Category Archives: Thanksgiving

Child Raising, Child Rearing, Christianity, Comfort, Disciplemaking, Evangelism, Family, Fatherhood, Forgiveness, Inspirational, Love, Mentoring, Ministry, Motherhood, Obedience, Parenting, Passion, Praise, Purity, Rejection, Sanctification, Surrender, Thanksgiving

NO WRATH


1 THESSALONIANS 5:9

“For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,” 

Isn’t this an incredible promise of God? He, and only He, does not set us up or place us in wrath. The word “destined” is written in such a way that it means ONLY HE makes this decision. Why is it written that way? Because Satan would love to destine us for wrath. If he had a say in it, we all would. 

But we are destined to obtain salvation. Oh, listen to this. That word “obtaining” is used in Ephesians 1:14 and 1 Peter 2:9 to refer to “God’s own possession.” Do you get it? God has destined us, He has established us, He has determined that we will be HIS! Praise be to God!

APPLICATION

Do you have video of your child’s birth? Has your child seen it? If not, show it to them and explain to them that God determined to place them into your family long before they were born. The birth just made it reality. The Lord brought you and your husband or wife together and through that union established a family into which they would be born.

Explain to them that their birth into God’s family brings into reality what God had already established. It is God’s will, His desire that all men be saved. And because of that desire, whenever anyone enters the family, it brings into place what was destined to begin with. God WANTS all of His creation to come to Him.

I pray you have made that decision. I don’t assume for a second that just because you are reading this devotional that you are a believer. You may have just stumbled onto it through one of the hundreds of search engines out there on the web. Make God’s Will for you reality today. Accept His Son Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. You are NOT destined for wrath. He has destined you for salvation.

What a comforting thought, O Savior of my soul. I praise You for saving me. I thank You for allowing me to come into Your family and experience Your salvation.

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PROTECT YOURSELF


1 THESSALONIANS 5:8

“But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.” 

I love Paul’s words to describe our faith and trust in the Lord Jesus. In today’s verse he explains that we are protected by a breastplate of faith and love and a helmet he calls the hope of salvation.  Let’s think a moment about what that means to us as believers.

The breastplate protects our vital organs from being struck and injured. The stronger the material, the better we are protected. I own a bulletproof vest which can withstand most bullets which could strike me in the chest and back area. I am protected. But I am also protected by my faith and love for my Savior. It is His protective shield about me that guards my spiritual heart from the fiery darts of the enemy.

My head, where all my thoughts and prayers originate, is protected by the hope I have in my salvation. Now understand this – I may not completely understand all that salvation has done, is doing or will do for me, but I know I am protected by it. No evil force can make me believe otherwise.

APPLICATION

Get some cardboard and make your kids and yourself a breastplate and helmet. You will have a blast doing it with them, I promise. And once you have them made, play battle. Get some pool noodles and make swords or spears.  Purposely strike each other in the chest and head (playfully I must say).

When you are worn out from this, read this verse to them and explain how our trust in the Lord works just like the cardboard to protect us. Now cardboard won’t last forever, but it is good enough to get the point across.  Your kids won’t soon forget this lesson.

Do you have your armor on today? Or are you trying to wage war with the devil using your own shield and sword? Stop doing that and use the Lord’s armor. His is much stronger. His is eternal. His will protect you. Trust Him.

Thank you, Father, that You have the breastplate and helmet to fit me. I am thankful You protect me daily from any attacks by the evil one. Guard my heart and mind.

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DON’T PASS OUT


1 THESSALONIANS 5:6

“so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober.” 

Paul is admonishing us to stay awake, to not get lazy, to remain “alert and sober.” But for how long? As long as it takes. Paul doesn’t specify a timeframe. He just says, through the Holy Spirit, to not sleep, to say alert and to stay sober. 

When you are asleep you aren’t aware of what is going on around you. When you are drunk you don’t have control of your senses. You get confused. As believers, we have to be alert at all times. This isn’t just in reference to Christ’s return, but it applies to everyday life. 

