Category Archives: Thanksgiving

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SOMEONE TO COUNT ON

1 THESSALONIANS 5:24

“Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.” 

As we come towards the end of this first letter to the Thessalonians, I feel like every word and every phrase is so important. I want to just linger and absorb each letter of each word of each phrase of each verse. God doesn’t waste words, so these last few verses are just as important as the first one.

Today’s verse just sums up our relationship with our Lord. Look at it again. “Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.”God is faithful! God calls you! God will keep His word! Simple, yet profound truth. But God can only be faithful to those whom have answered His call. Then and only then do all of His promises come true.

APPLICATION

Why do you remain faithful to that wayward child? Because they were birthed into your family. They may stray away for years, but you still yearn for them. God yearns for us. He created us in His image with that “God-sized” hole in our hearts that only He can fill. Did your children ever play with those shape toys? You know the ones where they have to fit the round piece in the round hole and the square piece in the square hole. Pull that back out and explain this verse using those.

That is such a simple way to explain the hole that God fills in our life, when we surrender to Him. And just like that piece will always fit that hole, God will always fill that gap in them. But we have to let Him. He won’t force Himself into that gap, even though it is a perfect fit. We have to let Him in. Your children need to know that. Only THEY can let Him in. You can’t do it for them.

Have you allowed the Lord of the universe to complete you? If you have, rest assured that He is faithful to you. He will bring all His promises to fulfillment in your life. He wants to bless you more than you can possibly imagine. Just surrender your will to His and watch what He does in and through you.

I am constantly amazed at what You do in and through me, Lord. I am not capable of loving some people, but You are through me. I am not able to obey Your Word, but as I meditate on it through Your Spirit, I have the urgency to obey.

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THE WHOLE ENCHILADA

1 THESSALONIANS 5:23

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 

I thought it interesting that Paul used the word “entirely.” And when I looked deeper it was even more interesting. Did you know that word is only used one time in the New Testament? So, what does it mean? It means to be wholly completed, to reach the end result. Paul is praying that the God of peace would perfect the Thessalonians’ sanctification. Can you imagine being completely, wholly sanctified on earth?

And Paul prays that their body, soul and spirit would be kept (guarded, protected) completely. “Completely” is only used twice itself. It means a divinely allotted wholeness. Wow! Only God is capable of anything divine, and He wants to guard you completely. What a promise and prayer from Paul!

APPLICATION

How do you explain completeness and entirety to children? Do your children like puzzles? I do. I enjoy a good puzzle. But one of the most frustrating things in the world is when you are missing pieces. The puzzle isn’t complete. The entire picture isn’t shown.

Get one of their puzzles and remove a piece before you start putting it together with them. They may recognize fairly quickly that a piece is missing, if they have put this puzzle together a lot. That could be even more frustrating. They know what the missing piece is. Explain to them that the Lord knows exactly what “pieces” we need in our lives. He has them all, if we will just let Him supply them and keep them.

What piece are you missing? Are you whole and complete in Him? He wants to sanctify you entirely. He wants to keep you completely. Will you let Him? 

Father, You are the ONLY one who can do that for me. I know that. Help me to surrender ALL my pieces to You today. I want You to “put me together” according to Your master plan.

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SAFEKEEPING

1 THESSALONIANS 5:21

“But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good;” 

You’ve probably been asked this question before. If you had to rescue one thing from a burning house (people not included), what would it be? Some people think of pictures. Others think of money or jewelry. But what would you try to save?

I would grab by Bible and my guns. I know, that sounds like a typical conservative response, but let me explain. The guns help me keep my family safe from those who might want to harm them physically. My Bible keeps me safe spiritually as I read and meditate on His Word.  Both are worth safekeeping to me. Now, you may disagree with my choices. That’s okay. We all hold different things dear.

APPLICATION

Ask your children what they would grab first. They might just surprise you. And I bet, depending on the age of your children, they will pick different things. Isn’t it funny how our priorities change with age? Little Johnny might grab his game system. Susie might snatch up her doll. Or they might just shock you and grab their Bible too. Wouldn’t that bless you?

