3 Characteristics For Each New Day

¹⁶Rejoice evermore.
¹⁷Pray without ceasing.
¹⁸In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
-1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Paul is giving us great advice for day to day living. Each new day is a gift from God. Each new day brings joys, hurts and challenges. Each new day affords us new opportunities. Opportunities to bring glory to God. Opportunities to forsake Him. What will this new day bring to you? Paul gives us 3 things that should help us get the most out of each day that God has given us.

Be Joyful
Happiness is a state of mind. I've come across Christians who had such a angry look on their face that it would scare anyone away. We, as Christians, should be happy. My dad always told me that if I'm happy my face should show it. Remember back in Exodus, when Moses was with God on the mountain, when he would return to camp, how Scripture tells us that his face radiated with the love of God. That should be us. People need to see the love of God in our lives, and they can see that love in our faces. Commit to being joyful this day, and see what happens.

Pray Constantly
Prayer is one of the most underused parts of our Christian life. Prayer is our direct communication with God. If you have trouble being joyful, try praying. Pray constantly. How can I do this? It's a discipline. When traveling in the car, do you listen to the radio? Probably. Hopefully it's a Christian radio station that you are listening to. Listen to the words of the songs played. Make those your prayers. When a praise song comes on the air, sing along and sing it to God. Communicate with God. Need strength? Ask Him. Pray in any and all circumstances.

Be Thankful
Each new day is a gift from God. We should live a life of thanksgiving. Often times, though, we fail to recognize the way God has worked in our lives, while remembering when He didn't answer our prayers the way we wanted Him to. Look at the rest of this verse. " for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." The will of God in our lives will happen. Maybe you didn't get the job you really wanted and prayed for. Perhaps taking that job would mean you couldn't do what God has called you to do. We must be thankful, for those times that God answers our prayers with a "yes" and those times He says "no."

Friends, each day is a new opportunity to bring glory to God. We must be joyful each day, even when it hurts to smile. We must be in constant prayer, communicating with God. If we stay close to God, it will be hard for the devil to get a hold on your heart. We must be thankful, in any and all circumstances. Are you ready to face this brand new day? Think About It.