APPLICATION

I had the privilege to take my great nephew out hunting last season. One thing I told him as we climbed the tree to get into our tree stands was to stay alert. He couldn’t sleep and expect to see any deer approaching. He couldn’t start daydreaming and spot that allusive white-tail buck creeping up.  He had to stay alert and undistracted.

Most children are easily distracted. The latest fad or video game will consume them. Make sure your children spend time every day in His Word and in prayer. That doesn’t have to be for hours, but there should specific time set aside for this every day. And as they go through the rest of their day, they should stay alert for God moments. He is at work all around us.

Are you alert and sober? Are you awake? Allow the Holy Spirit to give you the energy to stay focused on Him. We don’t have a “5 hour energy” drink for God. It has to be a deliberate decision on your part to look toward God and allow Him to work in and through you. Do that today.

I need You, O Lord, to stay alert and sober. I need You to keep me focused on heavenly things. I praise You for Your strength to do this today.

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LIGHT OR DARKNESS


1 THESSALONIANS 5:5

“for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness;” 

That is basically the question. Do you choose the light or darkness? Do you want to live in the night or day? I don’t mind darkness or night in a physical sense. But I sure don’t want to be in it spiritually. That is what Paul is referring to here. 

As believers in Christ, we walk with THE Light. His light shines in and through us. We should be lighting the path for others. The light in us should brighten not only our path but those around us. Why would you choose to walk in darkness? There is only one reason – to hide your sin.

APPLICATION

Are your children afraid of the dark? Do they require a night light in their bedrooms? My teenage grandson chose a room in their new house without windows so it would be dark. He’s not threatened by the darkness. Neither should any of your children or grandchildren.

So, how do you get your little Johnny or Susie to walk in the day or in the light instead of the night or darkness? By modeling it yourself. Your behavior and lifestyle will show them the value of staying in the light. It is much easier to walk in light than darkness. Darkness trips you. Darkness makes you suspicious. Teach your children to live out in the open in the light.

Where are you walking right now? Do you resemble light or darkness? Yield all your desires and wishes to Him. Let Jesus shine through you daily. Let your face shine for Him. Let your words shine for Him. Let every part of your being shine for Him.

Father of light, shine through me. Let Your light be the beacon that draws men to You. Use me to do that.

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GET READY, GET SET, …


1 THESSALONIANS 5:4

“But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief;” 

The last several verses in 1 Thessalonians have been focused on the return of Christ. We know, as believers, that we are going. We know He is coming quickly. But in this verse Paul tells us that we won’t be surprised IF… If what? If we are not in darkness.

All through Scripture darkness is an analogy for sin. Think about it – if we are walking in darkness (sin), we will be preoccupied with our self. We won’t have our minds set on things above, as Colossians 3 tells us. When we are in sin our focus is completely off Christ. But if we are walking in light and living expectedly for His return, we won’t be caught off guard.

APPLICATION

Children love tag games. Remember being “it” and having to count to 100 or so. Then you would yell, “Ready or not, here I come.” They love to race each other. Someone lines up the racers and shouts, “Get ready, get set, GO!”

With both of these examples you have a warning. With both of these examples there is no surprise. That’s how it is for the believer who is watching for Christ’s return. It’s almost like the Father in heaven is saying, “Get ready, get set…” When we accept Christ as our Savior, we are ready and set. All that is left is “Go.”

Are you ready and set to go? Are you walking in the light so that you will not be surprised? If you are walking in darkness right now, get out of it. Get back into the light of God’s Word. Get into fellowship with Him and other believers. Ready or not, here HE comes.

O Lord, You will be a welcomed sight. I want to stay in the light so that I can clearly see You. Help me stay out of the darkness of sin.

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SUDDENLY


1 THESSALONIANS 5:3

“While they are saying, ‘Peace and safety!’ then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape.” 

