Week of October 2, 2000
Pastor Tracie

"For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him. Therefore, encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing."
     1 Thessalonians 5: 9-11

These verses, from the first letter to the Thessalonians, contain both a promise and a charge. The promise, that we are destined for salvation through Jesus, no matter what our circumstance, is quite a reassuring statement. When times are hard as well as when good times are rolling, this assurance is ours -- that through Jesus our destiny is secure. Through Jesus' death and resurrection our future is won. And so, whether we are actively participating in life's struggles and joys or whether we are inactive and asleep, we continue to be held by the promise of Jesus Christ.

The charge to us in these few verses flows from the promise. For being reminded and confident of our salvation through Christ, we are called on to encourage one another. We are charged to share the promise and build up one another. We are called on to speak and act in ways that are life giving and life affirming to those around us -- our families, our friends, our co-workers, even those we may not know well. Encourage one another -- with a simple smile, a word of thanks and support, a phone call or note that says keep going! We are called on to share what we know, to let others know of the promise we all receive through Jesus Christ.

With both this promise and this charge before us, we can't help but hear and tell of the wonderful things God has for us in Jesus.

Let us pray... Gracious and most merciful God, we give you thanks for your son Jesus Christ and the precious gift of life he bestows on us. Thank you for the promise of our salvation through his death and resurrection. Thank you for the people in our lives who encourage us and build up the community of faith. Help us to be encouraging of others. Amen.

Contributed by Pastor Tracie
Published Monday October 2, 2000
Week 45 of Liturgical Year B