Notice how a boy will choose very different things than a girl. Our minds think differently. That’s okay. That’s how God made us. But the important thing to remember is God is keeping us safe. He ALWAYS chooses us. Once we are His through the acceptance of His Son, He promises to keep us safe, even for eternity.

Are you keeping the “right” things safe? Is your soul secure in the competent hands of Jesus? He will keep you safe. Why? Because He has “examined” you and found you worthy. You are worthy because of His death on the cross. Will you trust Him today to guard your heart?

Guardian of my soul, I praise You for Your ability to keep me and all Your children safe. You are more than able to protect and defend me in my darkest days. I love You, Lord.

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LISTEN UP


1 THESSALONIANS 5:20

“do not despise prophetic utterances.” 

This verse could be a little confusing for us today. We don’t hear many “prophetic utterances.” But what is Paul really saying here? Well, this might be translated as “don’t despise preaching” or “don’t ignore sound teaching.” It wasn’t so much about “forth-telling” as it was simply speaking God’s truth.

You see back in Thessaloniki some gifts were held in higher esteem than others. For instance, some might think speaking in tongues was superior to preaching. Others might think performing miracles was the top. Paul is simply saying, “Don’t ignore, don’t count as nothing the sharing of God’s truth.

APPLICATION

Children will prefer some things above others. They may prefer game time at church over studying the lesson. They may like the craft time more than singing praises. What we have to do is make sure they understand that nothing is more important than hearing and living God’s Word. 

The other stuff might get the kids to church, but it’s the Word of God that will keep them for a lifetime. I pray you are investing the Word into their lives daily. I hope you are teaching them to not despise these prophetic utterances. They can learn lessons in His truth that will determine their life for decades to come.

How about you? Are you a despiser or a lover of God’s truth which is spoken of in His Word? Let these prophetic utterances transform your life into a vessel carrying an eternal message. Speak His truth to others so that they too can gain a new perspective.

O God, I stand in awe of You and all You have done. Allow me to see each and every situation as one in which I could send forth utterances of Your truth.

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WHAT IS GOD’S WILL?

1 THESSALONIANS 5:18

“in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 

I want to challenge you to do a word study. Look up how many times the Bible mentions “God’s will” or “the will of God.” Make a list of all the things it says is God’s will for your life. The list may just surprise you. And here we have one more thing that is included in God’s will for you – to give thanks in everything.

Notice, Paul didn’t say “for” everything. It’s hard to thank God for some things. But IN whatever situation, we can thank Him. My brother and sister-in-law give thanks for my brother’s cancer he had several years ago. Now, they don’t thank Him FOR the cancer, but they are truly grateful for the opportunity it gave them to trust Him afresh with his very life. 

APPLICATION

Help your little Elrod or Gertrude make a list of things for which they are thankful. They will probably list the good stuff. Most of us would also. But help them think of some things that were difficult. Talk about what they learned through those things and how they can thank God for them. This is a deliberate choice on our part. We don’t naturally do this.

How about helping them thank God for the difficult people in their lives? “What?! Carl, you can’t mean that!” Well, I don’t, but God does. He places people in our lives who will challenge us and whom He will use to make us more like Him. We can thank Him for that. We don’t enjoy the process, but we sure love the outcome.

Are you thankful? Are you giving the Lord all the gratitude for all the things He allows to touch you? If you are like me, you probably aren’t. It’s hard to thank Him when your eyes are on the situation. Look up. Know that He is there. His will, His desire for you, His best offer can be accepted or rejected. What will you do with it.

Lord, I must confess that sometimes I find it hard to thank You for some of the things that come into my life. But I must trust that if You allow them, You have a purpose for them. For that I am thankful.

