2 Thessalonians 1 - 4.3.26

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 

“With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Observation:  

We are focusing on praying for 10 people.  This Scripture stood out to me as the perfect thing to be praying for them.

• May God make them worthy of his calling.

• May thier desire for goodness come to pass through God’s power

• Faith prompting, being the motivation, for their deeds

• Jesus name would be glorified in them

• They would be glorified in Jesus by God’s grace.

Application:

Paul was writing this so that Christ followers will be ready when Jesus returns.

The time is drawing closer.  I want to cover those who need salvation by praying these things over them.

Prayer:

Father God,

Thank you for your amazing plan for us.  Please help me to be aware that part of that plan is to continue to pray for those who need to know you.  May you make them aware of all you’ve done for them out of love.  Please show them how Jesus paid the price for their sin and they can receive the precious gift of salvation.  Help them to know how wonderful it is to be called by you.  May they desire goodness and allow your power to bring it about.  May faith prompt them to do what you are calling them to do.  May your name be glorified in them and through them showing your abounding grace.

Amen

- Cindy Howard

1 Thessalonians 5 - 04.02.26

SCRIPTURE

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances;

for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬-‭18‬ ‭NIV‬

OBSERVATION

“pray WITHOUT ceasing,”

‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭17‬ ‭NASB

Pray without Ceasing…sounds impossible..but this is what  Paul is saying as evident by his example…never stop praying (NLT).

At anytime (day or night)—in any attire—in any place—in any position—and under any circumstance—prayer is appropriate.

Praying should be a way of life.

An immersive, complete—ongoing never-ending constant communion with God.

Such an unceasing prayer life would require a massive heart shift.

It’s not necessarily saying that we are always verbally involved in prayer.

But we have come to a place where we are so closely connected to God—

that weview everything in life in relation to God.

If we hear of something bad happening,

we react by praying for God to act in the situation

because we know—God cares.

If we hear of something good that has happened,

we respondwith immediate praise to God for it

because—God—is glorified.

Paul’s letters to his churches are perfect written illustrations of his lifestyle. So many of his heartfelt powerful prayers are recorded in his letters. Some of these prayers seem to burst out spontaneously demonstrating his deep love for God AND those God has entrusted to him.

APPLICATION

REJOICE ALWAYS—GIVE THANKS

As I Pray without Ceasing

These three encompass the Heart of Worship

Rejoice Always…

Perhaps somewhere along the way my heart at times can become worldly focused. I may tend to forget the very purpose for this Rejoice. Circumstances never alter The ONE purpose to Rejoice—

The GOOD NEWS.

Jesus has Saved me! My Eternity is Secure— Whatever comes…

I KNOW I can and Will —ALWAYS REJOICE -

“REJOICE in the Lord ALWAYS; again I will say, REJOICE!” ‭‭(Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬ ‭NASB)

Give Thanks IN All Circumstances

We know in this life we WILL face many troubles and trials. Jesus told us it is a certainty. But why are we to GIVE Thanks for these troubles AND is it even humanly possible to Give Thanks in the midst of trials and troubles?

God allows things in our lives to help us grow to be MORE like Christ. We KNOW God works ALL things together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). That “Good” means that God even uses hardships in our lives to help shape us to Be More Like Christ. We can be Filled with Thanksgiving knowing that there is purpose—even in the difficulties we can’t understand.

God has purposes in everything HE does!

Suffering brings perseverance; perseverance develops character; character that has been tested develops hope; and God’s kind of hope never disappoints.

If God can use suffering and trials to help us mature, then it is worth the experience and our full surrender and worshipful Thanksgiving!

It may not seem humanly possible —but it is God—Possible!

Amen to your WILL, God! amen! Hallelujah all Glory and Thanksgiving be to God!

“I can do all things [which HE has called me to do

through HIM who strengthens and empowers me

to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency;

I am ready for anything and equal to anything through HIM—

who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.”

