Good morning to all on this 1st Sunday in September. I was reviewing my Spiritual blog posts and it has been a whole month since I last. I woke up this morning with a yearning for God's Word. I routinely fellowship with Joyce Meyers in the morning but even she says nothing replaces time alone with God, in His Word. Waine and I are fine and growing "old" together. That is a wonderful thought and I thank God for him, my children, my grandchildren and for you.
I am continuing my journey in 1 Thessalonians 5 verses 1 - 28, "Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil. May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it. Brothers and sisters, pray for us. Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss. I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. " Amen and may the Lord add a blessing to the reading and hearing of His Word.
Paul is wrapping up this visit with the Christians in Thessalonica. He is leaving some instruction for them so that they can mature as a body and learn to re-energize themselves during his absence. Remember as new Christians they had to learn how to "live " by breathing in the Holy Spirit. Just as our physical body requires oxygen to function, our spiritual selves require the Holy Spirit to function. When we breathe we naturally get in the oxygen that is required and our lungs extract the oxygen with every breath. We don't have to think about breathing. It happens for adults 12-14 times a minute. Most of us don't go around having to remind our selves to take a breath or to exhale--we are hard wired to do so. Likewise as Christians we are to be hard wired to be in a attitude of prayer so that the Holy Spirit can provide us with the spiritual oxygen that is necessary for us to live. When we are in prayer the Holy Spirit has His best chance to replenish us. When we are with Him through prayer and thanksgiving, then evil has no room in our lives. When Paul tells us to pray without ceasing, I think he means to be in an Attitude of prayer and thanksgiving all day, every day. Let your attitude of prayer be like breathing.
When Waine and I were in Cusco, Peru at an elevation of 11,000 feet we were reminded with each breath that our body was not getting the oxygen it needed. It was painful and we were spent and did not have the energy to move around. We couldn't fully enjoy the experience because of air hunger. As Christians we should get the sensation of "spiritual" hunger when we are not in an attitude of prayer and thanksgiving. As I mature in Christ this is exactly what I experience. I immediately feel "spirit hungry" when I allow myself to be out of sync with God through the Holy Spirit. Hallelujah I am maturing.
As you start your day, be in prayer with God and in thanksgiving lift your cares to Him who cares for you. I am in love with God through Jesus Christ and I thank God each minute for His love for me. To live and breath is Christ.
Now may the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.
Stephanie
