October 10 LOVING JESUS - IT’S A TOGETHER THING!
Message: Giving Thanks Together! Heaven on earth
Memory Verse:
I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May the experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. John 17:22-23
Bible Story: Acts 4:1 the believers pray for boldness
1 Thess 4:9-12, 1 Thess 5:8-11 & 14-24
Reflection:
This Thanksgiving, together, wherever we are, lets follow Paul’s lead when he says,
“Let your joy be a continual feast. Make your life a prayer. And in the midst of everything be always giving thanks, for this is God’s perfect plan for you in Christ Jesus.”
When the Apostle Paul speaks of “your joy” remember he’s talking to a community. Why? Because “loving Jesus, …. it’s a together thing!”Jesus in our memory verse, and Paul in these verses from Thessalonians remind us that living in the Glory is not revealed by our circumstances. Living in the glory comes form living in Christ, together. Together, you and I get to experience, real rest, real freedom and real life! (see Acts 2:28)
Acts 4:9-12 is a beautiful expression of all the verses we highlight today. The story is just one example of how a community walks with Christ together amidst the good, the bad and the ugly. It reminds of of how God loves to surprise us with His Presence when we do life together. Take time to see how our verses from 1 Thessolonians are lived out in Acts 4:9-12!
Let’s continue to do life in Christ together. Apply Pauls words below & live in the glory.
14 We appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, to instruct those who are not in their place of battle.[Be skilled at] gently encouraging those who feel themselves inadequate. Be faithful to stand your ground. Help the weak to stand again. Be quick to demonstrate patience with everyone. 15 Resist revenge, and make sure that no one pays back evil in place of evil but always pursue doing what is beautiful to one another and to all the unbelievers.
16 Let joy be your continual feast. 17 Make your life a prayer. 18 And in the midst of everything be always giving thanks, for this is God’s perfect plan for you in Christ Jesus.[d]
19 Never restrain or put out the fire of the Holy Spirit. 20 And don’t be one who scorns prophecies,[21 but be faithful to examine them by putting them to the test, and afterward hold tightly to what has proven to be right. 22 Avoid every appearance of evil.
23 Now, may the God of peace and harmony set you apart, making you completely holy. And may your entire being—spirit, soul, and body—be kept completely flawless in the appearing of our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One.
24 The one who calls you by name is trustworthy and will thoroughly complete his work in you.
THAT’S A GOOD WORD!!!! (my emphasis in bold)
Comments