<p><span class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold">For Reading and Meditation:</span><br><span class="italic">     <span class="scriptRef" ref="ro+14:5-13">Romans 14:5-13</span></span></p><p>It seems almost unbelievable that the thing which stopped the psalmist's feet from slipping and sliding was not the awareness of his relationship with God but the awareness of his relationship with his brothers and sisters. It might not have been the highest spiritual principle he could have held on to, but it saved him from disaster. It is this matter - our relationship with one another - that Paul is speaking about in today's passage. You will be familiar, I am sure, with the passages in  <span class="scriptRef" ref="1co+8,10">1 Corinthians 8,10</span> where Paul enlarges on this subject and where, in a remarkable statement, he says: "I mean for the sake of his conscience, not yours, do not eat it. For why should another man's scruples apply to me, and my liberty of action be determined by his conscience?'  (<span class="scriptRef" ref="1co+10:29">1 Corinthians 10:29</span>, Amplified Bible). He is saying, in other words, that you might see no need to refrain from eating meat offered to idols for your own sake, because your conscience is not offended, but what about your weaker brother for whom Christ also died? You see, "none of us lives to himself alone", so when next the devil tries to convince you that you are an isolated case and that what he is suggesting concerns you and you alone, quote this verse to him. We do not act in isolation; if you fall, you do not fall alone, the whole Church falls also. If nothing else can stop you from doing wrong, remember the people to whom you belong, remember you are part of a heavenly family, and that when you fall, others fall with you.</p><p class="center-it italic bold mlr40 mtb20">Father, drive deeply into my spirit this truth that I cannot act in isolation, for I am bound up with my redeemed brothers and sisters. Help me experience an ever-growing consciousness of this important fact. In Jesus' Name. Amen.</p><div class="tl-lightgrey mt20 pt20 flexbox-row-wrap jc-around"><div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">AdditionalVerses</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="1co+9:15-22">1 Corinthians 9:15-22</span></li><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="ac+20:35">Acts 20:35</span></li><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="ro+15:1">Romans 15:1</span></li><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="1th+5:14">1 Thessalonians 5:14</span></li></ul></div>

<div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">Questions to Consider</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>What was Paul's approach to the weaker brethren?</li><li>What was Paul's word to the Thessalonians?</li></ul></div></div>

Let a little light into your soul every day with this wonderful devotional from English pastor Selwyn Hughes.

Every Day Light with Selwyn Hughes

"For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone." (v. 7) 

<p><span class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold">For Reading and Meditation:</span><br><span class="italic">     <span class="scriptRef" ref="2co+1:1-11">2 Corinthians 1:1-11</span></span></p><p>We continue meditating on our Lord's second Beatitude: "Blessed [or happy] are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." The word "mourn" has reference to more than just sorrowing over the death of a loved one; it includes all those experiences in life where we may feel crushed, broken or sorrowful. I feel the best translation of this verse is the one given by J. B. Phillips which I quoted yesterday. Permit me to quote it once again: "Happy are those who know what sorrow means, for they will be given courage and comfort." Why should people who are caught up in the throes of distressing and sorrowful experiences be congratulated? The conclusion of the verse gives the answer: "for they will be comforted". And what then? Out of the comfort they receive, they are able to give comfort to others. Examine the text at the top of this page again, or listen to it as J. B. Phillips paraphrases it: "For he gives us comfort in all our trials so that we in turn may be able to give the same sort of strong sympathy to others in their troubles." One of the things which often intrigues me in my work of training Christian counsellors is the fact that the best counsellors are those who have known the deepest hurts. Has the Lord allowed you to go through deep waters? Congratulations! You are a candidate for receiving the divine comfort which, in turn, will deepen your sensitivity to others and enrich your ministry in the Body of Christ. Don't, whatever you do, ask God to deliver you from painful or sorrowful experiences - they are worth much, much more than they cost. </p><p class="center-it italic bold mlr40 mtb20">Blessed Lord, help me to grasp this fact, not just with my mind, but with the whole of my spirit. I see that if I can learn this truth, my entire approach to problems can be transformed. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.</p><div class="tl-lightgrey mt20 pt20 flexbox-row-wrap jc-around"><div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">AdditionalVerses</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="joh+16:1-16">John 16:1-16</span></li><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="joh+14:26">John 14:26</span></li><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="joh+15:26">John 15:26</span></li><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="1co+14:31">1 Corinthians 14:31</span></li><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="1th+5:11-14">1 Thessalonians 5:11-14</span></li></ul></div>

<div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">Questions to Consider</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>From where do we receive our comfort?</li><li>What does the word 'comfort' mean to you?</li></ul></div></div>

