October 12
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“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.  For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.”  (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, NIV)

Dying is a part of living.

Any religion that does not address this inevitable fact of life is not worth following.

As disciples of Jesus, we have God’s instruction about how to face death and dying: Not as those who have no hope.  Our hope for what occurs after we die is based on what Jesus has already done.  He has conquered death, hell, and the grave by His resurrection.

Therefore, believing that God is good to His word, we grieve only the temporary absence of those who have died trusting in Christ, because the loss is not eternal.  Take heart in this promise from our heavenly Father.  – Luther

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October 10
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“And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.”  (1 Thessalonians 2:13, NIV)

When we are presented with an opportunity to obey God’s word, do we demur by looking at the messenger instead of the message?

The Christians in Thessalonica were commended by Paul in today’s scripture because they obeyed the word of God as they heard it — even when it came through fallible folk like Paul.

God is continuously speaking.  Often, through nature.  Often, through His people.  Often, through our situation.  Often, through unexpected messengers.

As a disciple of Jesus, be discerning.  Don’t embrace the words of the devil because it appears to us in robes; and don’t dismiss the words of Jesus because He appears to us in rags.  – Luther

REMINDER: Daily Encouragement will be on break tomorrow (Sunday). Have a great day in worship.  Lord willing, see you again on Monday.

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October 9
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“The path of the righteous is level; you, the Upright One, make the way of the righteous smooth.”  (Isaiah 26:7, NIV)

While it is true that — externally — the path of the righteous is full of “ups and downs”; internally — at the seat of our heart and spirit — the path is bubble-center level for the person who faithfully follows the leading of the Holy Spirit.

If we allow it, the external, visible, tangible, temporal, physical pressures of living will dictate our internal, invisible, intangible, eternal, spiritual perspective.  Don’t allow it.  In fact, turn it around so that your view of visible things is always informed, guided, and determined by invisible things.

It is the serenity that the “Upright One” alone provides that allows you to, as poet Rudyard Kipling wrote, “keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you.”  – Luther

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