Thursday Thought -- December 1, 2011

Good Morning Friends,

“With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.  We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12)

Paul felt responsibility toward the Thessalonian Christians because he is the one who brought the Gospel to them.  They believed his testimony (2 Thessalonians 1:10).  Paul visited the Thessalonians as his travels took him near their area of the world, but that would have been very infrequent.  Paul wrote them occasionally -- at least twice -- but their postal system made writing an infrequent thing, too.  But though his contacts with them were infrequent, his concern for them was constant and it was demonstrated in his prayers on their behalf.  Paul preached over much of the known world, and almost every time he wrote, he mentioned his habit of praying for those whose lives he had touched with his ministry.  As busy as Paul was, he found time -- he made time -- to regularly and consistently pray for many others.

And the content of his prayers for others represents the best of what God wants to accomplish in us.  Paul’s prayers would be a great model to follow as we pray for others -- and a great model to follow as we pray for ourselves.

He prayed that God would count the Thessalonians worthy of the call they had received from Him.  God has called you, too.  He has called you to a relationship with Him.  He has called you to His service.  He has called you to represent Him in this world.  He longs for you to fulfill His purpose for you in that call.

He prayed that God would demonstrate His power in the Thessalonians by fulfilling every good purpose and every act prompted by faith.  Paul didn’t pray that the Thessalonians would have all of their dreams come true – but all of the “good” dreams and purposes, those dreams that come out of a sincere concern for others and not a selfish ambition for ourselves.  And it’s God’s power that can accomplish those -- we can never accomplish anything worthwhile in our own power.

He prayed that Jesus would be glorified in the lives of the Thessalonians.  There is nothing selfish there, not for Paul and not for the Thessalonians, either.  His desire in his own life and for the lives of all other believers was that God would be glorified in them.

Worthy of the call.  God’s power at work.  God receiving glory.  Now there are some things worth praying for -- and worth seeking in your life and in the lives of others.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Wednesday Thought -- November 30, 2011

Good Morning Friends,

“God is just:  He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well.  This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.  He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.  They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed.  This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.” (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10)

Life is not fair.  Sometimes good people suffer and those who cause the suffering prosper.  But here is God’s promise:  there will come a day when justice will prevail.  It won’t happen because the world finally wakes up and everything becomes fair and just in this life.  It will happen when God intervenes in the world to bring His justice at the Second Coming.

I like the story of the couple returning by ship to New York after a lifetime of missionary service.  As the ship pulls in to the dock they see a crowd waiting to welcome them home and celebrate, but when they disembark they realize the crowd is for someone else, some celebrity and that no one is there to welcome them home.  The man turns to his wife and expresses his disappointment and frustration, it just isn’t fair.  The wife responds simply, “Remember, we’re not home yet.”

You work hard and don’t get the reward you deserve.  You stand up for what is right and holy and you get ridiculed and put down for it.  In some places and some times, you get imprisoned or even killed just for your allegiance to Jesus.  Children get sick and young people die.  Life just isn’t fair.  Remember, it’s not done yet.  It won’t be done until Jesus comes, and then justice will prevail.  Count on it!  If you cling to Jesus even when it hurts and is hard, in the end, it will be evident you were right.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Tuesday Thought -- November 29, 2011

Good Morning Friends,

“Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:  Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing.  Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.” (2 Thessalonians 1:1-4)

Paul began his second letter to the Thessalonians in the same way in which he began his first:  by thanking God for them.  In both cases he looked at the characteristics of the Thessalonian church that deserved special praise and both times he pointed to their faith and their love (in the first letter he also mentions their hope).

They were known as a church of faith.  Not just static faith, either, but faith that kept growing as they matured and walked with the Lord.  Faith is important to God.  In fact, without faith no one can please God at all. (Hebrews 11:6)  And what is true in the lives of individuals is also true for whole churches.  To please God, churches must have faith.  Faith that trusts God even in the midst of trials.  Faith that is willing to step forward even when the way is not clearly laid out, trusting that when God has revealed one step He will continue to reveal each additional step as it is needed.

