October 26-Thessalonians-Hope
Write out the Scripture.
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.
Observe what it is saying.
In this final section of his letter, Paul offers a variety of quick teachings covering several topics. It is like he knows he needs to finish his letter, but he has so much more to say so he blurts it out quickly on paper. He begins by talking about those who are called to be spiritual leaders in the church. The assumption Paul makes is that they are in the will of God, doing the will of God, all for the glory of God. In light of mutual encouragement that Paul just wrote about, he tells the congregation to encourage their leaders by recognizing their place among them. These leaders do three things. 1. They work hard. They are not lazy. They are internally motivated out of their love for Jesus seeking that others may have this same kind of loving relationship. 2. They care for them in the Lord. They lovingly show the congregation the way of Christ. They tend to their spiritual needs, questions, and doubts. They pray for their flock. 3. They admonish them. They speak the truth in love so that they do not go astray. These are the kind of spiritual leaders that they are to respect and hold in highest esteem. When such spiritual order is acknowledged and respected, we will live in peace with each other. When leaders humbly serve their people, the people will be more inclined to respect their leadership resulting in peace in the community.
Relate it to your life.
We all need leaders to care for us spiritually. Do I show them proper respect?
Do something.
Lord Jesus, thank You for the spiritual leaders You have placed throughout my life to bring me to where I am today. May you bless them and fill them full of joy in the Holy Spirit. Amen.
October 27-Thessalonians-Hope
Write out the Scripture.
1 Thessalonians 5:14, And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
Observe what it is saying.
Paul had already spoken how he worked hard among them providing for his own needs. He believed such a mindset was a positive witness for Christ in their community. Evidently, there were some in their fellowship who did not share the same thought. We do not know the details but because they were not gainfully employed, they were being disruptive to the family of God. They had too much time on their hands so they needed to be warned about their less than unifying activities. One of Paul’s favorite words in this letter is to encourage. Here, he tells them to lift up those who have lost heart, who are going through a difficult time. We are to be each other’s cheerleaders in the faith. We want all to cross the finish line together. In the same way, we are to come alongside and offer assistance to those who are weakened from life, from crisis, from sickness, from whatever has caused them to be in the shape they are in. Then Paul speaks the most difficult word of all for many of us. Be patient with everyone. Not just those you are close to, not just those you like, not just those are easy to love, but everyone, including those who get under your skin and on your nerves. In these brief words, Paul reveals the tremendous responsibility the church has in keeping each other focused and faithful.
Relate it to your life.
Am I doing my part in the church to warn, to encourage, to help, and to be patient?
Do something.
Lord Jesus, give me courage, wisdom, and love to do what Scripture commands us to do. Amen.
October 28-Thessalonians-Hope
Write out the Scripture.
1 Thessalonians 5:15, Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
Observe what it is saying.
To not fight back goes against everything we feel. We want to get even. In a recent message, we talked about revenge. Peter had this to say about Jesus: 1 Peter 2:23, “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” Jesus had every right to do so, was the only one who walked the planet who was righteous enough to do so, yet He didn’t seek revenge. He didn’t make threats. Instead, He trusted His Father’s plan. The Apostle Paul spoke on this topic to the Roman Christians. Romans 12:17-19, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” When we say we trust in the Lord, it includes trusting Him to take care of any wrongs that have been done against us. Instead, of getting even, we are to respond as Jesus taught and did. Luke 6:27-30, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.”
Relate it to your life.
Living like Jesus is not the natural way. It takes the supernatural strength of His Spirit to love like Him.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, overwhelm me with Your Spirit so that I embody Your mind and heart at all times. Amen.
October 29-Thessalonians-Hope
Write out the Scripture.
1 Thessalonians 5:16, Rejoice always,
Observe what it is saying.
