Devotional Fuel to Reboot Your Mind

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

1 Thessalonians 5:1-5, “Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers. You have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.”

On Wednesday morning, my Apple News app top story was, “U.S. Inflation reached 30-year high in October.” Next, I checked my Fox News app, and the breaking news reported there was, “Consumer prices surge at stunning rate as supply chain crisis hits Americans.” It is depressing if I focus too long on current headlines or the market conditions of high demand and low supply of the raw ingredients I sell in my job. Expected time of arrivals are no longer accurate. But there is more than merely today’s toil. As “children of light, children of the day,” we wonder when the second coming of Christ will occur, because our hope is in eternity with Christ. In Acts 1:7, it states, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.”  Paul was teaching the Thessalonians regarding the return of Jesus and the importance of being ready for Christ’s return, in 1 Thessalonians 4 and 5.

Verse 2 of 1 Thessalonians 5, declares, “. . . will come like a thief in the night.” A thief never announces when he is coming or the exact time of his appearance. Paul was not about setting dates for prophecy. Jesus in Matthew 24:36 declared, “of that day and hour no one knows.” God wants us to be prepared and ready because we are told it will be unexpected. Calamities throughout the world will have an increase in intensity and frequency, which refers to “sudden destruction” and “labor pains” that will give birth to a new age. “God has ordained times and seasons for the nations on the earth, particularly Israel, and all of this will culminate in a terrible time called “the day of the Lord.” Warren Wiersbe.

So, for the right here and now, live into your God-given purpose and calling. Read God’s Word and meditate on it throughout the day. Learn how to apply the knowledge and wisdom found in the Scriptures, with Biblical understanding in your acquired skill, with godly living, and with humility. If you have effective communication skills in connecting with people, use that to encourage others (using words as apples of gold, Proverbs 25:11). Are you gifted at seeing opportunities and dangers way ahead in a team you are involved in leading? Use your creative gifts for God’s glory. Maybe your strengths are in problem-solving and aligning people. Use your God-given insights in helping to shape the future wherever God has placed you. Are you a champion at thinking things through and carrying around an internal first aid kit in making sure everyone feels needed and appreciated? Slow down to listen so you can give grace and truth. Bless others with this gift. Lastly, we all need relentless commitment in asking probing, rational, and analytical questions. Is this risk worth the investment? It is crucial to use this ability at the right time in evaluating the credibility in arriving at the correct resolution in the conclusion for making right decisions, and with God’s blessing.

Live as “children of light, children of the day.” Be ready for Christ’s return. Remember, Hebrews 9:27, “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” Paster and author, Larry Osborne, has said, “At the end of the day, all we can do is prepare your horse for battle. Ultimately the victory or defeat belongs to the Lord (Proverbs 21:30-31).” Remember, there is more than merely today’s toil.

Listen to Loving My Jesus with lyrics by Casting Crowns. 12/16/2016.

1 Thessalonians 4:15-17, “For this we declare to you, by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the LORD, will not proceed those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven, with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of a trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.”

We are all seeing various “birth pangs” taking place, of the coming of Christ’s imminent return more and more. Pain, debt, outbreaks of COVID and the controversies about the vaccine, voting fraud, fake news, various injustices, and conflicts will be gone, in an instant, for every saved person when the Rapture occurs! Thoughts of despair or any tragic worldly event will no longer matter because Christ’s return will bring us right into God’s presence! The most magnificent and fabulous word of the Lord we will ever hear that are believers in Christ will abolish any crisis on this earth because we will be delivered, and with Christ up in heaven.

I often wonder what the “cry of command” will sound like, as is stated in 1 Thessalonians 4:16? It will be an authoritative command and a note of urgency that we are told. The Rapture will not be a secret or silent event. Note there will be three different sounds at Christ’s return that summon the elect of those who have died (fallen asleep) first, and then those who are living along with the dead are caught up into the air to meet Christ. The Lord’s shout, the trumpet, and the voice of the archangel, which many believe to be Michael (see Jude 9), as he was the only archangel mentioned in the New Testament, are the three sounds I am very anxious to hear and could be today!

In Acts 9:7; 22-9, it states that the men traveling with Paul heard a sound when Jesus was speaking directly to Paul but did not see anyone. So they heard something but did not understand its meaning. It may very well be that the shout/voice/trumpet sound we in Christ will hear that accompanies the Rapture, will have the same effect on those left behind. The entire world may have no idea what the meaning is of this heavenly sound. I wonder if I will be taken directly up while I am sleeping, or being in my home, or driving somewhere, or will I be one of those that are “dead in Christ shall rise first?” Either way, I am expectant, whether I will be dead or alive, for the Lord’s coming and for the great reward of heaven – to be with Jesus for eternity.

Meanwhile we are to live each day that the Lord has given us, on this earth, for His glory and to faithfully perform whatever work He has given us to do in our employment or role in life (Luke 12:41-48) and to share the gospel, until He comes back for us. We are to live into our calling with integrity and efficiency in being faithful shepherds and leaders in managing the sphere of influence God has given us, as we focus on His provision, protection, and presence. Even so, Lord Jesus come (Rev. 22:20)! May I keep my eyes better focused on Christ and have the faith that He will equip me with all I need for doing His will (Hebrews 13:20-21) until the day that He returns (1 Thess. 4:15-17) – which could be PERHAPS TODAY!

