November 28: Ain't Nobody Got Time for That!

Suggested reading: 1 Thess. 1:1-5:8

1 Thessalonians 4:9-12

Amplified Bible (AMP)

9 But concerning brotherly love [for all other Christians], you have no need to have anyone write you, for you yourselves have been [personally] taught by God to love one another.

10 And indeed you already are [extending and displaying your love] to all the brethren throughout Macedonia. But we beseech and earnestly exhort you, brethren, that you excel [in this matter] more and more,

11 To make it your ambition and definitely endeavor to live quietly and peacefully, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we charged you,

12 So that you may bear yourselves becomingly and be correct and honorable and command the respect of the outside world, being dependent on nobody [self-supporting] and having need of nothing.

Are you tired of drama? There's a solution. Don't be a part of it. 
Is there a controlling person in your life who thinks they're clever and sneaky, but really they're not? Maybe your goal is to halt their schemes at every little opportunity. And you lose sleep and peace of mind because of this person! They have ruined entire holidays for you!
Try a different tactic. 
Turn them over to God. Pray for them. Let go and let them win. 
Come on, just try it. I know it's really hard to watch the person gleefully and loudly win, but after you really let go, you can step back and watch God work. He fixes things soooooo much better than our little finite minds can fix them.
Just hand your frustration and angry, hateful thoughts to God. And hand this person over to God. And choose to love them with God's love. Over and over. As many times as it takes to be free. And choose happiness.
And shock the person by being extra kind and loving to them.  
God is amazing. His love is amazing. When you allow Him to love through you, LOOK OUT! He will do impossible things through you. 
He wants you to be happy. Because He loves you more than you can imagine!

1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:28

Amplified Bible (AMP)

13 Now also we would not have you ignorant, brethren, about those who fall asleep [in death], that you may not grieve [for them] as the rest do who have no hope [beyond the grave].

14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will also bring with Him through Jesus those who have fallen asleep [in death].

15 For this we declare to you by the Lord’s [own] word, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord shall in no way precede [into His presence] or have any advantage at all over those who have previously fallen asleep [in Him in death].

16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud cry of summons, with the shout of an archangel, and with the blast of the trumpet of God. And those who have departed this life in Christ will rise first.

17 Then we, the living ones who remain [on the earth], shall simultaneously be caught up along with [the resurrected dead] in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so always (through the eternity of the eternities) we shall be with the Lord!

18 Therefore comfort and encourage one another with these words.

5 But as to the suitable times and the precise seasons and dates, brethren, you have no necessity for anything being written to you.

2 For you yourselves know perfectly well that the day of the [return of the] Lord will come [as unexpectedly and suddenly] as a thief in the night.

3 When people are saying, All is well and secure, and, There is peace and safety, then in a moment unforeseen destruction (ruin and death) will come upon them as suddenly as labor pains come upon a woman with child; and they shall by no means escape, for there will be no escape.

4 But you are not in [given up to the power of] darkness, brethren, for that day to overtake you by surprise like a thief.

5 For you are all sons of light and sons of the day; we do not belong either to the night or to darkness.

6 Accordingly then, let us not sleep, as the rest do, but let us keep wide awake (alert, watchful, cautious, and on our guard) and let us be sober (calm, collected, and circumspect).

7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk, get drunk at night.

8 But we belong to the day; therefore, let us be sober and put on the breastplate (corslet) of faith and love and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

9 For God has not appointed us to [incur His] wrath [He did not select us to condemn us], but [that we might] obtain [His] salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)

10 Who died for us so that whether we are still alive or are dead [at Christ’s appearing], we might live together with Him and share His life.

11 Therefore encourage (admonish, exhort) one another and edify (strengthen and build up) one another, just as you are doing.

12 Now also we beseech you, brethren, get to know those who labor among you [recognize them for what they are, acknowledge and appreciate and respect them all]—your leaders who are over you in the Lord and those who warn and kindly reprove and exhort you.

13 And hold them in very high and most affectionate esteem in [intelligent and sympathetic] appreciation of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

14 And we earnestly beseech you, brethren, admonish (warn and seriously advise) those who are out of line [the loafers, the disorderly, and the unruly]; encourage the timid and fainthearted, help andgive your support to the weak souls, [and] be very patient with everybody [always keeping your temper].

15 See that none of you repays another with evil for evil, but always aim to show kindness and seek to do good to one another and to everybody.

16 Be happy [in your faith] and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually (always);

17 Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly];

18 Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will].

19 Do not quench (suppress or subdue) the [Holy] Spirit;

20 Do not spurn the gifts and utterances of the prophets [do not depreciate prophetic revelations nor despise inspired instruction or exhortation or warning].

21 But test and prove all things [until you can recognize] what is good; [to that] hold fast.

22 Abstain from evil [shrink from it and keep aloof from it] in whatever form or whatever kind it may be.

23 And may the God of peace Himself sanctify you through and through [separate you from profane things, make you pure and wholly consecrated to God]; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved sound and complete [and found] blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah).

24 Faithful is He Who is calling you [to Himself] and utterly trustworthy, and He will also do it [fulfill His call by hallowing and keeping you].

This portion of scripture feels like a warm fuzzy blanket to me. If we live according to these words, we will live peaceful lives. Even in the midst of difficult times. 

"Dear Jesus You are amazing. You comfort me like no one else can. Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. I cherish the rooted and grounded feeling I have deep in my heart because of this precious time I have with You every morning. I can smile all day even when my world is shaken. Knowing that my God's got me! You are worthy! You are mighty! I am secure in Your love! I will praise You forever and ever! In Your name, the matchless name of Jesus, I pray these things, AMEN."