We can easily rejoice some of the time. However, when things are not going our way, when we are being tested, when life seems to fall apart, there does not seem to be any reason or energy to rejoice. However, Christian joy is not dependent upon our circumstances. It is dependent upon abiding in the Lord Jesus Christ. In the midst of the darkest moments in life, we can still be centered in the joy of Jesus. It is one of the manifestations of the fruit of the Holy Spirit and is a sign that Christ is alive and well within us. Our joyful expression is a powerful witness to those who do not know Him. Joy attracts the attention of others, especially, when there appears to be no external reason for our joy. When I think of those who represent Christ well, they have a positive bliss about them. That does not mean they never cry or are sorrowful. It does not mean they are bouncing around happy all the time. However, their demeanor emits a happiness that goes much deeper than the superficial happiness that comes and goes with the circumstances of the moment. Such joy was a major theme in Paul’s letter to the Philippians, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4) He wrote the letter from prison so he had to practice what he was preaching. Such deep-seated happiness is nothing less than a supernatural gift of Jesus’ rich presence within. If we do not know this kind of joy, we need to open ourselves up and invite Jesus to do a deeper work within us.
Relate it to your life.
The quality of my happiness reveals the spiritual depth in which I have welcomed the gift of Jesus.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, I surrender myself to You and invite You to do a deeper work in my inner life today. Amen.
October 30-Thessalonians-Hope
Write out the Scripture.
1 Thessalonians 5:17, pray continually,
Observe what it is saying.
These two words pack a powerful punch. They reveal the heart of the Christian life. Because we are abiding in Christ and He is abiding in us, we have continual access to His glorious presence. As He promised, He is always with us. He walks with us and He talks with us. So, we have instant and constant ability to pray (talk) to Him. Prayer is being mindful that the Spirit of Christ is within us desiring to have the closest relationship possible. As we learn to talk to Him more often, we deepen our friendship. When we constantly think and talk to Christ throughout the day, it helps us stay focused on the Christian values for which Jesus lived and died are the most important in life. To pray often recognizes our absolute dependence on God. We know we cannot do anything without Him. Plus, God wants in on everything we are doing. He wants us to recognize His presence in all our daily activities and conversations. To pray continually does not mean we have to stop what we are doing and bow our hands and pray. We may not even speak words, but our spirit is mindful of the Holy Spirit where we offer brief bursts of prayer. These prayers are filled with thanksgiving, praise, confession, and calls for help. They can be thought or spoken. We still want to have a set time each day where we are alone with the Father just as Jesus did, but we can also keep the conversation going throughout the day in both thought and word.
Relate it to your life.
I have instant access to the Lord God Almighty. Why would I want to miss out talking to Him often?
Do something.
Lord Jesus, make me mindful of You many times throughout the day so that I do not miss out on all that You want to do in and through me each and every day. Amen.
October 31-Thessalonians-Hope
Write out the Scripture.
1 Thessalonians 5:18, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Observe what it is saying.
As it is God’s will to rejoice always and pray continually, so it is God’s will for those who are believers in Christ Jesus to give thanks in all circumstances. Notice that Paul does not say: give thanks for all circumstances. Instead, in the midst of everything that happens to us, good or bad, we are to have a thankful heart. When we have Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we have everything we need. We have what is eternally important. We have chosen life over death. So, there is always reason to be thankful when Christ is residing within us. To be able to rejoice, pray, and give thanks at all times reveal that we have a living, loving relationship with our Lord. We have been changed. We have a new way of seeing things. We have a new attitude about life in general. We cannot help but to be thankful for the simple and the larger gifts of life. We do not have an entitlement attitude, instead, we have a giving mindset. We look for ways to bless others as much as possible. A thanksgiving heart is a generous heart. We know Jesus has become Lord of our lives when we make the change from complaining to being thankful at all times.
Relate it to your life.
Am I thankful at all times? How has Jesus changed my heart and outlook on life?
Do something.
Lord Jesus, thank You for saving me, for giving me peace and joy within, and for giving me the hope of a fantastic future. Thank You for each meal I enjoy, every relationship I have been blessed with, my work, my income, my shelter, my transportation, my church, and every spiritual blessing that has come from heaven. Amen.
