*Above Only Devotional* Thur., Jan 24 *Increase in Your Rejoicing and Thanksgiving* _1 Thessalonians 5: 18-20 (AMP)_

*Above Only Devotional*

Thur., Jan 24

*Increase in Your Rejoicing and Thanksgiving*

_1 Thessalonians 5: 18-20 (AMP)_

_Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will]. Do not quench (suppress or subdue) the [Holy] Spirit; Do not spurn the gifts and utterances of the prophets [do not depreciate prophetic ravelations nor despise inspired instruction or exhortatlon or warning]._

In Luke 10:21, Jesus rejoiced and gave thanks to God, the Father for a revelation He (God) gave to the disciples through Him (Jesus). When it was time to feed the five thousand, Jesus knew what to do. He knew He had to give thanks for whatever they had and that it was going to increase and multiply, John 6:5-11. Before Lazarus' grave, instead of being afraid and anxious, Jesus gave thanks to God and quickened Lazarus from the dead, John 11:41- 44. In the Living Bible, Philippians 4:6 says, don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don't forget to thank him for his answers. Your ability to thank God for something even before you physically see it is a sign that you believe you have already received it.

In Ephesians 1:3 and in 1 Peter 1:3, we see both Apostle Paul and Peter blessing the name of God for the things He has done for us in Christ. Reioicing and thanksgiving are some of the effects of allowing the revelation of Christ to dwell in you richly (Col.3:16). Your rejoicing and thanking God for the things He has done for you in Christ are signs that you acknowledge that those things are already your reality. As you do this, the manifestation of those things will be activated in your life. Apostle Paul spoke about praying in tongues and giving thanks in tongues, 1 Cor. 14:15-17. Giving thanks in tongues must have been a major reason why he prayed in tongues a lot, 1 Cor. 14:18. He also said they gave thanks to God every time they prayed for other believers, Col 1:3. The grace to reioice in God and thank Him more is upon you.

Action Point:
Reioice and thank God for the wonderful things He has done for you in Christ. Pray unto God with thanksgiving now.