25 April

TODAY’S VERSE

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV

DEVOTIONAL

This verse is from a letter that Paul wrote to the church in the city of Thessalonica in Greece. They were amongst the first believers in Jesus and were being persecuted for their faith by the government of that time. Paul was reminding the church that before Jesus went up to heaven, He promised He would be back one day to make God’s world perfect again. He also said that no one knows when He’ll return, so we should stay ready. In the meantime, although we live in a broken world, those who have put their trust in Jesus have hope.

As brothers and sisters in God’s family, we’re meant to uplift and support one another, and remind each other to whom we belong. When others are discouraged, we can encourage them by reminding them of the truth - that Jesus died and rose again so our sins can be forgiven and we can live with Him forever as part of God’s family. When we tell Jesus we’re sorry for our sins and put our trust in Him, we can rejoice in knowing that our future is secure.

PRAYER

Dear God, thank You that there is hope in this broken world because of Jesus. Please help me to remember that, and to remind others of the hope that we have. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.