Energized

Read This Week: 1 Thessalonians 1

Recalling unceasingly before our God and Father your work energized by faith and service motivated by love and unwavering hope in the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. – 1 Thessalonians 1:3

Energy drinks, bars, packs, and even energy gummies are all the rage in our world. It seems we are just trying to stay awake, alert and motivated to do work, activities or just life in general. I remember I had an energy drink once and for about two hours, I thought my heart was going to beat out of my chest. However, in spite of the fact that it made my heart race, the energetic rush didn’t last. It faded quickly and left me feeling more tired than before.

We all need sustainable energy. A motivation that won’t fade away like a 5-hour swig of some berry drink. We need something that will last. The Apostle Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 1 that his energy comes from seeing God’s work in the world and in the lives of other people. He expressed his gratitude as he thinks about the Thessalonians being energized by their faith to do good works and motivated by love to serve others, and allowing their hope to help them endure even as they are being persecuted. The energy they were getting just from their faith in God and His love was energizing Paul. Everyone was energized.

There is no greater energy drink than faith, love, and hope. Nothing gets us going like the belief in something transcendent that is far beyond ourselves. Nothing can pick us up like knowing the love of the Creator of the universe and also feeling it from other people. Nothing can motivate us like the hope of a future and eternal life.

These are sustainable energy sources and ones that cannot be stopped by anything tangible on earth. They also bring results in life that a temporary burst of energy cannot. The faith of the Thessalonians produced good work. Their love brought about productive labor and diligence. Their hope empowered them to be patient and gave them the endurance needed to not only survive hard times, but to be successful in the midst of them.

This is why Paul opens his letter with thanks to God for the news of their energized work of faith, acts of love and hopeful endurance. These are indications of energy that carries us through life and reveals a true relationship with God – the greatest source of energy on the planet.

15 Comments

  1. Ken on April 9, 2019 at 10:04 am

    As I read that, it reminded me of a hamster running on a wheel, just going and going nowhere, really, really fast. It has all of that energy and exerts it to no good end.

    Having God as our source of empowerment and motivation, following His plans and purposes for your life, is true success and significance. God is saying “run with me and let me be your source, we can accomplish great things together.”

    Please reply with your thoughts. I’d love to hear from you.

    • Jason on April 11, 2019 at 11:13 am

      This is a good point, Ken. I try to identify things in my life that I hope will give me energy; tangible or earthly things that I want to motivate and inspire me but always leave me with an unsatisfactory burst of energy that doesn’t last.

      When I identify them, I try to go back to God, the real source of fuel for my life. Go back and be reminded of his promises, love, goodness, faithfulness and the eternal life I have in Him. It always helps me “jump off the hamster wheel” and find energy and contentment in Christ.

  2. Heidi on April 11, 2019 at 4:37 pm

    Did you know that we’re like billboards for God? So what kind of messages are you given out? In 1 Thessalonians 1, what touched my heart was the fruit of the Spirit of love and joy. When you spend time with God and you study and learn about God’s love, you get motivated by His love, so when things happen in your life, when unexpected issues come up, what matters to God is that you continue to be open to receive His messages with His love and joy inspired by the Holy Spirit. Then you are able to make changes with Jesus so when you pass your test you can share your testimony with those who God puts in your life. People can see how God’s Love has affected you by the way you respond, share, and talk!

    As you trust in God and continue to learn how to lean on Jesus, He helps you through your trials in life. It’s all about taking time throughout your day to study Jesus’ teachings and learn how to live day by day by turning to God to help you. Then as you’re learning to become like Jesus more and more, you’re able to give out messages for God to help people. So learn to be a great billboard For God. Keep learning how to give out great encouraging, inspiring messages!

    • Ken on April 13, 2019 at 12:17 pm

      You are a great example of God. When I interact with you, I feel His acceptance, peace, and love. You are the best encourager I know. Our privilege is to bring God to people and people to God

  3. almaschmidt on April 12, 2019 at 6:13 pm

    Through the Bible study and ladies lunch I got a song:

    Life with Jesus
    Living our life with Jesus, living our life with Jesus, living our life with Jesus
    He’s such a loving Father
    Who loves us all the time, loves us all of the time
    He understands and gives us grace,
    He only wants us to achieve and have faith
    What a wonderful Father we have,
    Living our life, living our life with Jesus and Our Father

    What God was saying to me was that we need to understand all people. Giving a blessing to those who don’t know him and saying to them its a blessing from the Lord. Do it with his love and you will shine to others.

