A Rare “Gem” Unearthed
Thank You, Father, for a productive day. Your motivation helped me to pull together many of the components for Sunday’s services. You enabled me to keep on task. May what you have given me bless those who hear. Amen.
1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 (<<click here)
Lord, this passage once again highlights an important spiritual concept for Paul – the idea that we are to be so full of love that it overflows! Not that long ago, I wrote of overflowing when he spoke of it in Philippians 1:9 (“Overflow”)
In this particular passage the love that should “grow and overflow” is all inclusive – it is to be a “love for one another and for all people.” Again my study Bible* makes an excellent point. “It’s not enough merely to be courteous to others, we must actively and persistently show love to them. Our love should be growing continually.”
As it came to mind yesterday, Lord, it’s just so natural to take the easiest path. Instead of letting our love overflow we just want the way that we love to go with the flow. If it’s convenient – sure I can love. If it’s going to make me get out of my comfort zone – eh, is it really that important? But it is that important – love is important.
When it comes to news-worthiness, be it TV or internet, there is an overwhelming amount of junk to jump into and bury ourselves in. But…even in those venues love gets everyone’s attention. Stories that show love for fellow dwellers of earth, be they human or not, stop us in our tracks – they go “viral” for good reason.
As human beings, we are drawn to love! For many, it is a rare “gem” to be unearthed. Even if the “gem” of stone is given to someone else, we have to see it! Our heart’s desire is that we might find that “gem”, too! Why won’t someone give me that “gem”?
Genuine gems are rare – so is genuine love. Lord, You told us (John 13:35) that “everyone will know that [we] are [Your] disciples, if [we] have love for one another.”
Your statement is fact and it must be fleshed out in our lives every day! Genuine gems are valuable – imitation gems not so much. The same goes for love. Manufactured love doesn’t go very far, but genuine love? People are drawn to it. Lord if we would just continually grow and cultivate Your love in us there will be plenty to go around. We can give, give and there will always be more – for Your love knows no end, it just continues to multiply!
Lord, Jesus, help me to love as You love. May I be a vessel where Your love can be cultivated so much so that its abundance will be available to all!
July 22nd, 2015, Wed, 5:57 am
*New Living Translation Life Application Study Bible
Lifting Each Other Up
Father, the ebb and flow of life sure make it challenging. I truly believe You use all of my ups and downs to help me to grow – to stretch me. Right now life, in general, is on an even keel but my spiritual life is a little wonky. I want to spend time with You but part of me keeps throwing things into the works to hinder me. I’m not waking up early enough to do this and so I don’t. I feel like You are saying, “Its time to grow up. I love You, but it is not in your best interest to continue on as a child. I am here, and I always will be, but it’s time for you to take responsibility. I want to spend time with you but you need to take the initiative to take action.” Father, I know You believe I can – help me not to let You down. Help me to grow up. Amen – so be it.
1 Thessalonians 3:6-10 (<<click here)
Lord, I realize that getting together with fellow believers is of utmost importance. Your word encourages us to “not give up meeting together” Hebrews 10:25 But just as important is what we do for each other in the in-between times. Our remaining strong in our faith encourages the believers to remain strong in their faith. “It gives us new life to know that [others] are standing firm in the Lord.” vs.8
Lord, help me to pray for my fellow believers, those that are near, those that are far and for those I don’t even know. Help me to be grateful for them – may they be inspirational to me to keep on keeping on. Help me to pray faithfully for them. And, Lord, help to pray for more than just physical things – though they are important as well. But help me to pray for their relationship with You. I struggle spiritually and I know that I am not alone. We all struggle. Our world and our very nature are constantly attempting to pull us from You. We want what we want. We want the easiest path. We’re tired and worn out and just want to crash…and rest… and sleep. Help us all to get that “new life” by encouraging each other to remain strong in our faith.
July 21st, Tues, 7:48 am
Bit by a Roaring Lion
Father, so many times in life I have sung of my anchor holding in the storms of life. And Father I claim that as truth. In the struggles and heartaches of life, You are surely a solid rock and a sure foundation. I am so grateful for the security of our relationship. But anchoring in You has another dimension as well. Many times in my life my connection to You – my anchor holding fast in You – has been the lifeline to pull me back, for as another old hymn state “prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love.”
