Thursday January 27, 2022

Today is Thursday, January 27 and this week we are exploring what the Bible says about expansion.

As I enter a time of prayer, I pause and become still. I calm my thoughts and silence my mind. I breathe deeply and slowly, and center myself upon the presence of God.

Pause and Pray

My Lord and my God, I set aside this time to experience your presence. Come Holy Spirit, show me what you want to increase in my life and how you want to expand my horizons in this new year. Reveal your message for me today in the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.

With the ancient people, I praise God for his love and faithfulness using the words of Psalm 57.

I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. For your steadfast love is as high as the heavens; your faithfulness extends to the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens. Let your glory be over all the earth. Psalm 57:9-11 (NRSV)

Pause and Pray

Paul founded the church in Thessalonica shortly after he left Philippi. When he leaves his new flock, he sends Timothy to them. The people were strongly aware of their recent separation from mainstream society in which they had until recently found their standards and values. The little community of new Christians was threatened by social pressures, ridicule and persecution. There was significant enticement to return to the life from which they had come. Timothy helps them hold strong to their convictions and gives Paul an encouraging report. Paul writes this letter in response to Timothy’s communication (1 Thessalonians 3:6). Paul shares his deep affection for the Thessalonians and encourages them to stand firm in the Lord until they are reunited.

Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith. Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones. 1 Thessalonians 3:10-13

I consider what the Lord wants to expand and increase in me and compare this to Paul’s desire to expand and increase the Thessalonian believers. Paul prays earnestly to supply what is lacking in their faith. I come alongside these struggling believers from ancient times and recognize what is lacking in my faith. I have not endured persecution as they have. I have not suffered social pressure to renounce my beliefs and return to former ways as they have. Or have I? I acknowledge that my faith is sometimes lacking and I would benefit from an increased supply. The Lord wants to increase love, hope and joy in me – so much so that it will overflow to others. God wants to strengthen my heart, ground my convictions and grow me in holiness.

Ask: What is preventing me from gaining a greater supply for my faith and an increase in love? How must the way be cleared for the Holy Spirit to come and supply what is lacking in me?

Pause and Pray

Lord God, I pray earnestly for your presence in my life and ask you to supply me with all that I am lacking in faith, love and holiness. Clear the way and expand a path to increase the poverty of my soul. Strengthen me where I am weak and provide what is absent. Enlarge my heart until it overflows with love for you and your people. I read the words from Thessalonians again and listen for the message you have for me.

Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith. Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones. 1 Thessalonians 3:10-13

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

I consider the emotions this passage evokes in me. Does it make me feel positive or negative about my future? How do these words inform a particular situation in my life that has been troubling me lately? What am I worried about? What people are involved in my current concern? I name them before God. I pray for them. I ask God to increase the love I have for this person (these people) so much so that it flows out of me to them. I ask God to supply whatever I lack in my current circumstances. I ask God to furnish my insufficiencies so I might grow mature in the Christian faith. God is surely able to supply, expand, increase and strengthen me through the power of the Holy Spirit to be who God wants me to be in all of my relationships and my life’s circumstances.

Pause and Pray

Loving and holy God, forgive me for the scarcity of my spirit and the meagerness of my soul. I welcome your love and provision in my life. Lord, you know what I am lacking better than I know it myself. Supply what I need Lord God. I trust you completely and wait for you to come, equip and endow me through the abundance of your grace. Amen.

We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. 2 Thessalonians 1:3

As I leave this time of prayer and go throughout my day, I go with a fresh supply of love and faith ready to pour into the lives of others.

Amen.