I would like to say thanks to God for being able to open my eyes and move my limbs this morning, because somewhere, there are people that can no longer do these things. Last week I watched a documented case of God answering prayers to save the life of someone close to my heart that was very humbling. It was a confirmation of things that have been dropping into my spirit for months and the question of why we do what we do. Are we doing what we do in our spiritual lives to please man or to give glory to God? This is the prompting I get in my spirit and advice from the manual. The church (us who are followers of Jesus) need to stop trying to manufacture what looks like God and get into a real relationship with Him. I admonish you today to check yourself before you wreck yourself.
Today’s Prayer
Father, I come before you this morning with a changed heart and a renewed mindset. I sometimes lose focus because of all the background noise and forget that this walk that I’m on is about saving souls, healing the sick and leading individuals to the One who has delivered us all from our sins. Thank you for the true men and women of God you put in my path to put my spirit in check and help me get my focus back, Thank you for allowing me to do Your work for another day. I will be careful to give you all honor and praise. In the wonderful name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
Let’s eat.
Advice from Apostle Paul
1 Thessalonians 5:1-22
Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don’t really need to write you. 2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. 3 When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape. 4 But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. 5 For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. 6 So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. 7 Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk. 8 But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. 9 For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. 10 Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. 11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
Paul’s Final Advice
12 Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. 13 Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other. 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. 15 See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people. 16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 19 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 Stay away from every kind of evil.
Quote of the Day
Just as the sinner’s despair of any hope from himself is the first prerequisite of a sound conversion, so the loss of all confidence in himself is the first essential in the believer’s growth in grace. ~Arthur W. Pink~