James 1:18 “Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of His creatures.”
Dear God,
The early morning is filled with Your sun light, and for me the day is full of Your Son light, for Jesus Christ, Your Son, has filled us with His light and hope. We, His children were physically created by Him and now that we have been reborn by the Spirit, we are new creatures. In the strength of the Holy Spirit, we have put away wanting to follow the way of Satan and wrong doing, and I have instead given our allegiance to Jesus and willingly follow His way. I am so glad that each day my Saviour, Jesus, at my invitation comes, so we together, can walk His way of love (for You and He are as one).
In my reading of 1 Thessalonians 4, Paul is again counselling the people, that in order to do as You ask, we need to walk in the way of Christ, by putting away all sin , immorality and defrauding of others. 1 Thessalonians 4: 7 “For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness”, to grow even more in love with You and others. I am so glad of this, for I am not naturally this way, and need to grow in my ability to love unreservedly. For all that is written of You and Your works reveal to the entire universe, absolute love in all things, emanating from You, God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Toward the end of 1 Thessalonians 4, there is a change of direction of thought , when it is written that none need to sorrow for loved ones who have died, for God has their places marked. Jesus died and was resurrected again, therefore confirming to us, that You have promised to do the same for all those wo died loving their Lord, V14 “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.”
It stirs my heart as I anticipate the coming of Jesus. The authoritative voice of my Saviour and redeemer will be heard by all for who it is intended, and they will respond by rising out of their resting places. V16, 17 “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” Thank You for instructing Your prophets to write such words, which give us not only instruction, but the opportunity to choose Jesus as our Saviour and be filled with the hope of His soon return.
Amen