‭‭(Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭13‬ ‭AMP‬‬)

PRAYER

LORD Jesus,

Help me to fully yield to YOU and YOUR Will. Forgive me for the times I rush ahead or lag behind. Whatever state I am in…may I Rejoice ALWAYS. Give me a fresh revelation of Your Gospel Love. The pure Goodness that sets captives free. Help me to see everything through the lens of YOUR Love—to pray without ceasing in an uninterrupted communion with YOU Heavenly Father.

Lead me in the way I should go. Thank YOU for YOUR Sovereign Hand that has placed me purposefully where YOU have—on this day. Prepare hearts to receive what YOU have for them today. Prepare my heart to be ready to Go into Your Harvest Field. Here I am Lord Jesus. Send me.

Tina L Kudelka

Habakkuk 3 - 4.1.26

Scripture

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. (Habakkuk 3: 17-19)

Observation

Habakkuk was going through a season of suffering and disappointment and delay in seeing God’s promises fulfilled. Instead of getting discouraged, he chose to rejoice in the Lord. The fig trees did not bear fruit. The vines did not bear grapes. The olive crop failed. The fields produced no food. There were no sheep and no cattle. It was a state of complete poverty when provision failed. Yet, the prophet chose to look at God’s face and rejoice, knowing that He is faithful, and His promises would definitely come to pass, even though it is delayed.

He finds his strength in the Lord. He trusts that the Lord has made his feet like that of a deer. A deer has the unique ability to scale heights and walk on the ledges of the mountains, and confidently walk on steep dangerous terrain. The Lord makes our feet like that of a deer, so that we can scale the terrain in front of us, however hard it is. This promise is also seen in Psalms 18, where David says “He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights.” (Psalms 18:33). 

Application

Our trust in God should not be based on the benefits we receive from Him. Sometimes God allows us to go through difficulties to see if we really trust Him. Even when prayers don’t seem to be answered, and God’s promises are not being worked out, we need to trust Him. He who promised is faithful, and He will do it (Heb 10:23). The Bible says that the promise has an appointed time and will not fail - even though it delays, it will certainly come to pass (Hab 2:3). Let us be like Mary who believed what God promised her, though it was totally humanly impossible. The scripture says “Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord" (Luke 1:45). Let us cling to the Lord in faith, not wavering in faith (Rom 4:20), as His word and His promises will not fail even if heaven and earth pass away (Matt 24:35).

In times of discouragement, let us strengthen ourselves in the Lord, like how David did when he lost everything and his own friends were ready to kill him (1 Sam 30:6). We have no other source of strength other than the Lord. Blessed is the man (and the woman) whose strength is in the Lord (Psalms 84:5). 

Prayer

Dear Father, I thank you because you love me. I love you, and I am called according to your purpose. Therefore you will make all things work together for good for me (Rom 8:24). Help me to not lose heart at discouragements. Help me to trust you, even when I don’t understand. Thank you because you are faithful. You have engraved me in the palm of your hands (Isaiah 49:16). Not even a hair of mine will fall to the ground without you knowing it (Matt 10:30-31). You have hedged me from behind and before, and laid your hand upon me (Ps 139:5). Make your way straight before my face (Ps 5:8). Set your eyes on me and guide me, and teach me the way that I should go (Ps 32:8). Be my strength. Help me to live my life everyday, setting my hope in you, and fixing my eyes on the face of Jesus, who is the author and finisher of my faith (Heb 12:2). You are my strength. Your promises to me will not fail, as your word is set in heaven forever (Ps 119:89). I will look to you alone. You have promised that those who look to you are radiant, and their faces are never covered with shame (Ps 32:8). For in the time of trouble, You will hide me in your pavilion, and in the secret place of Your tabernacle. You will set me high upon a rock. (Ps 27:5). Thank you Lord because I can trust in you. Thank you because I am your responsibility. In Jesus’s name, I pray. Amen

- Asha Chacko George