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Christian Devotional – August 14, 2017
Looking at the next section in 1 Thessalonians, we see in chapter 2 verses 9-12 how our Behavior around others and our encouragement of others matters. Paul explains that he and his group had been in Thessalonica and had walked the talk. They lived uprightly and blamelessly in front of others, and as a result they were able to offer encouragement to those people who needed it while they were walking the Christian Life. Are we consistent in our walk? Do we walk what we say we believe and can others see it as they look at our lives? As we do that, we will be able to encourage people…
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Christian Devotional – August 7, 2017
What does it mean to mentor someone? In 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 we see Paul’s definition. He explained how he poured his life into the people there. He was mindful of how he spoke to them and of how he sought to be an example to them as he walked beside them. He genuinely cared about the people and he wasn’t there for any ulterior motive. When we are mentoring people we must have that same thought in mind. It can’t be about us, it must be about the people. We must meet them where they are and seek to build a relationship with them first. Are we building the kingdom…
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Christian Devotional – August 6, 2017
Boldness. Do we each have boldness in 1 Thessalonians 2:1-2 we see Paul explaining how he came to them in boldness. He actually goes on to explain exactly what that boldness means. They had been persecuted where they were, then they came to Thessalonica and experienced the same hostile reaction but still shared the message of the gospel anyway. They had boldness. Do we have boldness? When we are experiencing difficulties, do we still share the message of Jesus with boldness? How can we show boldness today?
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Christian Devotional – August 5, 2017
Have others ever talked about you? Most of us would say, “Yes!” very quickly and easily. The more important question is what are they saying. For the Thessalonians, they had people talking about them. As we read in 1 Thessalonians1:6-10 we quickly see that when they came to believe and trust in Jesus, they were experiencing difficult time and trials, but that word of their faith was spreading and people were talking. Do others know of our faith? Is what we believe evident enough to others that they recognize where our joy comes from in the midst of the trials? Trials are going to come, and others will be watching…
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Christian Devotional – August 4, 2017
We’re moving to the book of 1st Thessalonians. As we spend time in this book, I’m excited to see how Paul’s words to these early believers apply to our lives today. Looking today at 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5, we see that Paul is reminding the people about how they brought the gospel to them. They didn’t just bring it in eord, but also in power and through the Holy Spirit. We have the most important message for all mankind, so are we just sharing it with words alone? The Holy Spirit gives power to the word of God. Without the Holy Spirit in our lives working through us, what we share…
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Christian Devotional – August 3, 2017
As we finish up Nehemiah, we are reminded of the importance of our relationships. In Nehemiah 13:23-31, we see how the people had gone back to mixing their marriages with non-believers. As we are creating relationships with people around us, we must remember that for those crucial relationships like a spouse, we need someone who is going to help us and encourage us in the same faith. While not impossible, it is certainly much harder when we are joined together with someone who does not believe in Jesus. Even if we are in a relationship with another believer, do we seek strength and encouragement from that relationship? Are we willing…
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Christian Devotional – August 2, 2017
So far in this chapter, Nehemiah has addressed several areas where the children of Israel have neglected the commands of God and become lax in their obedience. Here in Nehemiah 13:15-22, the people have forgotten the Sabbath. Do we take time to rest and relax in God? We cannot continue the frantic pace that many of our lives have become. God knows how much we need to rest in Him. The people had neglected it and Nehemiah not only told them about it, he enforced it. We cannot alwsys just tell ourselves what is right, we must also set up things that hold us accountable to following through on our…
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Christian Devotional – August 1, 2017
Giving. Many people have heard pastors talk about money. In fact, it is often criticized as being spoken about too often. Yet here in Nejemiah 13:10-14, we see the practical side of tithing. True, it is important to tithe as it is a way to demonstrate o edience and trust in God. But, the other purpose of the tithe is to allow the servants God has chosen to be provided for so that they can focus on serving. Here, the tithe was not happening, so the servants left their service so they could go and make a living. Nehemiah trstored them to service and saw them provided for. Are we…
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Christian Devotional – July 31, 2017
What have we given a room to? In Nehemiah 13:3-9, he had gone back to his job with the king, but while he was gone, some of the men had taken one of the evil men and giving him a room in the temple. Nehemiah came back to visit and check on things, and found this out. He immediately demanded that they remove that person and cleanse the room. What things are we providing room for in our heart? We can be quick to give space for things that are not pleasing to God, but that we don’t want to get rid of. We must examine our hearts and ensure…
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Christian Devotional – July 28, 2017
Obedience. The people of Nehemiah’s time had learned so much about obedience already, but we see in chapter 13, verses 1-3 another example. Here, they didn’t know what they were supposed to do. They had been allowing something that was not right to go on. But, the moment they were confronted with it, they immediately turned and repented and made it right. Do we do the same? When we are confronted with something being wrong, do we accept that and move directly to obedience? Or, do we make excuses and justifications instead? Nothing less than obedience is what God desires.