Today's blog is a bit different; I will return to the book of Genesis next Sunday. Today I want to issue a challenge as the new year opens. The 1st Thessalonians 5:12-24 challenge. The rules for this challenge are as follows:
1. Read the entire chapter on day one
2. Day 2-end of the year focus on verses 12-24
3. Day 3 -end of the year apply verses 12-24 daily
"We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other" (vs-12-14)
1. Pray, respect, and love on your Pastors and their families
2. Elders and their families
3. Boss and their families
4. Husband as the head of household
"And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, "encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all." (vs. 14)
1. Find a Christian accountability partner
1. Speak the truth in love, and walk with someone through a difficult time
2. Speak the word of God to others tells someone about the good news offered through Christ.
3. Help one another by comforting them with the same hope and comfort you found in the word of God
4. Continually pray for others
5. Put your need to be right aside and be patient with everyone.
"See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and everyone." (vs. 15)
1. It is not enough to repay evil with kindness. I challenge you to seek ways to do something good for someone unkind to you.
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (vs. 16-18)
1. Acknowledge that we need God in every aspect of our lives
2. Understand that every event that touches our lives has gone through a God-filter, the good and the bad.
3. Dear God, your word says that you cause all things to work together for those who love you, Lord I do not feel thankful at this moment, but I thank you, Lord, that you are my safe place and want to confess….. and I thank you that I can give thanks in this circumstance and all circumstances because you are in control.
"Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast to what is good. Abstain from every form of evil." (vs. 19-22)
1. Allow the work of the Holy Spirit to be active in your life by staying in the word of God.
2. Acknowledge that there will be temptations, trials, and tribulations in this world. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide my path by staying in the word of God. So, I can experience God's grace and mercy.
3. Staying in the word of God will help me to know what is good and abstain from evil
"Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your Holy Spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it." (vs. 22-24)
Remember, God loves you, and so do I.