Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule: Exodus 16-18; 1 Thessalonians 4
Devotional Thought:
In 1 Thessalonians the theme is what a local church ought to look like and act like. Often times this book is referred to as an eschatological book and it is in many respects. However, I believe this book emphasizes what a local church ought to look like when Christ does return. How we can be sure that we are ready and anticipating the rapture, not regretting it? Here in chapter 4 we find specific behavioral patterns that should not only be present but prevalent. First there is the behavior of living clean. Verse seven says, “God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.” As the world gets worse and worse, the Christian ought to stand out more and more distinctly different. It seems today we have bought the lie that in order to reach the unsaved, we must be able to make them feel comfortable. Sinful living is never comfortable around holiness! However, the second behavior loves consistently. Our love ought to first be consistently seen toward the brethren. If two people, who have the Holy Spirit living within them, cannot or choose not to love one another, how will they ever learn to love the unsaved world? Verse eleven makes it clear that if brethren are to love one another, they must learn to mind their own business. We have too many people meddling in other people’s business and then wanting to share their opinion on the subject. When our love is genuine and honest toward each other, then God says we must demonstrate that love to the world. I have never met a true soul winner who was constantly stirring up strife in the church. The last behavior is to look constantly. This gives us the idea of looking with anticipation. Counting down the days, hours, and minutes! Finding ourselves fixing every detail in order for everything to be just right when the moment arrives. Is that how we are living our lives each day? Christ IS coming again!
Personal
• Lord, help me to live holy and be a testimony of your purity.
• Lord, help me to love the brethren and love the lost and dying world around me. Help me see them the same way you see them.
• Lord, help me to live in a healthy anticipation of your soon return. I am so excited about seeing you face to face.