Monthly Archives: June 2012

2012 Day 163 – 1 Thessalonians 5

11 Monday Jun 2012

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One verse hit me between the eyes this morning. Verse 19 says, Do not put out the Spirit’s fire. I am guilty of this more times than I’d like to admit. For many reasons, but mostly because of my past upbringing and, quite frankly, it makes me uncomfortable, I have in the past dampened the Holy Spirit’s movement in my life. A great example of this is during worship in church. I grew up in a very conservative denomination and I have a very hard time raising my hands. I know this is silly, but my mind goes back to a place in my past where outward expression in church was unacceptable. Over the years I have gotten better; at least now I’m not uncomfortable when people around me are able to do it. In fact, I am now envious of people around me who are able to fully let go and let the Holy Spirit move in them… Maybe one day I’ll be able to join them.

2012 Day 162 – 1 Thessalonians 4

10 Sunday Jun 2012

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As believers we must realize more than anything that we are to be a reflection of Christ. Our lives should not be about bringing attention to ourselves, but to the creator of the universe and salvation that can only come through Christ. Everything we do should be for that singular purpose. Verses 11-12 says, Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. As this verse says, our daily lives should be enough to win the respect of others. In the context of this verse it is talking about dependency on others, but this is applicable to the notion that we are to reflect Christ. If we reflect Him and His love, then we are in line with our relationship with Him and others will see it.

2012 Day 161 – 1 Thessalonians 3

09 Saturday Jun 2012

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I’m so glad we decided to slow down our reading this year to just one New Testament chapter per day. It has allowed me to see so much more of what the Bible is try to say to me. One of the things that I’ve always felt when reading Paul’s letters was that he seemed to be so harsh at times; and sometimes he needed to be. What I’ve failed to see is that Paul was also an amazing encourager. The last three verses in this chapter paint a wonderful picture of how much Paul encouraged the various churches through his letters. Verse 11-13 says, Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

2012 Day 160 – 1 Thessalonians 2

08 Friday Jun 2012

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In verses 11-12 it’s says, For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. Paul encouraged the Thessalonians to live lives that were worthy of God. This is a great example of how we should be an encouragement to those around us. We should be people who motivate and not tear down or destroy. We all have sin in our lives and we all come very, very short of where God wants us to be. We should constantly be reminded that God’s mercy and Christ’s sacrifice is what set us free and not the notion that we are any better than anyone else. The only thing that makes us different is our belief and acceptance of Christ’s sacrifice and nothing else.

2012 Day 159 – 1 Thessalonians 1

07 Thursday Jun 2012

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A couple of days ago we talked about how Paul modified his approach to sharing the Gospel based on his setting. Paul’s approach, while very bold, never moved to a forceful method of reaching people. In verse 3 we see the underlying method and outcome of Paul’s approach; We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. Nowhere does it say your “reach powered by force”. We must have faith in God which produces labor powered by love and endures because of the hope we have in the saving grace of Jesus Christ. This seems like a pretty good formula to me.

2012 Day 158 – Acts 18

06 Wednesday Jun 2012

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I love reading Acts 18:6, But when the Jews opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” Why do I love this particular verse? Because it is the beginning of our Gentile Christian heritage. Because the Jews rejected Christ as the Messiah and they reject Paul’s teachings, the Gentiles became the recipients of Paul’s full attention. We can trace the roots of our faith back to this very verse. God has a perfect plan for each of us. When it looks like one path is closed or closing it is usually because God wants us to go down a different path that fulfills His perfect plan.

2012 Day 157 – Acts 17

05 Tuesday Jun 2012

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In today’s passages I found it interesting how Paul changed his approach to different locations and cultures. When he saw the inscription on the altar in Athens that said AN UNKNOWN GOD, he was quick to recognize this as a perfect point of entry to introducing the one true God. We should be quick to recognizing our point of entry into a conversation about Christ is not meant to be combative or offensive to someone else, but to be positive and applicable to them. We are to reflect Christ, including His example of how to approach people who need Him. This means meeting people where they are ready to be introduced to Christ.

2012 Day 156 – Psalm 136, 138

04 Monday Jun 2012

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In both chapters of today’s reading there are statements about God’s love enduring forever. Throughout Psalm 136 it says, His love endures forever. Then in the last verse of Psalm 138 in verse 8 it says, The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever—do not abandon the works of your hands. By including God in all our plans He will not abandon us. He loves us and wants to see His will fulfilled in us.

2012 Day 155 – Psalm 126, 128

03 Sunday Jun 2012

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God has the ability to restore anything, whether it’s a burned down forest, broken bones, or even broken hearts and relationships. He loves all things He has created. Psalm 126:5-6 says it best, 5 Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. 6 He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him. We may go out weeping for the pain we are in, but God never leaves us and always brings us healing. Even when my dad died of cancer a few years ago, God restored him to healing in eternity. I have to believe His promises to me. It is what keeps me moving forward.

2012 Day 154 – Psalm 121, 124

02 Saturday Jun 2012

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Psalm 121 and 124 both had similar themes about our Helper. Psalm 121:1-2 says it well, 1 I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. The Lord, the creator of everything, is more than capable of providing all the help we need in all we do. When it feels we are all alone, God is always by our side. When I feel alone I imagine that Jesus is standing right beside me with His arms wrapped around me. It provides comfort and it provides the visual of what I know is actually happening through the Holy Spirit. We are so blessed to have a God who cares so much about us that He never leaves us alone.