Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Thessalonians 4:1.

“Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more.”  1 Thessalonians 4:1.

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It is Thanksgiving Day.  My first thought this morning was to skip writing devotion today:  “I can take today off.  After all, it is a holiday, Thanksgiving Day!”

But, I did not feel quite right to take today off, so my second thought was to write something “easy and breezy” like how we should be thankful to God for all of His blessings.

But, my third thought was that just as I almost always stayed with the next Scripture in line to prepare the next Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotion, I should continue to do so for today even though it is Thanksgiving day. 

“Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more.”  Verse 1.

If anyone had an excuse to coast to the finish line, it was Paul.  But, what was Paul’s attitude?  What did Paul do?

“Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.  Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do:  forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,  I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude;  and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you;  however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.”  Philippians 3:12-16.

And, there is hope!

“for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:13.

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 1:6.