Highland, I take such joy in any chance we can find to gather together these days! As we gathered for Coffee & Conversation this morning, we worked through this passage: 1st Thessalonians 3:11-4:3. It was great seeing you all and I loved having the chance to open God’s Word with you. Here is our devotion from this morning:
An Overflow of Love
“Now, may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you. And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone.”
(1st Thessalonians 3:11-12)
Highland, let us continue to allow the Lord to hold command of our hearts! His commanding grip upon our hearts then produces an increase of His love within us, which eternally secures our hearts, making us feel safe throughout all circumstances! As His love makes our hearts feel safe, we then feel the joy and liberty of His love within us - His presence becomes our refuge! When this is the case, then His love exudes from our hearts, freely overflowing into the lives of those around us! Additionally, this passage directs us to love those within our church family, as well as, everyone we encounter!
A Hunger For Holiness
“May He make your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints. Amen.”
(1st Thessalonians 3:13)
Highland, may the Lord make our hearts blameless in holiness before God our Father. To position our hearts to be made blameless by Jesus, we must hunger for holiness. To hunger for holiness means that we do not find comfort in sin; to be comfortable with sin is to remain in sin. But, when we hunger for holiness, we rejoice as our thoughts and our actions come into agreement with God’s Word and holiness.
Do So Even More
“Finally, brothers, we ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus, that as you have received from us how you must walk and please God - as you are doing - do so even more. For you know what commands we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is God’s will, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality so that each of you knows how to control your own body in sanctification and honor.”
(1st Thessalonians 4:1-3)
Highland, let us continue to walk in a way that is pleasing to the Lord. As we are already doing so, let us do so even more. As our hearts overflow with the love of Christ and we continue to maintain a hunger for God’s holiness, then our hearts will find their rest as we live in agreement with God's word. To bring this passage to life, we took the chance to celebrate the wedding anniversary of Chris and Alana Willis! Two years ago, they wanted to stop living in sexual immorality and, instead, wanted to get married to honor the Lord in marriage. Their hunger for God’s holiness resulted in actions that aligned with God’s word. At that time, as they were seeking to walk in manner pleasing to the Lord, they desired to do so even more! That desire resulted in a decision to get married and we, the Highland Tribe, had the chance to celebrate that marriage today. May we follow Chris and Alana’s example and continue to hunger for the holiness of God, as we acknowledge our helpless estate, as sinners, to Jesus, who saves sinners! The outcome is always His glory and our good!
Continue to walk in the light of His presence, Highland.
I love you,
Rob