Proverbs 1 - 1.1.25

Scripture

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
    but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Observation

God loves each one of us so much that he was willing to send his son to die in order to wash away our sin and make us clean. But that great love does give us a free pass to do whatever we want. He is a mighty and powerful God, deserving of our honor, respect, and obedience.

Application

The fear of the Lord can be explained as extreme respect. We show respect for things like fire or vehicles at high speeds – things that come with consequences if the rules aren’t followed. Likewise, although God loves us so much (or maybe even because he loves us so much), even though sin is forgiven, there are still consequences that follow our decisions or actions. We need to understand that we serve a holy and mighty God.

Deuteronomy 10:12 And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul,

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom – the first thing or the best thing. We must give priority to the things of God.

“The fear of the Lord is the principal virtue that keeps you on the wisdom journey after you have begun. This counters the idea that wisdom is about being a smart, savvy, and skillful person. Wisdom is not about what you can do, but about how you live your life before the Lord.” Ryan Patrick O’Doud

Prayer

Thank you for the reminder this morning that you are a holy and righteous God, deserving of my adoration and respect. If I want to grow in relationship with you, I must keep you as my highest priority – listening to your voice, learning from your word, and accepting correction when I stray. Thank you that your mercies are new every morning. Help me to honor you with my thoughts and actions today.

- Debbie Dunn

1 Thessalonians 4 - 12.31.24

SCRIPTURE:  1 THESSALONIANS 4:13 - 18

13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

OBSERVATION

This scripture is a great encouragement and source of hope to anyone who has lost a loved one that knew Jesus as their Savior but is no longer on this earth.

APPLICATION

This specific scripture highlights the difference between how believers and the world handle the death of someone – because the world has no hope. They have no hope because death, by the world’s standards, is final with no future.

Paul addresses the reality that we all grieve yet says “do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.”  We can cry, mourn their loss on this earth, yet believers need to grieve WITH HOPE. We have hope for the future of being together again for eternity. In 1 Corinthians 15:54-55, we read that as believers our perishable bodies are clothed with an imperishable body, mortal with immortality, and that death no longer has its grip on us:

54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”[a]

55 “Where, O death, is your victory?
    Where, O death, is your sting?”[b]

Through Jesus, his sacrifice, and our acceptance and faith in Him, death is no longer final. There is no victory in death, no sting, all because of Jesus!!

9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

Grieving with hope is when we remember 1 Thessalonians 4:13 – 18. When we miss our loved ones, visualize the Lord’s return as He gathers those who have “fallen asleep” with those alive – to be “caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” We have hope in Jesus to be with our faithful and saved loved ones again for eternity. Hallelujah!!!

PRAYER

Lord, the holidays can be a painful reminder in missing those who have passed from this earth. I pray your comfort and mercy surround all who grieve and miss a loved one. Help us all grieve with hope – not without hope. Having lost my mother, both of my precious in-law’s, and many friends in Jesus, I anxiously await the moment we’ll be together again. Oh what a sweet reunion!  Thank you Lord!!

This is also a reminder to reach out to those who don’t know you yet so they, too, can have your hope. As the new year begins tonight, help us all have a deeper heart and yearning to reach the lost so no one lives life on this earth with no hope. Help me have the words to share your saving grace and hope for eternity. Give me your boldness to speak up when my flesh is feeling weak. Help me spread your Good News and saving grace so everyone can hope – so death will no longer sting and will no longer be final. In Jesus name! Amen

- Mary Oberg

1 Thessalonians 3 - 12.30.24

Scripture:  

1 Thessalonians 3:7-9

7 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. 8 For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. 9 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?

Observation: 

“Paul wrote this letter from Corinth, and his coming to that city was marked by difficulty. He said of his coming to Corinth, I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling (1 Corinthians 2:3). Yet since Timothy came back with good news, Paul had a renewed strength and freshness of life (for now we live). It made Paul feel much better that the Thessalonians were doing well…..For what thanks can we render to God for you: Paul’s thanks and joy overflowed because he knew that they did stand fast in the Lord. Some find it easy to rejoice in the material prosperity in the life of others, but Paul honestly rejoiced in the spiritual prosperity of others.” (David Guzik-Enduringword.com)

Timothy had just given a good report to Paul, regarding the Thessalonian church, about how well they had been doing in their faith. That encouraged and strengthened Paul so much, especially while he was going through trials in Corinth!

Application:

Encourage someone in the faith today, through your own faith! Encouragement goes a long way. 

Imagine a brother or sister going through a trial in their faith with the Lord, but then being strengthened and encouraged because Your daily life shows a faith standing firm in the Lord. That’s how it was for the Apostle Paul!

Can you think of a time where you were going through a hard time, but then someone encouraged you through their steadfast faith? Let’s also be that person to someone else! 

Prayer:

Thank You Lord that we don’t live this faith journey alone. Thank You for the men, women, youth and children in my life who have encouraged my own faith, especially in difficult times. I pray that I would be able to share that same encouragement with others as I lean on You daily.  Amen. 

-Michelle Gaddi