Devotional Fuel to Reboot Your Mind

2 Thessalonians 3:5, “May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.”

What is your core need right now? Do you need wisdom, direction, encouragement, physical or more emotional strength, or what about patience with endurance and perseverance? Maybe a combination of them all? Paul prayed for the Thessalonians to be directed to “the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.” The Message says it this way, “May the Master take you by the hand and lead you along the path of God’s love and Christ’s endurance.” The New Living Translation version says, “May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.”

I have recognized some of these needs recently, while having Covid. If you have gone through this, you know what I am talking about. My hope was set each day in arriving at day five, and then day ten, having the end of this in sight. I came to the realization, after meditating on 1 Thess. 3:5, that it was another means of God teaching me about the love of God and His sure grip on my life from knowing His presence, protection, provision, and the patience of Christ. Patience is not one of my strong points. Yet I have witnessed His expression of tender and gentle love for me when I need His guidance, have a craving, longing, or deep want of some kind, and acknowledge His patience. As Isaiah 55:11 NIV states, “The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” What a great verse to pray!

We all go through various seasons of life. We all revel and enjoy the mountain top experiences. But the barren wilderness episodes leave us wanting to escape and long for a breakthrough. We want to look like the well-watered flowers one sees at the Huntington Gardens in Pasadena, or the Botanical Gardens in La Mirada. We want spiritual maturity to be present in us automatically, like turning on the microwave to reheat a plate of food. Stability, perseverance, endurance, patience, God works in us through our cooperation with His will in our obedience to His Word. David prayed in 1 Chronicles 29:18, “Keep this desire in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you.”

We all are needing to exercise patience in being ready for Christ’s return with courage and consistency as this world is not our permanent address. This is where our happiness is found and where we will find God’s love made perfect. Until then, each of us is here for a reason: to glorify God and to share Christ’s message of salvation. Jon Courson has said in his NT Commentary: “The only way we can have the patience of Christ is by waiting for Him, knowing we’ll soon be with Him. I have observed that the most peaceful, patient, and contented people are those who truly live in the expectation of Jesus’ return.”

Love and patience, endurance – being steadfast, essential qualities needed more and more for spiritual stability and strength, just as the Thessalonians needed. “May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.” 2 Thess. 3:5 NIV. Come, take His hand.

Listen to the Healer (Official Lyric Video) by Casting Crowns. 12/3/21.

2 Thessalonians 3:3, “But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.”

Paul uses the word “But” in the beginning of verse three. “The Cambridge Dictionary states that we use but to link items which are the same grammatical type. But is used to connect ideas that contrast.” Paul had just stated that not all have faith. He contrasts how the unbelievers lack of faith is in contrast to God’s faithfulness in guarding them against Satan’s schemes of attacking them (Luke 22:31-32). In Jesus’s High Priestly prayer in John 17:5, Jesus prayed “ . . . keep them from the evil one.” The Lord is faithful in His protection, provision, and presence. Think about how God has God demonstrated His faithfulness to you recently, and in the past.

When we see God’s faithfulness in action, it confirms, strengthens, brings about, fulfills, executes, puts in place, and validates God’s character. It establishes us to stand strong and to stand firm. Acts 3:16 states, “And his name – by faith in his name – has made strong.” Then in Romans 16:25, Paul summarizes, “Now to him who is able to strengthen you” and in 1 Thessalonians 3:13, “establish your hearts.” Then in Colossians 2:7, we read, “Rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”

When I successfully handle a problem within my job or acquire new business, it helps establish my role and reputation within my industry and acquiring my personal sales goals. Training in sports requires hard work, endurance, and stamina to become stronger and more physically adept at winning. An established athlete’s training goals help push them to a whole new level. Achieving success takes effort and determination to boost their confidence in upcoming competitions. Think about the word “establish.” How is God establishing you in your role within your family, friends, ministry, and work? Who is God using to help nurture and come along beside you? Who could use your wisdom and knowledge learned to coach or mentor? Do you realize you have influence right where God has placed you?

