"¹⁶ Be joyful always; ¹⁷ pray continually; ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God´s will for you in Christ Jesus."

Introduction: Students are studying in elementary school, middle school, high school, and university to improve their education. To live a life of faith, we must grow and develop step by step from a low level to a high level. As we grow in faith, we will know more of God´s will and obey it. We will rise to a higher level when we realize the basic steps of God´s will and act with courage at an early stage. Today, I want to speak about some of these basic steps.


1. Be joyful always.
    1) God is the source of happiness (Ps 16:11).
    2) Adam´s fall and sorrow (Ecc 1:2-11).
        - He was disconnected from the source of happiness.
    3) Satan is the source of sorrow.
        ⓛ Worldly joy will always be accompanied by sorrow (Pr 14:13).
        ② As pleasure grows bigger, sorrow will become greater.
        ③ Every joy without God is false.
    4) Return to God-depend on the Cross of Jesus.
        ⓛ Only a life with God will bring joy-position, honor, power, money, wealth and
            prosperity.
        ② When we serve God, we will find joy (Isa 35:10).

2. Pray continually.
    1) Prayer is breath to the spirit.
        ⓛ Without prayer, the spirit is the same as dead-a dead body doesn´t breathe.
        ② God is the best fresh air for our spirit. When we have conversation with God,
            our spirit is breathing; it is alive.
    2) Wavelength prayer.
        ⓛ When a stone is thrown into a lake, a wavelength will spread.
        ② Take the lead in wavelength prayer (Heb 7:24-25).
    3) Contents of prayer.
        ⓛ Prayer of thanksgiving and praise (Heb 13:15).
        ② Prayer concerning our daily life (Eph 6:18).
        ③ Prayer to become more like Jesus Christ (Php 2:5).
        ④ Intercessory prayer (1Ti 2:1-2).

3. Give thanks in all circumstances.
    1) Thank offerings are a fragrant sacrifice to God (Ps 50:23).
    2) Give thanks in all circumstances.
        ⓛ God turns evil into good (Ge 50:15-21).
        ② God causes all things to work together for good (Ro 8:28).
        ③ God is good (Mt 7:9-11).


Conclusion: When we become joyful always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances, then remarkable grace, healing of heart, and a positive life will be accomplished. Not only that, God will take care of us.