They were known as a church that loved each other.  Again, it wasn’t love that stayed at the same level.  It was love that kept increasing as they got to know God better and got to know each other better.  Love for others is important to God, too.  In fact, it is the very characteristic that Jesus said would be the mark by which His followers would be known. (John 13:35)  Love that is willing to keep loving even when someone isn’t very loveable.  Love that is willing to keep loving even when that love requires great sacrifice.

Faith and love -- I can’t think of any two characteristics that I’d rather have my church known for!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Monday Thought -- November 28, 2011

Good Morning Friends,

“May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through.  May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.  Brothers, pray for us.  Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.  I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-28)

The work that is happening in your life is God’s work.  He’s the one who is sanctifying you.  It doesn’t happen all at once, in fact, it won’t be completely finished on this side of heaven.  But God is now at work in everyone who has received Jesus Christ and He will continue to be at work until you draw your last breath.  You can count on that, because God has promised it and He is absolutely faithful.  It isn’t going to be easy work, in fact, it sometimes brings great pain.  Scrubbing the evil influences of sin out of the recesses of your heart is painful.  But God loves you enough to do what needs to be done even though it causes you pain.

Paul closes this letter with a challenge to the Thessalonians to do three things that will assist in the sanctifying work that God is doing in their own heart and in the hearts of those around them.

1.  When we pray for each other we join God’s work.  When we pray for others, God works in our own lives through those prayers.  When we pray for others, we assist God’s work in their lives, too.  Somehow in the divine scheme of things, our prayers release God’s work.

2.  Our fellowship with other believers also assists God’s work in their lives and in ours.  Identified by a holy kiss, it’s more than just a simple act, it’s sharing in the lives of other believers, being a part of their lives and their being a part of ours.

3.  One more way we assist God’s sanctifying work is by reading and encouraging others to read His Word.  It is the word of life, the word of growth, the Word of God Himself.  He’s given it to us so that we can grow through it and so that we can use it in the lives of other believers to help them grow.

And at the very end of it all is grace -- it was at the beginning, too (see 1 Thessalonians 1:1).  Grace is where our relationship with God starts and it’s where it will end, too!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Friday Thought -- November 25, 0211

Good Morning Friends,

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.  Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt.  Test everything.  Hold on to the good.  Avoid every kind of evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-22)

There are decisions that you need to make about how to face life.  Each of these short statements is an imperative, a command, something we are to do.  These are attitudes and actions that we are not to sit back and wait to overtake us.  They are attitudes and actions we are to embrace ourselves.

Joy isn’t something that comes to us as a result of the happy experiences we have.  Joy is a choice we make about how we will face life’s circumstances.  Joy is achieved by looking at the right things -- a focus on the Lord and on what He is accomplishing in us and through us.

Prayer and gratitude are choices that we are to make.  They don’t come naturally.  The natural reaction is to treat life as if it is all up to us, we’re on our own.  To acknowledge the need for God through prayer and to acknowledge what He’s done by giving thanks goes against what’s natural.  You have to choose them.

Passion can be quenched, and it has been in the lives of many believers.  They started with fire, but somehow it’s gone out, or at least it’s growing cooler.  Embrace passion again by embracing the work of the Spirit in your life.

There are two extremes people choose, both of which are wrong.  One is to reject everything and the other is to accept everything.  There is a middle ground that is right, being open to the work of God around you and yet testing to be sure it’s God and not demonic or of the flesh.

Hold to the good, avoid evil.  Two more choices.

All of the choices presented here are simple choices.  All of them are yours to make.  How will you approach life?

His, by Grace,

Steve

Wednesday Thought -- November 23, 2011

Good Morning Friends,

“And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.  Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14-15)

Not everyone needs the same kind of treatment from us.  Even the same person doesn’t always need the same kind of treatment.  The kind of treatment that people need depends on what they are facing and how they are facing it.

Those who are idle don’t need to be helped to stay idle.  They need a swift kick to get them started again.  Paul calls it a warning.  The timid don’t need a swift kick, they need encouragement.  They need a kind and gentle word that will help them know someone else is with them and there to help them.  The weak don’t need to be made to stand on their own.  They need a helping hand in their trouble.

