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Warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. – 1 Thessalonians 5:14

Imagine what bowling would be like if you couldn’t see the pins. Well, in 1933 Bill Knox bowled just such a game – and had a perfect score!

The event took place in Philadelphia. Bill wanted to demonstrate the technique of spot bowling, in which you throw the ball at a mark on the floor just beyond the foul line. He had a screen placed over the lane so he couldn’t see the pins at the far end but could still see the marks. He knew that a bowler can throw more accurately when aiming at a mark that is close rather than at pins a long way off. He proved his point by bowling a perfect game of 300 – 12 strikes in a row!

Spot bowling reminds me of Paul’s words in today’s Bible reading. He told the Thessalonian believers that the ultimate goal of their salvation was to "be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Thessalonians 5:23). Although this could be done only by Christ, who was working in them (vv.23-24), their part was to focus on "near actions" that were in line with that end. He urged them to comfort one another, help the weak, warn the wayward, pray without ceasing, and rejoice always (vv.12-22).

Lord, help us to concentrate on what we can do today to stay in line with Your eternal goal for our lives.

– Maartin R. De Haan II

Thinking It Over

Which admonitions in 1 Thessalonians 5

do you find difficult to obey? Why?

What can you do to overcome that difficulty?

READ:

Keep eternity’s goal in sight by walking daily in God’s light.

The Bible in One year

• Proverbs 19-21

• 2 Corinthians 7