Category Archives: Witnessing

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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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GOOD OR EVIL


1 THESSALONIANS 5:15

“See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.” 

What an interesting use of words, but you have to go back to the original language to really see why. You see, “repays” carries the idea of a payment or repayment. That is usually a good thing, but in this situation it’s bad. You’ve heard the expression “payback.” Well, that’s the idea here. It’s getting back at someone.

And the other words that are interesting are “seek after.” That’s one word in the Greek, and it can also be used in a good way or a bad way. Here, of course, it is a good thing. It means to earnestly pursue something. It’s your passion. It’s what drives you. You just can’t stop.

APPLICATION

This is an easy application, if you will teach it. Children naturally want to “get back” at someone who has done them wrong. We all get that naturally. It’s part of our sin nature. Our job as parents is to lead our children to Christ who can transform that nature into His nature. Then, like Him, they will desire what is good for others, not payback.

One of the best ways to teach your children to do good towards those who try to harm them is to teach them to pray for them. It’s really hard to try to “get back” at someone you are praying for. Your child may even suggest a way to actually do something nice for that person in the name of Jesus. Encourage that. 

Who is giving you a “fit” right now? Is there someone at work who just has it in for you? Perhaps, God forbid, there is someone at church you can’t get along with. Begin by praying for them. We never know what is going on in a person’s life, but God does. Then ask the Lord to use you to do good to them. Find a way to bless them. What happens might surprise you.

O Lord, I know all I deserve is payback for my sins. I do not deserve Your blessings. But because of Your Son, Jesus, I am declared righteous. Help me see others as deserving of that same righteousness.

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DID I LEAVE ANYONE OUT?


1 THESSALONIANS 5:14

“We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” 

My daughter is planning a wedding! Yep, I am gaining a son-in-law, or as I like to say – a son. They are both busy planning the invitation list. What started out as a small little wedding has naturally grown to a larger event. That’s okay. It’s their wedding, and they want their friends and family there to celebrate with them.

Paul is making a list here in today’s verse for the Thessalonians. He wants them to reach out to the unruly, fainthearted, weak and well…everyone. Now that’s a pretty exhaustive list. In fact, the word “everyone” comes from the word that means not just all, but each and every part that makes up the whole. So, Paul is saying, “each and every person.”

APPLICATION

You will need to teach each of these commands separately to your little Johnny or Susie. I would hold off on the admonishing one until they are older. That takes some skill to do correctly. But it is still a most valuable skill to have.  

Teaching them to encourage, help and to be patient, though, can ONLY be taught by modeling that for them. Sorry about that Mom and Dad. You are the one that has to practice this first. Then your children will see what it looks like.  Are you willing to do that? Are you willing to do what the Lord asks you?

So many of us want to admonish, but we don’t want to encourage, help or show patience. We don’t have the right to admonish someone we are not willing to encourage, help or be patient with. Is that you? Commit today to start at the bottom of that list (patience) and work your way up. See what God will do through you.

Father, You have given us the perfect example in Christ. He showed us patience, help and encouragement so that admonishment wasn’t as necessary. Help me model Christ in my interactions with others.

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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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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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THE DARK SIDE OF NIGHT


1 THESSALONIANS 5:7

“For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night.” 

My daddy used to say, “There is not a thing you can do after 11 p.m. that you can’t do before 11 p.m.” In other words, you don’t need to be out past 11 p.m. Those late hours just lead to trouble. And it’s true. People seem to stop thinking straight late at night.

And most people do their sleeping at night. I feel sorry for people who have to try to sleep during the day. That must be hard to adjust to. What is Paul saying here? When you are sleeping or drunk, you are not focused on Christ. Your mind shuts off or your mind is altered. He is telling us to remain alert.

APPLICATION

When you put your little Johnny or Susie to bed tonight teach them to have the Lord as their last thought before they drift off into sleep. Plant good thoughts in their heads. Read them something from God’s Word. If you read this verse, you may want to just read the first half to avoid a long discussion at bedtime about getting drunk, lol.

I know a lot of parents who play scripture songs very low at night for their children to sleep by. I like that. Even during the middle of the night, they can wake up to His Word. We just need to keep our children centered on righteous living. We need to teach them to focus on God and His Word at all times. It will direct them on the righteous path.

To whom are you listening? Are you “sleeping” too much? Are you staying “drunk”? Now, I don’t mean to imply you are always in your bed or drinking. But many of us act as if that is what we are doing due to our apathetic view of God. We don’t have any use for Him until we need Him. Remain alert today. Look heavenward today. He may just surprise you.

Keep me alert and ready to respond, Lord. I want to be used by You, and that means I must be ready at all times. Help me to make sure each of my actions are pleasing to You.

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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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