You determine what someone needs by looking carefully at what they are going through and looking carefully at the kind of attitude they have toward what they are facing.  The challenge is to give each person what he or she needs most.

And there are a few things that everyone needs.  Everyone needs patience.  No matter what a person is going through or how they are facing it, patience from us will help them.  The idle, the timid, the weak, no one is going to change in an instant.  Everyone needs to be treated with patience.  And everyone needs to be treated with kindness.  Even discipline is to be done with a kind heart, a heart that wants what is best for the one being disciplined.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Tuesday Thought -- November 22, 2011

Good Morning Friends,

“Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you.  Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work.” (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13)

All of us have pastors, elders and/or deacons, Sunday School teachers, Bible study leaders, or others who contribute to our spiritual health and growth.  The people that I know who fit into those categories work hard.  The majority of the ones I know do it without pay, because they are committed to the Lord and His people and are being obedient to what they believe God is asking them to do.

They put in long hours, studying the Bible to prepare to teach, attending meetings to discuss how the church can best serve and how people can best be helped, and talking with people about the Lord and about their problems.  They don’t do it for all of the acclaim they get -- most get very little.  They don’t do it because they are bored -- the hardest working folks in God’s kingdom seem to be the ones who are busiest with other things, too.

They take away from their own free time.  They take away from their family time.  Sometimes they even take away from their work time.

And almost all of the ones I know who fit into the category of leaders in God’s kingdom do a pretty good job of it.  Oh, they make mistakes, but their motives are right and they take their responsibilities seriously.

And the most significant things you have that you can give them are your respect and your love.  No other reward that you can give will mean more to them or keep them more motivated to keep going.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Monday Thought -- November 21, 2011

Good Morning Friends,

“You are all sons of the light and sons of the day.  We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.  So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.  For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.  But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.  For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.  He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.  Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:5-11)

In Christ, we are children of light and children of life.  Christ is the Light of the world and His is the Life.  Outside of Christ the world is full of darkness, controlled by wickedness and selfishness.  Outside of Christ the world is full of death, there is no spiritual life without Jesus Christ.

When Christ brings light and life into our lives He changes us.  But it doesn’t happen automatically and not without our cooperation.  Paul challenges the Thessalonians to be alert and self-controlled.  Those are the keys to allowing Christ to change us.  When we pay attention to the Lord and focus on Him, He changes us.  When we give in to our flesh and focus on ourselves, we allow the darkness to continue its influence in our lives.

Paul mentions one more key to the life-changing work that Christ wants to do in our lives -- the help that Christians give to each other.  We can’t successfully live the Christian life alone.  We need other believers to encourage us and to help build us up.  That’s the purpose of the church and its contribution to our lives.  Don’t try to go it alone, get connected to other believers.  You need what they can offer to you and they need what you can offer to them.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Friday Thought -- November 18, 2011

Good Morning Friends,

“Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.  While people are saying, 'Peace and safety,' destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.  But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.” (1 Thessalonians 5:1-4)

There is a surprise coming for many people.  It shouldn’t be a surprise.  God has said it is going to happen and He’s demonstrated over and over again that He keeps His promises, even those that involve supernatural intervention.  Jesus is coming again and when He comes He’ll shock a lot of people.

Paul compares His coming to the onset of labor pains on a pregnant woman.  That does tell us something about the nature of the surprise.  It’s not the event that is the surprise -- or shouldn’t be.  What woman starts having labor pains without knowing she’s pregnant?  It’s the timing that is the surprise.  A woman might be able to tell it’s getting closer, but the actual timing is a matter that isn’t up to her.

So it will be when Jesus comes again.  Life will be continuing as usual.  The multitudes will think things are going O.K.  And then Jesus will surprise them and come again.  And it will be horrible for those who are not expecting Him as a thief's sudden appearance in your home would be a horrible shock for you.

