Friday Thought – April 29, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“The word of the LORD came to me, saying, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.’ ‘Ah, Sovereign LORD,’ I said, ‘I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.’ But the LORD said to me, ‘Do not say, “I am only a child.” You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,’ declares the LORD.” (Jeremiah 1:4-8)

All of us can find reasons to say “no” to what God is calling us to do. For Jeremiah, it was his youthfulness. There were so many people around him who were more mature, who seemed better fitted for what God wanted done. Why would anyone listen to one so young?

But those things did not matter to God. He had chosen Jeremiah, and He knew what He was doing. God knew why He had chosen such a young man. God knew the assignment was not a short one, it would require many years of faithful and difficult service. God chose the man He needed!

The foundational encouragement that God provided Jeremiah was that if He had chosen Him, He would be with Him and empower Him. That same encouragement is ours, too. If God is asking you to respond to His call, you can be sure that He will not desert you as you move in obedience. He will walk with you through whatever He calls you to do. He will provide everything you need to accomplish His will.

When God calls, none of our excuses matter. Trust Him, and walk the steps He lays before you.

His, by Grace, Steve

Thursday Thought – April 28, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right. If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed. Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother. Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand, which is the distinguishing mark in all my letters. This is how I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.” (2 Thessalonians 3:13-18)

The Christians in Paul’s day faced a temptation that is the same as one we face today. There was, and is, a temptation to get tired of doing what is right and give up. Paul urged the Galatians to avoid the same temptation: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)

That temptation is strong because doing what is right doesn’t come naturally, it takes discipline and effort. The natural thing to do is to give in to our flesh, not to follow God.

That temptation is strong because it often seems like we’re not making any progress. All of us continue to struggle with sin and sometimes it seems like we’re no more righteous now than we were years ago. Why struggle, why make the effort, if it isn’t doing anything for us.

That temptation is strong because doing good attracts the displeasure of the world around us. In our day, as in Paul’s, there is clear opposition to the righteousness of the Lord -- the temptation is strong to stop fighting it and go with the crowd.

Then, as now, Christians need an encouraging word occasionally, a reminder of why we’re in this struggle against sin – it’s because God loves us and God has done so much for us. He’s worth the struggle!

His, by Grace, Steve

Wednesday Thought – April 27, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. You yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. We worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. When we were with you, we gave you this rule: ‘If a man will not work, he shall not eat.’” (2 Thessalonians 3:6-10)

“Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.” That’s not a biblical statement, but it is a biblical idea. When your mother taught you that she was on the right track. Idleness just leads to trouble. It’s not just your own idleness that leads to trouble, when you surround yourself with idle people they are likely to lead you down a path that is not good for you. Paul is talking about fellow Christians, idle “brothers” whose company is to be avoided. Christians who are content to do nothing for themselves or the Kingdom are living in contradiction to God’s work in their lives.

Paul provided a positive example to follow. He did his best to take care of his own needs, not wanting to be a burden to others. He gave himself wholeheartedly to the work God had called him to do. There was nothing lazy about him, he worked long and hard. They were a model for the Thessalonians to follow -- and for us, too. God has called His children to join Him in the work of His Kingdom and has prepared works for every believer to do.

Of course, there is a balance that is appropriate in life. There is time to “be still” and time to be active. When the pendulum swings toward either extreme we are not listening to or following the voice of God in our hearts.

His, by Grace, Steve

Tuesday Thought – April 26, 2026

Good Morning Friends,

“Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith. But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.” (2 Thessalonians 3:1-5)

As is true with most of his letters, Paul included in the early part of this letter an indication that he was praying for the Thessalonians. (2 Thess. 1:11-12) In fact, Paul said that he was constantly praying for them. He considered it an important ministry to pray for those to whom he ministered and for whom he felt responsible.

But prayer is not a one way ministry, with just leaders praying for followers. In this passage, Paul makes it clear that the prayers of the Thessalonians for him were also important. Paul believed that the success of his ministry was dependent upon the prayers of people like the Thessalonians. Paul also believed that the impact of the opposition of unbelievers on his life and ministry would be affected by the prayers of the Thessalonians. He was counting on their support in prayer.

