Day 57: Strengthen & Encourage

1 Thessalonians 3, 4, 5

We are asked to strengthen and encourage ourselves as well as those around us so that none of us would be unsettled by the trials of this world.  Even in times of distress and persecution, our faith should encourage.  We should exhibit behaviors of a love so abundant that it overflows.  We are called to love more and more and to build each other up.

¹⁴And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. ¹⁵Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. ¹⁶Be joyful always; ¹⁷pray continually; ¹⁸give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:14-18

Given this salvation, we should all strive to be self controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate and the hope of salvation as a helmet.

Dear Lord, Thank you for your awesome sacrifice of your son – to cleanse us of our sins.  I ask for wisdom and strength to encourage others and to lead a life pleasing to you.  Don’t let the worries of this world grab a hold of my spirit.  I ask that I be able to be joyful always, pray continually and to give thanks in all circumstances.  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Day 56: Understanding Christ’s Sacrifice

Colossians 2, 3, 4; 1 Thessalonians 1, 2

Do you believe that Christ is all in all and that He alone is sufficient for all life?  When we were dead in our transgressions and our sinful nature, God made us alive with Christ.  While reading Paul’s letters to the Colossians, I was humbled at Paul’s plight.  The encouragement from Paul should serve the purpose of being united in love and partake in the full riches of complete understanding with each other.

⁶So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, ⁷rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.⁸See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. Colossians 2:6-8

Paul asks them to have Christ’s sacrifice and gift to exude in all of their actions, words and thoughts.

Dear Lord, How imperfect am I, to still be confined to a worldly life despite your sacrifice.  Help me to truly wash my hands from submitting to the rules of this earth with self imposed worship, false humility and the harsh treatment of my body.  Help me to prioritize those thing that matter – to clothe myself in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Allow me to work at the sincerity of my heart and reverence for you alone, not for men.  Teach me to devote in prayer and to be thankful always.  Grant me the peace within to stand firm in your will – spiritually mature and fully assured in my salvation. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.