Good morning! The Lord is able. Can you repeat that? The Lord is able. Today, we will continue where we left off yesterday with Apostle Paul providing final advice to the believers in Thessalonica. Enjoy today’s devotion.

Bible verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:14-15 NLT

“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.”

Reflection

Apostle Paul’s advice to the Thessalonian believers was rich and filled with love for the church. I love how he pressed upon the need to be mindful of things about our character. He pointed out at least five (5) things:

• Lazy
• Timid
• Weak
• Impatience
• Evil

Sisters and brothers, from time-to-time I struggle with at least one of the bullet points. Yet, Paul’s words are encouraging not condemning. He is stressing the need for the church to come together and come alongside each other to build up the church and each other.

Will you allow the Lord to use you?

There are times when we enjoy lazy days where we sit around and relax. Even the Bible reminds us to rest, but these words clearly speak on being intentionally lazy and unwilling to be of use. The Lord desires to use us for a greater purpose, being lazy and unwilling creates room for compliancy and not spiritual growth. Let the Lord use you.

Are you afraid?

The Lord is with us. God does not plan to harm us – His plans are to give us a hope and a future. He loves us so much that He sent His one and only son Jesus to save us. Jesus came to reconcile us back to God. When He died on the cross, was buried and rose frome the grave on the third day – He conquered both sin and death, redeeming all who believe. Sisters and brothers, you were chosen by God, saved, redeemed and brought into relationship with the Creator of all things. There is nothing that our God cannot do. He is with you. Trust Him – He did not give us a Spirit of fear or timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. Let’s walk in His power, love, and be self-controlled.

Will you care for the weak?

Throughout the New Testament we read how Jesus cared for the least, lost and last. He cared for the discarded and left out. He cared for the widow, the child and those who were in need (e.g., physically and those in need of a Savior). Sisters and brothers, the Lord is calling you to care too.

Take your hand off the horn.

Impatience robs us of peace. It makes us anxious and irritable. I know it’s easy to be impatient, but it takes character and self-control to be patient. The best way to develop an appetite for patience is recognizing how patient others are with us. Primarily, how patient God is with us. He knew within ourselves that we would never get it together, but He was patient and loving. He sent His son Jesus to redeem us. Yet, even in knowing the save grace of Jesus – we took our time to surrender to Him. For those who are believers we know, He is still patient with us as we grow in maturity in faith. Today, will you seek the opportunity to be patient with others, praying for one another and yourself?

Sisters and brothers, let us hold fast to our faith. Let us always try to do good to each other and to all people.

Prayer

Father God, we thank you for your tender care for us. We thank you for the words spoken by Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9-11 (NLT):

“My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. ¹⁰ That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong”

We know by faith that when we are weak, we are made strong because of the power of Christ working in us. Lord, we know there is no greater power than yours. Lord, awaken and transform us. Help us to be about your business. Calm our spirit and remove our anxiousness.

Lord, thank you for being patient with us. We know you have been – continue to transform our hearts, minds, characters, and attitudes. Help us to be patient with others as you have been patient with us. Lord, we desire to live with love for everyone and you know sometimes that is a challenge, but Lord we want to align ourselves with your mission and the purpose that you have for us. Examine our hearts and soften it. Help us to do good for others and be good to others. Lord, touch those who are ill and restore their health. Touch those suffering from cancer and other medical illnesses. Comfort those who are grieving today. Continue to heal our nation and disrupt the plans of the wicked. Lord, help us to stand in faith – unafraid to profess you as our Lord and be bold enough to live out your truth in our marriages, with our children, in our families, on the job, in the church, with our friendships, and with anyone who we might encounter. Have your way. In Jesus name, amen.

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