Today's Verse: 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

Monday, September 6, 1999

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
— 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
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Thoughts on Today's Verse...

What's your ambition? I don't know about you, but I'm not so sure I could say my ambition is to "live a quiet life and work with your hands." (I'm a bit of a loud person, but I do love to work with my hands!) When I hear the apostle Paul's reason for that command, I understand his purpose in giving it. Many people I meet are frazzled, run-down, and exhausted with all their busyness. They never acquire the seat equity and satisfaction of finishing a job with their hands. I don't want to live in a way that ruins my life's influence on others, especially those who don't know Jesus. I hope you will join me in committing to quietening your life a bit, trusting God more for what you need each day, and seeking to work hard with your hands to win the respect of those around you. I don't want to be dependent upon anyone but God!

My Prayer...

O precious and righteous Father, I need your help to slow down and tend to my responsibilities instead of running around out of control and without purpose. Please grant me the wisdom and patience to live a quiet life that graciously influences those around me toward you. In Jesus' name, I ask it. Amen.

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Illustration

Illustration of 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 — Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

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About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

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