ONLY DOES NOT WORK HERE

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

There are some key words in this verse I want to lift out and highlight - "always", "continually", and "all". These words are concepts that speak to the amount of time believers should contribute to the word before it. Always and continually are adverbs describing the state of being you should be in (always be joyful; continually pray).  All is an adjective describing the amount of circumstances believers should give thanks in.  

This state of perpetuality flies in the face of being joyful only on the mountaintops of life.  This mind-set of ceaseless praying defies the notion of only praying to God during difficult times.  This never-ending strategy of life, giving thanks, cries "How dare you only give thanks during the non-challenging times!"

God's payment for our always joyfulness, our privilege to continually pray,  and our ability to give thanks in all circumstances came at such a high price - His torture and life - that NOT to live this way would dishonor His sacrifice and according to the rest of the verse you would be out of God's will in Christ Jesus - for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

So, realize and seize His will for your life. That God has secured, through Christ, for you and me to be always joyful, continually communicative with Him, and thankful in everything no matter the issue(s).  Oh, what a Savior....!

(Subject inspired by Brittney from HIS Raido, Raleigh-Durham, N.C. area)