For those who know Jesus, His coming shouldn’t be a surprise and won’t be a horrible event.  It’s something to long for -- something to look forward to -- something to rejoice at when we see it happen.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Thursday Thought -- November 17, 2011

Good Morning Friends,

“Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.  We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.  According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.  For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  And so we will be with the Lord forever.  Therefore encourage each other with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

One of the marvelous privileges that comes with being a minister is the invitation to sit with someone during their final minutes of life.  I’ve had that privilege once as a family member as we sat with Claudia’s mom and several times as a minister.  In each of those situations there was the obvious sadness associated with saying good-bye, but there was also a deep level of hope.  Most of the death beds to which I’ve been invited held a person who knew the Lord.  The good-byes that were said were not final and eternal in nature, but seen only as temporary separations.

That hope comes from the words of promise like those written by Paul to the Thessalonians.  It’s a promise that can be found coming from the lips of Jesus in the Gospels, and from other writers scattered throughout the New Testament.  That promise of life after death is the most profound promise that is contained in the New Testament.

To know Christ brings the assurance that when we breathe our last breath in this world and step out of our earthly body, we will step into a new world, a new time, a new life.  Those are encouraging words.  I know there is nothing that brings more comfort when someone you love dies than that promise.

Cling to Christ and you will be clinging to the only hope there is at the death bed.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Wednesday Thought -- November 16, 2011

Good Morning Friends,

“Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other.  And in fact, you do love all the brothers throughout Macedonia.  Yet we urge you, brothers, to do so more and more.  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 4:9-12)

The church is a family.  God is the Father of the family.  Those who are God’s children are all brothers and sisters within the family.  As you are aware, not all families get along.  In some families, competition dominates as each member tries to outdo the others.  In some families, jealousy is the hallmark as some members think that others have gotten all the breaks and are treated with favoritism.  In some families, hatred seems the primary characteristic, toward the parents and toward the siblings, too.

But in God’s family, love is to be the dominant characteristic.  Love is to be demonstrated by genuinely seeking the best for your brothers and sisters.  Love is the desire to see others succeed and rejoices when they do.  Love goes out of its way to help the rest of family, meeting their needs, encouraging them, doing whatever will help them in their relationship with the Father and in their lives.  In fact, Jesus said that love will be such a dominant characteristic in His family that those outside the family would see that love and know there was a connection to Him!  “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35)

And one characteristic of love is that it doesn’t take advantage of others.  Apparently there were some in the Thessalonian church who were characterized by taking from the rest, rather than giving to them.  They had become dependent on their brothers and sisters for support.  When it is necessary, being dependent on your family is fine.  The family should be there for those who need it.  But to be dependent upon the family because you aren’t willing to pull your own weight isn’t fine.  It doesn’t reflect the love God desires to see in His family.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Tuesday Thought -- November 15, 2011

Good Morning Friends,

“Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living.  Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.  For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.  It is God’s will that you should be sanctified:  that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him.  The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you.  For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 4:1-8)

Most Christians long to know God’s will for their lives.  It’s one of the most frequently asked questions:  How can I find God’s will?  A seminar addressing that question will always be well attended.  We seek God’s will for marriage, for our career, for spending money, and in myriads of other life decisions.  And that is a good pursuit, we should long to do what pleases God.  What pleases God will always be, in the long run, what is best for our lives, too.

God’s will is not always something that is illusive and hard to discern.  God has clearly revealed His will in some matters in His Word.  Here Paul writes that “it is God’s will that you should be sanctified.”  That’s as clear and straightforward as it can be written.  And lest we misunderstand what Paul means by being sanctified, he goes on to explain it:  to avoid sexual immorality and use our bodies in holy and honorable ways.

I can’t tell you how many times couples have sat in my office and talked about their living situation -- not married, but living together as though they were.  And almost always they try to justify what they are doing by bringing God’s will into it – we’re sure it is all right with God, He brought us together – we’ve prayed about it and it's God’s will for us.  No it’s not!  God has already spoken His will very clearly about sexual immorality and His will is that we avoid it.  That’s what pleases Him -- and, in the long run, that is what’s best for our lives, too.

