Showing posts with label 1 Thessalonians 5. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1 Thessalonians 5. Show all posts
Friday, November 27, 2009
Give Thanks For All Things!
SCRIPTURE
1 Thessalonians 5:12-22 (NRSV)
Rejoice, pray, give thanks
But we appeal to you, brothers and sisters, to respect those who labor among you, and have charge of you in the Lord and admonish you; esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, beloved, to admonish the idlers, encourage the faint hearted, help the weak, be patient with all of them. See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil.
DEVOTION
I am so grateful for this word of encouragement on the day after Thanksgiving!
I don’t know about you, but I feel stuffed. I ate good food in great company and it was a wonderful day.
Like many Americans, my plans for today are to eat leftovers, watch television, and maybe do a little shopping. It feels like a lazy day, an opportunity for rest and relaxation.
But, Paul’s epistle reminds us that as Christians, even as we Sabbath, we must remember that there is always “work” to be done; for every day is a good day to honor our leaders, live in peace, encourage the least of these amongst us, and do good unto others!
I love Paul’s admonition to “rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances.” We are reminded that this triumvirate is God’s will for all of us!
On the day after thanksgiving, may our hearts continue to overflow in praise and gratitude for all that God has done for us! May we continue to rejoice in God’s blessings, pray at all times, and give thanks for absolutely everything!
This behavior was good on yesterday; it is good on today and it will be good on tomorrow! This is why Paul says, “Do not quench the Spirit,” for Spirit will daily cause us to live into an existence of joy, thanksgiving, and prayer!
As we glory in God’s Love that gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life, we will be set ablaze to share God’s good news with others!
This Sunday, we will begin the season of Advent. It is the time of year when Christians remember the first coming of Jesus in a manger on Christmas Day and look forward to the second coming of Jesus in great glory!
As we wait, we pray together, “Come Lord, Jesus, Come!”
When He comes, I pray that Jesus will find a prayerful people full of joy and thanksgiving!
Amen, Lord, may it be so!
Won’t you pray with me?
Holy God, although I want to be lazy, please help me to take advantage of every opportunity presented to be your light and love in somebody’s life today! I really am full of joy and thanksgiving when I think of your many blessings toward me. Please forgive me of my sin and fill me with the Holy Spirit. It is never my desire to quench your Spirit; please help me to please you in every way! I love you and I promise to share your love with others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
THE INVITATION
If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Build Each Other Up!
SCRIPTURE—Thanksgiving Day (U.S.)
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 (NRSV)
Keep awake
Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. When they say, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them, as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape! But you, beloved, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief; for you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness. So then let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober; for those who sleep sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night.
But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.
DEVOTION
Today we are celebrating Thanksgiving in the United States of America. It is a day when families gather together to give thanks and praise to God for the bountiful harvest of a new year.
It is on this day that we bow our heads in prayer and remember all of the many benefits God has afforded to us. Many of us will give thanks to God for the fact that we are reasonably healthy, happy, holy, and whole. Some of us will be more specific in thanking God for our spouses, children, home, transportation, food, water, clothes, education, health care, and/or employment.
No matter whom we are, or what we do—or do not have—we will thank God for our lives—for the beating of our hearts and the breathing of our lungs! Just the fact that we are able to get on a computer and read this devotional today means that we are blessed beyond measure!
Today I affirm that if we tried to number all of our blessings, we would soon find that it is an impossible project! God has been so good to us!
But, today’s epistle reminds us of one blessing that we cannot neglect to count--His name is JESUS. Paul says, “For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him.”
Hallelujah!
On this day whilst we sit around the table, let us not neglect to encourage and build one another up! This may be the only day out of the year that our non-Christian family members and friends will be receptive to prayer and to the good news message.
As we hold hands and bow our heads around the table, let it not be for form or fashion! Let us use this opportunity to show forth the love of God as it has been revealed to us through Christ Jesus!
Let us not miss out on the chance to gently and humbly share our good news testimonies with those who need to hear it.
Whether or not someone puts all of their hope in Jesus at grandma’s house, we will be used by God to plant a seed that will take root and grow in God’s own time. Now, ain’ta that good news?!
Won’t you pray with me?
Holy God, thank you! I can’t thank you enough! You have been so good to me! On this day of thanks please forgive me of my sin and fill me with the Holy Spirit afresh so that I may be useful to the Kingdom of Love. Please help me to be light and love for all of my family members as we sup around the table, but especially for those who do not have a saving relationship with Jesus Christ! On this day, please let my love for you be contagious and may my family and friends know beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is great joy in knowing you! I pray this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
THE INVITATION
If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html
Thursday, August 20, 2009
NIGHT IS FLYING...
SCRIPTURE
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 (NRSV)
The breastplate of faith and love
Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. When they say, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them, as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape! But you, beloved, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief; for you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness. So then let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober; for those who sleep sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.
