May the Grace of God Be with You

Celebrating God God's People Offer Praise Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5)    Glorifying God 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 The Message The Way He Wants You to Live 12-13 And now, friends, we ask you to honor those leaders who work so hard for you, who have been given the responsibility of urging and guiding you along in your obedience. Overwhelm them with appreciation and love! 13-15 Get along among yourselves, each of you doing your part. Our counsel is that you warn the freeloaders to get a move on. Gently encourage the stragglers, and reach out for the exhausted, pulling them to their feet. Be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs. And be careful that when you get on each other’s nerves, you don’t snap at each other. Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out. 16-18 Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live. 19-22 Don’t suppress the Spirit and don’t stifle those who have a word from the Master. On the other hand, don’t be gullible. Check out everything, and keep only what’s good. Throw out anything tainted with evil. 23-24 May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he’ll do it! 25-27 Friends, keep up your prayers for us. Greet all the followers of Jesus there with a holy embrace. And make sure this letter gets read to all the brothers and sisters. Don’t leave anyone out. 28 The amazing grace of Jesus Christ be with you! For Reflection Many among us are God's confederates. They are the ministers of love and grace. They are those who uplift us and guide us toward God-centered lives. They are the ones that pray for us. They are the ones that are there for us to heal our suffering souls.  So appreciate what God is doing through us. Praise God for his love, grace, compassion, and the gift of our lives.  Pray Pray continuously. Pray and center your life in service to the Living, Loving God.  Invite the Spirit's guidance. Supplant evil with good. Greet life with joy and hope of Jesus Forward to a friend