Please forgive me.
I've not been completely thankful or joyful. Prayer I have reserved for others. I feel selfish praying for myself. I know You have a plan for me and I pray that I'm walking the way You want me to. Help me be on fire for You & Your way. I don't want to miss an opportunity to serve You and the needs of Your kingdom. Amen
This scripture is very straight forward. God through Paul for these letters is so powerful. Paul was once a murderer of the Jews. When Paul speaks God's word - - it's meant to be taken seriously. God wanted people to be changed after hearing of the corrections needed to serve Him.
In the verses to follow, Paul makes sure to tell us what to continue doing - in order so that we may be found favorable and pleasant in God's service. (vs 4-22)
4 But you, brethren, are not in
darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You
are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of
darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do,
but let us watch and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at
night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8 But let us
who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as
a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God did not appoint us to
wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who
died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
12 And we urge you, brethren, to
recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish
you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s
sake. Be at peace among yourselves.
14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn
those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient
with all. 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone,
but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray
without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the
will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do
not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is
good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil. The message is absolutely the same today.We are to cling to the teachings of our Absolute Savior. There is NO gray area. He's concrete and very crystal clear on what He wants and what should be important to us. The fact that Paul is the one writing it should tell you - it's serious business. People feared Paul.
How amazing is it that while Jesus walked on this earth - He actually knew what was to come?! He knew which places to go to in order for the miracles, sermons, and the followers that sought to hear Him would be waiting for Him! ! It was no accident. Every thing He said, did, went, and brought to others is/was/will be for His ultimate purpose.
God makes no mistakes or accidents: absolutely everything serves an opportunity for His service.