Month: November 2022

2 Thessalonians 3:6 In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us.

Lord, I do not want to be idle and disruptive. I do not want to sow discord or stick my nose where it doesn’t belong. I want to shine Your light, glorify Your name, make things better for others. Help me.

2 Thessalonians 3:11 We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies.

Lord, I do not want to be a busybody, sticking my nose where it doesn’t belong. I want to be helpful, edifying. I want to build others up and point them to You. Help me.

2 Thessalonians 3:13 And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.

Lord, You made me to be a helper, an encourager. Help me to comfort and uplift Your people. Help me not to tire of doing good. Help me to stay focused on Your goals. Help me to feel Your peace in my soul. Help me, Lord. Amen.

2 Thessalonians 3:16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.

Have a blessed day.

2 Thessalonians 2:14 He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Some days I feel Romans 7:15 on a gut level: “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” I know I should hold my tongue, get over myself, and yet I say hurtful things that really don’t make me feel any better. Help me, Jesus.

2 Thessalonians 2:15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

Jesus calls me to better than this. He knows I’m capable of better than this. Yet He still sends His word to encourage my heart and strengthen me, even when I fall short. Thank You, Jesus.

2 Thessalonians 2:16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope….

Precious Savior, Thank You for Your love and grace even on my worst days, especially then. Help me to give myself grace, help me to give others grace, even when it is undeserved. Especially then. Help me to be more like You. Amen.

2 Thessalonians 2:17 …encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

Have a blessed day. I

2 Thessalonians 1:2 Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Lord, I love You. I believe in Your sovereignty, Your grace, Your compassion. Help me, daily, to seek to glorify Your name and to comfort Your people. Help me to grow in faith and love with every breath.

2 Thessalonians 1:3 We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.

Lord, Help me never to underestimate the power of praying for Your people. It sounds like such a simple thing, “I’ll pray for you,” but there is such power in lifting people up to You.

2 Thessalonians 1:11 With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.

Lord, I want to seek You always. I want to know You more. I want to shout Your praises, whisper Your glory, breathe in Your grace with every single breath. Help me. Amen.

2 Thessalonians 1:12 We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Have a blessed day.

1 Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice always,

When I first “claimed” a bible verse, one I could cling to no matter the circumstances, it was Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 pray continually,

I remember how excited I was when I first came across today’s scripture because it echoes the same ideas: Rejoice! Pray! Give thanks! How much richer my life would be if I could always put these ideas into practice. But I’ll press on toward the goal….

1 Thessalonians 5:18a give thanks in all circumstances;

Lord, Thank You for the simple truth contained in these verses. Help me to always rejoice in You. Help me to continually pray to You. Help me to give thanks to You in all circumstances. Draw me closer. Amen.

1 Thessalonians 5:18b for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Have a blessed day.

1 Thessalonians 4:13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.

Lord, Thank You that because of You, we do not grieve as those who have no hope when a loved one dies. The earthly separation is painful, but we know we will see our loved ones again. Thank You.

1 Thessalonians 4:14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.

Lord, Thank You for the power to encourage each other with this amazing news—You have conquered death. We have an eternal home in You. Earthly death is only a temporary “See you later” until we meet again in eternity. Thank You.

1 Thessalonians 4:17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

Lord, Thank You for who You are and who You are to me. Thank You that because of You, I do not grieve as one who has no hope. Help me to encourage others in Your name. Amen.

1 Thessalonians 4:18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Have a blessed day.

1 Thessalonians 3:11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you.

Lord, Help us never forget the power of encouragement during trials. You created us for community. You created us to edify each other. Give us wisdom and courage to speak Your love and truth to each other in trials, as a lifeline to You.

1 Thessalonians 3:12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.

Lord, I know I get very afraid of saying the wrong thing when someone is hurting and struggling. And I know I’m not the only one. Help us seek You when we are trying to encourage others. Even if we make a mess of the words, help the receiver to see Your love and compassion in our bumbling attempts.

1 Thessalonians 3:13a May he strengthen your hearts….

Lord, Thank You for being our rock and fortress, our salvation, our very present help in times of trouble. Help us to encourage each other and assist each other as we walk each other through the trials of this world. Amen.

1 Thessalonians 3:13b …so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

Have a blessed day.

1 Thessalonians 2:3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you.

Lord, On this day of thanksgiving, help us to hold You foremost in our hearts. Help us to do everything in You, with You, and for You.

1 Thessalonians 2:4 On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts.

Lord, The call of this world can be so loud. Help us to focus solely on You, to encourage each other in You, to remember and remind each other that it is not this world nor the opinions of this world that matter. Only You.

1 Thessalonians 2:5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness.

Lord, On this day of thanksgiving, I say a special prayer of thanks for every precious soul who reads my words. May they see You clearly in every line. May they know how precious and loved they are. Thank You, Lord. Amen.

1 Thessalonians 2:6 We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority.

Have a blessed day. I love you.

1 Thessalonians 1:2 We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers.

I wonder what would happen if we truly embraced the power of prayer. I think sometimes we forget how powerful it can be to lift others up to our Savior, to pray for them and with them.

1 Thessalonians 1:3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

I’ve tried it a few times—instead of simply saying, “I’ll pray for you,” asking, “May I pray with you?” It can be a smidge awkward. But it can also be incredibly powerful for all involved.

1 Thessalonians 1:4 For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you….

Lord, Forgive us if we underestimate the power of prayer. Help us to pray for and with each other. Help us tap into the faith, love, and hope that can be found in lifting prayers to You. Amen.

1 Thessalonians 1:5 …because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction.…

Have a blessed day.