I used to be a home builder. And let me tell you, when you build a house, the foundation is everything. If you start off just a little bit off—just a fraction of an inch—it may not seem like a big deal at first. But as you build higher, that tiny mistake turns into something much bigger. Walls start leaning, cracks form, and eventually, the whole structure could collapse.
That’s why builders rely on a simple yet essential tool called a plumb bob. It’s just a weighted string, but it ensures that everything—foundations, walls, beams—is straight and properly aligned. Without it, things start to shift, sometimes in ways you don’t even notice until it’s too late.
And guess what? Spiritually, we need a plumb bob too.
God’s Word is our spiritual plumb bob—the thing that keeps our lives straight, balanced, and strong. If we start neglecting even small truths from God’s Word, our thoughts, choices, and actions will slowly drift. And before we know it, we’re leaning, out of alignment, maybe even close to falling.
Thankfully, God gives us a simple way to stay aligned with His will. Let’s check out 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18:
“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
That’s it. Three simple things:
✅ Rejoice.
✅ Pray.
✅ Give thanks.
These are our alignment checks, the three things that keep our spiritual foundation strong.
1. Rejoicing: The Framework of Our Spiritual Structure
First up—Rejoice evermore (1 Thessalonians 5:16).
Rejoicing isn’t just about feeling happy; it’s about choosing joy. Joy isn’t something that just happens—it’s an intentional decision to trust God’s goodness, even when life throws curveballs.
The Greek word for rejoice here means to be glad, cheerful, and calmly happy. But this kind of joy doesn’t come from our circumstances—it comes from knowing who God is and trusting His promises.
Think about Paul and Silas in prison (Acts 16:25). They were beaten and locked up, and instead of complaining, they were singing praises! That’s joy. That’s trust.
Even Jesus, as He endured the cross, had joy because He focused on the bigger picture (Hebrews 12:2).
So, how do we apply this?
You don’t have to be happy about a bad economy, but you can rejoice that God is still your provider.
You don’t have to be happy about a headache, but you can rejoice that God is your healer.
You don’t have to be happy about running out of gas, but you can rejoice that at least you have a car!
See the difference? Rejoicing keeps us aligned.
2. Praying Without Ceasing: Staying Aligned and Connected to God
Next, 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says:
"Pray without ceasing."
Now, that doesn’t mean you have to be on your knees 24/7. It means prayer is a constant conversation with God, not just a last resort.
Think about a builder using a plumb bob. They don’t just check it once and call it a day. They check again and again as they build. That’s how prayer works—it’s our continuous check-in with God.
And prayer isn’t just asking for stuff—it’s talking and listening. It’s staying in step with Him.
Try this:
Whisper “Thank you, Lord” when something good happens.
Say a quick prayer while driving.
Before making a decision, pause and check in with God.
Pray like you’re texting a close friend—short, real, and often.
Even Jesus, the Son of God, prayed constantly. If He needed to stay connected to the Father, how much more do we?
3. Giving Thanks: The Reinforcement That Keeps Us Strong
Finally, 1 Thessalonians 5:18:
"In everything, give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
Gratitude is what keeps our spiritual structure strong. A house needs reinforcement—things like beams, screws, and supports—to hold it together. Giving thanks does that for our faith.
And notice—God doesn’t say, “Give thanks for everything.” He says, “Give thanks IN everything.”
You don’t have to be thankful for losing a job, but you can thank God that He’s leading you to something better.
You don’t have to be thankful for stress, but you can thank God that He’s giving you peace.
You don’t have to be thankful for a long day, but you can thank God that you have work.
A simple way to practice this? Start a gratitude journal. We have one on our kitchen counter—we just jot down little blessings, big or small. It shifts our focus from what’s missing to what God is doing.
Ask yourself:
Where can I shift from frustration to thankfulness?
Gratitude keeps our foundation solid.
The Three-Point Spiritual Check
So, here’s our alignment check from 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18:
✅ Rejoice evermore. (Am I choosing joy or letting negativity weigh me down?)
✅ Pray without ceasing. (Am I staying connected to God or only talking to Him when I need something?)
✅ In everything, give thanks. (Am I focusing on what’s missing or what I already have?)
Psalm 118:24 says:
“This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
This is the day. Right now. Today. So let’s rejoice, pray, and give thanks.
Amen? Amen. That’s what I wanted to share. God Bless.
- Benjamin
Comments