ThinkOnItDevotions

JoWillie
We definitely need wisdom and discernment, not to mention spiritual discipline to just out everything agains the Word of God - just like the Bereans.
Thanks for stopping by!

__________________
Elizabeth Marks, has a heart for encouraging others with God's Word.
www.ThinkOnItBibleDevotions.com
www.YourBibleWitnessAtWork.com
www.BeingWomenOfInfluence.com

ThinkOnItDevotions

But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. 11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:8-11 NKJV

Have your wits about you. Apply common sense. Be sober minded. What do all of these saying have in common? They all speak of using your mind. Here again in today’s verse the Bible is instructing us to use our minds by being sober and by putting on the breastplate of faith and love and as a helmet the hope of salvation.

God has given us several pieces of armor to use. Ephesians 6:14-18 NKJV explains:
“Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.�

We are reminded that it’s the Lord’s power we are to be strong in and when we put on the whole armor of God, we are able to stand against the enemy. Look at Ephesians 6:10-11 NKJV: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.�

God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. What a powerful verse! This one should be tucked away in our minds and hearts. When trials come, we should take it out and mediate on it. That’s what the last verse of today is saying to do – edify one another.

What does edify mean?
• American Hertige Dictionary says edify means: To instruct especially so as to encourage intellectual, moral, or spiritual improvement.
• Webster’s New Millennium Dictionary says: to build, construct; to establish

When we edify one another, we encourage our faith, help build a solid foundation on God’s Word and establish an immovable stance against anything trying to weaken our faith. Remember the tools God has given us to over come our enemy and use them!

__________________
Elizabeth Marks, has a heart for encouraging others with God's Word.
www.ThinkOnItBibleDevotions.com
www.YourBibleWitnessAtWork.com
www.BeingWomenOfInfluence.com

ThinkOnItDevotions

And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22 NKJV

There’s a lot to cover in today’s verse. However, we’re going to focus on just a few related items.

Pursue what is good
We are told in 2 Timothy 2:22 NKJV “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.� Also in Romans 12:9 NKJV “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.� In everything, we are to be wise considering whether a thing is good or not.

Test all things
The Bereans, after hearing Paul’s teaching, searched scriptures to verify what they hear against the Word of God. Acts 17:11 NKJV “These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.� We’re called to do the same thing. Don’t believe everything you read or hear, but check it out against God’s Word. I heard a quote the other day that explains this: “The best way to determine if the stick is crooked or not is to lay a straight stick next to it.� God’s Word is our straight stick.

Hold fast to what is good
In order to hold fast to what is good, one must know what is good. Jesus teaches us only God is good in Mark 10:18 NKJV “So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.� In the Old Testament, the Lord tells us to hold fast to Him alone. Deuteronomy 10:20 NKJV “You shall fear the LORD your God; you shall serve Him, and to Him you shall hold fast, and take oaths in His name.�

Lord God above, You are all we need. Help us be wise in all things, testing them out through Your Word. Help us cling to what is good and run from anything that would draw us away from You. In Jesus name Amen.

To wrap this up, we are to pursue God, test all things and hold fast to God alone. How’s it going for you? Are you pursuing God? Are you checking out what you hear to see if it aligns with God’s Word? Are you clinging to the Lord?

__________________
Elizabeth Marks, has a heart for encouraging others with God's Word.
www.ThinkOnItBibleDevotions.com
www.YourBibleWitnessAtWork.com
www.BeingWomenOfInfluence.com

ThinkOnItDevotions

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. 25 Brethren, pray for us. 26 Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. 27 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren. 28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. 1 Thessalonians 4:23-28 NKJV



God is the one who sanctifies us. It is by His power, His love, His mercy and worked through His Spirit that we are set apart for Him. When God gets a hold of your heart, you’ll never be the same. There are changes that take place.

You might not do the same things you used to. For example, you may find it uncomfortable to watch R rated movies or hang out with friends who are getting drunk all the time. You might find your thoughts on certain subjects have changed. For example, before you might have believed living with someone who wasn’t your spouse was okay. After Christ came to live in you, you realize sex outside of marriage is sin. Notice what 1 Peter 4:4 NLT says “Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they slander you.�

These are all outward symptoms of an inward change of heart. The disciples were charged with turning the world upside down because of their beliefs. Acts 17:6 NKJV “….These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.� Are our beliefs causing others to think about their own fate? If not, why?

