Word for the day "Love God more than anything"
I Thessalonians 5:1 (NIV) Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
There are incredible similarities between the 1st century and today’s 21st-century mindset.
“For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them” (1 Thessalonians 5:3).
The Greek word Paul uses for peace in this passage is “Eirene” which implies prosperity. Sudden destruction is about to break forth in that day when the minds and hearts of the people are focused on riches.
Money madness! Greed! Accumulating! Hoarding! Jesus warned us it will be a time when men’s hearts would fail them for fear, watching the terrible things coming upon the earth.
Men/Women will yearn for something certain, something secure. It does not say it will be a time of peace and safety, only that they will say, “Peace and safety.”
It will be all they talk about. Their conversation will be about money, possessions, investments, how to find a secure haven for their assets! Can you see this happening right now in the 21st century?
Let’s make some sense of the times we are living in with today’s scripture passage.
Never in world history have people become so driven by a quest for money. Prosperity is the American dream! The stock market has become one gigantic gambling casino.
Millions of Americans gamble by playing the lottery or visiting casinos, hoping to get rich overnight. Why such an obsession to make it big? Because everyone knows a storm is coming.
The entire world awaits with anxiety that one day when a financial meltdown hits. They are trying to secure themselves against that awful time, hoping to outride the storm.
How are you handling these times? The obsession for prosperity has even corrupted the church if we are going to be transparent.
How Paul would have grieved had he known a day would come when ministers of the gospel turned Christ’s covenant into a covenant of cash (Even though much of these same concerns were in the time Paul Ministered ( II Corinthians 11).
The church once stood before the world as a testimony against greed and materialism, against the love of things, against self-love, hoarding, and covetousness.
But now the world sees the church as its biggest competitor for the good life. The world laughs and mocks at Christians who reject the sufferings of Christ to indulge in the riches of this age.
Please pay attention family of God, the Kingdom depends on some of us remaining focused and handling our money wisely and loving on God more than anything!
Point to ponder
Today’s message is a spiritual check for all of us to be mindful of the subtle trappings we are susceptible to. I believe the Lord wants us to do well in life, but not at the expense of loving God. There is a song I really love called "More than Anything” (Anita Wilson). Have an amazing week!
Special thanks!
Our Leadership team is especially thankful for those of you who provided financial donations and support in the month of August 2019 by partnering with us in efforts to advance the kingdom of God in this 21st century season: Special thanks to Ms. Annette Straker, Mr. David Straker, Ms. Chisa Tolliver, Mr. William Jones, Mr. Kenneth Washington, Ms. Darlene Simmons, Mrs. Denise Johnson, Ms. Itholear Abbott, Ms. Quiana Volney, Mrs. Barbara Mason, Ms. Mable Bazemore, Ms. Theresa Lewis, Mr. Ron Clarke, Ms. Divinia Stewart, and Ms. Gertrude Scott.
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