DEVOTION
I really appreciate the analogy found in today’s scripture which compares the second coming of Christ to the labor pains that come upon a pregnant woman. It tickled me when I read, “destruction will come upon them, as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape!”
This made me laugh because I remember my birthing instructor telling all the soon-to-be dads in my class that at some point every woman in labor will say, “I don’t want to do this! I’m done! Let’s go home! We can come back later!” Whilst it is abundantly obvious to the father and the hospital personnel that there is no turning back once a child decides to emerge, the mother is often in denial of this very critical point…
Likewise, when the son of God decides to return in glory, there will be no postponement! Jesus will simply return in victory to reclaim The Church and to establish His Kingdom!
Since this is true, Paul reminds us in the book of Thessalonians that Christians ought to remain “awake and sober…putting on the breastplate of faith and love and the helmet of salvation.”
Jesus’ return to the earth ought not to take any Christian by surprise! Jesus has promised to return to establish a new heaven and a new earth. Since we know that all of God’s promises are “Yay and Amen,” then we ought to be advent people full of the glorious hope of Jesus’ return!
As we wait for Jesus to come, we are to be about the business of advancing the Kingdom of Love on Earth until Jesus comes from Heaven. We are to be bearers of the good news message of salvation! We are to build people up and not tear people down!
Recently one of my Twitter friends wrote, “The problem with the evangelism strategy of most Christians is that we try to clean the fish before we catch them!”
My friends, it ought not to be a shock to us when our non-Christian friends sleep walk through life, oblivious to the things of God, drunk on the wine of life! Rather than tearing them down by constantly harping on the bad news of their existence, let us be good news people sharing the Love and Light of Jesus Christ!
Our most sacred duty is to help guide our non-Christian friends out of the darkness and into the marvelous light! It is our greatest honor to introduce them to Jesus who is the Light of the World!
Isn’t it grand that God loves us so much that God gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life?
God’s unconditional love and amazing grace is able to illuminate even the darkest of nights! As we faithfully witness to our non-Christian friends, with a non-judgmental attitude that conveys loving-kindness and tender mercy, our good news message of salvation will change hearts and minds and turn souls back to our good God.
Won’t it be marvelous to be in the company of all of our friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers when Jesus returns in glory?!
Let us work while it is still day sharing the good news that Jesus saves and He saves to the utmost!
Will you share good news with someone today? If so, please pray with me:
Great and good God, thank you for loving us so much that you gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life. Thank you that Jesus did not stay dead, but was resurrected on the third day just like He promised! Now, I am looking forward to another promise—the second coming of Jesus in glory! Please help me to live like I am anticipating His return at any moment. Please help me to share Your salvation story with everyone that I meet and make me a bearer of good news everywhere I go! I love you and I want to share our love with others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
BRING PASTOR YOLANDA TO YOUR HOME TOWN--Would you like to invite Pastor Yolanda Lehman to come speak or preach at your church or Christian ministry event? Please use the form to the right. Once you click “submit” your information will be privately conveyed to her email address! Pastor Yolanda is available for church anniversaries, pastoral appreciations, women’s day, missionary day, retreats, revivals, conferences, and so much more! Fill out the form to the right to get onto her preaching or teaching schedule!
LISTEN TO PASTOR YOLANDA’S SERMONS ONLINE--To listen to audio recordings of Pastor Yolanda's Sunday sermons, please visit http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/57814 or click the widget to the right on this page!
PUT ALL OF YOUR HOPE IN JESUS--If you have additional questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, "Come to Jesus"
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html
Pastor Yolanda is now publishing another blog entitled, “A Spoken WORD” in celebration of Holy Hip Hop, Gospel/Christian Rap and Spoken Word. Please check it out @ http://aspokenword.blogspot.com/
You are invited to follow Pastor Yolanda on Twitter www.twitter.com/PastorYolanda
You are invited to be Pastor Yolanda’s friend on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PastorYolanda
Good News has now added a Prayer Ministry. http://www.kindlejoy.com/groups/goodnews
You are invited to leave comments or questions regarding today’s devotional. These comments are public.
EACH ONE--REACH ONE! To share GOOD NEWS with a friend please click the "Share With Friends" button to the right!
Thanks for reading and please come again. Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to all of our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.
From Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 (NRSV)
The breastplate of faith and love
Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. When they say, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them, as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape! But you, beloved, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief; for you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness. So then let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober; for those who sleep sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.
DEVOTION
I really appreciate the analogy found in today’s scripture which compares the second coming of Christ to the labor pains that come upon a pregnant woman. It tickled me when I read, “destruction will come upon them, as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape!”
This made me laugh because I remember my birthing instructor telling all the soon-to-be dads in my class that at some point every woman in labor will say, “I don’t want to do this! I’m done! Let’s go home! We can come back later!” Whilst it is abundantly obvious to the father and the hospital personnel that there is no turning back once a child decides to emerge, the mother is often in denial of this very critical point…
Likewise, when the son of God decides to return in glory, there will be no postponement! Jesus will simply return in victory to reclaim The Church and to establish His Kingdom!
