Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

1 Timothy 4

Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you. v14

Paul is addressing Timothy here encouraging Timothy to use his gift of teaching.  I found a great reference on this topic here. We must all remember that we exist solely to glorify God.

My Prayer: Lord, what an awesome God You are that Your design for all things is so perfect that all things work together for Your glory and for such good!  How great You are!  You give me and all of Your children spiritual gifts that we enjoy using and bless others...Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth all of Your love and blessing.  I am harsh with my thoughts, words, and actions.  Please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome such sin and turn towards You Jesus.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me use my spiritual gifts to all of my ability.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength, comfort, and freedom from pain.  Please heal and cure Lisa of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

1 Timothy 4

Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.  For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. v7-8

God wants us to know Him and to develop a relationship with Him.  For us to know Him and to develop a relationship with Him, we must read, study and reflect on the Bible.  This will help us lead a Godly life as we can distinguish between Truth and false teachings.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are awesome God, full of love for me...knowing everything about me including my sin.  How awesome are You! I am not deserving of such love...I am weak, lazy, selfish, etc.  Thanks for Your patience and gentleness  with me but please forgive me!  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me know You fully by daily reading and reflecting on You Word.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength, comfort, and freedom from pain.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

1 Timothy 2

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. v1-2

God places authority figures over us via government and law enforcement officials, church leaders, school leaders, and managers at work.  God appointed all of these officials and we are to submit to their authority...as long as they don't ask us to do anything contradictory to God's commands.  I have previously posted on the subject of earthly authority here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who knows everything about us, including our sin, yet came to suffer and die for us, choosing us, and leaving the side of God in heaven in the process.  You only desire good for us as long as fear, trust, love and obey You.  Yet I often don't.  Thank You for Your mercies and patience but I am not deserving of all of Your love Jesus.  Please forgive me for my disobedience.  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me submit to all of the authorities in my life and be thankful and pray for them. Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength, comfort, and freedom from pain.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer Jesus.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.

1 Timothy 1

But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. v16

God redeems our sin and uses it for His glory.  That is what Paul is referring to when he writes Timothy in this letter.  God uses and redeems MY sin and uses it to demonstrate to others (perhaps with the same or similar sin or who otherwise might feel "touched" or "connected" to your story) His grace and power - SO THAT others can come to know and accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.  We are but instruments of God.

My Prayer: Lord, what an awesome God You are.  You are the one and only true God...worthy of my praise.  You have redeemed my sin and the sin of others for Your glory and so that others can receive the Good News of Jesus Christ.  You are so full of love, mercy, patience, gentleness, etc...for me. I am not deserving of such gifts.  Thank You anyway Jesus.  I am desperate for You in my life.  I am weak and broken...quick to anger, and slow to listen, lacking in patience. Please forgive me Jesus.  Help me overcome such sin and turn towards You instead.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me be a light to others and draw them to You.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength, comfort, and freedom from pain.  Encourage her.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

1 Timothy 1

We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me. v8-11

The law exists not for our use but for the use of God to point people to Him. Many people, including myself, have used the law to rationalize our own sin and this is sinful of course!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God You are.  You provide Your Word and Your commands as a way to help us understand our sinfulness and our need for a savior...our need for Jesus Christ.  And Christ came to save us...save me...knowing everything about me, including my sin.  Thank You Jesus!  Please forgive me...for my laziness, my lack of obedience, among my many sins.  Help me overcome and turn from such sin and turn towards You instead.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me use Your word for Your glory only.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Give her comfort and freedom from pain.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”

2 Thessalonians 3

For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” v10

Regardless of your political views, this admonishment from Paul is clear - at least to me.  We must work - this is true since the Fall when God punished Adam:

Cursed is the ground because of you;
    through painful toil you will eat food from it
    all the days of your life. 

It will produce thorns and thistles for you,
    and you will eat the plants of the field.

