seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
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. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.
23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
25 Brothers and sisters, pray for us. 26 Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss. 27 I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
There are a lot of verses that are preached to death. Here's the link to the commentary for this morning. I would suggest you read it. It'll only take a few minutes.Running a church is not an easy task. Not only is there the building maintenance.... There is more personal work that has to be delegated. Not only do you have to work all day caring for the poor, sick, orphaned or widowed, you are on call all night. On top of that.... you have to have a sermon up your sleeve and well memorized for every Sunday Morning, a Bible study for Sunday Evening, and the right verse for every occasion on your tongue for every opportunity. It's no wonder some preachers get lost in power and forget the reason for the season.
My grandmother ran a church. She lived up in the mountains and when the preacher couldn't make it up into the hollow for Sunday, my grandmom would step up. She is well loved. That's the way it should be, I think.
If we stay busy, caring for others. If we keep our mind on Christ and not moronic selfish "wannabegod" things, we will be happier.
People who are busy doing what God wants them to do.... are happy. Check out their smile. I know a few people [on the news] who never smile. They are always scowling. I would not trust those few people with a turd to dispose of, let alone an orphaned child to care for.
Verses 16-18 are quoted all the time. If you follow this advice... you will be happier. It's not easy, but it'll make you a much happier human.
I don't lock myself in a closet to pray. I pray mindfully. I don't pray out loud... but I pray a lot. He knows what I'm thinking.... and there are a lot of times the people around me would not like what I am thinking... especially those who never smile. They would not like to hear my prayers.
And with that.... We have finished the book of 1 Thessalonians.... and now on to Paul's second letter to the people in Thessalonica.
Pray Continually.... it'll help!
