06/02 Colossians 1:3-4
We always pray for you, and we give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 for we have heard that you trust in Christ Jesus and that you love all of God’s people.
LOVE
Real love is the word used here. We should love everyone including our enemies but in this case the word simply means that there is a strong bond between brothers and sisters in Christ-Jesus Himself- and we are to have a very strong love for them as Jesus loves us.
06/01 Colossians 1:1-2
This letter is from Paul, chosen by God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy. 2 It is written to God’s holy people in the city of Colosse, who are faithful brothers and sisters in Christ. May God our Father give you grace and peace.
GRACE AND PEACE
God’s gift to you and me is His grace, giving us what we need and cannot earn and His peace, the aggressive activity of God in us to give us His presence which is peace.
05/31 1 Thessalonians 5:23-28
Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until that day when our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. 24 God, who calls you, is faithful; he will do this. 25 Dear brothers and sisters, pray for us. 26 Greet all the brothers and sisters in Christian love. 27 I command you in the name of the Lord to read this letter to all the brothers and sisters. 28 And may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.
FAITHFUL
Jesus is faithful. No matter what we do Jesus is faithful. Accept His peace, understand His love, revel in His presence-Jesus is Lord. Jesus is faithful.
05/30 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22
Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. 20 Do not scoff at prophecies, 21 but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. 22 Keep away from every kind of evil.
JESUS
Ask Jesus what to do. Talk with Him about everything. He will lead you in the way you should go. Jesus will deal with evil, stand behind Him and let Him handle whatever you are facing. Jesus is Lord of all things. Trust Jesus and He will enable you to stand.
05/29 1 Thessalonians 5:18
No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
KEYS
One of the keys to abundant Christ filled living is to develop an attitude of gratitude. Be thankful. Be thankful for everything. In all things be thankful. Your life and your existence is something for you to be thankful for-the breath of life, the moments of life, the people in your life-be thankful.
05/28 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17
Always be joyful. 17 Keep on praying.
PRAY
We need to pray. Prayer needs to be a part of our daily existence. Praying keeps us connected with the Father. Trust the Lord and keep praying.
05/27 1 Thessalonians 5:15
See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to everyone else.
GOOD
Good isn’t a passive activity. It costs us to do good. We have to change to do good for doing good isn’t in our standard nature. Jesus enables us to do good. Let the Lord Jesus have control of you and do good.
05/26 1 Thessalonians 5:14
Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.
PATIENT
It is important to be patient with everyone. That speaks loudly to me. I want to claim my priority when in fact the Lord calls me to give others priority and be patient. Impatience is one of the demons of this age. Be patient with one another.
05/25 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13
Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and warn you against all that is wrong. 13 Think highly of them and give them your wholehearted love because of their work. And remember to live peaceably with each other.
HONOR
Honor one another. People have value and are deserving of our honor of their personhood and value. Remember that Jesus died for each one of us. Each one of us is made in the Lord’s image. Honor one another. Be careful how you criticize. People are valuable and worthy of our honor.
05/24 1 Thessalonians 5:11
So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
ENCOURAGE
Encourage one another. Think about the good things. Help others. Look for the good in every situation and encourage one another.