By the sweat of your brow
    you will eat your food
until you return to the ground,
    since from it you were taken;
for dust you are
    and to dust you will return.” Genesis 3:17-19

God also spoke through Paul when He urged us to obey our earthly masters:

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Ephesians 6:5

We are to work as means to glorify God.

My Prayer: What an awesome God You are.  Although You punish man by giving him work and requiring him to work, You give men skills and gifts that when used fulfill and satisfy souls - work that is life giving.  You have done this for me in my life - what an awesome God You are!  I am not worth such love and blessing....I continue to be quick to anger and slow to listen.  Please forgive me Jesus!  Thanks for all of Your love and blessing Jesus but help me overcome and turn from my sin.  Help me turn towards You instead.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me earn my way and work and in doing so glorify You.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength and comfort.  Please heal and cure Lisa of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.

2 Thessalonians 3

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. v3

As I posted yesterday, Satan is real and at work in us and around us and we need God's protection.  If we go to God in prayer, through study and application in His Word, etc. then we should take great comfort that He promises to protect us.

Solomon also tells us in Proverbs 2:

My son, if you accept my words
    and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom
    and applying your heart to understanding —
indeed, if you call out for insight
    and cry aloud for understanding,
and if you look for it as for silver
    and search for it as for hidden treasure,
then you will understand the fear of the Lord
    and find the knowledge of God.
For the Lord gives wisdom;
    from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
He holds success in store for the upright,
    he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
for he guards the course of the just
    and protects the way of his faithful ones. 

  hen you will understand what is right and just

    and fair—every good path.

  For wisdom will enter your heart,

    and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.

  Discretion will protect you,

    and understanding will guard you. 

  Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men,
    from men whose words are perverse, 

 Wisdom will save you also from the adulterous woman,

    from the wayward woman with her seductive words,

  Thus you will walk in the ways of the good
    and keep to the paths of the righteous.

My Prayer: Lord You are a great God, one who came to save and protect...and You chose me, knowing everything about me, including my sin and brokenness and disobedience.  Thank You Jesus!  Yet I am not worth such love and blessing.  I am quick to anger, slow to listen, etc. among my many sins.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me take great comfort in Your protection through prayer, study of Your word, etc. Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength and comfort.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing.

2 Thessalonians 2

He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. v9-10

The forces of evil and Satan are real and at work in and around us.  Although Paul's message emphasizes how unbelievers are influenced and will be punished, this message is important for believers as well as it both comforts us that we will be saved on the Day of Judgement, and that we should be helping spread the Good News of Jesus Christ to an unbelieving world - we should give everyone an opportunity for the love, grace, and power of Christ.

My Prayer: Lord, You are an awesome God that You came to save me...in fact, You chose me...knowing everything about me, including my sin.  How great You are!  I am not deserving of such a God.  I am weak, broken, quick to anger, slow to listen, selfish, etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway and for all the many, many, incredible ways You bless me.  I love You Jesus.  I need You desperately in my life.  Please forgive me for my sin of anger, etc. and help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me take comfort that I am saved but at the same time help me grow in my faith and share the Good News with others such as my family.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength and comfort.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

2 Thessalonians 1

He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. v8

Jesus says He is coming back and He says this will be a judgement day so we better be ready (see Matthew 25).  Luke also says that "[N]o word from God will ever fail (Luke 1:37 NIV)" so scripture is God and from God than we sure better be ready and be obedient...pronto!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God, full of love, mercy, compassion,  patience, joy...ALL of the fruits of the spirit.  You are these things at all times, including with respect to dealing with me...I am not worthy of such a relationship as I am broken and disobedient.  Please forgive me Jesus that I am not as obedient as You desire me to be.  Help me turn from my sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me obey!  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength, comfort and encouragement.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.