__________________
Elizabeth Marks, has a heart for encouraging others with God's Word.
www.ThinkOnItBibleDevotions.com
www.YourBibleWitnessAtWork.com
www.BeingWomenOfInfluence.com

ThinkOnItDevotions

We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, 4 so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, 5 which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; 2 Thessalonians 1:3-5 NKJV

The fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The Thessalonians had many of these fruit visible in their walk with the Lord. Look at what Paul says in today’s verse.

Their faith was growing exceedingly. How do you know when someone’s faith is growing? way to tell is how quickly they turn to God in prayer. Just the other day, I was explaining to my 12 year son, how God proves Himself real to me through answering my prayers. If we don’t pray, we’re not giving God the opportunity to answer us and then how can He make Himself real to us? Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV says “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.� I’m not saying that’s the only way God does things. However, I’ve found turning God and acknowledging Him in prayer is definitely how He increased my faith, little by little with each answer He provided.

The Thessalonians’ love for others was apparently very noticeable as well. How do you recognize love in someone’s life? Rather than us guessing what love is like, let’s look at how the Bible defines of love: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NKJV “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.� Does it mean they had all these things evident in their lives? We don’t know. But we do know that they suffered because of persecutions and tribulations. Notice the first element of love described above is about suffering and kindness. So it’s quite possible, they handled the trials appropriately – without blame, rudeness, or taking revenge.

Patience was obvious through all the trials they endured. Patience is mentioned in both the fruit of the Spirit list and in love’s definition. They had patience as they endured the difficult times in life. Patience is a result of living out of the Spirit, instead of walking in the flesh. I don’t know about you, I always seem to fail when I “try� to have patience. The harder I try to be patient, the harder it is to reach patience. That’s because it’s not something we can do on our own. We need the Spirit to guide us into patience. If you find yourself lacking in patience, stop and do a quick inventory of yourself. Do you see the fruit of the spirit or attributes of love in your life? If not, drop everything and pray. Ask God to humble your heart, show you where you’re trying to take control in your life and ask Him to help you depend whole heartedly on Him. Then rest knowing our God is good and will answer your prayers that are aligned with His will.

The Thessalonians exhibited faith, love and patience that were evident to everyone around them. Are you seeing faith, love and patience in your life? If not, turn to the Lord, acknowledge Him and He will show you what needs adjusting in your life.

Lord, thank you for loving us and taking the penalty of sin away from us. Thank you for your Holy Spirit to guide us back to you. Help us live by the Spirit and not by the flesh. Let us acknowledge you in all our ways, so You will direct our paths. In Jesus’ precious name we ask these things. Amen.

__________________
Elizabeth Marks, has a heart for encouraging others with God's Word.
www.ThinkOnItBibleDevotions.com
www.YourBibleWitnessAtWork.com
www.BeingWomenOfInfluence.com

ThinkOnItDevotions

since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, 7 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed. 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10 NKJV

The righteousness of God is sometimes difficult to understand. When that conflict occurs, we need to remember, He is God and we are not. We do not know the full picture otherwise we’d side with God every time. In the verse above, it tells of God’s vengeance on those who refuse Him. The punishment for denying the Lord during our life time, will mean “everlasting destruction� when we do see Jesus Christ in that Day.

What does that stir in you? Do you shudder at the thought of people you love, who have not accepted Christ yet, being “punished with everlasting destruction�? What about others you don’t know? Does it bother you at all they may be going to a place of torment?

Believers, these verses should affect you immensely. If not, you may want to stop, think and pray about why it doesn’t affect you. Jesus Christ equipped and commissioned us to share His good news with the world.

Equipping
Acts 1:8 NKJV “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and
Samaria, and to the end of the earth.�

When God calls us, He also ensures we have everything we need to carry out that calling. Notice in Acts 1:8 how power is combined with the Holy Spirit. His Spirit now dwells within us giving us the power we need to live for Christ, fulfilling all He has desired for us to do.

