Week of December 14, 2008 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

One of the Scriptures for Sunday is from Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, chapter 5, verses 16 to 24:
16 Be joyful always;
17 pray continually;
18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
19 Do not put out the Spirit's fire;
20 do not treat prophecies with contempt.
21 Test everything. Hold on to the good.
22 Avoid every kind of evil.
23 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.
24 The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

Jesus, thanks for the gift of who You are to each of us. As Paul has reminded us, help each of us to be joyful – to know who You are, and who we are in You, Lord – are hope and our future with You, all of which gives us great joy. Help us to pray continually, to have a lifestyle of prayer – really, to be more conscious of Your presence with each of us at all times. Help us, Lord, to give thanks in all circumstances – whether good things or things we find that are troublesome and cause concern and turmoil. Help us, Lord, to give all of our issues to You, to trust in You, to have a profound confidence in You, for You are a great God, and You are faithful.

Lord, as John the Baptist announced that You would come baptizing with the Spirit and with fire, may the fire of Your Spirit grow in each of us, empower us to share the Good News of Your birth, empowering us to share Your love with others, and empowering us because of the presence of Your Spirit with us always.

And may You, Oh God, the God of peace, sanctify us through and through, keeping our whole spirit, soul and body blameless until the coming of Your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Thanks for Your fire, Your joy, Your light in the world that dispels the darkness. Amen.

May the love of the Lord Jesus draw us to Himself;
May the power of the Lord Jesus strengthen us in His service;
May the joy of the Lord Jesus fill our souls;
May the fire of the Holy Spirit bring comfort, guidance and fervency;
And may the blessing of the almighty and most merciful God - Creator, Word and eternal Holy Spirit - be upon us and remain with us always.
In the name of the Father and of the Son of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

You may leave a message or prayer request by emailing me at: peacewm@tds.net.

May God be with you now and always.