The New Testament contains several instructions with respect to the responses we are to have toward our leaders. We are to follow them, obey them, support them, respect them, and here Paul adds that we are to pray for them. What God does through the life and ministry of those who lead you will be partially determined by your prayers.

Why not take time right now to pray for those who have been influential in your spiritual life.

His, by Grace, Steve

Monday Thought – April 25, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith. But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.” (2 Thessalonians 3:1-5)

As is true with most of his letters, Paul included in the early part of this letter an indication that he was praying for the Thessalonians. (2 Thess. 1:11-12) In fact, Paul said that he was constantly praying for them. He considered it an important ministry to pray for those to whom he ministered and for whom he felt responsible.

But prayer is not a one way ministry, with just leaders praying for followers. In this passage, Paul makes it clear that the prayers of the Thessalonians for him were also important. Paul believed that the success of his ministry was dependent upon the prayers of people like the Thessalonians. Paul also believed that the impact of the opposition of unbelievers on his life and ministry would be affected by the prayers of the Thessalonians. He was counting on their support in prayer.

The New Testament contains several instructions with respect to the response we are to have toward our leaders. We are to follow them, obey them, support them, respect them, and here Paul adds that we are to pray for them. What God does through the life and ministry of those who lead you will be partially determined by your prayers.

Why not take time right now to pray for those who have been influential in your spiritual life.

His, by Grace, Steve

Friday Thought – April 22, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” (2 Thessalonians 2:13-17)

God has done so much for you. God loves you and has proven His love beyond doubt. He saved you -- even though there wasn’t much worth saving in you -- you didn’t deserve it. God caused the Spirit to work in your life long before you turned toward Him. The Holy Spirit was convicting you, softening your heart, drawing you to the Lord until you responded to Him. God sent someone to you to share the gospel with you. It was no accident that person came into your life and shared Christ with you, it was the plan and work of God Himself. God loves you!

Stand firm. It won’t always be easy to be a Christian. Not everyone will understand you. Not everyone will appreciate you. Satan will send powerful temptations, designed to attack your weaknesses. Stand firm -- because God loves you and has done so much for you.

Hold on to His teachings. Others will ignore and reject them. Some will reject you because you hold to them. Sometimes God’s teachings will seem to fly in the face of what you want to do. There will be forces that will try to pull you away from them. Hold on -- because God loves you and has done so much for you.

When you need to be encouraged, remember this -- God loves you!

His, by Grace, Steve

Thursday Thought – April, 21, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“Don’t you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming.” (2 Thessalonians 2:5-8)

You probably understand the passage above perfectly. You understand who the lawless one is and what it will be like when he is revealed. You understand who is the one who now holds back the power of lawlessness. You understand what it means that this one will one day be taken out of the way.

Of course you do! NOT! No one understands all these things. It’s a mystery that is not yet clear to us. But one day it will become clear, as it begins to unfold we’ll understand the fulfillment of what God says here.

And what do we know for sure? We know for sure that the secret power of lawlessness is being restrained. God is not allowing Satan to act without restraint. There will come a day when God will no longer restrain the deceiving work of Satan to bring wickedness into the world. That’s a frightening thought. We see the wickedness around us now and wonder how it could be worse. But there will come a day when it will be worse.

And we know one more thing for sure: when God allows Satan to work without restraint it will be a very short-term event and will immediately precede the coming of Jesus. When Jesus comes, Satan’s influence and power to deceive will be destroyed -- in an instant – forever!

His, by Grace, Steve

Wednesday Thought – April 20, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

“Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.” (2 Thessalonians 2:1-4)

There is a downward spiral in our culture that has been going on for a number of years. We keep looking for, hoping for, and praying for something to happen to turn it around, for genuine repentance and true revival to sweep America. That’s a good hope and something worthy of praying about. We should long for the people of America to wake up and see what they are doing to themselves and to future generations.

The revival we hope for may come, but it is not promised. In fact, what is promised is that one generation will see the opposite of a turning back to the Lord. That generation will see a continuing rebellion against God that will lead to the point where the man of lawlessness can come to power and exert his evil influence over the whole world.