Commissioning
Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.� Amen.�

What does He want us to do? I think it’s pretty clear from the Matthew verse above. He wants us to make disciples, baptize them and teach them to observe all the things Christ commanded us.

How do I make a disciple? First off, you begin by asking God to lead you to someone who wants to grow in the Lord. Next, you might keep your eyes and ears open for people around you that show signs of wanting to know the Lord more intimately. You, then, might strike up a conversation with them about the Lord and begin a relationship with them. Maybe you invite this person to a bible study for deeper look at God’s Word. As your relationship grows with this person, so does your conversation about the Lord and over time both of you will grow in your walk with the Lord.

Regarding the baptizing, while I have not personally baptized anyone, I usually leave that to my church pastor’s to do. Although, scripture indicates that we all can baptize when we’re called to. Remember, Philip and the Eunuch? He baptized the Eunuch besides a road in the middle of the desert. There’s nothing magical or sacred about baptism that only certain people within the church may perform it. It’s simply an outward symbol of the change that occurs within the heart. It’s an external declaration you now belong to Christ.

About teaching others what the Lord commanded us, this one is easy as long you, yourself are following His commands. We lead by example. We are role models for all who want to know what it means to be a Christian. Those on the outside are watching us to see if really believe all that we say about the Lord. We also teach through bible studies, and one on one mentoring. Start with living out His commands, like “Love the Lord with all your heart and Love your neighbor as yourself� and whether you go on to teach bible study or not, you are still teaching others about the Lord with your life.

Lord Jesus, thank you for giving us the courage to activate the power You have given us by Your Holy Spirit. Let us obey Your commands and make disciples, baptize them and teach them Your ways. In Your precious name, Jesus we pray these things. Amen.

Let’s review. The Bible is very clear there is a place of torment for those who refuse, deny and reject the Lord Jesus Christ. It is also clear that we, believers, are giving power to carry out God’s call in our lives to make disciples, baptize them and teach them to observe all His commandments. May we go on to share God’s Good News with those around us for His Glory and His Kingdom.

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Elizabeth Marks, has a heart for encouraging others with God's Word.
www.ThinkOnItBibleDevotions.com
www.YourBibleWitnessAtWork.com
www.BeingWomenOfInfluence.com

ThinkOnItDevotions

Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, 12 that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 NKJV

How do we know God will count us worthy of our calling? Since I don’t think he’s referring to our salvation here, it may be directed more at how we use choose to our gifts, talents and resources.

Let’s read the story of the talents in Matthew 25:14-29 NKJV:
““For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ 21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ 26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I
reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. 29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.�

We each are given certain gifts, talents, abilities, resources, etc and we are expected to put those to good use. God wants us to use those things to further His kingdom. No matter we’ve been given, it should be applied to kingdom building purposes. We certainly don’t want to be found like the lazy servant in the story!

Dear gracious Lord, thank you for giving us special abilities, talents and resources to be used for your kingdom. Lead us this day how we may expand your kingdom and use our resources for your purposes instead of for selfish gain. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

How are you using your talents for God’s glory? Are you using it wisely and bearing godly fruit? Or are you hiding your talents out of fear? If you’re not using them, ask God to reveal it and heal your wounds so you can start building God’s Kingdom

__________________
Elizabeth Marks, has a heart for encouraging others with God's Word.
www.ThinkOnItBibleDevotions.com
www.YourBibleWitnessAtWork.com
www.BeingWomenOfInfluence.com

ThinkOnItDevotions

Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 6 And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 2 Thessalonians 2:5-12 NKJV

The Holy Spirit is around everywhere and not just inside a believer. He is present in our world around us. He holds things together. Without the Holy Spirit we would live in sheer chaos. But God is good and sent His Holy Spirit to convict people of their sins, convince people of His truth and to lead the believer in all truth.

Even Jesus reassured us of the Holy Spirit’s coming in John 16:7-15 NKJV: “Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.�

Have you ever thought about how the Holy Spirit restrains? “He will convict the world of sin�, Jesus said. That conviction is a form of restraining evil. Every time you’re convicted of sin in your life, praise God for the Holy Spirit is restraining evil!