It’s pretty amazing to me that the word “suddenly” is only used two times in the New Testament – here and in Luke 21:34, where it also is referring to the return of Christ. In the Luke passage, it is Christ Himself saying it. Wow! Don’t you think we should get prepared?

Sudden things can be both exciting and terrifying. For the unbeliever, the sudden return of Christ will be terrifying. They will be left behind to face a world without any holy influence. But for the believers, it is an exciting event we can look forward to. I am ready, aren’t you?

APPLICATION

Ask your little Elrod how fast he thinks “suddenly” is. Let him explain in the best way he knows how. Children can be quite descriptive if you give them a chance. Write down how he describes it. Then look up some definitions of the word.  It can mean quickly, unexpectedly, immediately or instantaneously. In other words, it’s fast.

The point is this. Make sure your child knows now fast He will return. They can’t see Him coming and get ready. They have to be ready BEFORE He returns. There is no in between. Prepare your children for His coming. Prepare your family because He is coming before you know it.  Suddenly!

Are you prepared for His sudden return? His sudden return will not catch you by surprise if you have already surrendered to Him. Be ready and watch! Then “suddenly” will be a welcomed word. And you will SUDDENLY we caught up with Him in the air.

Father, I praise You for promising the SUDDEN return of Your Son. I am ready to see Him part the sky. Sudden can’t be quick enough!

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WHAT TIME IS IT?


1 THESSALONIANS 5:1

“Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you.” 

Have you ever been waiting for something and you kept checking your watch? Or if you forgot your watch, you are asking someone else every two minutes what time it is. It can make you over anxious. You know it’s coming. You just can’t wait! You are fidgety, nervous and excited.

Paul is telling the Thessalonians (and us) to chill. They know the Lord is going to return, so just carry on until that day. There was no need to know more. He said He was going to return, and He will. Just wait. Don’t look for anymore answers or clues. Don’t believe anyone who tells you differently. He is on His way. Only the Father knows the exact day and hour. 

APPLICATION

Oh my! Do I really need to tell you how to apply this verse? Kids are notoriously good about doing this? “Is it time?” “Are we there yet?” “When will they get here?” They can overload you with their questions when they are excited about something. They can run and jump and squeal with excitement just thinking about what is coming. 

The next time this happens, use this verse. Explain to them that, as believers, we are ALL anticipating the Lord’s return. We could spend all our time watching and pacing the floor, but He doesn’t want us to do that. He wants us to be busy with the work of His kingdom. He wants us to be serving and loving others. Then suddenly, He will be here. And He will catch us doing the very thing He has asked us to do.

Are you excited? Are you actively engaged in doing the Lord’s bidding? He is coming, but don’t just sit around and wait. Prepare the way of the Lord. Tell as many as you can about Him. Do His work while there is still time. He is coming, and it won’t be long. 

I can’t wait to see Your face, Lord. That may happen in the air or in heaven, but I know You are true to Your word. You are coming again. Thank You for the peace I can have as I wait.

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COMFORTING WORDS


1 THESSALONIANS 4:18

“Therefore comfort one another with these words.”

Who doesn’t want to be comforted? When we are feeling down or something terrible has happened, we all need someone to come along beside us and speak words of comfort to us. A large part of my job as a Minister has been doing that. I have had to tell way too many children that their mom or dad died. Or I have had to hold far too many hands of people who were sick or facing surgery. 

Paul is instructing the Thessalonians to use the words he had just written to them to comfort each other regarding those among them who had gone on to glory. He wanted them to rest in the fact that they were with Jesus. No one was going to be left in the grave. Those are, indeed, comforting words.

APPLICATION

If you have children, then you have had to comfort them at some point. When they were babies and were crying for seemingly no reason, you held them, sang to them and loved on them. When they got a little older you probably talked to them with soft, kind words to try to quiet their little hearts.  Words of comfort are normally welcomed and productive.