Seek God’s will for your life where it is unclear.  But while you do, follow His will where He has revealed it.  Sometimes I wonder why God would reveal any more of His will when we ignore the parts of it that He has revealed so clearly.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Monday Thought -- November 14, 2011

Good Morning Friends,

"Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.  Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you.  May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.  May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones." (1 Thessalonians 3:10-13)

Paul had three prayer requests related to the Thessalonians:

He asked that God would clear the way so that he could visit them again.  Paul enjoyed his relationship with the Thessalonians, and most of the other churches he had opportunity to serve.  He longed to be able to come to them and help them continue to grow in the faith.  He wanted to be with them, not for what he could get from them, but for what he could give to them.

He asked that God would help their love increase.  He longed for them to love each other more.  It wasn’t that they were having problems with each other, but there is always room for growth in the love that exists between brothers in the faith.  But Paul was concerned about more than just how the church got along with itself.  He longed to see their love grow for everyone, other Christians around the world, and those who were not yet a part of the church.  Love is a hallmark of a relationship with Jesus Christ.  He works in our hearts to turn them away from just thinking of ourselves to thinking of others, too.

He asked that God would strengthen their hearts in order that they would be prepared for Jesus when He comes again.  No matter how strong they were in the faith, how mature they had become, Paul knew they could not rest where they were.  God’s continued work in their hearts was needed.  And that’s true of us, too.  None of us has arrived at the spiritual place where we can take it easy and no longer be concerned about growth and strengthening.  God’s work will not be done in our hearts until we’re done with the world.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Friday Thought -- November 11, 2011

Good Morning Friends,

“So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens.  We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God’s fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials.  You know quite well that we were destined for them.  In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted.  And it turned out that way, as you well know.  For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith.  I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless.” (1 Thessalonians 3:1-5)

It would be great if all we had to experience in life were pleasures and blessings.  However, that’s not what we’ve been promised.  As Paul reminded the Thessalonians, “we were destined for (trials).”  Jesus’ teachings contain the same promise, “In this world you will have trouble.” (John 16:33)  Trouble and trials are certain for those who follow Christ.  Part of those trials come as a natural part of life -- the whole world groans and struggles because of the effects of sin.  Part of those trials come as a result of walking with Christ.  The world hated Him, and there will always be those who hate His followers, too.

Knowing troubles are to be expected should help us avoid being unsettled by them.  That doesn’t take away the pain and difficulty, but it should help us remain faithful through them and not give in to the temptation from Satan to abandon Christ.

Jesus did promise that we would have trouble, but He concluded that verse with an additional promise:  “But take heart!  I have overcome the world.”  In the midst of the troubles you face, don’t focus on the troubles.  Focus on the One who has overcome those troubles -- and the whole world -- and is waiting to usher you into an eternity without troubles.

And remember, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” (Romans 8:35)  Troubles aren’t evidence that God has turned His back on you and forsaken His love.  He’ll hold on to you through your troubles, so keep holding on to Him!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Thursday Thought -- November 10, 2011

Good Morning Friends,

“But, brothers, when we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you.  For we wanted to come to you -- certainly I, Paul, did, again and again -- but Satan stopped us.  For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes?  Is it not you?  Indeed, you are our glory and joy.” (1 Thessalonians 2:17-20)

Paul understood.  He got it right.  People matter more than anything, except God Himself.  For Paul, there wasn’t anything in this world that held him.  Money, he could live with it or live without it -- he had learned to be content either way.  Possessions, they didn’t matter to Paul.  Oh, he had a few scrolls that meant something to him, but what he possessed were just tools that he could use in helping people.  Comfort -- he didn’t have much and found joy anyway.  Fame -- worldly fame wasn’t his goal, he learned the folly of living to please men.  No, there wasn’t anything in this world that held Paul -- except people.

He told the Philippians that helping people was the only thing that gave purpose to his life.  There was no reason to live except to help people, because what was beyond death would be so much better.

The importance of people seems to be a hard lesson to learn.  So many things in this world clamor for our attention.  Our yards need maintenance, it’s important to keep our landscaping up to the standard of the neighborhood in which we live.  Our houses scream for attention -- paint here, dust there, sweep another place, fix a leaking pipe, hang a picture, a thousand and one things that say they are important.  Our jobs, our hobbies, our cars, there are so many important things in the world -- or so it seems.  And often, too often, people and their needs have to get in line behind all of those other important things.