Listen to Natalie Grant’s Alive Song Lyrics 1/6/2020

1 Thessalonians 4:9-12, “Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers to do this more, and more, and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.”

There is a lot of disagreement and hatred all around us in our current unsettling times for various reasons. Isn’t it hard to show love or be loving when in a dispute with those closest to us? It is not always a natural inclination not to defend oneself and list off all of our logical points as on an excel spreadsheet, when we feel our worth or values are being ignored, during a heightened climax in a verbal crisis. Our ego maybe overly engaged with our authority. Yet, I was reminded this week that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, when confronted by the king for not bowing down to his idol, were not eager or hasty in feeling pressed in defending themselves. They stated and held the conviction that God would protect them. God did protect these three Jewish men better than Nebuchadnezzar could protect his own servants. The lesson here is, do I always give myself time before responding in the heat of the moment? Is my faith in God’s sovereign protection, giving Him the praise and glory, infusing the courage I need to be like these men of example? I admit I tend to over explain my reasoning in my defense of my response in comparison. A better question to ask myself is, how is God pioneering me to grow in irritations of others inefficiencies? Food for thought.

So the challenge to myself is who can I show more love to, as God commanded in the Ten Commandments, and Jesus taught His disciples in the book of John, to those I am in contact with today? Paul complimented the Thessalonians for their love for others which was well known, and admonished them to do so “more and more.” The Amplified Bible states it this way, “For indeed you already do practice it toward all the believers throughout Macedonia [by actively displaying your love and concern for them]. But we urge you, brothers and sisters, that you excel [in this matter] more and more,”

Paul said in verse 11 to “aspire to live quietly.” The word aspire has to do with the thought of ambition towards achieving something ambitiously. The word picture of “quietly” has to do with peacefulness, calmness, rest, and satisfaction. That is such a contrast to our false gods of entertainment – the thrill of the one moment. Relaxation is essential, don’t get me wrong. But sitting quietly before God is vital to hear His voice from what we have read in Scripture and strive to get to know Him better. “There is a great difference between the Christian duty of putting the interests of others first and the busybody’s compulsive itch to put other people right.” F.F. Bruce.

The NIV states 1 Thessalonians 4:12 as, “So that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders.” In order to be a consistent shining light, reciting John 3:16 is not always the first way of evangelism. Having the respect and admiration of others is essential and will often then lead into the conversation of sharing the gospel.

• Love others more and more.
• Ambitiously achieve calmness and peacefulness.
• Work hard.
• Mind your own business.
• Command the respect of others.
• Keep it up!

Listen to Lauren Daigle’s A Place Called Earth (Lyric Video) 2/12/2021 by JonForemanVEVO.

1 Thessalonians 3:11-13, “Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.”

Paul is concluding his pastoral prayer for the Thessalonians in these three verses. He talks about the Lord increasing our love for one another and that He may do a work in our hearts producing “blameless in holiness before God.” How are you able to increase in love for others and grow in holiness in your relationship with the Lord? What causes this to grow within your heart, soul, and mind? Isn’t it easy to love those that have the same beliefs and viewpoints as you do? Jesus taught in Luke 6:32-38 about loving our enemies. Verses 32 & 33 states: “If you love those who love you what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those that love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.” Ouch.

How do you react when God is refining you? There are times when we are in-between trials, and life appears pretty good, and then suddenly something changes.  I may not always immediately respond correctly to my fears and those things that trigger the emotion of anger, when I feel pressured, but I do know the promise of Psalm 27:1, which states, “The LORD is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?“

With our current societies issues, politically and socially, it is hard to have a love and concern for those we disagree with; however, Jesus taught in Matthew 5:46-47 (here it is again) is what I need to remind and ask myself, “For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you only greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?” David Guzik said in his Commentary, “Jesus told us that our love is small and shallow if we only love those who love us also.” Paul set himself as a standard for the Thessalonians to follow in loving other people as he did, despite differences. He never compromised his convictions but admonished them to love one another as he loved them. “Instead of, “Poor me,” we must be those who say, “Pour me, Father – that I may increase and abound in love.” Jon Courson, Application Commentary.

Nothing can encourage us to strive to live blameless in holiness like the coming of Christ’s return, and that it might be today. I like how the Message states today’s verses: “May God our Father himself and our Master Jesus clear the road to you! And may the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you, just as it does from us to you. May you be infused with strength and purity, filled with confidence in the presence of God our Father when our Master Jesus arrives with all his followers.”

God is sovereign over the whole universe. He is near, He hears, He is our stronghold (Ps. 59:17). Jeremiah 51:56 declares, “For the LORD is a God of recompense. He will fully repay.” Pour me, dear Father, with your abounding love so I may, in turn, pour it onto others and reflect your nature. Amen.

Listen to Matthew West What If (Lyric Video) 3/30/2021.