My youngest granddaughter loves to be whispered to. I can hold her and whisper blessings in her ear, and she will just freeze with her ear next to my mouth. I whisper comforting words like, “Poppy loves you, God loves you, Jesus loves you, you are precious and special, you are beautiful.” And my favorite words I whisper are “God has a wonderful plan for your life.” Sweet, soft comforting words.

Can you do that today for someone? Who do you know needs those words of comfort? Reassure them. Draw them close and tell them how much God loves them. Let them know they are not alone. Remind them of God’s promises to His children. It will bless you as much as it blesses them.

Father, thank You for comforting me. Give me the words and the opportunity to comfort another today. Allow Your words of truth to speak to their very spirit.

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SNATCHED UP


1 THESSALONIANS 4:17

“Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.” 

There is much debate about the Rapture.  Some say it’s not in the Bible. Others say it is. Many just don’t want to think about it. Well…here it is!  Today’s verse, of course, doesn’t use the word “rapture,” but “caught up” is where the term comes from. It’s a long story, but through translations from Greek to Latin to English, we get the term Rapture, to be caught up or snatched up.

It’s going to happen quickly. It’s going to be sudden. But it is NOT unexpected or unwelcomed by the believer. I remember a James Bond movie where he was rescued by a plane by a rescue rope tied to a balloon. The plane flew by snatched the rope which was descending from the balloon and 007 was snatched from the ground to rescue. He was expecting it and wanted it. That’s us with Jesus. We are expecting Him and wanting Him to snatch us up.

APPLICATION

If you have little ones, you know they love to be picked up and carried. They will throw up their arms and practically jump into yours. They want to be snatched up. Why? Because they love you and want to be with you. The next time you do that think on this verse.

If your children or grandchildren are too old to “snatch up,” ask them if they remember you picking them up. They may not, so remind them. If you have a video or picture of that, show them. Then tell them about this verse. Jesus is coming back to “snatch” them to glory, if they are a believer. And just like you, He will do it because of His love for them.

Are you ready to be snatched up, to be raptured? Are you ready to be caught up in the air with the Lord? I pray you are. If you aren’t, you had better get ready. He is coming soon. He is on His way. He will deliver you from the evils of this world, if you will only trust Him and yield your life to Him.

I cannot wait for that ultimate thrill ride, Lord. I look towards the sky, anticipating Your strong arms to snatch me up to heaven. I long to feel Your embrace.

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HERE I COME!


1 THESSALONIANS 4:16

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.” 

I know people who are afraid they are going to miss Christ’s return. Seriously? He’s coming with a shout, the voice of the archangel and a trumpet. If you are a believer, your ears will be tuned to that frequency. There will be no missing this. HE will make sure of that. You will know He has arrived. Yahoo!

I can’t wait! I am so ready to go to glory. But…there are many of my friends, neighbors and loved ones who, if He came right now, would not be joining me. That makes me sad. That breaks my heart. I want them to go, but I can’t sneak them into heaven. They have to make that decision on their own. And that is only possible by surrendering to Jesus.

APPLICATION

Ask your child today who they want to go to heaven with. Now, I know, they are not going now, but ask them. Let them name everyone they can think of. Now make sure they understand that in order for them to go with them they ALL have to be Christians. They all must have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Encourage your child to share Christ with them, if they are not saved. People will respond to little children sometimes quicker than they will to an adult.

Of course, your child must also make this decision. No child gets into heaven based on their parents’ faith. Once they have reached that age where they understand the gospel (age of accountability – which is whole other subject), they must make their own decision for Christ. Then automatically, their ears get tuned into that trumpet call. Then they will hear that shout and the voice of the archangel.

Are you ready? Are your friends and family ready? If not, get ready! He’s coming. It could be today. It could be tomorrow. But He is coming. If you are ready, do all you can to reach as many as you can as fast as you can. 

You are returning one day, O Lord. I am ready. Help me reach all I can before that great day!

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