We all fail many times. But God is faithful, and we can have confidence in His presence, protection, and provision. Keep on being “steady and determined in your faith despite all the hard times that have broadsided you.” 1 Thess. 1:3 MSG. Live in the light of Christ’s return. Are you finding yourself in a “but God” moment that you are experiencing out-of-control harsh circumstances? Are you praying for a breakthrough? Keep a journal of your thoughts. Write down all the impossibilities and hand them over to God. Right here is an up-and-coming “But God” moment. God wants obedience even when we don’t get it. He wants us to trust Him and live out Hebrews 11:6, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” God is in control, and He is faithful. Remember how He remembered Noah and saved his family and animals in the ark during the flood, parted the Red Sea, calmed the storm with the waves going over the boat (Matt. 8:24-26), and protected Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? God wants obedience and for us to act on whatever amount of faith we have. No matter what is going on, remember “But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.” 2 Thess. 3:3.

Listen to We Are Messengers Faith Sees Best In The Dark (Official Lyric Video) October 14, 2021.

2 Thessalonians 3:1-2, “Finally, brothers, pray for us that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith.“

Who has asked you to pray for them? Have they asked more than once? Paul asked the Thessalonians to pray for him and those that were with him on eight different occurrences. He told them to pray for the success of the gospel in people accepting, without any hindrances, their need for Christ. Secondly, he asked for prayer to “be delivered from wicked and evil men.” “Acts 17:5 describes them as “lewd fellows of the baser sort” who tried to get Paul in political hot water by saying he advocated Caesar’s overthrow.” Jon Courson’s Application Commentary New Testament. What is significant is that Paul didn’t ask for success in debating the opposition. He only asks to be delivered from them.

Paul asked for prayer that the Word of the Lord may speed ahead, to run freely without any delays, difficulties, and deterrents. “Paul’s prayer request makes us wonder how often the work of God’s Word is hindered by our prayerlessness.” David Guzik, Blue Letter Bible Commentary.

Throughout last year it was impressed upon me the importance of prayer and praying the Scriptures for my family and friends. God has promised that His Word will not return to Him void, as it says in Isaiah 55:11, and “shall accomplish what He pleases and will prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” So, if I take this promise in faith, as I pray Scriptures for my children, spouse, loved ones, and co-workers, I am asking God to perform His promises and work his power, for His glory. Here are a few examples that I have prayed for myself and others:

Psalm 119:92, “If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.” Teach me Your Word during this season of my life like I have never known it before, and make this verse my testimony when I emerge from this place.

Psalm 90:17, “Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands.” Establish my work. Establish _________ work.

Proverbs 19:21, “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.” No matter what ____________ is planning, let your purpose win out.

Proverbs 23:4, “Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist.” “Do not let __________ be worn out trying to get rich; keep ___________ from trusting their own cleverness.” Praying the Scriptures for Your Children, by Jodie Berndt, page 218.

Proverbs 25:11, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” May my words in my response be just right and skillfully spoken, so You, God, will be pleased, so even those against me (my enemies, Prov.16:7) will be at peace with me.

Paul and his ministry team experienced fierce struggles, just as we have invisible powers against us daily as well. The primary defense is prayer which activates our spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:10-19). Praying the Scriptures helps overcome bitterness, fears, unforgiveness, anger, discouragement, and every stronghold that hinders our character and integrity and shapes our desires for obedience with strategy straight from God’s Word. That is how one finds their ultimate breakthrough plan of action to be put to use for your marriage, friendships, relationships, ministry, workplace role, and where your purpose in life is intended in glorifying God in praying the Scriptures. You are right where God intends you to be and to use you for His glory.

Listen to Second Opinions Lyric Video by Casting Crowns, January 13, 2022.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17, “Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.”

On Monday morning, I was sitting at my desk, looking out the window that faces our front courtyard, and I was able to watch the sunrise. The orange colors in the sky were magnificent above the roofline of the next-door neighbor’s house. But it dissipated after only a few minutes. Seeing the beauty of God’s creation happened quickly and became a memory of that sunrise. The vivid orange rays in the sky were gone, and the sky became light blue, and fifteen minutes later, there was a cloud cover over the daylight. It reminded me that when Christ returns, it will happen quickly, just like this sunrise.

