And we exhort you brothers: warn those who are irresponsible, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all. Rejoice always! Pray constantly. Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  1 Thessalonians 5:14-18 HCSB

Some movies are filled with some really good songs. This has inspired me to collect several soundtracks over the years.There is an old saying when someone hears good news, “that is music to my ears.” Music is considered to be therapeutic. The type of music that we listen to can lift us up, bring us down, calm us or excite us. When I used to run a lot, I had several songs that I would inspire me to speed up and give it all I had when running intervals.

Some movies have soundtracks that were popular because of the dance songs in them like Grease, Dirty Dancing, Saturday Night Fever just to name a few. Some are popular because they have music that is soothing and makes us calm. I listen to contemporary Christian music because it lifts me up and encourages me and keeps my mood positive and hopeful.

I want you to think about something. If you had a soundtrack what would it be like? Would it be a constant whine? Would it be loud and argumentative? Would it be soft and soothing? Would it be inspirational?

Our scripture passage today tells us how we should treat others, but then it also tells us what should fill our hearts and our minds and what should be coming out of our mouths. It tells us that we should rejoice always! We are instructed to pray continually and to give thanks in everything. Paul tells us in Ephesians chapter 5 to walk in love and imitate Christ. In verse 19 he tells us not to get drunk with wine which leads to recklessness, but to be filled by the Spirit and speak to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs singing and making music from you heart to the Lord. He goes on in 21 and 22 saying that we should give thanks for everything and submit to one another in the fear of Christ.

The sad thing is that if we spoke to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs many people would think that we we’re drunk. Many people spend more time criticizing others than lifting others up.

My paternal grandmother was the most godly person I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. At the age of 14 her appendix ruptured. This would have been in the early 1900’s. They did emergency surgery, but for a couple minutes they thought she had died. During this time she recalls going to a bright peaceful place filled with the biggest and most beautiful flowers she had ever seen. She remembers a voice saying that she was not yet ready as she had much more to accomplish on earth. And then she remembers the doctor or doctors talking about how they thought they had lost her.

Now, I don’t know if she went to heaven or not, some say it’s possible while others say scripture says it’s not. I only know that for the rest of her life she longed to return there. She told us not to mourn when she died because she knew where she was headed and that it was the most wonderful place. She did all she could to encourage everyone she knew to be ready to join her there. Her soundtrack was truly one of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. She was filled with peace and joy. She was a tiny little woman, but I never once saw her appear to be shaken. She was a spiritual rock and a beacon to those around her.

So again I ask you to think about what your soundtrack would sound like. Do you think it’s something that someone would want to hear? Would it inspire others? Would it make them cover their ears?

As Christians, we have a responsibility to lead others to Christ. We won’t do that with harsh words and cruel actions. We will only do that as imitators of Christ. If we do what we are told to do in our scripture passage for today, we will be better equipped to speak to others in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Our soundtrack will be much more pleasant and uplifting.

So, I encourage you today to rejoice always, pray constantly and give thanks in everything. It will fill your heart with gladness and that will spill out of your mouth making your soundtrack appealing to all those who hear.

Have a great day!