Daily Reading: 1 Thessalonians 3-4
Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. (1 Thessalonians 3.11-13)
Devotional Thought: Have you ever wondered how to pray for your friends and family? You can pray as Paul did for the Thessalonians:
· For togetherness. That may mean safety in travel for the next time you are united. It may mean the repair of relationships that have experienced separation. It may mean that you surrender your right to be right in order for your family to be whole.
· For love to abound. Many families are identified not by affection, but rather by animosity. Repent of any role you may have had in the growth of resentment and bitterness. Seek forgiveness from those who have been offended.
· For inner strength to be holy. Inner holiness can come only from the Lord. Life is hard. Satan fights unfairly. It is tempting to give up. You know many of the battles and vulnerabilities of your loved ones and friends. Pray for their victory in those situations. You also realize that there are things neither you nor anybody else knows. Pray for God to strengthen them in those private battles, too.
· That one day you will all stand together in the presence of the Lord. One day, Jesus will return. What a great day of rejoicing! Those who have already been ushered into the presence of Jesus will be reunited with those who are taken up when Jesus returns. Pray for the perseverance of the saints!
Prayer: Our great God and Father, we pray in the name of our Lord Jesus to unite our family in love. Bring us together in safety and harmony. Repair any divisions, and span all distances that separate us. May the love between us increase and overflow just as your love overflows in our lives. God, strengthen our hearts so that we will be blameless and holy in your presence when you return. Amen.
Psalm of the Day: 28.6-9
6 Blessed be the LORD! For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.
7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.
8 The LORD is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed.
9 Oh, save your people and bless your heritage! Be their shepherd and carry them forever.
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