Jan 6, 2026 STM Devo and Important Information

 1 Thessalonians 5

16 Rejoice always,

17 pray without ceasing,

18 in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you

And that is the only way to be ready for our mission, the only way to be ready for life.

This is still a busy time of year. Though the holidays are past, preparation for our mission is in full swing now: packing and repacking, notifying family of where we'll be, writing in your Mission Journal, making sure you have malaria prophylaxis, keeping your passport in a safe place....

But these verses point to the most important activities: rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks.  If our hearts and minds are not prepared, it will not matter if we are physically prepared. 

My fall has been extremely busy: we took a vacation in October; my brother passed away relatively unexpectedly in November; then we were on mission to Ukraine in December. The of course there were the Christmas get-togethers with family. I had many personal struggles: flying to Florida to hekp my sister-in-law and niece with funeral arrangements, getting a nasty head cold the last several days in Ukraine, etc.  And God reminded me when I was busy in my own pity-party, that I should rejoice. Rejoice? When my head feels like it is going to explode, when my sister-in-law is screaming at me whle I am driving, the airline losing my suitcase, driving in the absolutely horrible 8 lane bumper-to-bumper Tampa traffic??

Yes. The Scripture is clear: Rejoice ALWAYS

That command is followed by the way to be able to do that: PRAY without ceasing

Our team could be made up of many physically healthy bodies, but if our soul, spirit, and mind are not prepared, there is no point in going. 

So:

Rejoice always

Pray without ceasing

In everything, give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 

Things to remember - 

    *Sunday, Jan 11 Team Commissioning, potluck, and packing party at Grace Bible Church

    *Friday, Jan 16 meet in Chicago last weigh in of suitcases (repacking if needed)

    *Saturday, Jan 17 through Sat, Jan 24 Mission with Solid Rock in San Juan de la Manguana Dominican Republic

~Roxanne