Devotional Fuel to Reboot Your Mind

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.

1 Thessalonians 5:14-15, “And we urge you brothers, to respect those who labor among you, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See to it that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.”

Relationships can be complicated. In every committee, workplace, and organization, there will be difficult people that are obnoxious, know-it-alls, and just abrasive in their arrogancy. I bought a book on this very subject some years ago, entitled, “Sandpaper People. Dealing with the Ones Who Rub You the Wrong Way.” By Mary Southerland. As the author points out, these are people that God uses to teach us more patience, knowing when to confront, and acknowledging our need for loving others unconditionally, as God has done for us. What about self-control? Yes, those emotional button-pushers will test our limits and provide opportunities to use our anger-management skills, when those triggers appear.

Paul was encouraging the Thessalonians, in these verses, in how to deal with difficult people. He did it without being critical or harsh. He did not rebuke or condemn them, yet his tone was serious, had urgency, and was associated with comfort. That is what encouragement brings, as Christ’s example is stated in Romans 15:1, “We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.” Don’t we all at times, need encouragement, words of affirmation, and reassurance in being recognized or having acknowledgement that we have value? We all need nurturing with those wise words Solomon stated in Proverbs 25:11, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” Speaking 1 Corinthians 15:4, “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant,” gives another mercy and grace, as God has richly given to you and me, and provides a needed blessing to those that are hurting.

Leaders at church, “those who labor among you,” need to hear appreciation regarding their influence upon your life. Show your love for them by your encouraging words; otherwise, how will they ever know?

Paul stated, “admonish the idle.” Paul addressed those that were undisciplined and insubordinate. Those that do not put in a full day’s work are a poor testimony in the workplace.

Encourage the fainthearted – Isaiah 35:4, “Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not!” Reviewing and reciting the promises of God gives us hope. We all need more endurance in our struggles, and often someone’s smile, hug, or fitting words enable Hebrews 12:12 to be accomplished, “Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees.” Do you feel like your lungs, knees, and legs are burning from the race set before you in life right now? There is an end to every crisis. Jehovah Jireh will provide your need and you will feel freedom, joy, and peace again. “God will do His greatest work in the tension between almost and not yet.” Joshua Nangle, Patience in the Workplace, November 3, 2021, from Faith, Work, and Economics. As Paul admonished, in 1 Thessalonians 5:15, “See to it that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.” God will honor, and He will repay. Lay it all down before Him.

Listen to We The Kingdom – God So Loved (LYRICS). 1/16/2020.

1 Thessalonians 5:8, “But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.”

When life gets complicated, ugly, and uncertain, we must remember that we Christians “belong to the day of the Lord.” Paul was referring to prophecy when Christ returns to judge the world in power and great glory, and every knee will bow before Him. “But since” are two important words of our past and present identification of belonging “to the day.” There will be a future time God will intervene directly in world affairs, and it will be dramatic.  Three other versions of the Bible state 1 Thessalians 5:8 this way:

• But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. NIV
• But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing, as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. NLT
• But not us! Since we’re creatures of the Day, let’s act like it. Walk out into the daylight sober, dressed up in faith, love, and the hope of salvation. MSG

Paul refers to Isaiah 59: 17, in 1 Thessalonians 5:8, where God is portrayed as a warrior wearing armor, “He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head: he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.” When we think of soldiers, they must be alert and equipped for battle with their armor gear.We are called upon to put on our spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:10-20), enabling us to live the Christian life. Faith and love are our breastplates of armor. The complete armor of God covered the entire body, which was the belt, breastplate (covered the vital organs), shoes, shield, helmet, and sword. The hope of salvation is represented as a helmet. Helmets protect the head. Our mind is renewed as we are being molded into the image of Christ and protects us from the enemy’s attempts of blocking us from reaching our destiny and living in defeat. Hope in this context is in the confident expectation of God’s hand in the future events in prophecy. These are metaphors for the spiritual resources given to us in Christ, which are truth, righteousness, gospel, faith, salvation, and the Word of God.

I see Paul as one that gave the Lord complete control over his mind and heart. Paul knew the Old Testament because of his rabbinic teaching, had an excellent command of Greek, and knew Hebrew since he was initially a Pharisee. Paul used the word, God, over 500 times in the New Testament. Knowing God’s Word increases our faith. It gives us wisdom, knowledge, instruction, and comfort. We (I) have His presence, protection, and provision; therefore, I am protected when I fully engage putting on the breastplate of faith and love and the helmet of salvation, which is a protective and defensive device. The enemy works to cripple our thinking through negative thoughts and unhealthy patterns of imagination. Salvation is about who we are in Christ – our identity. How can we rewire our negative thoughts? By applying every day, the breastplate of faith and love, our helmet the hope of salvation, and using Philippians 4:8 to develop a heavenly mind-control to reboot our thoughts, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable–if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise – dwell on these things.“HCSB. Live for today, dressed up in faith, love, and with the hope that Christ is coming soon!

What verse or verses has the Holy Spirit given you to meet your specific need(s) this week? Meditate on each word to absorb Him speaking to you. Plan your comments, be self-controlled (Prov. 15:18b, “a patient man calms a quarrel”), be aware of their impact (Prov. 15:28a, “The heart of the righteous weighs its answers”), and remember to put on each day your spiritual armor. You do not belong in the darkness. You are fully protected with God’s truth!

Listen To Casting Crowns – The Power of the Cross (Official Lyric Video) 10/22/2021