Unashamed Reading Plan
Check out all the previous Unashamed readings here.
Unashamed Reading Plan | Week 15 | Day 3
Prayer
Take a moment to be silent and still. In order to be fully present in body and mind, take a deep breath in and let it out slowly. Do this three times. Pray that God would open your eyes to wonderful things from His word today.
Bible Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6
Read these verses three times slowly.
Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 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.
But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.
Reflection & Questions
Yesterday, we read that Jesus’ return is closer than it ever has been. While those words of Paul might be considered redundant or obvious, they do create a sense of urgency. That we should be ready for Jesus’ return and on mission for Him. In today’s verse from 1 Thessalonians, Paul emphasizes this even more. The day of the Lord “will come like a thief in the night.” When people are not expecting it. People will be “asleep” in their “peace and safety” and will have a come-to-Jesus wake up call.
The day-to-day grind of life can often lower our attention to the bigger picture and realities of the world. This is where our regular time in the word and prayer make a difference. It keeps our eyes wide open and we will be “children of the day” and “awake and sober” and ready for Jesus.
- What word or phrase from these verses encourage you today?
- Are you living in a way that is ready for Jesus? How do you know?
Prayer
Talk to God in response to today’s reading.
Worship Song
You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:
Bible Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6
Read these verses three times slowly.
Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 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.
But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.
Reflection & Questions
Someday, Jesus is coming back again to take all of His children with Him. But those who have not chosen His free gift of salvation will not go with Him. We don’t know the day that He is coming and it could be at any time!
So Paul wants to make sure that we don’t get lazy thinking, “Oh, Jesus isn’t coming for a while, I don’t need to work that hard on being one of His followers. I’ve got plenty of time to share His gift of salvation with others.” We don’t actually know how much time we have. People won’t be expecting Him. They will be comfortable in their lives, doing their own thing when suddenly: He will be there.
We’ve got to be staying on top of our good habits, like reading the Bible and praying. It’s easy to get comfy and just do what we feel like doing but Paul says to stay awake and be ready for Jesus!
- Are there some habits that can keep you closer to Jesus that you should be doing more often?
Pray
Ask God to help you stay awake and ready and thinking about the ways you can stay closer to Him.
Check out more Bible Reading Plans here.
Questions?
Ed Applegate