"' the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ ' who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us '" (vv. 3-4, TLB)

<p><span class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold">For Reading and Meditation:</span><br><span class="italic">     <span class="scriptRef" ref="1th+5:12-24">1 Thessalonians 5:12-24</span></span></p><p>Now that we have spent a few days meditating on the fact that the Beatitudes provide us with the right mental and spiritual attitudes for healthy and abundant living, we are ready to begin focusing on the first of these profound statements: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."  (<span class="scriptRef" ref="mt+5:3">Matthew 5:3</span>). Some translations read, "Happy are the poor in spirit '", and one goes so far as to say, "Congratulations to the poor in spirit '" It is important to keep in mind that the word "happy" (Greek makarios) carries a far richer tone than we commonly attach to the word. It suggests a deep, abiding happiness, not just a temporary emotional lift. In the very first words of the Sermon on the Mount, therefore, Jesus puts His finger on one of life's most vital issues - individual and personal happiness. We all want to be happy - and rightly so. The longing for lasting happiness is a deep-rooted instinct that has been built into us by the Creator Himself. The God who made the sunset, painted the rose, put the smile on a baby's face, gave the gift of playfulness to a kitten and put laughter in our souls is surely not happy when we are unhappy. Although it is a God-given instinct to be happy, we must also see that it is only God who can make us happy. Apart from Him and His redemptive love as expressed through the cross and the resurrection, we would be "most miserable"  (<span class="scriptRef" ref="1co+15:19">1 Corinthians 15:19</span>, AV). As someone once confessed: "Now that I know Christ, I'm happier when I'm sad than before when I was glad." </p><p class="center-it italic bold mlr40 mtb20">Thank You, my Father, that You not only command me to be happy but provide me with the resources which make it gloriously possible. One touch of Your gladness and my heart sings for ever. I am so deeply, deeply thankful. Amen.</p><div class="tl-lightgrey mt20 pt20 flexbox-row-wrap jc-around"><div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">AdditionalVerses</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="ro+14:1-18">Romans 14:1-18</span></li><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="isa+12:3">Isaiah 12:3</span></li><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="joh+16:24">John 16:24</span></li><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="1pe+1:8">1 Peter 1:8</span></li></ul></div>

<div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">Questions to Consider</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>What is the kingdom of God?</li><li>What is this joy full of?</li></ul></div></div>

"Be happy ' at all times." (v. 16, Phillips)

<p><span class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold">For Reading and Meditation:</span><br><span class="italic">     <span class="scriptRef" ref="1th+5:12-28">1 Thessalonians 5:12-28</span></span></p><p>We continue meditating on the importance of looking at life "steadily and whole". I venture to suggest that people who are not Christians are unable to see life as a whole. How can they, when their thinking takes place only on the level of the natural? Natural thinking is notoriously partial and incomplete. Take, for example, the field of medicine. A generation ago doctors treated the symptoms that people presented to them, but now, with a clearer understanding of how the mind affects physical health, they have come to see that this approach was partial. One doctor said: "At long last the medical profession has discovered that the patient himself is important." Medicine is fast moving towards what is described as a "holistic" approach as more and more doctors begin to realise that it is not enough to treat the problem, we must also treat the person. They are still far from seeing that there is also a spiritual element in the person that has to be considered, but perhaps in time that will come. Christian counselling suffers from the same problem - it does not see the whole picture. I am tired of reading books on Christian counselling that give just one side of the issue and suggest that problems can be resolved by applying one special technique. Man was created as a whole person and he will never be helped back to wholeness unless every part of his being is treated - spirit, soul and body. God wants to restore His image in us: not in part of us but in the whole. </p><p class="center-it italic bold mlr40 mtb20">O Father, forgive us that so often we settle for the half view of things rather than the whole. Quicken my spiritual understanding so that I have Your view on all things - the "whole" view. In Jesus' Name I ask it. Amen.</p><div class="tl-lightgrey mt20 pt20 flexbox-row-wrap jc-around"><div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">AdditionalVerses</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="2co+4:1-16">2 Corinthians 4:1-16</span></li><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="pr+20:27">Proverbs 20:27</span></li><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="ec+12:7">Ecclesiastes 12:7</span></li></ul></div>

<div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">Questions to Consider</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>What is man primarily?</li><li>What was Paul's testimony?</li></ul></div></div>

"May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (v. 23)

