September 4: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Key Verse: 1 Thessalonians 4:18
Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Devotion:
One of the hardest things to go through is the death of a family member or of a loved one but each time I have gone through this I have remembered these words and they have comforted me more than anything. I have been to many funerals and have seen how some cannot cope with the loss; how they are affected for many years afterward and maybe continue to be affected now.

I do go through days when I remember those loved ones I have had to say goodbye to, but, equally I have been able to take comfort with these words knowing so many of them have known God and trusted in Him. As Christians we do believe we are going to join Christ in heaven after we die, and whilst some will disagree when they will get to Heaven, the comfort is still there.

We are also reminded in many places in the bible we have a right to mourn, not just to accept what is happening and say everything is fine, but to mourn properly. As humans we know our lives will come to an end at some stage and how we live them will give us comfort or stress in the end. If we live with Christ every step of the way, we will know the comfort He alone will give us at the end, and so will those around us.

I do look forward to the day that I am able to see all my friends and family once again but I am in no rush to get there soon. I know God has given me time to confront and comfort many more people before they have to mourn my passing; I step forward and I say “here am I Lord, use me!” each day I wake up.

Points to Ponder:
Are you mourning for a recent loss?

Will you wake up today and join me in saying “Here I am, use me”?

September 3: Romans 12:17-21

Key Verse: Romans 12:19
Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.

Devotion:
Whenever I read anything where someone is saying we should separate ourselves from the wayward people, the evil people and the worldly ways I always cringe a little; God tells us to go out and spread the gospel. How are we going to go out and spread the gospel unless we go to people who do not yet know Him and are in worldly positions and doing worldly things?

Whilst I do understand we should be separate from evil because we may well give in to temptation (indeed we do from time to time) we should also be willing to face the world but with one provisor: we take God with us! There is no way we should be facing the world and its people by ourselves because we are sinful by nature.

So when people point out the Old Testament passages which preclude Israel from mixing with the foreigners, I like to remind them what Jesus taught the disciples. The apostle writes here how we should be willing to feed our enemy when they are hungry and to give them water to drink when they are thirsty. This is not saying we should side with the enemy, simply saying we should be willing to treat them as human beings!

When we are able to show kindness to our enemies, they will start to think twice about why they are our enemies. When we do not exclude non-believers from our churches we will show them there must be something they are missing. Disciples go out into the world with Christ by their sides, but it’s also OK to stay indoor with Christ because you need a rest!

Points to Ponder:
Do you get angry with others who don’t do what you do?

Will you try to include someone who needs the truth?

September 2: 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12

Key Verse: 1 Thessalonians 4:1
Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other.

Devotion:
I find the honesty in the letters the apostle wrote enlightening and something we should strive for in our own lives with the people around us. Why should we every try to deceive anyone when the truth will be known in the end? The church in Thessalonica must have been doing well because this letter is very supportive but there is an underlying tone of ‘you can do more!’

It’s not a case of the writer telling the people they have fallen short of the mark but a simple encouragement on all fronts. When we know we are doing good in our communities, there is always room for improvement in one way or another. This does not mean that we have to work twice as hard! This means we can do more by sharing what we do and encouraging others to take up the work too.

The encouragement is not to be louder and more brazen but to do things quietly and behind the scenes so others can get the right idea of what being a Christian is all about. The way to make disciples is not to shout at them to do more but to show them by example so they will feel they can do more too.

One of my friends who has travelled all over the place is a true inspiration to me through their selfless actions they do as a matter of normal life. Not going out of their way to show others what they can do but simply to do it without broadcasting what they are doing. I wonder, do you know someone like that?

Points to Ponder:
Are you living like Christ wants you to live?

Are you encouraging others to live a better life too?