When I look back at my past life before I came to Christ, I now see evidence of the Holy Spirit in my life. He was there convicting me of sinful things, which lead me not to do them. He was guiding me towards a better path. I was completely unaware of Him at the time, but now I know He was there. God is so good! If the Holy Spirit works like that in a non-believer’s life, just imagine the power He has in a believer’s life.

Lord Jesus, thank you for sending your Holy Spirit to convict the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment. Thank you for working in our lives to restrain evil and lead us back to the right path. Teach us to depend on You with each breath we take. In Your name, Jesus we ask these things. Amen.

Do you recognize the Holy Spirit’s work in your life? What about around you? As you watch circumstances unfold in the world around, know the Holy Spirit is there doing His job restraining evil and praise God!

__________________
Elizabeth Marks, has a heart for encouraging others with God's Word.
www.ThinkOnItBibleDevotions.com
www.YourBibleWitnessAtWork.com
www.BeingWomenOfInfluence.com

ThinkOnItDevotions

But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, 14 to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle. 2 Thessalonians 2:13-15 NKJV

God chose you for salvation. He sanctifies you by the Spirit and belief in truth. He called you by the gospel. You may have read the gospel on your own, or heard it read to you, or a friend may have told you. Maybe you stumbled across the gospel over the internet or found a cassette tape of God’s teaching in your car. However you heard it, God used it to reach you.

For me, I first heard the gospel in Saddleback Church’s Celebrate Recovery program. It was a strange idea to me at first – God came to earth in human flesh, died on the cross to pay for my sins, so I could receive forgiveness and eternal life. It took time to sink in before I understood the full meaning of it. (Not that you can be fully understood because God’s love is so immense!) It got me started reading the Bible, but couldn’t understand why I always cried while reading it. I soon found and began listening to a Christian radio station that broadcasted Dr. J. Vernon McGee’s program called “The Bible Bus�, which taught the Word of God. I also started listening to Greg Laurie’s sermons over the internet. It was here that the conversion of my heart occurred. After hearing this message of forgiven from many sources, it finally reached my heart!! In February 2000 I gave my heart to Christ. He’s filled me with His Spirit and led my heart out of captivity!

The point of telling you all this, is simple. You never know what will reach a lost soul. It could be when you put your arm around a friend to comfort them. Or maybe when you read stories to the elderly in a nursing or when you told someone about a radio program that teaches God’s Word. The medium or vehicle used is not what’s important – it’s the message! In 1 Corinthians 3:6 NKJV Paul said, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.� We don’t cause people to believe in Christ, God does. However, God does use our activities to bring them closer so He can change their hearts.

Lord, thank you for leaving heaven to walk the earth as a human, so we could relate to you. Thank you for dying for our sins. Thank you for setting us free with your forgiveness. Please give us the courage to share your message of grace and hope with others today. In Jesus’ name Amen.

God wants to use you and me to reach the lost. We can do that in many ways. Are you sharing God’s message with others? If not, why?

__________________
Elizabeth Marks, has a heart for encouraging others with God's Word.
www.ThinkOnItBibleDevotions.com
www.YourBibleWitnessAtWork.com
www.BeingWomenOfInfluence.com

ThinkOnItDevotions

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 NKJV

This amazing God, who loved us while we were yet sinners and died on our behalf that we might live in Him, not only gives us everlasting consolation and hope by grace, but He comforts our hearts and established us in every good word and work.

He has taken care of everything that prevents us from a right relationship with Him. Look at Isaiah 61:10 NKJV: “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.� He made it possible for imperfect man to stand before perfect God, by clothing us with Jesus Christ’s righteousness. He loaned us the tuxedo so we could be presentable at the wedding feast. Only we never have to give the suit back, it’s ours to keep forever. His generosity knows no bounds.

Lord Jesus, thank you for your righteousness that clothes us. Thank you for comforting out hearts with an everlasting hope. May we accept your righteousness as simply as one might put on a suit. Thank you for all you have done for us. In your name, Jesus. Amen.

Have you accepted His gift of eternal life yet? If not, what’s holding you back? Slip on Jesus Christ and be confident standing before God in His righteousness.

__________________
Elizabeth Marks, has a heart for encouraging others with God's Word.
www.ThinkOnItBibleDevotions.com
www.YourBibleWitnessAtWork.com
www.BeingWomenOfInfluence.com