14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.
Thessalonians 5:14-22
Questions for Reflection:
Relationship. God wants a Relationship with you! God loves you so personally – with a love that fits YOU- not “one size fits all”. Does that make you feel special? As you consider cultivating a relationship with Him, don’t “suppress” the Spirit or quench His fire, but allow Him to love you in ways that are “fit” for YOU!
Have you ever thought that the way you listen or react to someone’s testimony or experience with God can actually suppress the Spirit? How can you be an encourager for one another in this way?
Prayer of the Week:
Holy Spirit, thank you for coming. I love You, I worship You, I trust You. I ask your help today especially in my weaknesses. I ask for your help in this time of prayer. I praise and thank You for enabling me to believe and live in Jesus name! I now receive all the new life that You have for me today, bought and paid for by Jesus Christ.
Thank you for clothing me with power from on high. You have sealed me in Christ, become my union with the Father and the Son, the Spirit of truth in me, the life of God in me, my counselor, comforter, healer, strength, and guide. (You may pray here about specific needs today for the Spirit’s counsel, comfort, strength, healing and guidance.)
I now recognize my utter need for You in every aspect and dimension of my life. I deeply desire to be filled with You, to walk in step with You in all things. Father, I ASK You to fill me afresh with your Holy Spirit. Come Holy Spirit, fill me afresh! (Slowly repeat this phrase a couple of times, pausing to simply receive Him)
Lead me into all truth… help me see any way in me that grieves You Spirit. I thank You that You love me so much that any distancing in our relationship grieves You. I do not want to grieve You. Please prompt me throughout this day when You sense I am distancing myself from You that I might draw close to You by faith. I now Surrender to You confessing any ways I have offended our relationship… I am sorry. (Pause to confess any sins burdening your heart.)
I now Receive your complete and total forgiveness and Your empowering Presence that I may Act in the way You are leading me this day. I receive You with thanks, and I give You total claim to my life. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Amen
