Work in Progress
You ever feel like you’re under heavy construction? You know what I mean right? Heavy construction is when things are getting torn down, demolished, swept away, bulldozed, cleared out, removed, etc. You ever felt like that about things in your life?
This morning I came to encourage you by sharing my conversation with Holy Spirit.
I heard Him tell me those words: Work in progress. Then I added: God’s Work…in Progress. See when you add God to it, you already know the outcome is something you can bank on being finished, and not just finished but finished right (or should I say righteously and holy).
I turned to 1 Thessalonians this morning and one of my favorite verses is in chapter 5. It’s a super short verse too. Can you guess which one is it? If you said verse 17, you are right! Pray constantly! That’s the entire verse!! I love that verse. It’s a command that we all should seek to follow…constantly!
As I was reading the other scriptures around that verse, I realized that there are some other commands we are to do as well and they are all in verse 14:
Confront fellow believers out of love who are idle and not walking with Jesus.
Comfort the discouraged.
Help the weak.
Be patient with everyone.
That last one probably gets us every time doesn’t it? Some of us are impatient with our children, with people on the roadways, with the workers in the stores, with the customer service people on the phone, with our family, friends, and even spouses.
That first one probably is a hard one to follow too if you’re consider yourself non confrontational. You say stuff like, oh that’s not any of my business, when you see a fellow believer out of line. But according to 1 Thessalonians 5:14 there comes a time we must out of love for our fellow believers, warn them or confront them when they’re not walking with Jesus. Go read it for yourself.
Out of all the commands, I think comforting the discouraged and helping the weak come easier than the other two, but it doesn’t excuse us from doing it, because it’s harder. We just have to ask Holy Spirit to help us.
Remember I said my favorite verse is 17? Well look at verses 16, 18, 19, 20-22. You know what, let me just put all of them right here in plain sight for us to see.
16 Be joyful always, 17 pray at all times, 18 be thankful in all circumstances. This is what God wants from you in your life in union with Christ Jesus.
19 Do not restrain the Holy Spirit; 20 do not despise inspired messages. 21 Put all things to the test: keep what is good 22 and avoid every kind of evil.
— 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 GNT
And here’s the scripture that goes with today’s theme of being a work in progress or better stated: God’s work in progress.
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you through and through [that is, separate you from profane and vulgar things, make you pure and whole and undamaged—consecrated to Him—set apart for His purpose]; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept complete and [be found] blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. — 1 Thessalonians 5:23 AMP
In my bible’s study notes, Dr. Evans said: The only way we can constantly be joyful always and give thanks is by knowing that God is working something out in our lives. Dr. Evans said God has never started a project that he did not finish. And if he started on you, you can be sure that he WILL sanctify you completely as you allow Him to transform you from the inside out (spirit, soul, and body).
I was reminded in my conversation this morning with Holy Spirit that while things may be looking like a full on construction zone in my life, I will remain obedient to the commands. I will be joyful. I will give thanks in all circumstances. I will not stifle Holy Spirit. I will not despise or ignore prophetic words. I will hold on to what is good. I will stay away from every kind of evil. I will confront other believers who are not walking with Jesus. I will comfort the discouraged. I will help the weak. I will be patient with everyone no matter what.
I WILL do the WILL OF MY FATHER. And even when I get tired and feel weary, I will not quit because I will trust the Lord to strengthen me and make me whole.
I am God’s Work…In Progress!
P.S. I just love my Conversations With God! Don’t you?
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SALVATION PRAYER
If you don’t know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior and you’re not a believer, but you have a desire to be, all you have to do is openly confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead (Romans 10:9). When you pray that prayer, you are saved. Get connected with a good, bible-based church in your community, stay connected to other believers, and start having daily conversations through prayer with God every single day. Welcome to your new life with Jesus Christ!!!
ASSIGNMENTS
What did Holy Spirit say to you in your conversation with Him this morning?
Which one of the commands do you need Holy Spirit to help you do? (Hint: Just ask Him to help you and He will).
Record yourself reading the Word of God on video or audio and watch how God will use your own voice to give you revelation and build your faith (keeping this assignment on here for a while).
Struggling with Consistency? I want to help you! Leave me a message! Text 601-299-4398!
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