Devotion 4.28.26
1 Thessalonians 5
"12 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
Paul is imploring the church in Thessalonica (and us) to remember what separates them from their status as citizens while here on earth. Love our pastors because their calling is to serve us. Motivate the idle and encourage them as well as the fainthearted, provide help with those who are weak, be patient with each one of them. Be joyful, pray without ceasing, always seeking what is good.
Today's devotion is a venture away from the assigned readings to remind us why we exist as men of God: To serve, to bring others to Christ, and to be there for each other as Christ is there for us. Within the past week, we have had two high-profile news events of men, young men, who are caught up in gambling. One was charged with a crime for his (the soldier who placed money on the Maduro arrest) and the other confessed an addiction to gambling which shook the local sports' world and made national news as well.
Our friend Ryan Hyatt, the local sports' journalist, scrapped his show's content yesterday at noon in order to cover the story about the Tech QB in his daily broadcast
What makes these stories significant is it is an addiction, identified by the American Psychological Association, with all the characteristics of a chemical addiction. It impacts young men around the ages of these two men most in our population.
At this point, this makes it a ministry issue, not just a news story, because we are a ministry for men, and as you read the article from the APA, you'll see the ratio 2-to-1, men over women. That's the ratio this addiction impacts us as men.
With any issue like this, it is a time to remind ourselves that if you have a brother confess to you, pray with him, listen to him, pray for him, and seek guidance from a called servant to help the brother in need. This is what separates us from modern culture. We don't publicize, condemn, or use it as a time to boast like pharisee in Christ's parable of prayer (Luke 18).
It is also a time to say if you believe you have an issue with gambling, seek help via a brother in Christ, a pastor or professional help. Rest assured it will be kept confidential (said as a reminder if someone comes to you).
Pray with me; Heavenly Father, In truth, we are weak creatures, made weak by a sinful nature inherited from a sinful world and by our own actions. Help us as brothers to be there for one another, to hold each other accountable in love, to celebrate and rejoice, to help and encourage a brother in need. In Christ's name we pray, Amen.
Reminders and Prayers
Prayers of Thanksgiving - for new grandparents among us, for high school celebrations and upcoming graduations at all levels
Prayers of Healing - for this sick and those in need of healing
Prayers for Our Nation - for our leaders and for us, as citizens in a republic, ultimately charged with decisions as voters, to be wise and seek your guidance
Prayers for the Retreat - and its success
Prayers for the Golf - and its success
Hope Men's Ministry is a ministry in service to Hope Lutheran Church and School. Our purpose is to grow, unite, and share God's Word to all men through meaningful activities. These activities center on fellowship, service, conversation, prayer, study and devotion as we seek to become men of God as He created us to be.