Lift Someone Up Today

 January 1, 2024

Monday

1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 (NASB 2020)11 just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children,12 so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

Paul reminds the Thessalonians of his ministry with them. He exhorted, encouraged and implored them to walk in a manner worthy of God who called them into His own kingdom and glory.These three words intrigued me enough to explore their meaning for I would have simply made them synonyms. The meaning is to call them near, speak to them in a friendly encouraging way and give witness to the facts that will lead people to walk with their God.

This, too, is my calling. Today, I am to see those who need the encouragement to start or continue their walk with the Lord. I am to tell them words, unique to them that will help them on their walk. A simple bit of encouragement for those who are down will lift them up to walk.

I remember a time I was in a huge crowd of people that were rushing toward a football stadium. I tripped and fell, but because there were so many people I couldn’t regain my feet. I was knocked down before I could get up. Someone in the crowd reached down and picked me up. Once I was on my feet again, I could continue on toward the stadium. 

I wondered what would have happened if that person that I never saw hadn’t picked me up. The injuries could have been catastrophic. 

Someone may need you and me to pick them up today so that they can continue their walk. Let’s keep our eyes, ears and hearts open so that we can lift them up today.

On the other hand, maybe you are the person who needs to be picked up. I can tell you that God knows what is going on in your life and is working on it at this very minute. He is bringing you to be closer to Him. Be encouraged because He has not forgotten you. He wants you to walk with Him right now.

Just think, we can have a positive impact on people today. We have been picked up by God through other people to tell even other people how God is there to pick you up.

Now, let’s go tell people this today.

A Better You in 2024

 Many of you will buy a devotional book for 2024. I think that's great! However, you don't have to do that.  

I have written a devotional for every day for 2024. These will appear on this blog each day at 12:00 AM starting January 1, 2024. (I actually don't know where it will be 12:00 AM, I just set it up for 12:00 AM. I hope it's Eastern Time!)

There devotions are short. They are dated. They are not theological treatises. They haven't been edited. (You will not doubt find grammar errors.) These are the words I prayed God would give me as I wrote them.

Why would I do this?

I believe that a daily time with God will change our lives more completely than any other practice. I believe it will encourage us to pray, speak about our relationship with the Lord more often and give us perspective as we encounter every daily pressure. I believe people have to start somewhere when having a daily time with God. I just want to give people an easy place to start.

I do not think I am the answer to humanity's search for God. I do not believe I will make a difference without God. I believe God makes the difference.

If you would like, follow this blog so that you will get a devotion every day. If not, check it out. It may not be what you need. I hope it is what some need.

If you have a chance, make a comment. Please remember that a blog makes you vulnerable. I can be hurt too. None of these devotions are intended to hurt anyone. (By the way, I already know that I am not a great writer.)

I pray that God works in your life in 2024. I pray that He continues to complete you. I pray that you catch the need to make disciples.

God bless you!

Prentis