The people in Thessalonica had a continual fear and were upset – alarmed, centering around the idea that the day of the Lord had already come. A false claim had gone out to the Thessalonians that the Day of the Lord had already happened, and they somehow had missed the rapture. Paul is writing to correct that confusion and urged them to stand firm (2 Thess. 2:15) to the teachings of the truth.

We also have much confusion and distractions during our current political issues, government, and the ongoing pandemic (Covid, Delta variant, Omnicron, new virus surges), health status, and false teachers of our day. Could this be Satan’s ploy of filling people’s minds with fears of guilt, shame, frustration, and failures? But God is still in control and is omniscient. Nothing is a mystery to Him. According to His timeline, he knows all past, present, and future events. In 2 Thessalonians 2:8, Paul states, “And then the lawless one will be revealed, who the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming.” Jesus is coming back soon and is one day sooner than yesterday. Paul gives reassurance to these believers that are in contrast to people who have rejected the gospel because they chose to believe in Christ and to accept Christ as their Lord and Savior; they will go to spend eternity with the Lord when He returns just as He said. That gives us courage, strength, hope, and peace, and to be ready at any moment. We need to encourage one another to pray constantly, think on what is true, stand firm in our faith, be aware of false teachers, and to thank God for His comfort, grace and help during difficult circumstances. Let it be known.

Question to ask, “How am I being distracted from knowing and experiencing God’s presence today? How has the Lord shown me His grace, mercy, and love throughout my day, so I can, in turn, show it to others?” That beautiful sunset I saw on Monday morning disappeared in the blink of my eyes. When Christ returns, it will be like that, and it is one day sooner than yesterday. Shalom.

Listen to Danny Gokey sing Jesus People (Lyrics) 8/24/21.

2 Thessalonians 1:11-12, “To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Do you ever wonder if anyone is praying for you as you go about your day? My mother faithfully prayed for me when I was in my early twenty’s and told me so. Her faithful prayers for me bore fruit and helped influence my life with a stronger faith in the Lord. Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy were prayer warriors for the believers in Thessalonica and other cities. They were in collaboration for the cause of Christ. They had an alliance, a partnership, in their joint effort of furthering God’s kingdom and doing what is right and good as Christ would. Paul wrote in Colossians 1:9, “And so from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” Use this verse to pray into the lives of your loved ones.

Who has been laid on your heart to pray that they will be considered worthy (Greek: Axios) of God’s calling upon their life in reflecting God’s character, “of the Christian walk as it should be (W.E. Vine. An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words).” Paul describes in Ephesians 4:1-3 what this walk should look like in glorifying Jesus in us and us in Him. “I therefore, a prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility, and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” That says, in a nutshell, what our Christian walk should look like. Which is the most challenging to you – humility, gentleness, or patience?

We all have those circumstances in life in relationships with others that trip us up. So if I am obeying and living out the calling of God upon my life, making me worthy (Greek, kataxioo) of the kingdom of God (1 Thess. 1:5), how am I making God visible in my connections? Self-control must be engaged to fight off triggers that are like kryptonite to our influence upon others. We must be aware daily what encounters are hijacking us emotionally. Being a solution-based thinker based on our identity in Christ needs to be present in our emotions. What are the triggers that trip you up?

The Message puts it this way, “Because we know that this extraordinary day is just ahead, we pray for you all the time – pray that our God will make you fit for what he’s called you to be, pray that he’ll fill your good ideas and acts of faith with his own energy so that it all amounts to something. If your life honors the name of Jesus, he will honor you. Grace is behind and through all of this, our God giving himself freely, the Master. Jesus Christ, giving himself freely.” That is the answer. That is the key. Pray that God will make you fit for what he’s called you to be and do and make you worthy of the kingdom of God. Fully listen when you are interrupted. Then ask questions as Jesus did in collaboration for what is right and good so you can properly pray God’s purpose will be accomplished in those we love, and for oneself in living holy lives moment by moment. Remember, Jesus is present, and gives protection and provision. Honor His name. Don’t miss it.

Listen to Jon Reddick – God Turn It Around (feat. Matt Maher) [Official music video]. 7/30/2021.

