1 Thessalonians 4:11-12Do all you can to live a peaceful life. Take care of your own business, and do your own work as we have already told you. ¹²If you do, then people who are not believers will respect you, and you will not have to depend on others for what you need. New Century Version (NCV)

Yesterday's verse came from the first passage that I had read in the day and today's comes from the last passage that I read in my devotions this morning. I read it in the ESV which stated "aspire to live quietly". That word "aspire" caught my attention. What do we "aspire to", what are our aspirations, our desires in life?

At first, the quiet, peaceful life spoken of here may seem boring or uneventful. Far from it. Jesus would have been considered to have had a quiet life. The days may be busy and full, but it means "taking care of business at hand" but also reserving time to catch your breath, recharge your batteries so that you don't burn out. The flipside would be the prodigal son as he set out on his journey, partying and blowing everything that had been given, passed on to him.

John MacArthur refers to this quiet peaceful life as referring to "one who does not present social problems or generate conflict among the people in his life, but whose soul rests easy, even in the midst of difficulty". We are not to be the ones to start a fight, start conflicts or be "coal adders" adding fuel to the fire and instigating riots.

May we aspire to "stay calm, mind our own business and do our own job" (The Message) even in the midst of conflict and in doing so gain the respect of others that we may give a better testimony of Whom we follow.

Blessings,
Mike
Follow the verse of the day at www.mikesvotd.blogspot.com

1 Thessalonians 4:9-12The Message (MSG)

^9-10Regarding life together and getting along with each other, you don't need me to tell you what to do. You're God-taught in these matters. Just love one another! You're already good at it; your friends all over the province of Macedonia are the evidence. Keep it up; get better and better at it.

^11-12Stay calm; mind your own business; do your own job. You've heard all this from us before, but a reminder never hurts. We want you living in a way that will command the respect of outsiders, not lying around sponging off your friends.

Thursday, April 30, 2015

Verse of the Day 4/30

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12Do all you can to live a peaceful life. Take care of your own business, and do your own work as we have already told you. ¹²If you do, then people who are not believers will respect you, and you will not have to depend on others for what you need. New Century Version (NCV)

May we aspire to "stay calm, mind our own business and do our own job" (The Message) even in the midst of conflict and in doing so gain the respect of others that we may give a better testimony of Whom we follow.

1 Thessalonians 4:9-12The Message (MSG)

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Thursday, April 30, 2015

Verse of the Day 4/30

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12Do all you can to live a peaceful life. Take care of your own business, and do your own work as we have already told you. 12 If you do, then people who are not believers will respect you, and you will not have to depend on others for what you need. New Century Version (NCV)

May we aspire to "stay calm, mind our own business and do our own job" (The Message) even in the midst of conflict and in doing so gain the respect of others that we may give a better testimony of Whom we follow.

1 Thessalonians 4:9-12The Message (MSG)

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1 Thessalonians 4:11-12Do all you can to live a peaceful life. Take care of your own business, and do your own work as we have already told you. ¹²If you do, then people who are not believers will respect you, and you will not have to depend on others for what you need. New Century Version (NCV)