Seems out of balance, doesn’t it?  What is our hope, our joy, our crown, our glory?  People are -- and how God wants to use us to touch their needs.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Wednesday Thought -- November 9, 2011

Good Morning Friends,

“And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.  For you, brothers, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus:  You suffered from your own countrymen the same things those churches suffered from the Jews, who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out.  They displease God and are hostile to all men in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved.  In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit.  The wrath of God has come upon them at last.” (1 Thessalonians 2:13-16)

When I calculate my income taxes each year, I read the instructions and the rules behind them carefully.  I’m looking for loopholes and extra deductions that I wasn’t aware of before.  Sometimes I find some new legal and ethical ways to reduce my tax liability.  After all, laws are written by men and sometimes they miss some things and you can find ways around them.

I got a traffic ticket once that I didn’t think I deserved.  I decided to fight it in court.  It took several months for the case to come before the judge.  When the date finally arrived I was at the defendant’s table and another driver was at the prosecutor’s table as the only witness to my crime.  When the judge called for his testimony, he couldn’t remember what he’d seen that day and turned to me asking for a reminder.  I kept quiet and the judge quickly brought the case to a close -- finding me innocent.  In that situation, my guilt or innocence wasn’t the issue that was decided, it was a technicality -- no reliable witness -- that doomed the prosecution.  That’s O.K., it was just a man-made law -- loopholes and technicalities are all it takes to get around them.

And some people approach the scriptures with the same kind of attitude.  They look for loopholes and technicalities.  They are looking for ways to get around what the Bible teaches.  Such people approach the Bible as though it was the word of men, but it’s not!  Loopholes and technicalities don’t apply when it’s the word of God.  The Thessalonians understood that.  They recognized God’s word -- and they responded with the right kind of attitude.  Now, there is a good example for us to follow!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Tuesday Thought -- November 8, 2011

Good Morning Friends,

“As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children.  We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.  Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you.  You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed.  For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.” (1 Thessalonians 2:6b-12)

Paul uses some interesting images of leaders in this passage, all taken from the human family.  Each shows a different aspect of good and godly leadership.

“We were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children.”  A good leader has compassion on those being led.  A good leader seeks to be sure those being led know they are loved.  A good leader can be compared to a kind and loving mother, who meets the needs of her children with such obvious compassion.  Mothering is not a duty performed roughly, but an act of love performed with tenderness -- so, too, good leadership.

“Surely you remember, brothers.”  Good and godly leaders never forget that they are a part of the team, brothers to those they are leading.  They are not above those they lead as though they are more valuable or worthy.  They are fulfilling a God-given ministry, even as the rest of the team is.

“We dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God.”  A mother’s gentleness characterizes good leadership, but so does a father’s challenge for his children to fulfill their calling.  A good leader doesn’t just provide for the needs of those being led so they feel loved and cared for, a good leader spurs them on to be what God wants them to be, challenging them to growth and service.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Monday Thought -- November 7, 2011

Good Morning Friends,

“You know, brothers, that our visit to you was not a failure.  We had previously suffered and been insulted in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition.  For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you.  On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel.  We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.  You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed -- God is our witness.  We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else.” (1 Thessalonians 2:1-6a)

Whose approval matters most to you?  We’re all influenced by the opinions of other people.  We want to be liked and respected.  But is the approval of other people the most important approval you seek?  It wasn’t for Paul and those who traveled with him.

If their goal was to achieve the approval of men, then most of their efforts would have to be classed as failures.  They were run out of city after city.  That was certainly true of their visit to Thessalonica (see Acts 17).  Some people became believers, but the crowds were mostly against them and Paul and Silas had to flee the city to preserve their lives and continue their ministry elsewhere.

Most of us would look back on an experience like that as a failure.  Paul didn’t.  He was not after the approval of men.  He was seeking to please the Lord.  And the Lord was pleased with what Paul did in Thessalonica.  Some people did become believers.  A church was started there and it continued to grow and mature after Paul’s departure, as evidenced by this letter he wrote to them.

