Good morning! There are times when I lack confidence in certain things. Mainly, the uncertainty of things I did not make or watch being made. For example, I am not an engineer and I do not know the courses required to be one, but I know a team of engineers put together an airplane that I may be a passenger on and that will get me from one state to another. In those moments at the airport waiting to board an airplane I realize that I have put confidence in an airline, a pilot, and a airplane all which are ran by humans, is a human or made by humans. At that very moment, I stop and pray to the One who created humans (and everything) – God alone; and confidently ask for His covering. All of this to say, while we may be confident in somethings we can always be confident in the Lord. Join me today as we begin our reading in 1 Thessalonians chapter five.

Bible verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-8 NLT

“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.”

Reflection

Apostle Paul continued his letter to the Thessalonian believers on some of the gaps in their faith that he was unable to share with them when he was in Thessalonica (chapter 3:10). Paul wanted to assure the believers that there is hope in Christ Jesus and even when we leave this earth there is a promise to be with the Lord forever.

Sisters and brothers, fear and anger are two enemies that distract us and destroys our peace. We can live in fear about life and the day it ends or as believers we can walk in confidence knowing that when that day comes, the Lord’s promises will be fulfilled – that we will be with the Lord forever. Apostle Paul reminds the believers that we are not in the dark about the Lord. Sisters and brothers that is the beauty of being believers – from cover-to-cover we are given the word of God, which includes the promises of eternal life. We have been redeemed and called children of the light.

While things may appear to be dark, the Lord is our light and our salvation (read Psalm 27).

Sisters and brothers, you are children of the light shine bright and confident in the Lord, “live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.“

Display your Godfidence – trust the One who created all things. Pray for those who are still struggling with their faith and pray for those who do not believe.

Have a wonderful day and weekend.

Prayer

Father God, we thank you for these words today. We thank you for the confidence in knowing that we are secure in you. Thank you for send your son Jesus Christ to solidify the seal – that we belong to you. Lord, there is no greater comfort in knowing that when it is all said and done that we will be with you. Lord, we pray for those who struggle with the fear of death and are being eaten away by anger. Lord, we ask that you touch each one of us and remove our fears and any anger that we are holding. Lord, we know that all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord, but help us to be the light to those who do not know you so that they can experience what we as believers are already confident of. Lord, humble our hearts, open our eyes, and help us to hear from you. Direct our steps and guide us in the path and direction you would have us to go. Wherever you may lead we desire to follow. Wherever you send we know you are already there and are with us. Lord, we are confident that you have everything under control and that we can rest in you. Impart your peace on us, in our marriages, in our children, in our families, communities, jobs, grocery stores, churches, state and government buildings and meetings, and our nation. Use us Lord! In Jesus name, amen.

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