Use Your Words to Bless

1 Thessalonians 1:1--3:12

I am struck by the way that Paul writes to the church,  to the people of Thessalonica. It is so tender and yet, so forward.  He wastes no time in getting to the point.  He is blessed by what they have accomplished, and in what he is hearing about them, but there is still so much to do!  

I wonder if people in other churches around the city, around the country, or even around the world, are hearing of the things we are doing for Christ in our congregation at Congress and Wabash?  I don’t know about you, but I only want to be known as a group of Christ-followers who are doing the important, hard tasks of the church.  Going out into the streets and alleys and finding those who need Him most, ( and that, I have found, is all of us.)

I am also struck with the way Paul is talking to them and God simultaneously. 

His words to them are really prayers in disguise.  For instance, starting in the 11th verse he says ,“Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you.  May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.  May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.”

I just find these passages beautiful.  It is apparent the love that Paul, Timothy and Silas must have for them, and what a burden of prayer and supplication they bear for that church and its people.  

I pray that we can have that same kind of fervent prayer for even our own church. “ We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers.  We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thess. 1:2,3.

Prayer for Today: May OUR words bless another as deeply as the ones we have read today. Thank you for showing us great leaders in our faith like Paul, who gave up so much to follow You, but got so much more in return. In Jesus, Amen.

Checker-Upper

James 5:1-20

I'm not really any good at waiting.  When I cook in a crock-pot, I always look. Baking in the oven? I open the door and look. As I have gotten older, I have gotten better at knowing when to look, but I still look

I have two kids. I remember when they were very little and I would put them in time-out.  The one, I could put in time-out, and they would be so good at the task of being away, that they would actually fall asleep!  When the other child went into time-out, they would come out every 5 minutes and ask if they could  be done or was it enough time out!  Although I am farther along than I used to be, I regret that I am still a "checker-upper."

I wonder, as I write this reflection, how many of you are "checker-uppers?" Do you plant your seeds, but them come out the next day and expect a crop? Okay, maybe not a crop, but even a seedling?  Have you ever planted seeds or bulbs in the yard?  I have, and I can tell you, it takes about 7-10 days for those beauties to poke their heads through the soil.  Those 7-10 days drive me crazy!  I usually find myself thinking, "oh, there's something wrong...the squirrels must have eaten them or they are rotted out in the ground!"  When they are out of my sight, I am nervous because they are out of my control.  I know this is a "bit" of an exaggeration, but I hope you get my meaning.  We have to put things into Father's hands and trust that He knows what to do with them.  Stop taking them back!

I pray that you have an amazing day. What can you put in His hands today?  He's more than able to take care of it!

Prayer: God, you are the keeper of my hidden things-the good and the bad. I trust you with my mornings, afternoons and nights. Thank you for being so good to me. In Jesus, Amen.

Cheryl Wyatt