Day 61
‘remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patient hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of God and our Father.’ 1 Thessalonians 1:3 MEV
-Work of faith
-Labor of love
-Patient hope in our Lord Jesus Christ
-In the sight of our Heavely Father
Proverbs 4:23–27 23 Keep your heart with all diligence,For out of it spring the issues of life.24 Put away from you a deceitful mouth,And put perverse lips far from you.25 Let your eyes look straight ahead,And your eyelids look right before you.26 Ponder the path of your feet,And let all your ways be established.27 Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil.
‘For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance, just as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. ‘ 1 Thessalonians 1:5 MEV
Power derived from and because of the Holy Spirit.
Power is miracles outwards, but first your cup must overflow with the Holy Spirit.
‘But as we were allowed by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not to please men, but God, who examines our hearts. ‘ 1 Thessalonians 2:4 MEV
Always, I say again, always keep this in mind. For me, remembering this defines mu character, gives me something to strive for.
‘So having great love toward you, we were willing to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you were dear to us. ‘ 1 Thessalonians 2:8 MEV
Is it strange that I find it to be true in my life?
For this reason we thank God without ceasing because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you received it not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God, which effectively works also in you who believe. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 MEV
Does this verse provide an answer to the question we have about the reason we are not as effective as Jesus Christ was when He walked on earth, especially when it comes to healing? I beleive this is a part of the main reason that the word of God does not effectively work. We simply do not fully beleive. There are other reasons for the circumstances we face, like the Lord’s refining, us having unforgiveness, being double-minded etc. While it is true that the Lord wants us to prosper in every way, and He does not use sickness to teach us a lesson, we have to understand what Proverbs 26:2 meams. “Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow, So a curse without cause shall not alight.” Fallen nature in itself a curse, one from which we can expect complete redemption in Jesus Christ, we have to understand Hosea 4:6. The NLT translates this passage thus: “My people are being destroyed because they don’t know me. Since you priests refuse to know me, I refuse to recognize you as my priests. Since you have forgotten the laws of your God, I will forget to bless your children”. Are God’s principles being adhered to, fully, not just when it is convenientor necessary? So as I said yesterday during the Bible study, we have to understand that God loves us, and each situation has to be handled specifically as the Lord strategists and instructs. That belongs with a relationship. This is the very purpose for us being filled with and the temple of the Holy Spirit.
For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to inquire about your faith, lest by some means the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor might have been in vain. 1 Thessalonians 3:5 MEV
I know exactly what he means. To be this sold out to Jesus is often misunderstood though, especially by those who really don’t know Him.
Day 62
For God has not called us to uncleanness, but to holiness. Therefore he that despises does not despise man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 MEV
To hate sin, to have the mind of Christ is not just a pipe dream, but is absolutely possible. I have learnt that we must first desire to be Holy, to be clean, not only because we fear the Lord, but also because we love Him. Secondly, I understood that my spirit may be willing but my flesh still longs to sin, that’s when I ask the Holy Spirit to help me overcome and stay faithful. It is not like a vending machine where all we have to do is push a button, no, we have to submit to sanctification, for it is the will of God. How much ever it is painful, we trust that the Lord’s plans are better, to be right with Him is to be involved in the work he is doing in us. Enjoy the ride!
Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we shall be forever with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:17-18 MEV
This is the comfort we have in the rapture.
Faithful is He who calls you, who also will do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 MEV
Thank God for that, but at the same time, this is not a call to passivity.
NKJV Rejoice always, [17] pray without ceasing, [18] in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. [19] Do not quench the Spirit. [20] Do not despise prophecies. [21] Test all things; hold fast what is good. [22] Abstain from every form of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22
Again, another plumb line.