Mar 25 2022

Pray without ceasing.

Throughout Paul's first letter to the Church at Thessalonica, he outlines the character and life of a believer. One of the key components in living a Christian life, he says, is to continually be in prayer.

Prayer is fellowship with God. It was an essential part of Paul's walk with the Lord. He had experienced the benefits of spending time in prayer, so he knew firsthand how vital it was for followers of Jesus.

Praying without ceasing can sound like a daunting task. After all, we have jobs, school, families to look after, and sometimes even a social life to maintain. How can we always be in prayer and function in our everyday lives?

It begins with focusing our hearts and minds on Jesus at the start of each day. Then, throughout our daily activities, we remind ourselves of Scriptures and keep our minds focused on godly things. Then, prayer and talking with God is a natural byproduct of the time we have already spent thinking about Him.

When we pray without ceasing, we can take every care, worry, and need to God as we encounter it. The lines of communication are constantly open between God and us. We can approach His throne with boldness and confidence in our relationship with Him.

Those who pray "without ceasing" don't rely on their own strength; rather, they have learned to trust in the Lord with all their heart, soul, and mind, relying on His strength.

Lord, thank you for the opportunity to come before your throne in prayer. Help me to bring all my needs, worries, and cares to you. I also desire to worship you in spirit and in truth because you are worthy of all of my praise. In Jesus' name, amen.

Mar 24 2022

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.:

Eternal love is the very nature of God. It permeates everything He has ever done and is demonstrated by the love He has for His creation.

This afternoon's verse tells us that the "first commandment" is to love God all the way to the core of who we are. When the center of our being is rooted in love, then everything we do flows from that place.

This Scripture instructs us to love God with our heart, soul, mind, and strength—everything. It's not merely an emotion; it's an action.

As the "first" or "greatest" commandment, we are reminded that our motivation should be solely to serve the Lord. We have to surrender ourselves daily: our emotions, thoughts, feelings, and desires. This will never be a one-time act. It is something we will always have to do in order to submit to God with all we have.

When we are satisfied in Him alone, we are content in every other area of life. Our love for God is cultivated through prayer, worship, and fellowship with God. Then, not only can we love God above all things, but more than things and with everything. The bottom line is and always will be ... love God.

Lord, I love you. Today I give you my heart, mind, and soul. I choose to depend on your strength as you guide and direct my life. Please help me not to be led by my own desires, but to seek your ways in everything I do. In Jesus's name, amen.


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