Write out the Scripture.
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.
Observe what it is saying.
In this final section of his letter, Paul offers a variety of quick teachings covering several topics. It is like he knows he needs to finish his letter, but he has so much more to say so he blurts it out quickly on paper. He begins by talking about those who are called to be spiritual leaders in the church. The assumption Paul makes is that they are in the will of God, doing the will of God, all for the glory of God. In light of mutual encouragement that Paul just wrote about, he tells the congregation to encourage their leaders by recognizing their place among them. These leaders do three things. 1. They work hard. They are not lazy. They are internally motivated out of their love for Jesus seeking that others may have this same kind of loving relationship. 2. They care for them in the Lord. They lovingly show the congregation the way of Christ. They tend to their spiritual needs, questions, and doubts. They pray for their flock. 3. They admonish them. They speak the truth in love so that they do not go astray. These are the kind of spiritual leaders that they are to respect and hold in highest esteem. When such spiritual order is acknowledged and respected, we will live in peace with each other. When leaders humbly serve their people, the people will be more inclined to respect their leadership resulting in peace in the community.
Relate it to your life.
We all need leaders to care for us spiritually. Do I show them proper respect?
Do something.
Lord Jesus, thank You for the spiritual leaders You have placed throughout my life to bring me to where I am today. May you bless them and fill them full of joy in the Holy Spirit. Amen.
October 27-Thessalonians-Hope
Write out the Scripture.
1 Thessalonians 5:14, And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
Observe what it is saying.
Paul had already spoken how he worked hard among them providing for his own needs. He believed such a mindset was a positive witness for Christ in their community. Evidently, there were some in their fellowship who did not share the same thought. We do not know the details but because they were not gainfully employed, they were being disruptive to the family of God. They had too much time on their hands so they needed to be warned about their less than unifying activities. One of Paul’s favorite words in this letter is to encourage. Here, he tells them to lift up those who have lost heart, who are going through a difficult time. We are to be each other’s cheerleaders in the faith. We want all to cross the finish line together. In the same way, we are to come alongside and offer assistance to those who are weakened from life, from crisis, from sickness, from whatever has caused them to be in the shape they are in. Then Paul speaks the most difficult word of all for many of us. Be patient with everyone. Not just those you are close to, not just those you like, not just those are easy to love, but everyone, including those who get under your skin and on your nerves. In these brief words, Paul reveals the tremendous responsibility the church has in keeping each other focused and faithful.
Relate it to your life.
Am I doing my part in the church to warn, to encourage, to help, and to be patient?
Do something.
Lord Jesus, give me courage, wisdom, and love to do what Scripture commands us to do. Amen.
October 28-Thessalonians-Hope
Write out the Scripture.
1 Thessalonians 5:15, Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
Observe what it is saying.
To not fight back goes against everything we feel. We want to get even. In a recent message, we talked about revenge. Peter had this to say about Jesus: 1 Peter 2:23, “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” Jesus had every right to do so, was the only one who walked the planet who was righteous enough to do so, yet He didn’t seek revenge. He didn’t make threats. Instead, He trusted His Father’s plan. The Apostle Paul spoke on this topic to the Roman Christians. Romans 12:17-19, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” When we say we trust in the Lord, it includes trusting Him to take care of any wrongs that have been done against us. Instead, of getting even, we are to respond as Jesus taught and did. Luke 6:27-30, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.”
Relate it to your life.
Living like Jesus is not the natural way. It takes the supernatural strength of His Spirit to love like Him.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, overwhelm me with Your Spirit so that I embody Your mind and heart at all times. Amen.
October 29-Thessalonians-Hope
Write out the Scripture.
1 Thessalonians 5:16, Rejoice always,
Observe what it is saying.
