to understand Jesus as not only teaching us truth but actually being it?

Jesus as the path, the way to God, opens up the realization that he is the complete embodiment of divine truth. He doesn’t merely teach truth—he IS truth, the full representation of God’s will and character. John 14 shows us how Jesus relayed God’s words accurately and acted in perfect alignment with the Father’s intent, similar to how an ambassador speaks only on behalf of their government.

Jesus introduced the holy spirit as the “spirit of truth,” as it would be God’s direct influence sent to them after his departure. Through it, the disciples would remain anchored in truth and be set apart by it.

Speaking to the Pharisees in John 8, Jesus affirmed that true freedom could only come through knowing and continuing in his word because his words were God’s truth. Though he faced opposition and death, he boldly spoke truth, fulfilled prophecy and established the groundwork for God’s coming kingdom.

Ultimately, Jesus as ‘the truth’ means he is the revealed reality of God’s redemptive plan—faithful, clear and unwavering. His mission wasn’t to challenge earthly authority but to eventually establish divine order and justice. This truth sets his disciples free and invites them to reflect it in love, obedience and spiritual transformation.

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