It’s difficult to do what you know will turn some people against you, but if God approves, it’s worth the disapproval of other people.  After all, His opinion is the one that matters most!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Friday Thought -- November 4, 2011

Good Morning Friends,

“The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia – your faith in God has become known everywhere.  Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us.  They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead – Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.” (1 Thessalonians 1:8-10)

What kind of reputation do you and your church have among other people?  Note the things the Thessalonians were known for –

They were known for their faith.  They were known as people who had a whole-hearted commitment to God and a willingness to follow Him anywhere and do whatever He asked of them.  They weren’t people who had to “do their own thing,” but those who did God’s thing.

They were known for the good reception they gave Paul and his message.  The Thessalonians were willing to respond to Paul’s message even though it ran counter to their traditions and counter to what the majority of the people in their town did.  They heard the truth and they followed it willingly, despite its cost.

They were known for their repentance, turning from idols to God.  They weren’t known as those who hung on to their sins, who justified their sins, or who diminished the severity of their sins.  They owned their sins, acknowledged them to God, repented of them – gave them up!

They were known for waiting for Jesus to return.  I’d say that means they were known among the world for their foolishness and they were known among other Christians for believing what Jesus said, even when it was beyond what they could imagine.

The Thessalonians’ reputation is one that is worth imitating.  What reputation do you have?

His, by Grace,

Steve

Thursday Thought -- November 3, 2011

Good Morning Friends,

“For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction.  You know how we lived among you for your sake.  You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.  And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.” (1 Thessalonians 1:4-7)

The faith of the Thessalonians was not there by accident.  It was not in them through their own initiation.  Their faith was the result of God’s work in their lives and in their community.  Paul didn’t go to Thessalonica by chance, nor even by his own choice.  He was sent there by God.  Paul wanted to preach in other places, but somehow God, by His Holy Spirit, closed those doors.  Then a man from Macedonia, the region which includes Philippi and Thessalonica, appeared to Paul in a dream asking him to come preach there.  That was God’s word, His direction for Paul’s next preaching assignment.  God loved the Thessalonians enough to arrange for Paul to preach among them.

God chose them to hear the gospel, and hearing it, they responded in faith.  And that same statement can be made of every other person who comes to faith in Jesus Christ.  A person doesn’t come to faith by accident, nor by his own initiation.  Jesus said, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.” (John 6:44)  God works miracles in people’s lives to draw them to Himself and see to it that the gospel is preached at just the right time when their heart is soft and receptive.

Consider how God worked miracles in your life to bring you to Himself.  Perhaps it was through your parents that God exposed you to Himself.  Who gave you those parents?  Perhaps it was a school teacher who showed compassion and shared Christ with you?  Who assigned that teacher to you?  A friend, a circumstance, an event, God has thousands of ways that He works in the lives of people like you and me.

It’s a miracle that you’re a believer!  Thank God for His work in your life.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Wednesday Thought -- November 2, 2011

Good Morning Friends,

“Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:  Grace and peace to you.  We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers.  We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 1:1-3)

If someone who knew you and your church well were to write a brief description of you, what words would he choose to describe you?

There are some negative ways some churches would be described.

We continually remember before God your whining and complaining.

We continually remember before God your apathy and lukewarmness.

We continually remember before God your self-centeredness and lack of compassion.

We continually remember before God your worldliness and sinfulness.

And there are other churches that would be described in very positive terms.

We continually remember before God your focus on others with compassion.

We continually remember before God your devotion to prayer.

We continually remember before God your outreach to others and concern for missions.

We continually remember before God your holiness and the way in which you are set apart for God.

Paul described the Thessalonians with three words:  faith, love, and hope.  And these characteristics produced positive results among them.  Their faith produced work, their love prompted them to labor for the Lord, and their hope inspired them to endure whatever they had to endure in order to continue to serve the Lord.

Faith, love, and hope -- would anyone describe you with those words?  Could those words be used to characterize your church?

His, by Grace,

Steve