<p><span class="scriptRef" ref="1th+5:14-28">1 Thessalonians 5:14-28</span></p><p>The Bible touches life at every point. While its great principles cover all moral acts in a general way, it descends to particulars in many cases, giving special instructions of great value. The passage noted above contains <span class="italic ">golden counsels </span>for the common days, and for the common experiences of life.</p><div class="center-it mtb10">"We urge you, brothers, <i>warn </i>those who are idle." <span class="scriptRef" ref="1th+5:14">1 Thessalonians 5:14</span>. There is a duty of warning others. We may not always speak words of <span class="italic ">commendation </span>and <span class="italic ">approval. </span>When Christian people are living in a sinful way, that is, not living in harmony with the divine laws, they are to be <span class="italic ">admonished. </span>We must make sure, however, that we do this in the spirit of Christ - in love, in order to help and save those we admonish. No duty requires more wisdom and more grace - than that of telling others of their faults.</div><p>"Encourage the timid." Then, we should always be encouragers, for there are many timid, faint-hearted people who continually need to be lifted up and helped onward. We should never be discouragers. There are those, too, who are weak and need the strength and support which we can give them. The strong should help the weak. We should bear each other's burdens.</p><p>"Be patient with everyone." We are also to be patient towards all, no matter how they may treat us. This is one of the great lessons which Jesus taught in His own life - to bear sweetly and patiently with those who are unkind and injurious. It is not easy - but we are not Christians if we are not trying to live after this law of love.</p><p>"Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong." The teaching of Christ also requires us to render always good for evil; never evil for evil. This is a very practical counsel, and it is never easy to follow it. Yet it is an inseparable part of all Christian life. If one strives for the heroic in Christian character, nothing could be more heroic than this! To return love for hate, kindness for injury - is far braver than to be angry and resentful, demanding satisfaction.</p><p>"Always pursue what is good for one another." We should always strive after that which is for the good of others, and in all things make this our aim. Anything that would injure or harm another, is absolutely unchristian.</p><p>"Rejoice always!" Joy is never to be left out of any scheme of Christian life. We are to rejoice, not now and then only - but <span class="italic ">always. </span>Even our <span class="italic ">sorrows </span>should not hush the <span class="italic ">songs </span>in our hearts. This element of joy, can be only in the life in which Christ lives and rules. There is a difference in people in the matter of joyousness - but true Christian joy is not that which the world gives, nor that which nature inspires - but the joy which conies from the heart of God - and which nothing ever can overcome or destroy.</p><p>"Pray without ceasing." Prayer is another essential element in every true Christian life. Not to pray - is not to live at all as a Christian, for prayer is "the Christian's vital breath." The exhortation to pray without ceasing may seem a strange one. It means, however, that our communion with God never <span class="italic ">need </span>be broken, never <span class="italic ">should </span>be broken. We cannot always be on our knees; for we have work to do, duties to perform, which we may not neglect, and which are just as sacred as praying. But we may pray at our work, by keeping always close to Christ, so that anywhere, any moment, we can look up into His face and speak to Him and get an answer.</p><p>"Give thanks in everything." Thanksgiving should never be lacking in a Christian life. It is not enough to observe one day in the year for 'Thanksgiving', although it is a very beautiful thing to do. Nor is it enough to put a sentence of thanksgiving into our daily prayers, although this also is proper. It is the <span class="italic ">grateful heart </span>that pleases God, the heart that is always full of praise. There should be a note of thanksgiving running through all our life. Too many of us go to God only with requests, with our burdens, our worries, our troubles; while we but rarely go to Him with any word of <span class="italic ">thanks. </span>We are not to be thankful only for our prosperities and for the pleasant and agreeable things that come into our days - we are to be thankful, too, for the things that appear to us as adversities.</p><p>"Give thanks in everything." That means in the sad days as well as in the glad days, when clouds are in the sky, as well as when the sunshine is pouring everywhere. It is specially said here that this is the will of God for us. This is the way God wants us to live - always giving thanks. A rabbinical teaching says that the highest angel in heaven is the angel of praise. The Christliest note is one that is always keyed to the note of praise and thanksgiving.</p><p>"Do not quench the Spirit." It is the glory of our Christian life, that God lives in it. Paul said, "Christ lives in me!" A fire burns in our hearts which is fed from heaven. We live at our best, only when we let this flame burn brightly in us. We are exhorted here, not to quench the Spirit. Fire is quenched by pouring water upon it, or by covering it up so as to exclude the air. The Spirit may be quenched in us by sin, by worldliness, by evil thoughts, by bad passions, by resistance. To quench this heavenly flame, is to put out the light of life, leaving the darkness of death within us. "Do not quench the Spirit."</p><p>We are also exhorted not to "despise prophesyings." Prophesyings, in a general way, are <span class="italic ">divine teachings, </span>the message of God to us. The Bible - is a book of prophesyings. All heavenly instructions, counsels, warnings, from whatever source, may in a sense, be called prophesyings.</p><p>We should keep our minds and hearts always wide open to receive the Words of God, and to welcome all divine influences and impressions and inspirations, whether they are spoken by the Spirit of God or by a human friend. "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening," is the true attitude of every believing heart toward the truth, however it is spoken.</p><p>"Test all things." Not all voices, however, that speak in this world, are <span class="italic ">divine </span>voices. Not all words that fall upon our ears, are words from heaven. We should test all things to see whether they are of God or not.</p><p>Then we should "Hold fast to what is good." We should judge carefully between genuine and counterfeit coins. Put to the <span class="italic ">test of truth  - </span>all counsels that are given to you. Not all such counsels are from God. It is said by our Master of His sheep, that "they will never follow a stranger; instead they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers." We should make sure that the voice which we hear is our Master's own voice; that it is the voice of one who counsels us wisely, and not the voice of a stranger speaking to us in unheavenly words, to draw us away from the truth.</p><p>"Abstain from every form of evil." We are accustomed to think of some violations of God's Word - as only slightly evil; while we imagine that other transgressions are very black in their sinfulness.</p><p>Some people appear to think that if we keep ourselves from the worst kinds of evil - that we need not be so watchful against the minor forms of misconduct. They will not lie, nor steal, nor swear, nor do other things which would brand them in the eyes of the community as 'wicked'. But meanwhile they are ungentle, unkind, selfish, bad tempered, and loving the world.</p><p>But Paul's exhortation is, "Abstain from every form of evil." We are not to pick out certain sins and condemn these alone as evil, abstaining from them; meanwhile indulging in pet vices and sinful habits of our own. Whatever is wrong in even the slightest way - is to be abstained from. There really are no little sins, no 'little white lies', no slight deviations from right and purity. Even evil thoughts, our Master says, break His commandments!</p><p>"May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." This <span class="italic ">prayer for consecration </span>is very comprehensive. It is that we may be sanctified, that is, <span class="italic ">set apart </span>wholly for God and God's use. We belong to God, for He has bought us with a price, and we should make ourselves altogether God's by keeping ourselves separate from sin, and from the world. It is a prayer that our whole being, spirit, soul and body - shall be kept pure and holy, amid all the world's evil; preserved entire, without blame, until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.</p><p>It may seem impossible for anyone to realize this <span class="italic ">high ideal of living. </span>It is impossible for us thus to <span class="italic ">keep ourselves. </span>But the words which follow tell us how it becomes possible. "The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it." We are safe in this world, therefore, when God keeps us - when His sheltering, protecting love enfolds us!</p>

A unique type of devotional from the writings of James Russell Miller, published between 1908 and 1913.

Devotional Hours Within the Bible

1 Thessalonians 5:14-28

Paul's Counsel to the Thessalonians

<p>I was a little angry, and they helped—but with evil intent.<br><br>Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.<br><br>He who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. § Comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.<br><br>Let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way. § We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves.<br><br>Love … does not rejoice in iniquity. § Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.</p>

Daily Light on the Daily Path or Daily Light is a Christian daily devotional scripture reading published by Bagster & Sons about 1875. It has been reprinted continually since then. It consists of brief groupings of scripture passages which speak to prominent Biblical themes—two themes (morning and evening) for each day of the year. It appends no commentary, but simply allows scripture to speak for itself.

Evening Daily Light

 They . . . talk of the grief of those You have wounded. 

<p><span class="bible-text "> <sup class="verse-num ">14 </sup>And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle   and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak,   be patient with everyone. </span></p>

And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle<cr>1</cr>  and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak,<cr>2</cr>  be patient with everyone.

1 Thessalonians 5:14

 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle   and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak,   be patient with everyone.

From Wikipedia: 

The New International Version (NIV) is an English translation of the Bible first published in 1978 by Biblica (formerly the International Bible Society). The NIV was published to meet the need for a modern translation done by Bible scholars using the earliest, highest quality manuscripts available. Of equal importance was that the Bible be expressed in broadly understood modern English.

The NIV is published by Zondervan in the United States and Hodder & Stoughton in the UK. The NIV was updated in 1984 and 2011 and has become one of the most popular and best-selling modern translations.

OT: Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia; additional sources;
NT: UBS Greek New Testament; Novum Testamentum Graece; additional sources;

New International Version

 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

<p><span class="bible-text ">And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle   and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak,   be patient with everyone. </span></p>

 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle   and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak,   be patient with everyone.

Bible Verse of the Day

April 29, 2019

1 Thessalonians 5:14 NIV

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