Mar 26 2022

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

In this afternoon's verse, John is praying for followers of Jesus to prosper in their spirit and also in their physical bodies. God cares about every aspect of our lives; not just how we are doing spiritually. No matter how we are struggling or what we are going through, God wants us to do well.

When it comes to maintaining our physical health, we take time to create food plans and exercise routines, and try to get enough rest. We should invest a similar amount of time planning for a healthy spiritual life. Just as exercising helps keep our bodies strong, developing good spiritual habits will help keep us strong in our faith.

Of course, having a spiritual plan in place doesn't mean we will always feel like being disciplined in our walk with God—just as we don't always feel like exercising. But when we are intentional and prioritize spending time with God above all else, then we will prosper in our souls.

Starting anything new can be challenging and even overwhelming. A brand-new physical fitness plan shocks our bodies and makes our muscles ache. In order to avoid getting discouraged as well as prevent injury, we need to take baby steps. In regard to our spiritual health, it's also okay to take baby steps. Begin with reading a chapter in the Bible, then progress to two, and then three. God will give us the strength to follow Him and will motivate us to keep seeking after Him.

God, You have always been with me, even when life didn't go the way I wanted it to. There are times when my body is suffering and other times when my soul is hurting. My greatest comfort, no matter what I'm feeling, is knowing you're always there. I'm so grateful for your faithfulness. In Jesus's name, amen.

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.
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