2 Thessalonians 1:5, “This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering.”

How many difficult circumstances and or battles, have you gone through this past year? You may not be persecuted for your faith, but you know what a season of suffering is like. Paul is telling the Thessalonian church, that the fact that they are being persecuted is proof that they are a part of the kingdom of God. Paul experienced first-hand persecutions and suffering for his faith at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. He told the same to Timothy, in 2 Timothy 3:12, “Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” Paul had grit. Despite being kept in prison unjustly, he continued to give thanks to God because of his secure and glorious future. Paul taught that God says we will fight battles and face difficulties. But we have a future reward, a living hope (1 Peter 1:3-9), and by God’s power, He guards us through our sustaining faith by His presence. We are promised our future reward (Matthew 5:10-12) is great in heaven when God will judge and adjust inequalities and matters of injustice will be reversed. Persecutors will be punished, and the persecuted will be rewarded (Philippians 1:28).

The power of prayer and its importance has been impressed upon me these past few months of 2021. I have noticed that most of my prayers have been about avoiding troubles or getting a family member or myself out of a problem. I am searching for an out! It might be a relationship problem that I wish I could insert a do-over. Or, within my work, a situation has gone wrong, and we have another conflict again. I want a quick fix. Then there are the constant political and Covid scenarios. I want to run away, but there is nowhere to go. This is life. Yet is that how I should be praying – focusing mostly on avoiding problems? My brain wants a simple and quick solution. David stated in Psalm 25:15, “My eyes are ever toward the LORD, for he will pluck my feet out of the net.”

When we abide, linger, sit, remain, in God’s presence we always have His presence with us. His grace is sufficient. God is my shield, my deliverer, my comforter. He is full of compassion, and His mercies are new every morning. Lamentations 3:22-23 declares, “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

Sarah Huckabee Sanders wrote in her newsletter on 12/28/21, “My dad always said the real test of a leader is not the way you handle the issues you know are coming – it’s rising to the moment in a crisis you can never plan for.” This is an example of living into our calling with God’s provision, protection, and presence.

Did you know that a diamond takes a tremendous amount of time under pressure over many years and many geological processes to form? The formation of natural diamonds requires very high temperatures and pressures (Geology.com, How Do Diamonds Form?). That is why Peter talks about our faith being purified, in 1 Peter 4:12, by fiery trials. Then James tells us to “Count it all joy when you go through these trials.” So for me to shine more like Christ, like a diamond, the stresses of life will produce Christlike qualities from the lessons He teaches me through them in the end. So my prayers are slowly changing to, OK God, show me Your presence in this. Guide me in Your presence and righteousness as I look for Your coming at any time. Then as I place my faith, trust, and rest in You, will come peace that goes beyond anything I can understand.

Dear reader, know that God counts you as having worthiness, a purpose right now, as well as when you enter into God’s glorious kingdom. Have you fully embraced God’s calling on your life? Bask in His presence. Forget your blunders, mistakes, and move on. Rest in the fact that you have worthiness right now besides the moment your future entrance into Heaven takes place.

Listen to Natalie Grant – Who Else (Official Lyric Video) 6/17/2021

2 Thessalonians 1:3-4, “We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.”

Paul gave words of affirmation to the people in the church in Thessalonica for the growth in their faith and love for one another. Paul and his coworkers could see their prayers (1 Thessalonians 3:12) for these people were being answered by their steadfastness and faith growing abundantly. The HCSB version uses the phrase “your faith is flourishing” despite the continued and severe persecutions they were experiencing. Paul and his team were so proud of them that they boasted to other churches about their commitment to the Lord and love for each other. They were models of living out their increasing and flourishing persevering faith and love for each other despite unjust and unfair persecutions. They were survivors. However, Paul is not commending them here for their hope, only faith and love, because they had become confused, idle, and disorderly with the excuse of waiting for Christ’s return. Paul’s intended message was misinterpreted and misunderstood when he had taught about Christ’s imminent return. Paul addresses this in his letter of 2 Thessalonians, in correcting the church in Thessalonica, concerning the timing of end times.

Question for myself: Is my faith growing vigorously while undergoing a trial? Am I doing all I can and then a little more as these people Paul was ministering to in the church in Thessalonica had done? How is the tone of my voice? Does it escalate in volume, or does it go softly and quietly? Think of how Jesus responded to his critics in Matthew 5:44, “But I say to you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Then in verse 46, He said, “For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even tax collectors do the same?” Then in Luke 6:27-28, “But I say to you who hear, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” I must admit that is not my natural reaction, but that was how Jesus responded to his persecutors. In both of those verses, Jesus said, “But I say to you.”