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REJOICE – ALWAYS


1 THESSALONIANS 5:16

“Rejoice always;” 

This is a first for me. I have put the entire verse in the title, lol.  One of the shortest verses in the Bible. In fact, in the Greek, it is shorter than the commonly thought of shortest verse “Jesus wept.” How ironic that the verse we think is the shortest has an exact opposite thought than the actual shortest verse. On the one hand we have weeping and on the other we have rejoicing.  That was just interesting to me. It didn’t cost you anything extra.

What does Paul mean here? This word “rejoice” is a command. We are commanded to rejoice ALL THE TIME. Is that possible? We can if we understand where this word comes from. “Rejoice,” “joy” and “grace” all come from the same root word in the Greek. If you understand grace and have experienced it through salvation, you will have joy. And if you have joy, you can’t help but rejoice. Even in bad times, God’s grace and joy will explode in rejoicing.

APPLICATION

Have you had a “Rejoicing Party” lately with your children? What fun! Put on a cd with some songs of rejoicing and praising our Savior. Dance and sing. Rejoice! Children love to dance with daddy and mommy. They love to watch us celebrate. 

Teach them this verse. Even a three-year-old can memorize this one. But explain it to them. Make sure they understand that rejoicing is based on joy and grace. We rejoice because of what God has done through His Son Jesus. We can’t rejoice in anything we’ve done. What a great verse – rejoice always.

Do you? Do you rejoice? Do you rejoice always? It is possible, if you allow yourself to die to your selfishness and pride. If you allow the Holy Spirit to flow through you, He will bring the joy to the top and it will overflow with rejoicing. Let it flow!

I praise You, my Lord, for filling me with Your grace and joy through the knowledge of Your Son. Because of Him I can rejoice always, even when the world is dead set against me. I WILL rejoice.

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ATABOY


1 THESSALONIANS 5:13

“and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.” 

Do you know that term – Ataboy? Well, it refers to patting someone on the back for a job well done. It means holding someone in high regard. Or as Paul says, “esteem them very highly.” Have you done that lately to someone? Have you given them an “ataboy”?

Of course, Paul is referring to those in verse 12, to those who teach us and lead us. Go up to your Pastor next week and give him a pat on the back and say, “Pastor, I really appreciate all you do for our church and for me personally. I am praying for you today.” You cannot imagine how much that will mean to him. Most of the time he hears negative stuff and complaints. You will truly bless him.

APPLICATION

Help your little Gertrude or Elrod make a list of people they want to give an “ataboy” to. It could be a teacher, preacher, babysitter or another leader in their life. After you make the list help them make a homemade card of thanks. Those homemade cards are not only fun to make, but they carry a special meaning to the recipient.

I keep a “Smile File” in my office where I keep all the cards I receive from children. I got one recently from a group of girls in our AWANA program. Knowing they took the time to color it and write a personal message meant so much to me. It was a simple gesture, but it blessed my socks off.  Teach your children to do that – to bless others.

Is there someone today you could bless that way? I bet they need it. Shoot them an email card or GIF or a personal text. It is so easy to do that in our digital world. Make a list of people you want to bless in that way. Then do it and sit back and watch them receive it. I promise you will be blessed as much.

I want to thank You first of all, Lord. You deserve all my praise and adoration for salvation. I esteem You very highly in love.

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WHO DO YOU APPRECIATE?


1 THESSALONIANS 5:12

“But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction,” 

If you have ever attended a middle school or high school ballgame, whether it be basketball or football, you have probably heard this cheer.  “2, 4, 6, 8, who do you appreciate…” Am I right?  It didn’t matter if your team was good or bad. The fans were going cheer for them. 

Paul is encouraging the Thessalonians and us to show our appreciation (literally, to remember) those who teach and lead us in our faith. Many churches and communities have “Clergy Appreciation Days.” This is a day set aside to recognize and show appreciation to our spiritual leaders. We would do well to do that in some way.