Too many times I have strayed just far enough away that I can pretend that I can’t hear Your voice calling for my return. But whatever has caught my fancy soon proves to be unfulfilling and shallow and once again my anchor brings me back to You. Thank You, Father, for Your unwavering love!
1 Thessalonians 2:17-20 (<<click the green)
Paul, a rock-solid devout believer in the power of the resurrected Christ, attributed his inability to return to the church at Thessalonica to Satan. We don’t know what he did to hinder Paul – but we need to learn from Paul.
Peter clearly states that the devil “prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) and he surely is out to get us. Lord, You know this is an ongoing struggle for me. I have no doubt whatsoever that he exists. I guess I’ve always felt that we empower him too much. This goes back pretty far but I can still recall one of comedian Flip Wilson’s catchphrases, “The devil made me do it.” For years I have balked at that – he can’t make me do anything! But he can sure provide plenty of enticements! So I might not get “devoured” but I’ve been bitten plenty of times!
I consciously strive to undermine the devil’s power. He may impact people all over the world but he cannot be all places at once – his demonic hoard does his bidding. He cannot know everything – though he’s been around long enough to have us pegged pretty well. And he is not all-powerful – he may have the ability to do what he wants – but he is surely limited and he does lose.
He is a foe to be reckoned with and he will surely wreak havoc in our lives BUT… he will not prevail and I am determined, only in You, Lord, to stand against him!
“I need Thy presence every passing hour;
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.”
“Abide with Me” words by Henry F. Lyte, 1847
July 17th, 2015, Fri, 6:59 am
Persecution
Father, thank You for being with me…even when I’m grumpy. Thank You for Your patience and the loving kindness extended to me. May You be my focus today. Amen.
1 Thessalonians 2:14-16 (<<click here)
Lord, You certainly experienced persecution (even to the point of death). Paul did, as well as, the Jewish Christians and the Thessalonians. But me? Uh…no. I’m not putting a requisition in, by any means, but the term is thrown around a lot today. I realize that many of my brothers and sisters in the faith are laying their lives on the line and many may be ushered into Your presence even this day. (Lord, may Your strength and love fill believers in the Middle East and other areas of the world today.)
But persecution here? Uh…no. We may have had our toes stomped on but we have yet to be persecuted. Lord, I sincerely believe that if we did experience real persecution in our country that many would not have the stomach for it and would quickly desert the ranks.
I don’t know when it will happen or even if it will happen in my lifetime but persecution will come. And, Lord, if it does come while I still have breath, may I use every one of those breaths, to proclaim my faith in You. May I be filled with Your strength and love to the very last breath!
But, Jesus…as I sit here and ponder…I realize that regardless of persecution that I should be living that way now! I have no idea when my life here will be complete so I plead that You will give me the strength and love to live out my faith and to share that faith, each and every day! May I be true to You – Amen!
July 14th, 2015, Tues, 5:54
Full of What’s Good
Father, I am grateful that You care about me. Most every morning You gently wake me up to spend some time with You – before my day gets rolling. Some days are easier than others. This one’s a little tough. Yesterday was wonderful Your presence in both services, a very enjoyable day with Karen! But even on good days – wonderful days – my mind can tangent! Thoughts of anger, superiority, frustration, lust, gossip, selfishness, pride – they all traipse through my mind. Sin is always around the fringes of my mind, ready to trip me up, pull me down. Many times – most times – thanks to You, Father, they flit into my mind and are gone. But sometimes I linger just a little too long… forgive me, Father. Continue to fortify my defenses, help me to wield my “shield of faith” (Ephesians 6:16) as I ought to. Give me Your strength and fortitude – I fail in my weakness but I am strong in You.
1 Thessalonians 2:13 (<<click here)
Lord, what would I do without Your Word? As I shared with a friend recently what we fill our minds with affects what shows on the outside. Luke 6:45 speaks of storing up good things in our hearts. “for the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” Lord, help me to store up Your Word for as Paul says to the Thessalonians “this word continues to work in [we] who believe.” Of course, the Bible is our main tangible source but You also use devotionals and speakers. You use music. You use periodicals and blogs and Facebook posts. Help me to fill my mind with the good. And please help me to be wary of the bad in close proximity – to throw up that “shield of faith” “to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” I am strong only in You!
July 13th, 2015, Mon, 5:44 am