Weekly Devo

Paul adorned the church in Thessalonica with a complement we need to seek to receive. Paul complimented them on the fact they did and will do the things which they were commanded. (2 Thess. 3:4) The only way they received that complement was because of the attitude they had. They were living and acting to do the commands heartily as to the Lord and not to men. (Col. 3:23) To achieve the same success we must have the same attitude. We must always remember we are nothing but unprofitable servants. We are simply here to do what was our duty to do. (Luke 17:10) May what was said about the body in Thessalonica be spoken of us often.  

   We belong to Christ. When we say we are His we must walk just like Christ did. (I John 2:6) Christ’s mission was simple. Christ was to do the will of God who sent Him. (John 6:38) Therefore our mission is the same. We were created in Christ for good works. We must work. (Eph. 2:10) If we work and follow Jesus’ commands we will abide in His love. (John 15:10) That is the most wonderful place in this world to be. That is the only place we can receive the promises of God. Do not be like the religious zealots of the New Testament time. They said much and did little. (Matt. 23:3) Be the one who peers into the perfect Law of Liberty and acts. You will be blessed for it. (James 1:25)                                                                                     

The only praise we should seek is God’s praise. Never forget we can always praise God. Steer clear of loving the praise of men more than God. Always make sure you give praise. For the dead do not praise God. (Psalms 115:17) Never neglect due praise. Your praise may save a soul. Express warm approval and admiration of something every day.

The wise man made sure to advise us that another should praise us. (Prov. 27:2) We do not need to praise ourselves. That would fall under the sinful attitudes of pride and selfishness. God even calls on us to praise Him. (Psalms 148) If we are not careful we can come to love the praise of men more than God. (John 12:43) That will lead us astray and down the broad path of destruction . Let us seek the sincerest praise that a virtuous person can receive. (Prov. 31:31) Our own works praise us among others and that is priceless. Those works will bring others to praise God. (Matt. 5:16)  

     Praise is something that we can easily connect with. Although we may fail at giving it we never cease to warmly receive it. God praises devout men. (Romans 2:29) That is one incredible thought. That God would praise us. Paul praised the Corinthian Christians because they kept the traditions they were delivered. (I Cor. 11:2; 2 Thess. 2:15) We should seek praise from others for the same reason. We must give praise to others for holding fast. We must be willing to withhold praise, as Paul did, if others do not continue in the Lord. (I Cor. 11:20-22) We always have something to praise. Occasionally life seems dim. When this happens we often lose sight of the great things in life and we forget to praise. We can always praise God. Never forget that even in the darkest of hours in your life you can always praise God.                                                                                                                                                                          

We have so many objects of our praise it is hard to give a good account of them. The greatest object of praise is God. (Psalms 67:3) We praise His word. (Psalms 56:10) We praise the name of the Lord. (Psalms 54:6) We praise God’s mighty acts. (Psalms 150:2) We praise men who do good. (I Pet. 2:13-14) We also praise women who fear the Lord. (Proverbs 31:27-30) The list can go on. If we seek to praise just these objects every day we have done well. It is of great benefit to us to praise these objects and think on why they ought to be praised. Let us make sure we dedicate some part of everyday to praising at least one of these objects .

Praise is nothing more than expressing warm approval and admiration of something. A very good example is the praise we give God in song. We work hard and long with little praise in this world. We do not work for a pat on the back. We do not need a gold star for everything we do right. When they come it is always a warmly received statement of encouragement. Giving praise has a lot to do with understanding. I have received and given more praise to people in areas I know by experience are difficult to accomplish. Imagine how God feels when we praise Him because of what we have come to learn about Him. (Psalms 67:3) We cannot overlook praising God. We do need to make sure that praise is genuine. It is easy to give genuine praise to God when we understand the magnitude of what He has done for us. Praise God.                                                          

Barnabas had a reputation of virtue. (Acts 11:22-24) He was sent to check out some possible good news about the spread of the kingdom because of his virtue. He was trusted and respected. We see the benefit and influence virtue can have. Others benefit from our virtue. (Matt. 5:13-16) People will be led to and praise God because of our virtue. We can keep them in Christ by encouraging them and exhorting them. Our words will not fall on deaf ears because of our virtue. When Christ returns the non-virtuous attitude will change. (Luke 9:26) Don’t let them influence you. You be an example to them.                                                                          

High moral standards are our goal. We need to understand the world runs in opposition to that and will regret it.  Hollywood and our society will not encourage high moral standards. They are made by men for men and will seek to please men. There is value and reward in virtue. They both out weigh whatever our personal price is for virtue. Virtue will always help the virtuous. We need to set the example and encourage virtue everywhere we go. Our virtue will lead others to God. Our virtue will cause others to praise God. Be virtuous.                                                            

There will be a day when someone will seek to speak evil against you. The reason for this action may be clear or hidden. The only thing that will make sure you will stay afloat in the storm that ensues is your virtue. Virtue can even stop the storm from even coming about. Virtue is so powerful in our lives it can cause others, with evil deeds in mind, to glorify God. (1 Pet. 2:12) Virtue helps us maintain a good report. Virtue enables us to receive the reward of mercy and truth. (Prov. 14:22) Virtue is a very good friend in dark times. Make sure that virtue is prevalent in your life.                             

A virtuous person carries much value. Your name can depend on your virtue. (Prov. 30:10) A virtuous wife is the crown of her husband. (Prov. 12:4) This type of virtue comes at a price. We must always be willing to sacrifice everything for godly virtue. Joseph shows us the price of virtue when he refused Potiphar’s wife even to the point of imprisonment. (Gen. 39:7-20) This type of virtue is so valuable that it is a characteristic our shepherds are to have. (Titus1:8) The price payed for virtue is never anything we need or truly want. The price we pay for virtue is far outweighed by the reward of Heaven. We need to be alert and make sure we are making virtuous decisions always. There is extreme value in being a virtuous person.