11/9/2025
"Therefore, comfort each other and edify one
another, just as you also are doing."
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Today was one of those days when I needed to be quiet and sit with Abba, bearing my soul, repenting as needed, and just being alone with my Father. I had every intention of going to church, but there are days when my gluten intolerance acts up, and I need to stay home. I don't feel that I need to make apologies for not feeling well and erring on the side of caution, but I always feel guilty when I don't go to church. I know that I can listen to any teaching of a respected pastor at any time, but the best way to listen to the Word is the do so corporately, in a local church. Plus, I enjoy going to the church I've been attending, because the pastor does such a great job of making it real for today. After all, the word is active and alive, and Jesus is the Living Word. That's how the Apostle John described Jesus in the opening chapter of his book of the Bible.
This morning in our daily devotional, Pastor Jack shared this verse from 1 Thessalonians 5:11 where the Apostle Paul is speaking to the church at Thessalonica concerning the times and seasons announcing the coming of the Lord. He mentions what Jesus has said to the disciples already that when He comes, it will be like a thief in the night. Many did not understand Jesus, but Paul is encouraging these followers to continue to walk in the light, and to remain vigilant, awake, and sober-minded as the day approaches. He speaks of putting on the breastplate of faith and helmet of the hope of salvation, salvation that comes through faith in Jesus Christ, who died for them so they could walk as children of light. Then Paul tells them to comfort one other and build each other up, just as they have been doing. These same words of exhortation should remind us to walk in the same way, as we live out these last days before Christ's return. Jesus told us to care about widows, orphans, the imprisoned, and the sick.
There are so many people who walk around without hope, angry, bitter, or depressed, and on the verge of ending their lives. As I continue to stand in support of Israel, I pray for the soldiers who have witnessed the horror of this war and who have continued to serve in spite of weariness or overload. Sadly, there have been some who have ended their lives by suicide simply because they have experienced so much violence. For those who lost loved ones or who were hostages themselves for such a long time imagine the trauma of having to "see" these images of death flash through their mind every time they close their eyes, that is, if they are blessed to sleep or find rest after their ordeals. The mental trauma is often worse than the physical trauma and abuse. The violence is too much to fathom, and so many are having difficult times adjusting to life again, because life will never be normal again. Then again, what is "normal" in the lives of the Jewish people? Here in the United States we are witnessing so much chaos and wickedness in the streets, and we seem surprised that it could happen here on American streets. But it is happening, and it has been happening for many years, it just hasn't been so blatantly obvious before. The darkness is increasing, and few care to do or say anything about it. We are supposed to live in a nation where we have laws giving us freedom to speak up and stand against wrongs, or that is the general thought. In reality, we have those in power who do not believe in these freedoms and who want to silence us. We've already seen this played out before our very eyes when Charlie Kirk was gunned down to silence him, but it didn't work. The momentum continues to grow.
Since that time many young college students and even high school students have opened their eyes, and they are rushing to church, to buy Bibles, to know truth. It's becoming a revolution, and we who know Jesus as Savior and Lord need to be ready to walk with these young babies in the faith. It's a great responsibility. We have the words of life, and the fields are ripe for harvest. This verse in 1 Thessalonians speaks of comforting one another. Every day we meet someone or speak to someone whether it is in person or on the phone. It's important to know how to engage a person in meaningful conversation without slapping them with a Bible. Witnessing to someone begins just as any conversation does; we simply say "hello," and add "how are you doing?" You'd be surprised how just a few words like these can open up a dialog, simply because someone paid attention to another human being, acknowledging their existence and entered their breathing space. A few kind, attentive words can witness stronger, or as Jesus said, a cup of cold water to a thirsty person in His Name. We sport the name of Christian around, but do we walk as Jesus walked towards others? This is another reason I love The Chosen series, because it shows the personality of Jesus so clearly and imaginatively. Jesus is our example, He's our hero. It doesn't matter who they are, where they live, how they live, we are to love all men as Christ loved us and gave Himself for us. If our lives do not reflect a difference in knowing Him, how can we hope to share our love with others? It is His love through us that wins a soul to Christ. We can do nothing on our own. This is why we need to edify each other with the word. We live in a spiritual battle zone, and the spiritual darkness of this world and in heavenly places is real and active. But God is greater than any darkness, and we must strengthen each other with this truth.
Be comforted, be vigilant, be ready to give the reason of hope that is within you to anyone who asks.
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