    • Heidi on April 13, 2019 at 11:55 am

      It’s so wonderful how God blesses us through your songs! I’m so thankful we get to live life with Him and those He blesses us. Thank you, God!

    • Ken on April 13, 2019 at 12:14 pm

      You’re such a good example of accepting others and sharing God‘s love. It’s so awesome to hear these new songs from the Lord from you and to hear what you have to say regarding them. Knowing that God loves you, right where you are, is so liberating. Knowing that He wants to grow and perfect you to be more and more like Him, over time, doesn’t mean that you’re not perfect to Him right now.

      God is saying, “I love you my perfect princess, the apple of my eye.”

    • Jason on April 16, 2019 at 1:40 pm

      Alma, thank you so much for your song. It made me think of some lines from this one called What a Beautiful Name:

      How sweet is your name, Lord, how good You are
      Love to sing in the name of the Lord, love to sing for you all?
      Death could not hold You, the veil tore before You
      You silenced the boast, of sin and grave
      The heavens are roaring, the praise of Your glory
      You are raised to life again

      What a wonderful Name it is
      Nothing compares to this
      What a wonderful Name it is
      The Name of Jesus
      What a wonderful Name it is
      The Name of Jesus

  4. Sam Centers on April 12, 2019 at 6:56 pm

    It’s all about his word and work. He sets us on missions that we should follow. We don’t feel energized with the ways of the world. We say it will be ok till tomorrow. But when he says”ok it’s time to go” we have this instant feeling to go. We are not tired, and drug down. We know it’s the right thing to do. Thank you God for the answers you give us in this time

    • Ken on April 13, 2019 at 12:19 pm

      So true, Sam. Energized, empowered, guided and directed by God, that’s being right in His perfect will. God has shown me that it’s better to be a rapid responder.

    • Heidi on April 13, 2019 at 12:21 pm

      Sam I love that!! God does prompt us and when we do it, it blesses His heart and we get blessed too!!
      I thank God for you your always ready to say yes to God!! Your a blessing to everyone!!
      You live it! Thank you

  5. Ken on April 13, 2019 at 11:50 am

    It’s so awesome being in the family of God. Living life with people who help and encourage you to be the best version of yourself. Thank you God for our family!

  6. Javaid on April 15, 2019 at 9:52 am

    This post is wonderful and entirely accurate. One of the things God is saying is “There is always more to learn, and more love to embrace from Me. Think of it like a puzzle with layers, and with each layer revealed you understand more, get excited, energized, motivated to feel the next layer of love from Me. This yearning for elevating your love and relationship with Me will always give you the motivation to grow and succeed in this world as well as share that excitement with others.” God is the true source of love and motivation, and when we follow His word, we are forever powered to succeed.

  7. Kathy on April 29, 2019 at 11:37 am

    In 1 Thessalonians 1 Paul was saying The Thessalonians faith produced work and their love produced labor. Their hope produced patience. God loved them and he chose them. The gospel is more than words, it has power. The message of Jesus Christ has power for miracles, power for wonderful signs from God and it has the power to change minds, hearts, and lives. What God was saying to me through this was as Christians we will always need others around us who will show us how to follow Jesus.The message for me was “the message I want you to spread needs to impact your own life first. Then you need faith to go out so that your faith towards me, goes out to all the world. Live as if my son is coming and live like one that expects Him every moment. He delivers you from the wrath to come.”

  8. Brecken on May 20, 2019 at 5:27 pm

    I do the same thing every day. I wake up, grab a cup of coffee, and drink it to energize me early in the work day. I think about my repetitive routine and how I feel less and less of that kickstart. In comparison to seeing God’s work in my life, nothing ever gets old when He blesses us. I think about getting accepted to college. I did anticipate this next step in my journey as a young man, but the time never seemed to come. The anticipation was rising and I became impatient. When I did receive my acceptance letter, I felt such a huge weight lifted off. Even though I knew I’d go to college, God revealed which road I’d travel down. The unexpected blessings are truly amazing as well. Believing in His plan, no matter which road we turn down, will be our faith and trust in action. Better yet, others will see this joy and passion, which may be needed at that moment in their life. It is an opportunity for those around us to view the purest form of energy one can have.

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