We can easily rejoice some of the time. However, when things are not going our way, when we are being tested, when life seems to fall apart, there does not seem to be any reason or energy to rejoice. However, Christian joy is not dependent upon our circumstances. It is dependent upon abiding in the Lord Jesus Christ. In the midst of the darkest moments in life, we can still be centered in the joy of Jesus. It is one of the manifestations of the fruit of the Holy Spirit and is a sign that Christ is alive and well within us. Our joyful expression is a powerful witness to those who do not know Him. Joy attracts the attention of others, especially, when there appears to be no external reason for our joy. When I think of those who represent Christ well, they have a positive bliss about them. That does not mean they never cry or are sorrowful. It does not mean they are bouncing around happy all the time. However, their demeanor emits a happiness that goes much deeper than the superficial happiness that comes and goes with the circumstances of the moment. Such joy was a major theme in Paul’s letter to the Philippians, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4) He wrote the letter from prison so he had to practice what he was preaching. Such deep-seated happiness is nothing less than a supernatural gift of Jesus’ rich presence within. If we do not know this kind of joy, we need to open ourselves up and invite Jesus to do a deeper work within us.
Relate it to your life.
The quality of my happiness reveals the spiritual depth in which I have welcomed the gift of Jesus.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, I surrender myself to You and invite You to do a deeper work in my inner life today. Amen.
October 30-Thessalonians-Hope
Write out the Scripture.
1 Thessalonians 5:17, pray continually,
Observe what it is saying.
These two words pack a powerful punch. They reveal the heart of the Christian life. Because we are abiding in Christ and He is abiding in us, we have continual access to His glorious presence. As He promised, He is always with us. He walks with us and He talks with us. So, we have instant and constant ability to pray (talk) to Him. Prayer is being mindful that the Spirit of Christ is within us desiring to have the closest relationship possible. As we learn to talk to Him more often, we deepen our friendship. When we constantly think and talk to Christ throughout the day, it helps us stay focused on the Christian values for which Jesus lived and died are the most important in life. To pray often recognizes our absolute dependence on God. We know we cannot do anything without Him. Plus, God wants in on everything we are doing. He wants us to recognize His presence in all our daily activities and conversations. To pray continually does not mean we have to stop what we are doing and bow our hands and pray. We may not even speak words, but our spirit is mindful of the Holy Spirit where we offer brief bursts of prayer. These prayers are filled with thanksgiving, praise, confession, and calls for help. They can be thought or spoken. We still want to have a set time each day where we are alone with the Father just as Jesus did, but we can also keep the conversation going throughout the day in both thought and word.
Relate it to your life.
I have instant access to the Lord God Almighty. Why would I want to miss out talking to Him often?
Do something.
Lord Jesus, make me mindful of You many times throughout the day so that I do not miss out on all that You want to do in and through me each and every day. Amen.
October 31-Thessalonians-Hope
Write out the Scripture.
1 Thessalonians 5:18, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Observe what it is saying.
As it is God’s will to rejoice always and pray continually, so it is God’s will for those who are believers in Christ Jesus to give thanks in all circumstances. Notice that Paul does not say: give thanks for all circumstances. Instead, in the midst of everything that happens to us, good or bad, we are to have a thankful heart. When we have Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we have everything we need. We have what is eternally important. We have chosen life over death. So, there is always reason to be thankful when Christ is residing within us. To be able to rejoice, pray, and give thanks at all times reveal that we have a living, loving relationship with our Lord. We have been changed. We have a new way of seeing things. We have a new attitude about life in general. We cannot help but to be thankful for the simple and the larger gifts of life. We do not have an entitlement attitude, instead, we have a giving mindset. We look for ways to bless others as much as possible. A thanksgiving heart is a generous heart. We know Jesus has become Lord of our lives when we make the change from complaining to being thankful at all times.
Relate it to your life.
Am I thankful at all times? How has Jesus changed my heart and outlook on life?
Do something.
Lord Jesus, thank You for saving me, for giving me peace and joy within, and for giving me the hope of a fantastic future. Thank You for each meal I enjoy, every relationship I have been blessed with, my work, my income, my shelter, my transportation, my church, and every spiritual blessing that has come from heaven. Amen.
Posted in Daily Devotionals