1 Thessalonians 5:5-12

For Reading and Meditation:     2 Corinthians 1:1-11

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...

For Reading and Meditation:     1 Thessalonians 5:12-24

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...

For Reading and Meditation:     1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

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....

There are many ways of promoting Christian wakefulness. Among the rest, let me strongly advise Christians to converse together concerning the ways of the Lord. Christian and Hopeful, as they journeyed towards the Celestial City, said to themselves, "To prevent drowsiness in this place, let us fall into good discourse. " Christian enquired, "Brother, where shall we begin?" And Hopeful answered, "Where God began with us. " Then Christian sang this song-

"When saints do sleepy grow,...

You are all sons of light and sons of the day. . . . Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.It is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. § Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. § ...

Take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighted down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.The day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden...

Everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.Do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit.If anyone desires to come after Me,...

Gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. § Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breast- plate of righteousness … above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.He will swallow up death...

Watchman, what of the night?” The watchman said, “The morning comes.”He who is coming will come and will not tarry. § He shall be like the light of the morning when the sun rises, a morning without clouds.I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also … Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. You have heard Me say to you, “I am going away and coming...

Men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. § You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.Darkness has blinded his eyes. § Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.The dark places of the earth are full of the haunts of cruelty. § Love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.The way of the wicked is like...