One of the secrets to the apostle Paul's amazing overcoming life was the simple yet powerful instructions he gave us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18: "In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." Or, "In every situation you meet – good, bad, and in between – give God thanks." Why? "'This' thanksgiving, and 'this' situation are part of His master plan for you as His child in Christ Jesus, sent to in some way do 'good' (Romans 8:28), in you, for you, or through you. Or all of the above. If you will just remain yielded, trusting, and obedient. Obey Paul's command and you will build his character, the very character of Christ, in your life. Disobey, and it's impossible to build his character. Ponder this and choose wisely.

We believe Paul's teaching on salvation, typology, the church, and the end times, as we should. But we should pay even more attention to Paul's practical theology – his plain commands for everyday Christian living that sprang from his own experience. One of the hidden gems in Paul's treasure chest of practical theology is 1 Thessalonians 5:18. When we learn to "give thanks" to God in "everything," we are on our way to spiritual maturity, Christlike humility, Davidic living, strong faith, and a vibrant, spiritually successful prayer life. This is not a message for one season but for all seasons. Listen, learn, obey, and overcome – exactly as Paul did in his amazingly victorious life – giving thanks to God, all day, every day, good days, bad days, the rest of your days!

Greg continues discussing Christianity in India with three deeply committed Indian ministers. This interview – which discusses Hindu soteriology, India's holy rivers, its caste system, and the miraculous conversion experience of a deathly ill, ultra-devout young Hindu woman – was not taped in a sound studio but in an open-air setting in India, complete with traffic noise, monkeys jumping loudly on metal roofs, and live roosters "amening" the conversation in their own distinctive way! Greg hopes this series will prompt American Christians to prayerfully consider getting involved in God's work in what is currently the most populous nation on earth. Christ is coming very soon and if we are to help our needy brothers and sisters in India, now is the time.