The people in the church of Thessalonica had strong fellowship together. They had made great strides in their spiritual development in remaining steadfast in their faith, and their love for one another was growing stronger. We find fellowship and like-mindedness in desiring to grow in our relationship with the Lord within our local church body of believers. It is still needed for us today to belong to a local church, a body of believers that are shepherded and taught the Word of God. We need each other to help us to fulfill our calling in life. No church is perfect. But we need fellow Christians cheering us on when we feel discouraged, weak in our faith, and need to feel their love regularly. We all have times when we want to give excuses, and we say, “Yes, but look at what they did to me?” Then we need a Christian sister or brother reminding us, “No, but Jesus says to you . . . “As Hebrews 10:24-25 states, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

Sit still and be quiet for a few minutes. What words do you hear Jesus saying to you for today? Do it. Share it. See how inventive you can be in encouraging love, faith, and hope, as you see signs that Christ’s return is drawing near.

Listen to Mercy Me Almost Home – Lyric Video

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.”

Paul stated God is “the God of peace.” God’s name Sar Shalom means Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 foretold, “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace [Sar Shalom].” I pray today, Sar Shalom, to bring tranquility and order into the chaos of my day today. I often worry and fret about the storms in my life, but when You were on the boat with the disciples, during that storm on the sea of Galilee, You rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 4:35-41, and Luke 8:23. May my facial expressions and the muscles in my body reflect this peace to those I encounter today because God’s presence, provision, and protection are with me and never leave – Sar Shalom.

Judges 6:24 states, “Gideon built an altar there to the LORD, and named it The LORD is Peace [Jehovah Shalom].” In Tony Evans’s book, “Praying through The Names Of God,” he states regarding “Jehovah Shalom, The LORD Our Peace,” the following (page 159): “With faith comes peace. With trust comes peace. With rest comes peace.” We all have legitimate fears, health issues, trials, dangers, loss, economic struggles, and relational conflicts because we live in a sinful world. In Philippians 2:14, Paul commanded the church at Philippi, “Do everything without grumbling or arguing.” Peace does not exist when expressing complaints in a bad-tempered manner. Showing patience and peacefulness are two ways to shine brightly in living out God’s Word. Therefore, I need to make the right choices when these pressured turbulent issues arise, as they are going to, in having the faith to remember, Sar Shalom, the Prince of Peace, Jehovah Shalom, The LORD is Peace, and is present with me.

Being sanctified in our relationship with the Lord is a lifelong process. It involves separating ourselves from evil influences upon our lives and growing in purity of our thoughts, attitudes, and actions from reading and applying God’s Word. 1 Peter 1:15-16 admonishes, “But just as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” Then during Jesus’ high priestly prayer to God, for his disciples, in John 17:17, He prayed, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”

God is Sar Shalom, the Prince of Peace. God is Jehovah Shalom, and He is Peace. “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely. And may your spirit, soul, and body be kept sound and blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24. HCSB.

Listen to Matt Maher – Glory (Let There Be Peace) [Official Lyric Video] November 25, 2016.

1 Thessalonians 5:18-22, “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 prophecies, but test everything; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from every form of evil.”

Paul taught that the primary mark of a Christian is their peace and joy, as he stated in Romans 14:17, “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” I want to display that better. How do you model that? What are your house rules, as a Christian, based on what the Word of God says? Our small group just had this assignment, and each one of us shared verses that support and make up our own individual “house rules,” of what God requires of each of us. It provided great thought and discussion.

Have you noticed how our flesh high jacks us when getting caught up when offended? That is one way Satan takes us out, as his strategy is to steal, kill, and destroy. We all have our trigger points. We know that the model for living with love is Jesus Christ. That is how we have peace and joy. But what does that look like while dealing with people? The power of Christ constantly changes behavior with forgiveness and love and will never quench the Holy Spirit from working within us. However, when we respond in unloving ways, we do that; we snuff out the Holy Spirit, such as our anger leashing out like a bazooka gun. We need to drop our rocks and remember John 8:7, when Jesus said, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” Have you had some rocks that need to be dropped as I have this week?

