Promise for Today - On the Advice of Paul

Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:10-11 NLT

Paul’s Final Advice

¹² Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance.

¹³ Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.

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.
¹⁶ Always be joyful.
¹⁷ Never stop praying.
¹⁸ Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Lent - Day 19 - An Invitation, Not a Burden

Lent Devotions from Concordia University 2025
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At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, “Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.” He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? Or have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless? I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.” 

He went on from there and entered their synagogue. And a man was there with a withered hand. And they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—so that they might accuse him. He said to them, “Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, healthy like the other. But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him. Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all and ordered them not to make him known. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets; a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory; and in his name the Gentiles will hope.

Matthew 12:1-21

Whenever the Pharisees come into the story you can almost hear the melodramatic music of scheming villains playing in the background, announcing their arrival. In reality, the Pharisees were the “church-going leaders” of the time. They were the ones who, as far as the people could tell, knew God’s Word best, prayed the right ways, and faithfully went to all religious gatherings. However, Jesus helps to show us that they took everything that God had given them, everything God spoke, and emptied it of the intentions and desires of God. Out of a desire to establish a segregating holiness, a need to distinguish between those within God’s favor and those on the outside, they added legislation and clarifying definition to God’s Word. I suppose that is the tendency of our sinful natures. But we should recall Jesus’ words from the end of Matthew 11 where He said, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” What does God desire of us? What has He given to us that we empty of its purpose? Has prayer become empty words or a burdensome requirement? Is church a thoughtless activity or an overwhelming obligation? Is there something else that needs this sort of examination? God calls us to gather in His house, pray in His name, and live in relationship with brothers and sisters in Christ not as a fulfillment of some excessive stack of legislation. These and many other things are invitations to experience the manifestation of God’s mercy in Jesus that we would find rest for our souls. So let us throw off the burdening chains of empty obligation or self-righteous demonstration. Instead, through these “things of God” may we find our strengthening and encouragement…rest for our souls.

Prayer:

Almighty God, 

                      May Your Word and work be a refreshing spring to our spirit that it would bring joy rather than burden and that we would not neglect such needful gifts of Your grace. Amen.

Be Encouraged

A Little Different tonight... Words from Paul

Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others.

And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.

We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God.

First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words.
1st Thessalonians 4:11-18 NLT

Prayer:

Father,
           We pray Your Word from the book of Hebrews, for Your Word is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from You. Everything is naked and exposed before Your eyes, and You are the One to whom we are accountable.
          Because of our faith and belief in Your Son, Jesus, we come boldly to Your throne of Grace where we will receive Your mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. We need it now, Father. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Something Different for May - Day 29 - To Please Others

We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. For even Christ didn’t live to please himself. As the Scriptures say, “The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me.” Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.

May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory. Remember that Christ came as a servant to the Jews to show that God is true to the promises he made to their ancestors. He also came so that the Gentiles might give glory to God for his mercies to them. That is what the psalmist meant when he wrote: “For this, I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing praises to your name.”

And in another place it is written, “Rejoice with his people, you Gentiles.” And yet again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles. Praise him, all you people of the earth.”

And in another place Isaiah said, “The heir to David’s throne will come, and he will rule over the Gentiles. They will place their hope on him.”

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:1-13 NLT

Prayer - Day 29

Father, 

          Give me the same attitude of mind toward others that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice we glorify You, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Fill me with all joy and peace as I trust in You, so that I may overflow with hope by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Amen!

Praying Through Romans - www.crosswalk.cocm

We Have This Hope

And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. 

1st Thessalonians 4:13 NLT

I don't know how non-believers deal with the death of loved ones. I have lost multiple family members and friends in the last 13 months. Words cannot fully convey the depth of loss when someone we love dies. In our case, by God's grace, ALL of them knew Christ and were in relationship with Him when they transitioned to eternity. So, although there are days when I am incredibly sad for being left here to do life without them, I have hope. I WILL see them again. FOREVER.

If we read further in the chapter for today, verses 14 - 18 explain this...

14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died. 15 We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. 18 So encourage each other with these words. 1st Thessalonians 4:14-18 NLT

Are you encouraged? I know I am.

Prayer:

Father,
           Your Word tells us it won't be long till You come and bring Your reward to give to everyone according to their work. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! In Your Name we pray. Amen

Hope in the Dark

Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.
Proverbs 25:25 NIV

I love hearing praise reports of God's faithfulness - especially in the middle of all this craziness in the world today. Take hope! Be encouraged! God is still on the throne and still answering prayer and still receiving praise!

For eleven long years, my friend has been praying for her husband to be free from alcohol addiction. She stood fast, believing. She told God, "I don't know the year, the month, the day, the minute, or the second You will do it, but I know You WILL!" And He has!! Six weeks ago, her husband laid it at the feet of Jesus and is now joyfully working his way through Celebrate Recovery.

1st Thessalonians 5:11, NLT reads, So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. Let us rejoice with those who are rejoicing! Don't give up praying for one another's burdens. Take hope! Be encouraged!

