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Stay Focussed

Day 288

Reading: 1 Thessalonians 1:1 - 1 Thessalonians 5:28

Life has so many distractions. Too many I should add. Many times I have left home with a plan of action but then one phone call derails the entire day. Social media doesn't help. We now have to detox ourselves of Whatsapp, FaceBook, Instagram and many others we use. Paul in writing to the church at Thessalonica gives brief instructions.

This was a church that was started and before Paul could stick around to ensure that the new believers were grounded Paul accompanied by Silas had to flee to Berea at night Acts 17: 1-10. The accusation against Paul was that he was turning the world upside down. We need more people like him today more than ever.

Paul encourages the believers to not forget that Jesus is coming again and the date or day is unknown. He encourages the believers to stay ready for the return of the Messiah. The believer is encouraged to put on light and do away with every form of evil deeds. Flee from every evil appearance is the admonition we receive in preparation for the glorious coming of the King of Kings. 

The rapture is not a fairy tale. It is going to happen whether you are ready or not. The time to be sober and focused on our Lord is now more than ever when we see so many temptations to walk away from them. This is not the time to be drunk in the world's ways but to be sober.

We stay focused by understanding the power of thanksgiving in everything. This is the hardest pill to swallow in the world we live. To maintain a heart of gratitude in the midst of the turmoil we continually face or see is difficult. Complaining is so easy. Being a critic is super easy! To give thanks in everything requires strength, the inner strength that speaks louder than the circumstances one is facing.  How does one learn to give thanks in everything, that is good and bad?
  • Make the choice to maintain a grateful heart. Turn every opportunity to complain to a thanksgiving feast.
  • Start today not tomorrow. Start now not later to give thanks. Start and end the day with thanksgiving.
  • Learn to give thanks for the small things in life. It's easy to celebrate the big things and not the small things of life like being alive! 
Memory Verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Decree:

1 Thessalonians 5:23

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.(italics mine)
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