1 Thessalonians__5

Scripture - What stood out?1 Thessalonians 5

12 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.  Observation - What does it say?The apostle Paul having founded the church in Thessalonica continues to instruct them from afar in this letter.  Understanding - What does it mean?It has been a rough month of fasting to start off 2021. Which is odd considering 2019 and 2020 were amazing months of fasting. I think it’s safe to say I limped out of 2020 and I limped into 2021 lacking the impetus that I had had in the previous 2 years. And so it goes without saying that I am glad that every Wednesday night and every Sunday morning I have had the opportunity to engage in something that points me back to God. Over the past few years as I have observed the pastoral team and the church staff I am amazed at the level of energy and consistency everyone brings to their position on such a consistent basis. (I will admit I that if I ever transition into full time ministry I will mourn the loss of my sick days.)I have had the opportunity over the past several year to see a lot of the behind the scenes work that goes into moving Jesus’s mission forward. I have seen a lot of the sacrifices that are made to move the mission forward. The above verse is a good reminder. In my times of spiritual weakness I have turned to various leaders within our church to keep my grounded. I can turn on worship Wednesday and Sunday morning service without fail. I can reach out to elders and request prayer whenever I need it and I know it will be done. The list goes on and on. Life Application - How can I apply this to my life today?On day 25 in pastor and author Gary Khan’s devotional Reset, he asks us to reflect on who God has “placed over us in the Lord”. To reflect on some of those names and reach out and encourage, possibly even treat to dinner (deliver food for them> then request the person zoom you as they eat their food). When I am down and out spiritually and sometimes even emotionally these are the people I turn to. They work tirelessly in the background making sacrifices that most of us will never know about. They have taken our spiritual growth and placed it squarely on their shoulders. And as they strive towards deeper relationship with God, they take us along for the ride as well. Today I will bless those who work so hard to bless everyone else around them. 

Matthew____28

Scripture

Matthew 28: 18-20

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority on heaven and on earth have been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

 

Observation

After Jesus rose from the grave and made Himself known to Bis disciples and close follower He assigns them a very important mission. Jesus’ last commands to His followers are these verses above, we know them today has the Great Command or the Great Commission. He seems to save His very most command or mission for last, as after this He ascends into heaven.

 

Understanding

I know it has been a while since we’ve been in the actual building of church, but let me put a little throwback in here. When I was first old enough to go to “adult church” (I was like 12 or 13) I remember at the end of each sermon we would have to get up and recite the Great Commission verses. These verses became engrained in my head, and my heart for that matter. Here’s the deal, not only were they important to us (as they are church’s foundational verses, other than Isaiah 43:19), but they obviously are very important to Jesus and His followers! If we break these verses down, here’s what we can glean:

“Therefore go…”: this is a command! Meaning it is not optional or if you feel like it. Being a follower of Christ is not a sideline sport, we are called to go and minister to others. This doesn’t have to be an extravagant mission trip either, we can start in our own family, workplace, grocery store, gym, etc. The main objective is to GO, and not keep the Good News to ourself.

“Make disciples… teaching them to obey…”: Making disciples doesn’t mean you have a bunch of groupies following you around like Jesus did. Making disciples is as sharing the Good News and then keeping that person accountable in their walk with God. Now obviously everyone’s journey is different and discipling someone also requires teaching them the foundation of what Jesus laid out for u sin HIs life. The great part about teaching is that you learn along the way too (I think that part is pretty great)!

“And surely I am with you always…”: Now all of this seems pretty daunting, but Jesus reminds us that we are never forsaken. He is always with us, that’s right always! Even when we don’t see or understand the will of God, He works it together for those who trust Him and obey His commands. And this command in the verses above are pretty important.

 

Life Application

Another throwback from church in a building was P.I.I. cards. The acronym was as follows: Pray, Invest, Invite. The goal was to have a list of about three people that we were continually praying for, and investing in little ways. Then when the opportunity came we would invite them to church. I think the P.I.I. cards and the Great Commission work in tandem together. So take some time to revisit or create your own P.I.I. card if you forgot or haven’t already. Jesus gave us an important mission and I don’t want to let Him down.

-Allison Khan

Psalm_16

Scripture

Psalms 16:1-2, 7-8 NIV

“Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.”

I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”

Observation-What does it say?

This Psalm was written by King David and my Bible says it is a miktam, which defined is “a literary or musical term,” so basically, this is one of his poems or songs.

Understanding-What does it mean?

Take refuge in the Lord.

I love King David’s humble heart. He acknowledges that apart from God, He has “no good thing.” He receives His counsel from God, keeps His eyes on Him and continues to be stable and secure regardless of what is going on around him, because the Lord is on His side.

Life Application

We are called to pray for our leaders and government, but they were never meant to replace our faith and security in the Lord. The only “savior” of the people is our One True Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Just like King David says in this Psalm, let us keep our eyes ALWAYS on the Lord. If we keep our eyes on Him, no matter what is going on around us or what unlikely circumstances we find ourselves in, we will continue to remain stable and secure, unable to be shaken. Thank you Lord!

-Michelle Gaddi