Prayer:

Father,
           We thank You for changing hearts and lives! We give You praise for deliverance! We thank You for the means to be able to share the Good News of Your saving Grace. Help us to always abound in spreading Your hope and encouragement and comfort. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Who Encourages You?

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
2nd Thessalonians 2:16-17 NIV

I have been very blessed that God has placed people in my life to encourage me. We all need it, especially in times like these. That's why these two verses jumped out at me. This happens to be from the NIV, but whether your Bible reads eternal comfort or everlasting consolation, it's still a show stopper!  Think about that - eternal encouragement. Everlasting. Forever.

ETERNAL encouragement!

And it just gets better! God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ will encourage our hearts and strengthen us! However, it is "in every good deed and word" that They will encourage our hearts and strengthen us. So, we have to be doing good deeds and sharing good words with others in order to be able to receive encouragement and strength.

That begs the question - If we find ourselves discouraged and weak, is it because we're not giving Them enough good words and deeds to work with? Something to think about...

Prayer:

Father,
         Thank You for eternal encouragement and good hope. You are the Lifter of our heads. Establish our hearts so that all of our deeds and words are good! In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Friends' Favorites - To Encourage

 See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.
Hebrews 3:12-14 NIV

I want to go on record declaring that I am a believer and follower of Jesus Christ and His gospel. I have a strong faith. I believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God and the standard by which we are to live. I believe that we will live eternally somewhere and that both heaven and hell are real. 

So, I have hope in the Lord. It's hope not born of desperation, but rather of relationship, knowing in Whom I have believed and having been witness to His mighty works and amazing grace. I truly believe that God is good even when I don't understand the dark times. Let the believers say "Amen!"

My brother died four years ago. I can't believe it's been four years because there are days it feels like yesterday. And sometimes, deep in my heart, I am sad beyond words. I feel as though a part of me has died, too, and in a way, it has. Following his death, a part of my heart seems to have gone dormant. But that's okay; it's just a season, a long season, but this too shall pass. Please know that I am not writing this for your sympathy. I am writing to reiterate these truths. Do not confuse my grief with lack of faith. Do not interpret my tears as signs of unbelief.  Here's what I know that I know.  Jesus tells us in John 12:24 that unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. There IS coming a time of rebirth.  I'm no farmer, but I understand many seeds = much harvest. 

My brother, Joe, was an encourager! He was the family cheerleader and story-teller and so funny! I miss him so much, but I will see him again. I know this because it's written in God's Word.

1st Thessalonians 4:13-18 NLT, And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died. We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words.  

May you be encouraged today.

Prayer:

Father,
          The heavens declare Your glory and I? I can only attempt to echo their praise. Thank You for Your grace and for salvation and for Your mercy, and help us to try to fathom the depth of Your great love...even in the dark times. May the many seeds bring about a great harvest, O God! In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

The Common Denominator

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT

I met with some friends for lunch - all women - but with very diverse lives and backgrounds. I knew enough about each of those women to know that they were all facing huge challenges of one kind or another... but we had a great time. After all, how can you go wrong with Jesus as your common denominator (and the added enjoyment of Gringo's green sauce & chips on the side)?

What I witnessed at the lunch were Christians at their best. Some of them were really struggling with life-changing issues and yet, I watched as they applauded and affirmed a baby Christian, and strengthened one whose way has been steep, and encouraged another who was battle-weary. Warriors of the faith - some 20-, 30- and 40-plus years of walking with the Lord - as excited to hear the discoveries of a new convert as they were to hear of the steadfast faithfulness of the Lord. And each one came away more focused on who HE IS than on what we aren't - more determined to light our world than to lay back to let someone else do it. All because we made the small, small effort to meet together, to encourage one another...

A little further in the chapter of our text for today, we find these words - Hebrews 10:34b-36, You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever. So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. (Emphasis mine)

Prayer:

Father,
          Thank You for friends and family who will cheer us on and help us to finish the race and not let us give up this close to the finish. Thank You for the good reports in the midst of the battles. We give You praise for those. Help us to strive for even more opportunities to encourage one another, Father. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Something to Work with

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
2nd Thessalonians 2:16-17 NIV

These two verses jumped out at me while reading tonight. This happens to be from the NIV, but whether your Bible reads eternal comfort  or  everlasting consolation, it's still a show stopper!  Think about that - eternal encouragement. Everlasting. Forever. ETERNAL encouragement! If that won't light your fire, your wood's wet!

And it just gets better! God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ to encourage our hearts and strengthen us! Notice, however, there is a proviso with that. It is "in every good deed and word" that They may encourage our hearts and strengthen us. 

So then, it begs the question - If we find ourselves discouraged and weak, is it because we're not giving Them enough good words and deeds to work with?

Prayer:

Father,
         Thank You for eternal encouragement and good hope. You are the Lifter of our head. Establish our hearts so that each and every one of our deeds and words are good! In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen