"There is always hope!"

Saturday, July 30, 2016 (7:09 a.m.)

Holy Father God,

Thank You so very much. Thank You that we get to thank You. Thank You that Paul teaches us this in his letter to the believers in Thessalonica.

Oh Blessed Jesus, thank You for Your Word. Thank You that You cover our every need by the Truth of Your living Word.

Mm. What hope and encouragement are found in these pages. What joy to know that our son just had the opportunity to actually view this city. Mm!

Truth. Trust. Hope. Encouragement. Love. Joy. Power. Grace. And peace. They are all found here. Oh how I thank You for the hope I glean from this reading.

Quoting a RECOVERY THEME from The Life Recovery Bible, “If we have placed our trust in Christ to save us from sin, we will live with Him forever – we have eternal life. But we can hope in more than just life beyond the grave; we can also hope in what God brings to our life in the present.”

I'm stopping right here to thank You again for the work You are doing in each of us! Work that You know is imperatively necessary. Praise You Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Thank You!

“The power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead is nothing less than the power of God – the God to whom we have entrusted our life. With this kind of power available to us, there is always hope!”

Oh how I thank and praise You for Paul's words of Truth (especially 1 Thessalonians 5:14-28) which led to these statements. Urge. Warn. Encourage. Take tender care. Be patient. See. Do good. “Always be joyful (16). Keep on praying (17). No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus (18).”

And it continues from there! “Do not stifle the Holy Spirit (19). Do not scoff at prophecies (20), but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good (21).”

Mm, blessed Father, how I ask You to continue Your work in directing me in letting go of all that is not Your best for us. Keeping us away from every kind of evil (22).

You ARE the God of peace who alone is able to make us holy in every way; whole spirit, soul and body kept blameless until that mighty day when “our Lord Jesus comes again” (23). You are the God who calls us. And You are faithful in doing all You say!

Most blessed God, I absolutely turn to You and the love You provide, to the grace of our Lord Jesus and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 13:13) in teaching me to actually live the joyful life You offer to each of us.

Always prayerful. Continually seeking Your will. “Reminded of the gift of the Holy Spirit, [Your] continual helping presence in our life” (TLRB comment). You give us exactly what You know we need to succeed. “Our part is to participate in the good plan [You have] set out for us.”

Yes. Please. Thank You. I love You. Use me as You know is best. Amen.

(534 words ~ 8:23 a.m.)