1 Thessalonians 5

Do not quench the Spirit.  Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil. v19-22

Sin not only separates us from God but it also dilutes the power of the Holy Spirit within us.  We cannot know the will of God and lean on the power of God while simultaneously living in sin.  God wants to fully understand Him and His word - whether through our own reading or through the teaching of others such as pastors, etc.   We need to be serious about our relationship with God and His will for our life so that we can discern good from evil.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are truth and light...pure, holy, and blameless.  You did not need me, yet You came to earth and willingly suffered and died for me...knowing everything about me, including all of my sin.  What an awesome God You are.  I am not worth such love because I fail to give You the first fruits of my time...I am easily distracted.  Forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome and turn from such sin and turn towards You instead.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me give You the first fruits of my time.  Give me strength. Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. v16-18

This is a verse (at least 18) that I have committed to memory...but now that I read in its context I must not only rejoice always and give thanks in all circumstances but also "pray continually".  I need God to help me pray more often...to pray continually.

My Prayer: Lord You are a great God...worthy of my praise and worthy of my complete attention and devotion.  You have blessed me tremendously.  Yet I am easily distracted.  I lean too much on my own understanding and ways.  Forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome and turn from my sin and turn towards You Jesus.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me pray continually.  Give me strength. Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

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. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.

1 Thessalonians 5

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. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. v12-13

I have often (see post here) grumbled about my church leaders.  This is sinful not only because we are to avoid grumbling but also because we are specifically called to respect and follow church leadership - see here.

My Prayer: Lord You are an awesome God and You have created church for me and for Lisa and we have seen the miracles and good works that have resulted from our membership in the churches we have attended.  We have been blessed beyond what we deserve.  Specifically for myself, I am not worth such blessings as I continue to be quick to anger, slow to listen and harsh with my thoughts, words, and actions.  Thank You for Your blessings and love but please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome my sin and turn towards You instead.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do. Help me grow in my faith.  Help me respect, follow, and serve my church leadership.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer. Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5

He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. v10-11

God desires us to live with and FOR each other.  

Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 2 Timothy 4:2

On the above count, I need God's help.

My Prayer:  Lord, You are an awesome God full of love, patience, encouragement, etc.  I am not worth such patience and encouragement because I often fail to be patient and encouraging with others.  Thank You that You bless me and love me anyway Jesus but more than anything I need Your forgiveness!  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You instead.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me be encouraging to my family.  Help me NOT exasperate them.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. v10-12

1 Thessalonians 4

Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. v10-12

Lord, You call us to lose our own lives so that You may shine through us.  It must be clear that what is in work in us is You.

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.  Matthew 16:24

 ...

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

See also, my other posts here.

Another key theme is that we are to work and not be dependent on the work of others.  Everyone has a role to play.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God full of love and compassion for me...You provide everything that I need.  Yet I often act as if I don't need You.  I neglect to spend time with You in prayer and in the Word.  Yet You bless me and love me all the same...what an awesome God.  Thank You Jesus!  I need You badly as I need Your forgiveness and Your mercy.  Please forgive me and help me turn from my sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me remain humble, work hard for Jesus, and allow others to see Jesus in me.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.

1 Thessalonians 4

Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit. v8

Paul is writing the church in Thessalonica to urge the believers there to stay sexually pure. He goes on to say that rejection of such instruction is a rejection of God.  I know that sin separates us from God I've never thought about how sin is a rejection of God.  I've learned how we often grumble, and how this grumbling is complaining about God Himself. 

It is instructive and encouraging for me to think about sin as a rejection of God...this may seem counter-intuitive, but God's ways are not our ways.

My Prayer: Lord, You are the Lord of Lords, the King of Kings.  You are pure, holy and blameless.  You came down from heaven to suffer and die for me...knowing everything about me including my sin.  What a great God You are!  I am not worth such a God.  Thank You Jesus for how You bless me beyond what I deserve.  Please help me.  Forgive me for my disobedience, my lack of desire, my lack of action, etc.  Help me turn from such sin and overcome this sin and instead turn towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me be obedient!  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority.

1 Thessalonians 2

We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. v4-6

We are to please God NOT people.