Since this is true, Paul reminds us in the book of Thessalonians that Christians ought to remain “awake and sober…putting on the breastplate of faith and love and the helmet of salvation.”
Jesus’ return to the earth ought not to take any Christian by surprise! Jesus has promised to return to establish a new heaven and a new earth. Since we know that all of God’s promises are “Yay and Amen,” then we ought to be advent people full of the glorious hope of Jesus’ return!
As we wait for Jesus to come, we are to be about the business of advancing the Kingdom of Love on Earth until Jesus comes from Heaven. We are to be bearers of the good news message of salvation! We are to build people up and not tear people down!
Recently one of my Twitter friends wrote, “The problem with the evangelism strategy of most Christians is that we try to clean the fish before we catch them!”
My friends, it ought not to be a shock to us when our non-Christian friends sleep walk through life, oblivious to the things of God, drunk on the wine of life! Rather than tearing them down by constantly harping on the bad news of their existence, let us be good news people sharing the Love and Light of Jesus Christ!
Our most sacred duty is to help guide our non-Christian friends out of the darkness and into the marvelous light! It is our greatest honor to introduce them to Jesus who is the Light of the World!
Isn’t it grand that God loves us so much that God gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life?
God’s unconditional love and amazing grace is able to illuminate even the darkest of nights! As we faithfully witness to our non-Christian friends, with a non-judgmental attitude that conveys loving-kindness and tender mercy, our good news message of salvation will change hearts and minds and turn souls back to our good God.
Won’t it be marvelous to be in the company of all of our friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers when Jesus returns in glory?!
Let us work while it is still day sharing the good news that Jesus saves and He saves to the utmost!
Will you share good news with someone today? If so, please pray with me:
Great and good God, thank you for loving us so much that you gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life. Thank you that Jesus did not stay dead, but was resurrected on the third day just like He promised! Now, I am looking forward to another promise—the second coming of Jesus in glory! Please help me to live like I am anticipating His return at any moment. Please help me to share Your salvation story with everyone that I meet and make me a bearer of good news everywhere I go! I love you and I want to share our love with others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
LYRICS-WAKE, AWAKE, FOR NIGHT IS FLYING (Text/Music Philipp Nicolai)
Wake, awake, for night is flying; The watchmen on the heights are crying: Awake, Jerusalem, at last! Midnight hears the welcome voices And at the thrilling cry rejoices; Come forth, ye virgins, night is past; The Bridegroom comes, awake; Your lamps with gladness take; Alleluia! And for His marriage feast prepare For ye must go and meet Him there.
Zion hears the watchmen singing, And all her heart with joy is springing; She wakes, she rises from her gloom; For her Lord comes down all glorious, The strong in grace, in truth victorious. Her Star is risen, her Light is come. Ah come, Thou blessèd One, God’s own belovèd Son: Alleluia! We follow till the halls we see Where Thou hast bid us sup with Thee.
Now let all the heavens adore Thee, And saints and angels sing before Thee, With harp and cymbal’s clearest tone; Of one pearl each shining portal, Where we are with the choir immortal Of angels round Thy dazzling throne; Nor eye hath seen, nor ear hath yet attained to hear What there is ours, but we rejoice and sing to Thee Our hymn of joy eternally.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
BRING PASTOR YOLANDA TO YOUR HOME TOWN--Would you like to invite Pastor Yolanda Lehman to come speak or preach at your church or Christian ministry event? Please use the form to the right. Once you click “submit” your information will be privately conveyed to her email address! Pastor Yolanda is available for church anniversaries, pastoral appreciations, women’s day, missionary day, retreats, revivals, conferences, and so much more! Fill out the form to the right to get onto her preaching or teaching schedule!
LISTEN TO PASTOR YOLANDA’S SERMONS ONLINE--To listen to audio recordings of Pastor Yolanda's Sunday sermons, please visit http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/57814 or click the widget to the right on this page!
PUT ALL OF YOUR HOPE IN JESUS--If you have additional questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, "Come to Jesus"
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html
Pastor Yolanda is now publishing another blog entitled, “A Spoken WORD” in celebration of Holy Hip Hop, Gospel/Christian Rap and Spoken Word. Please check it out @ http://aspokenword.blogspot.com/
You are invited to follow Pastor Yolanda on Twitter www.twitter.com/PastorYolanda
You are invited to be Pastor Yolanda’s friend on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PastorYolanda
Good News has now added a Prayer Ministry. http://www.kindlejoy.com/groups/goodnews
You are invited to leave comments or questions regarding today’s devotional. These comments are public.
EACH ONE--REACH ONE! To share GOOD NEWS with a friend please click the "Share With Friends" button to the right!
Thanks for reading and please come again. Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to all of our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.
From Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com
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