We cannot control our circumstances. But our attitudes, actions, and words need to have good responses in reflecting that we were made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Circumstances will change, but our God doesn’t. The Holy Spirit’s image is like a fire or a flame. I need to provide an environment where He can burn brightly through me, despite problems, conflicts, the pandemic, and anything, because my God is greater, and He is never overwhelmed.

Adrian Rogers has said: “Every day, we must present ourselves to Jesus and ask Him to transform us. We must ask Him for the power to say, “No,” to sin and, “Yes,” to righteousness. Through the power of Christ dwelling in us, we can obey the Lord. We can put off the works of the flesh and put on the fruit of the Spirit.” As Psalm 119:2-3 declares, “Happy are those who keep His decrees and seek Him with all their heart. They do nothing wrong; they follow His ways.” HCSB.

How can we learn to think like God does? What are your house rules in your walk with Christ? Consider applying Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

The Message puts it this way, “Thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live. Don’t suppress the Spirit, and don’t stifle those that have a word from the Master. On the other hand don’t be gullible. Check out everything, and keep only what’s good. Throw out anything tainted with evil.” 1 Thess. 5:18-22. Come, join me, and let us drop our rocks again today.

Listen to Lauren Daigle Hold Onto Me (Lyrics) 2/26/21

1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing.”

Paul was an example of living with kingdom priorities and being a man of continual prayer to the Lord. Prayer is having a conversation with God more than merely bowing one’s head and folding one’s hands. The parallel verse of 1 Thessalonians 5:17 is Luke 18:1; when Jesus was teaching the disciples, He said, “that they ought always to pray and not lose heart (because of the delay in the Lord’s return).” Then in Ephesians 6:18-20, Paul exhorts, “Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador, in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.” Adverse circumstances did not delay Paul in fulfilling his God-given purpose, that of spreading the gospel. That gave Paul joy, courage, and endurance in Christian character. He pressed on to finish the work God had given him to do with strong determination. So must we.

When we pray continually, persistently, we are in continuous fellowship with God and in His presence. Is praying the Scriptures a new concept to you? I discovered, several years ago, while going through a trial, of Psalms 119:92, “If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.” My prayer then became, “Teach me Your Word during this season of my life like I have never known it before and make this verse my testimony when I emerge from this place.” God answered that prayer eventually. After the “ending” finally came, that is when I wrote and had published “Taming the Lion’s Roar. Handling Fear in the Midst of a Trial.” It is God’s and my story of the powerful Scripture words He gave me in the battle against various fears I experienced over a two years’ time period. I wanted my prayer from Psalm 119:92 to become other’s prayer too after reading and going through this Bible study on fighting the stronghold of fear.

Praying God’s Word gives God the honor and glory, rather than solely focusing on the problem. Prayer engages God’s protective shield over us. How do you find out God’s will? Pray without ceasing is the answer according to 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (plus giving thanks in everything and rejoicing, verses 16-18). Praying God’s Word results in an effective prayer life. That is what gives us wisdom, guidance, insight, and comfort as God speaks to us through His Word.

I noticed this week, Psalms 119:126, “It is time for the LORD to act, for your law has been broken.” Very timely, wouldn’t you agree to pray those words while reading or listening to the news?

I have a special gift box on our mantel in our living room. The gift tag says: To: Linda and Steve. From: God. I keep written down answers to prayers with dates on cards inside this box. I just added one last week. This particular prayer request God did not answer the way I had asked. However, He responded by teaching me lessons on risk-taking, trust, and questioning the credibility of people during decision making, due to a backlash of a consequence. But God did specifically answer my specific request to receive words of affirmation, despite this unfortunate situation. It was at that moment, that my heart was filled with immediate joy and peace again. This box is filled with blessings of praise in glorifying God, in His provisions for me and my husband. That is the true purpose of prayer and for my special box with the gold ribbon on top, in our living room, to review often of God’s past blessings and that He will do so again.

My prayer today is from Psalm 119:125, “I am your servant; give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies.”

Listen to Matthew West, Carly Pearce – Truth Be Told (Official Video) 3/5/2021.