1 Thessalonians 5:12-18 — The 11th Day of Thessmas!

READ THIS: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-18

12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

WHAT’S THIS MEAN, ANYWAY?

Yesterday, we learned about how important it is to remind ourselves to act the way Jesus calls us to, but the thing is, that is actually so hard. Looking at these verses, we are told that we should encourage hard workers and people who call us out, we should be at peace with everyone, we should call out each other, and we ALWAYS strive to what's good for everyone else. And that's not even everything Paul wrote here. Woah. Anyone make it to 16-18? Where we have to rejoice ALWAYS, pray ALWAYS, give thanks ALWAYS?!?!?

How?!

This is another good reminder that what we're reading is a letter...when you are urging someone to do something in a letter, it's usually because they aren't doing what you're urging them to do. The Thessalonians weren't perfect in doing this, and Paul wasn't perfect in doing these things, either, but we can know that they did want to get closer with God and reflect Him more and more (remember that?!)

THINK ABOUT IT:

1. Look over all of the different things Paul asks us to do. What are two things you do well and what are two things that you could work on?

2. Between never and always, how often do you feel like you rejoice, pray, and give thanks? 

TRY THIS:

Write down the two things you want to work on from question one, and practice rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks in relation to those! Write it on a sticky note or something! Tell someone to hold you accountable!

Comments

  1. YooonahNovember 3, 2023 at 5:26 AM

    I feel like I pray fairly consistently, whether it’s over a test or just saying thanks, usually I have to be in the mood, so I pray a lot when I have on my worship playlist.

    I can struggle with being patient, especially if I’m having a rough day or if it’s Jordan I’m talking to. But I think I’m fairly consistent in prayer, I could be better though.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousNovember 4, 2023 at 9:50 PM

    So, in my old age 😁, I have turned prayer into more of a conversation or stream of consciousness with God . I don't really stop talking with God throughout the day. When someone asks me to pray for them, in my brain, I do it right then. And, I ask God to keep them on my heart to keep praying for them. I will ask for things during the day or give thanks as things happen. Maybe you could try something ike that during your day. ❤️ Ms. Johneice

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Esther 8:9-14 — Double order, please

R EAD THIS: Esther 8:9-14 9 At once the royal secretaries were summoned—on the twenty-third day of the third month, the month of Sivan. They wrote out all Mordecai’s orders to the Jews, and to the satraps, governors and nobles of the 127 provinces stretching from India to Cush. These orders were written in the script of each province and the language of each people and also to the Jews in their own script and language. 10 Mordecai wrote in the name of King Xerxes, sealed the dispatches with the king’s signet ring, and sent them by mounted couriers, who rode fast horses especially bred for the king.  11 The king’s edict granted the Jews in every city the right to assemble and protect themselves; to destroy, kill and annihilate the armed men of any nationality or province who might attack them and their women and children, and to plunder the property of their enemies. 12 The day appointed for the Jews to do this in all the provinces of King Xerxes was the thirteenth day of the tw...
Read more

Esther 8:15-17 — Fit check!

R EAD THIS: Esther 8:15-17 15 When Mordecai left the king’s presence, he was wearing royal garments of blue and white, a large crown of gold and a purple robe of fine linen. And the city of Susa held a joyous celebration. 16 For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy, gladness and honor. 17 In every province and in every city to which the edict of the king came, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them. WHAT’S THIS MEAN, ANYWAY?   Anyone notice how the Bible notes what Mordecai wears? Back in Esther 4, we were talking about him wearing sackcloth in mourning over the first edict. Now that the second edict is sent out, Mordecai has a whole new outfit. Sackcloth represents mourning whereas his outfit we read about today represents royalty. Throughout the Bible we see several times people wear sackcloth as a way to call out to God and show what's on the i...
Read more

Luke 2:36-40 — Worth the Wait!

R EAD THIS:  Luke 2:36-40 36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.  39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him. WHAT’S THIS MEAN, ANYWAY? Prophets are unbelievably important people throughout the Bible. Their job, beginning long before Jesus’s birth, was to speak on behalf of God to His people (and even to His enemies). Sometimes, prophets would deliver messages of hope and rescue, but oft...
Read more