Bible Verse of the Day: November 15, 2021

[Sister]

1 Thessalonians 3:12

Starting tomorrow I'm going to try a new challenge to write my own devotionals. My church is doing like this blog and asked for writers. Though I'm not ready to do something weekly like that, I started thinking that this is something that I think would help me grow in my own understanding of scriptures and share how it applies to me. I might today. Just depends on how much time I have. Might not be a daily thing.

 

[Norman]

Sounds like a great idea, Sister. I'm a big believer in, "You keep what you have by giving it away!"
Count me in...now, if I can only remember! Lol

 

[Hidden In Him]

Starting tomorrow I'm going to try a new challenge to write my own devotionals. My church is doing like this blog and asked for writers. Though I'm not ready to do something weekly like that, I started thinking that this is something that I think would help me grow in my own understanding of scriptures and share how it applies to me.

It absolutely would. As the saying goes, "Those who teach, learn." You have no choice but to study if you decide to teach. Just don't get discouraged with it if someone proves you wrong on something. There's a scripture that says, "Forsake not the day of small beginnings," and it applies to anything we have never done before. What you may not be expert on to start with you can grow in the experience of over time, and a knowledge of the word and the desire to teach it are wonderful things.

 

[Hidden In Him]

1 Thessalonians 3:12

About this, it's thought-provoking as to exactly how He makes us to increase and abound in love towards all men. From the context of 1 Thessalonians 3 it apparently helps to not be alone in what one goes through as a Christian, and to be reminded that we are appointed of God to encounter opposition from the enemy.

3 No one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. 4 For, in fact, we told you beforehand when we were with you that we would suffer affliction, just as it happened, and you know. 5 For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain. 6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you— 7 therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith. 8 For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 3:3-8)

The "tempter" here was Satan, and he runs two things at believers simultaneously: First he brings persecution, afflictions and sufferings to them to discourage them and cause them to despair. Then he comes in with temptation, and whispers in their ear, "If you just forsake God and do this, this and this, you can have a much better life and be happier." It's as if he wants to get you to run from the conflict rather than face it. But if you listen to the Lord He gives you an entirely different perspective; that you don't want to run from the battle but directly TOWARDS it, for that is where the reward is after living a life of serving God:

11 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:11)

He also develops in you the will to overcome evil with good, rather than succumbing to it, by reminding you of the following:

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. (v.43-48)

 

[Norman]

It absolutely would. As the saying goes, "Those who teach, learn." You have no choice but to study if you decide to teach. Just don't get discouraged with it if someone proves you wrong on something. There's a scripture that says, "Forsake not the day of small beginnings," and it applies to anything we have never done before. What you may not be expert on to start with you can grow in the experience of over time, and a knowledge of the word and the desire to teach it are wonderful things.

Excuse me, but I prefer, "Do not despise the day of new beginnings." I believe, therefore I am right, that my translation is the superior one...though I'm not quite sure what that one is...anyway, if I'm using it, it must be superior...just like me! Lol

 

[Norman]

And may I add...
28 “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’

29 “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.

30 “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.

31 “Which of the two did what his father wanted?”

“The first,” they answered.

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him. - Matthew 21:28-32
Don't you just love His word?

 

[Norman]

I love Him...He is so awesome!

 

[Hidden In Him]

Excuse me, but I prefer, "Do not despise the day of new beginnings." I believe, therefore I am right, that my translation is the superior one...though I'm not quite sure what that one is...anyway, if I'm using it, it must be superior...just like me! Lol

Ok, LoL.

If we are discussing spiritual "trees" in the Lord, I don't believe I've ever seen googly eyes on a tree quite that big before. I'm guessing this means you have superior "eyes to see" what the Spirit is saying to the churches?

I'm truly "intrigued."

Get it? In-tree-gued.

 

[Hidden In Him]

Excuse me, but I prefer, "Do not despise the day of new beginnings."

P.S. You'd better watch out. Mayflower is about to start writing Bible Studies. She could end up making you a real "sight for sore eyes."

 

[Hidden In Him]

"sight for sore eyes."

 

[Norman]

Tru is ancient French for wood and is the root word for tree. So it would be accurate to call me Treeman. Lol

 

[Hidden In Him]

Tru is ancient French for wood and is the root word for tree. So it would be accurate to call me Treeman. Lol

"Truer" words were never spoken.

"

 

[Norman]

"Truer" words were never spoken.

"

Something like that.

 

[Hidden In Him]

Something like that.

 

[Hidden In Him]

1 Thessalonians 3:12

Starting tomorrow I'm going to try a new challenge to write my own devotionals. My church is doing like this blog and asked for writers. Though I'm not ready to do something weekly like that, I started thinking that this is something that I think would help me grow in my own understanding of scriptures and share how it applies to me. I might today. Just depends on how much time I have. Might not be a daily thing.

No response, Sister, or are you just hard at work writing your first devotional?

 

[Hidden In Him]

Starting tomorrow I'm going to try a new challenge to write my own devotionals.

Prayed for you some yesterday, Sister, that this goes well for you. Just let the Holy Spirit lead you. You have experience writing, and you are creative, so let Him have the reigns of it, and let Him lead you however He will. The accurate knowledge of scripture comes with time, but as stated, nothing helps educate you like the preparation necessary to teach.

 

[Sister]

Prayed for you some yesterday, Sister, that this goes well for you. Just let the Holy Spirit lead you. You have experience writing, and you are creative, so let Him have the reigns of it, and let Him lead you however He will. The accurate knowledge of scripture comes with time, but as stated, nothing helps educate you like the preparation necessary to teach.

Keep in prayer about my car keys too. I left them out of town and we have to find them or get one programmed. :/

 

[Hidden In Him]

Keep in prayer about my car keys too. I left them out of town and we have to find them or get one programmed. :/

Ok. Not to worry. He's your protector. Stand in faith for that.

Btw, don't think my exegesis are ever directed at you or anyone in particular (Post #4). That's just me talking to myself out loud, and expounding on what the verse means from studying the context.