04/19 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5
We know that God loves you, dear brothers and sisters, and that he chose you to be his own people. 5 For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true. And you know that the way we lived among you was further proof of the truth of our message.
CHOICE
We have a choice: we can choose the Lord or we can ignore the Lord. There is no in-between. Choose Jesus.
04/18 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3
We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly. 3 As we talk to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and your continual anticipation of the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.
PEOPLE
Jesus loves people. We need to love people, think about them, pray for them and do good to them. This is not an option it is a requirement.
04/17 1 Thessalonians 1:1
This letter is from Paul, Silas, and Timothy. It is written to the church in Thessalonica, you who belong to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. May his grace and peace be yours.
CHANGED
We are changed when we come into the family of God. He gives us His grace, every moment, every hour-giving us what we need and cannot earn. Additionally He gives us His peace. His peace is the very presence of the Living Lord in our life every moment of every day. His grace and peace change the way we live our lives.
04/16 Luke 14:33-35
So no one can become my disciple without giving up everything for me.” 34 “Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? 35 Flavorless salt is good neither for the soil nor for fertilizer. It is thrown away. Anyone who is willing to hear should listen and understand!”
HALF
There are no half disciples in the family of God. Jesus saves the complete person. Jesus beckons you to come to Him in complete surrender. Be saved. Be changed. Surrender you life to Christ-He is God’s everything.
04/15 Luke 14:29-32
Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of funds. And then how everyone would laugh at you! 30 They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and ran out of money before it was finished!'” 31 “Or what king would ever dream of going to war without first sitting down with his counselors and discussing whether his army of ten thousand is strong enough to defeat the twenty thousand soldiers who are marching against him? 32 If he is not able, then while the enemy is still far away, he will send a delegation to discuss terms of peace.
KNOW
Know yourself. Look at the Biblical testimony. We are dead in our trespasses and sin. Jesus is Lord and He and He alone saves us. Give yourself to Jesus and He will not desert you.
04/14 Luke 14:27-28
And you cannot be my disciple if you do not carry your own cross and follow me.” 28 “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first getting estimates and then checking to see if there is enough money to pay the bills?
REALITY
The reality is that when we come to Jesus we are changed. If we are not changed we didn’t connect to Jesus. Very simple very easy and the implications are eternal.
04/13 Luke 14:25-26
Great crowds were following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, 26 “If you want to be my follower you must love me more than your own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters — yes, more than your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple.
FOCUS
Jesus loves you. He calls us to focus our life upon Him. Give Him your cares and worries. Ask Him for His wisdom, mercy, guidance and strength. He is Lord and He offers us a relationship. Trust the Lord and get to know Him.
04/12 Luke 14:22-24
After the servant had done this, he reported, ‘There is still room for more.’ 23 So his master said, ‘Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full. 24 For none of those I invited first will get even the smallest taste of what I had prepared for them.'”
INVITED
You are invited by the King of Glory to participate in His work here on Earth. Listen to His call. Do what He says. He will give you the joy and peace you are searching for.
04/11 Luke 14:15-21
Hearing this, a man sitting at the table with Jesus exclaimed, “What a privilege it would be to have a share in the Kingdom of God!” 16 Jesus replied with this illustration: “A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations. 17 When all was ready, he sent his servant around to notify the guests that it was time for them to come. 18 But they all began making excuses. One said he had just bought a field and wanted to inspect it, so he asked to be excused. 19 Another said he had just bought five pair of oxen and wanted to try them out. 20 Another had just been married, so he said he couldn’t come.” 21 “The servant returned and told his master what they had said. His master was angry and said, ‘Go quickly into the streets and alleys of the city and invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.’
TIME
We are bound by time. All of us feel the press of time. In our relationship with the Lord develop a DO IT NOW attitude.
04/10 Luke 14:12-14
Then he turned to his host. “When you put on a luncheon or a dinner,” he said, “don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will repay you by inviting you back. 13 Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14 Then at the resurrection of the godly, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.”
GIVE
The call from the Father is to give. Give your love. Give your help. Give your resources. Give with no expectations. Give all that you are and all that you have. The call is to give.