This message is clear also from:
- Galatians 1
- Galatians 6


My Prayer: Lord You are a great God worthy of my praise as You created the heavens and the earth and everything that inhabits the universe.  Your love for me and all of Your children knows no bounds and everything You do is pure, holy, blameless, and perfect.  You know everything about me, including my sin, yet You chose me as pure, holy, and blameless in Your sight, and You chose to come to earth to suffer and die for my (and everyone's) sins.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such a gift.  I often try to please either myself or others...this is wrong!  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You instead.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith. Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin.  Help me please You above all.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.

Colossians 4

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. v5

Paul knows that we exist to glorify God and to bring others to God.  

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. Matthew 28:19-20

Opportunities exist all the time so we must KNOW God, PROCLAIM God, then ACT OUT God so that others do not see us as hypocrites.

These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:6-9

...

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:22-25

Lord help me be bold.

My Prayer:  Jesus, You are the way, the truth and the life....pure, holy, and blameless.  All Your ways and Your deeds are perfect and You know everything about me, including my sin...Yet You suffered and died for me anyway.  I am deeply grateful for such an undeserving gift!  Thank You Jesus!  Please forgive me for my lack of action and laziness.  Help me turn from such sin and towards You Jesus.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Please help me be bold on Your behalf.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength. Please heal and cure Lisa of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

Colossians 4

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. v2

Paul wants us to love Jesus our Lord and Savior with all of our hearts, soul, mind and strength.  This is the most important command (Matthew 22).  As both a means and an end, we must go to Jesus in prayer and through the word.  Paul's words here in Colossians are just another way of saying "love Jesus".

See also posts here

• Luke 11 
• Luke 18
• James 5
• Ephesians 6

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are!  You are pure holy and blameless, even as You walked the earth!  You are so full of love, compassion, gentleness, joy, mercy, patience, etc. (ALL the fruits of the spirit).  I SO want to be more like You!  Yet I fall short and I desperately need You in my life.  I am broken and quick to anger and harsh with my thoughts, words and actions.  Please forgive me and help me overcome my sin and help me turn towards You instead.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me pray continually!  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please cure and heal her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

Colossians 3

Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. v21

Paul's exhortation to father's appears elsewhere in his letters:

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4

Paul's full words on "Instructions for the Christian Household"in this chapter are equally important:

Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

 

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism. v18-25

Bottom line: we exist to glorify God and we are to focus on things above and serving Him with all that we are and all that we do.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God - worthy of all of my attention and all of my praise.  You created the heavens and the earth and all of its inhabitants.  You existed before time, You created time, and You will be forevermore even after the end of time.  You are pure, holy and blameless....and You love me and serve me.   What an awesome God.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love and blessing.  I am prideful and selfish....focused on me.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from such sin and towards You instead.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me glorify and serve You with all that I am and all that I do.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. v17

We have MUCH to be thankful for and we need to be MINDFUL of the blessings in our lives...PLUS we need to have an expanded view of those circumstances for which we SHOULD be thankful.

See also 1 Thessalonians:

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

My Prayer: Lord You are a great God, full of compassion and patience for me...even though I am not deserving...I am so easily distracted by worldly matters.  Thank You for Your love, compassion and patience even though I am not deserving.  Please forgive me for my lack of focus...I should be focused on You and heavenly matters...on pleasing and glorifying You because I know that is why I exist.  Help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me be thankful moment by moment...regardless of my circumstances.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Colossians 3

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. v12-14

Love is the cornerstone of our faith.

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”  Matthew 22:37-40

Jesus also gives us:

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

My Prayer: Lord, You are love and I know You love me.  You came to earth to live as I do and then You suffered and died for me...knowing everything about me, including my sin.  Your love for me and all of Your children knows no bounds and is indescribable.  What a great God You are!  I am not worth such a God and such love.  I am weak, broken, and disobedient.  I seek my own powers for provision and this is wrong!  You provide and "all good and perfect gifts are from above". Thank You for Your love and provision Jesus but please forgive me!  Help me overcome my sin and turn towards You instead.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand Your message for me today and every day.  Help me obey and apply Your message.