APPLICATION

“Carl, this isn’t a very spiritual devotion today.” Well, hang on. Let’s make this apply to us and our families. One thing that is sorely missing today in our society is valuing our spiritual mentors. We must teach our children to honor and respect those people God has placed over them. Lack of respect for authority is running rampant in our country. Of all people, Christians should lead the way in honoring our leaders.

How do we teach that? It begins at home. Holding your children accountable for disrespectful behavior must be done. Modeling respect for your leaders, even if you disagree with them, teaches our children to do the same. I truly believe God places people over us in life to teach us. We may question that sometime, but if we trust the Lord, we will honor Him by honoring those He has chosen as His instrument of instruction in our lives.

Whom are you complaining about right now? Are you picking apart your Pastor without any measure of honor and respect? Apply this verse to your life today. Ask the Lord to show you when you are NOT appreciating those who teach and lead you.

I am thankful, Lord, for those whom You have placed over me. I repent of any disrespect or dishonor I may have shown. Help me to learn from them what You would have me learn.

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BE A BUILDER


1 THESSALONIANS 5:11

“Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.” 

Imagery can be so important when you are trying to explain something to someone. Paul, through the Holy Spirit, is doing that so well in this verse. He instructs us to literally build up others (to help them stand firm) and also to encourage them (to come alongside them). I get this picture of a tree that is planted in the ground and then braced and supported tightly until it takes firm root.

Unfortunately, too many of us are too concerned with tearing others down and kicking the supports out from under them. We don’t want others “standing over” us. We would rather see them fall that appear to be over us. I pray anyone I have the privilege to mentor becomes MUCH more than me.

APPLICATION

Let me ask you a question. Do you want your children to succeed? Do you want them to achieve more than you? Most parents would quickly say, “Well, of course, Carl.” Their achievement over your achievements makes you proud, not jealous. Their surpassing of your goals is a reflection of you, not an overshadowing of anything you have done.

Why is it, then, that we can’t do the same thing with our brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ? Why do we compete with them for the top rung on the ladder? Teach your children to be that person who, for the betterment of the Body, is willing to stay at the bottom of the ladder to hold and support it, rather than kick people off on the way up.

How do you encourage and build up your fellow believers? Who are you personally mentoring right now? If you aren’t sure what the answer is to either of those questions, let me encourage you right now to take a moment to ask the Lord to put someone in your life to whom you can do that. We can’t do this Christian life alone and neither can others.

Lord, You have created us to need each other. Let me encourage someone today. Instead of tearing someone down, help me build someone up.

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HEAVENLY LIVING


1 THESSALONIANS 5:10

“who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.” 

I just cAn’t get over the imagery of Christ’s death. It is His death on the cross that gives us the opportunity for life, life eternal. Paul is assuring the Thessalonians and us that whether they are alive when Christ returns or are asleep (as we saw in chapter 4), we WILL be with Christ for eternity.

There are not many people I can think of I would want to live with here on earth. Living with people requires you to share space. It requires you to communicate with them about household stuff. People you live with now just get in your stuff, don’t they? But eternal living will be different. Why? Because our focus will NOT be on us. It will be on Him. 

APPLICATION

Why not ask your children how they like living in their family. Get ready for some crazy answers. Ask them if they could, who would they add or leave out. Now, this is not a time for scolding or correcting. Just let them answer and tell why. You could learn a lot by their answers. 

After you have heard all their answers, talk about our eternal home. Explain how living here is really just preparation for living there. Getting along with family here is preparing us for eternal living. Encourage them to be more forgiving of that brother or sister whom they may spend eternity with. Model this for them by treating your spouse with the kind of affection you will receive from Jesus in your heavenly home. 

Are you ready for eternal living? If you are a believer, God is trying to get you ready each day down here. He is attempting to mold you into a perfect eternal kingdom citizen. Just think how sweet it would be if we could start living heavenly down here. Heaven on earth is possible if we let Him live in and through us.

Father God, give me the wisdom today to live heavenly. Let me treat my earthly family like I will treat my heavenly family. Give me Your eyes today to see them as You see them.

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