Sunday, August 15, 2010

Our Confidence

         Our scripture below tells us at least two distinct things; one that we must pray, and the other to have confidence in the Lord.

(1 Thessalonians 5:17)  Pray without ceasing.

            We sometimes read this verse and think that God never wants us to stop praying.  That is not the case. He doesn’t want us on our knees praying until we starve and die, nor does He want us to forsake earning a living. (He wants us able to pray constantly. He wants us to be ready to pray.)  At those times, when we are working or playing and a person’s name comes to our mind, we need to stop for a moment and pray for that person.  It doesn’t have to be a long wordy prayer, just a prayer from our heart.  The Holy Spirit will direct us in what to say, but “do it,” pray.  Then we are to go on about what we were doing.
            The second part defined on our bulletin cover states, …we have confidence in the Lord...  Three very important words were left off the cover.  They are …touching you… and …both…  When we read the whole verse in context, we see that it is a two-way street. We do one part and God does the other part.  The …both… implies that work on both sides is required.  We follow God’s commands, and then we receive His blessings …touching you…  The more we yield to His commands, the more blessings we will receive …touching you…  
            Touched by God daily is my desire.  With confidence of faith, I know what I must do, do you?  Have you been touched?

(Romans 12:1-2)  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God,which is your reasonable service.  2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove whatis that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

            We must know we have presented our bodies as a living testament to God by walking the walk and talking the talk. Otherwise, what do we have?                                                

Bro John R. E Chastain

2 Thessalonians 3:1-5  Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:  (2)  And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all menhave not faith.  (3)  But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.  (4)  And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.  (5)  And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

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