July 15 Scripture reading :Thessalonians, Sermon : How and when do I pray?

Scripture reading by Debbie Baxter

My thoughts before reading:
Letters from Paul to Churches answered questions they had asked him or addressed problems they were having to the Thessalonians, it addressed moral and theological problems.
This is a letter Paul has written to the Church of Thessalonia. My guess is because of the difficulties of being accepted or even tolerated by an existing Religious groups, he wants to make sure they are not abandoning their beliefs.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-28


New International Version (NIV)

Final Instructions


12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idleand disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.

23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, souland 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.

25 Brothers and sisters, pray for us. 26 Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss. 27 I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.

28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.


After reading todays scripture, I came away with a different view.


Paul a head guy in the Church knows his stuff. Paul head of a large and growing organization giving an annual performance report to those in charge of th Church of Thessalonia.In Thessalonians 1 to 4, he tells them they are doing in their words and their actions, a good job. Not only that they are building a great reputation for the Church for doing good over and over.
Wow, Timothy brought him a great report of how thet are staying firm, steady in their beliefs & faith.
He shows the higher ups do care. He would have liked to have come in person. He, Paul Silas and Timothy all pray for them.


(5)Then the pep talk, the moral booster, he wants them to keep up this good work. God's work.
(5) He encourages them to continue to live in joyful expectancy for what God will do next through Jesus. Jesus is completely dependable, if he said it, he'll do it!


He reminds them of the way God through Jesus teachings wants to live. Paul encourages them to keep up the good reputation of their Church by continuing to live according to the examples set by Jesus. To live with what we call today integrity. Living consistently in wholeness and truth in all aspects of their relations with others. To live with strong moral principals, be upright, be honest, be trustworthy, be fair, be strong, whole unbroken. Paul tells them he prays that God make them whole, spirit , soul and body. (23-24)


(12-13) (19-22) Honour their leaders. The Church leaders do have a big responsability and will consistently help them in any way they can. But not to be gullible. To think for themselves and make informed decisions.


Still problems? Turn to prayer, Jesus told us in John 14:6 we must pray through him. 1Timothy 2:5 calls Jesus "The mediator between God and me". Use God's name when you pray, then end the prayer saying you are praying through Jesus. True followers believe that God the divine will take care of the problems as long as the prayer request is somethins for good according to the will and purpose of God. Of course God won't listen or act on some strictly selfich desire. True followers also believe that God will answer their prayers through the Holy Spirit giving them courage, strength, assistance, inspiration and solutions.


(16-18) But don't stop there pray incessantly. Keep an open line of communication with God, so that his will can flow through you. His work can be accomplished through you.


Paul reminds them  like Jesus to treat everyone with courtesy, generosity, respect, understanding, empathy and compassion. No wonder Jesus had good relations with everyone. He was a great communicator and so is Paul.


(13-15) He encourages them to bring out the beat in themselves, look for the best in each other, reassure each other, then bring out the best in each other. To live with kindness and goodwill towards other, in harmony, peace and calmness, joy and happiness, and good health and wholeness hopefully will follow.


It is easy to lose hope and never have lived fully. Paul gives those in charge great advice for everyday living. Being attentive to individual need having patience and not scapping at each other. Joyful living in spite ot their problems and differences. Go for the ideas and thoughts that heal, inspire, raise up, bless and honour your soul. When you are Happy you are more enthousiastic and then it becomes easier to reassure others.


(Harley's sermon below!)

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Beautifull bouquet by Linda. Thank you Linda!

Meditation on Prayer by Harley Bye


Scripture 1 Thessalonians ( see above)

How and when do we pray?

I. 1-Prayer is personal- " go to your closet and there pray in secret." ( wherever you are)

   2- Our schedule of prayer is nevertheless often  a public exercise, examples 

• Lords Prayer
• Dictated prayers from the Lectionary ( Def: A list or book of portions of the Bible appointed to be read at a church service.)
  
• Public confessional "prayers" ? useless?
• Praying the rosary
• Grace " before meals"
• Family devotions- old Methodist policy
• Prayers before public meetings - no longer in vogue   

  
    3- Views and explanations of Prayers

• Prayer is "Talking with God"
• Prayer is "Talking to yourself"
• Prayer is also God talking to us ( OUPS! or is this a mental disorder? Be careful no to to it too often!)
• (MY FAVOURITE) " Prayer is contemplation of the great issue of life from the highest point of view. "   (Note : this defenition is close to the defenition of Meditation ( "sustained application of the mind on a personal or serious and spiritual topic

II. Does God Answer prayers?
The answer may depens on the prayer.

1. Before you pray, Look in the mirror : Who do you see? Who you see will be part of the answer.
2. Prayers cannot challenge God's eternal laws. For example gravity- Even Jesus would not throw himself off the Temple... law

III Contents of your prayers (personal and different ) 

1. People who need you help! ( Actions not words)
 Example : Food grain bank 
  U 139, 440$ X4=1600$
71$ in 3 days, pennies,nickels,dimes.Nelson and the kids= bags of coins every day that is prayer.
2. Annoying situations 
God says "Let not the sun go down in anger!
You have had a disagreement? The person you live with? Spouse? person in the community? in Church?
Our Church mission statement : "Reaching out....Personnal Growth...Community"
-In reconciliation, you take the first step
-communicate means TALK IT OVER!


3. Guidance for the days ahead
a) Ernie Laudi sings " lead me, guide me...


Elvis Presley : Lead Me, Guide Me 

Songwriters: AKERS, DORIS

Lead me oh Lord, won't you lead me 
I am tired and I need Thy strength and power 
To guide me over my darkest hour 
For just open my eyes that I may see 
Lead me oh Lord, won't you lead me 

Lead me, guide me along the way 
For if you lead me I cannot stray 
Or just open my eyes that I may see 
Lead me oh Lord, won't you lead me 
I am lost if you take your hand from me 
I am blind without try light to see 

Lord just always let me Thy servant be 
Lead me oh Lord, won't you lead me 
Lead me, guide me along the way 
For if you lead me I cannot stray 

Lord just open my eyes that I may see 
Lead me oh Lord, won't you lead me


Personal testemony "Looking back in spite of excommunication and suicide in the family."
b) Purify your intentions ( parent of decision)
-Even in the court of Law, the judge considers the intention of the offender before judging. 


In closing : 1) "reach out and Touch somebody Today"
                  2) "let words of my mouth and meditation of my heart  be acceptable to you             God" 
                  3) The greatest prayer you can even pray is to tell someone how much they mean and that you love them!