If people walk with me, talk with me, looking for truth

They’re gonna find out soon

If they’re following me, then they’re gonna follow you

So let my life speak loud and clear

Lord, I wanna hear

“Well done.”

Well Done – Mariah Peters

I want to live a life that pleases God. I’m pretty sure if you’re reading this blog, you do, too. It’s not always an easy thing to do. We all want to stand before the Father at the end of our lives on earth and hear,

“Well done, good and faithful servant. Come share in your Master’s happiness”

(Matt. 25:21). 

We know going to church, giving tithes and offerings, helping others, and all that good church-going stuff; but Paul gives some pretty clear instructions to the church in Thessalonica as to how to live a life that pleases God. This week, we’ll take a look at some of them.

 

Wake Up

“So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.”

I Thessalonians 5:6 

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as you are doing.”

I Thessalonians 5:11

I’m awake, I’m alive

Now I know what I believe inside …

Awake and Alive – Skillet

In Thessalonians 5:4, Paul tells us that we are “children of the light” and “children of the day.” We do not belong to darkness. And since the Prince of Darkness rules this world, that means we do not belong to him, or this world.

I think of this verse often these days, when we have so many making predictions about what will happen in the world. The ancient Mayan calendar predicted the end of the world in 2012. Many “prophets” claim to know the exact date when Christ will return.

To them, I say, “Hogwash.” The Bible is very clear: “The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night” (I Thess. 5:2) Paul also says, though, that this day will not surprise those of us who are looking for Him, if we are “awake and sober.” If we’re living the way God wants us to live – getting up every day and putting on the whole armor of God (Eph. 6:10-18,; I Thess. 5:8), walking in His ways, studying His word, and keeping our hearts and minds open to Him, then we will be prepared for His coming. We may not know the day and time, but we do know He is coming.

I admit it can be kind of scary. The world is a messed-up place, and while we often find tremendous joy and great beauty here, when I become frustrated I have to remind myself that this is not my home. It’s easy to forget in the wake of the tragedies of this world that we know how it all ends. We know Who wins.

Jesus died so that whether we are “awake or asleep” – meaning both those who have died knowing Christ and those still living who are His – we may live together with Him (I Thess. 5:10). Not only do we know Who wins, we know we share in the victory.

I Thessalonians 5:11 says we should use these words to encourage each other. So, spread the word. If someone you know is a little down or frustrated, whether because of world events or personal ones, remind them God is in control. And in the end, not only does He win, but we do, too.  This is one “spoiler” I’m sure they won’t mind!

In His Love,

Amy