It sounds like a horrible time, and it will be. But take heart, the reign of evil of the man of lawlessness will not last. It will be but the final precursor to the Second Coming of Jesus. God will deal with him and his wickedness. And even more important -- God will gather those who belong to Him unto Himself.

His, by Grace, Steve

Tuesday Thought – April 19, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“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.” (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12)

Paul felt responsibility toward the Thessalonians because he brought the Gospel to them. Paul visited the Thessalonians as he could, but that would have been infrequent. Paul wrote them occasionally, but their postal system made writing an infrequent thing, too. But Paul’s concern for them was constant and was demonstrated in his prayers for them. Almost every time Paul wrote, he mentioned his prayers for those to whom he had preached. Paul found time -- he made time -- to regularly and consistently pray for many others.

The content of his prayers represents the best of what God wants to accomplish in us. His prayers are a great model for us to follow in praying for others and ourselves.

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

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

He prayed that Jesus would be glorified in their lives.

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

His, by Grace, Steve

Monday Thought – April 18, 2016

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 God promises 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. In some places and some times, you get imprisoned or even killed 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

Friday Thought – April 15, 2016

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, 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 Thessalonian letter in the same way in which he began his first: by thanking God for them. He looked at the characteristics of the Thessalonian church that deserved special praise and 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. 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) 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 will reveal each 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

Thursday Thought – April 14, 2016

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. 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 is sanctifying you. It doesn’t happen all at once and it won’t be finished on this side of heaven. God is now at work in everyone who has received Jesus and He will continue to be at work until you draw your last breath. God has promised it and He is absolutely faithful. It isn’t an easy work and sometimes brings great pain. Scrubbing the evil influences of sin out of the recesses of your heart is painful. 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 do three things that will assist in the sanctifying work God is doing your heart and in the hearts of those around you.

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

Our fellowship with other believers also assists God’s work in their lives and 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.

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 and 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.

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

His, by Grace, Steve

Wednesday Thought – April 13, 2016

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

Tuesday Thought – April 12, 2016

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

Monday Thought – April 11, 2016

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.

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.

The most significant things you have that you can give the spiritual leaders around you 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

Friday Thought – April 8, 2016

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 He 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. 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

Thursday Thought – April 7, 2016

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.

Jesus said, “I am coming soon.” The Apostle John responded, “Amen. Come Lord Jesus.”

His, by Grace, Steve

Wednesday Thought – April 6, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“We do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or 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. The Lord will come down from heaven, with a loud command, the voice of the archangel and 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. So we will be with the Lord forever. Encourage each other with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

One marvelous privilege that comes with being a pastor 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 pastor. In each situation there was the obvious sadness of saying good-bye, but 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 said were not final and eternal in nature, but temporary separations.

That hope comes from the promises like Paul’s to the Thessalonians. It’s a promise also stated by Jesus and by others throughout the New Testament. The promise of life after death is the most profound promise 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. Nothing 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

Tuesday Thought – April 5, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“About brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. 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, mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and you will not be dependent on anybody.” (1 Thessalonians 4:9-12)

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

In God’s family, love is to be the dominant characteristic. Love demonstrated by genuinely seeking the best for your brothers and sisters. Love that desires others success and rejoices when they do. Love that goes out of its way to help the rest of the family, meeting needs, encouraging, doing whatever will help them in their relationship with the Father and their lives. 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)

One characteristic of love is that it doesn’t take advantage of others. There were some in the Thessalonian church who took from the rest, rather than giving to them. They were 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. To be dependent on 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

Monday Thought – April 4, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“We instructed you how to live 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. You know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. It is God’s will that you 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. God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. He who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 4:1-8)

Christians long to know God’s will for our lives. We frequently ask: How can I find God’s will? We seek God’s will for marriage, for career, for spending money, and in myriads of other decisions. We should long to do what pleases God. What pleases God will always be what is best for our lives, too.

God’s will is not always hard to discern. God has clearly revealed His will in some matters. Paul writes “it is God’s will that you should be sanctified.” That is clear and straightforward. Paul explains what it means to be sanctified: to avoid sexual immorality and use our bodies in holy and honorable ways.

Seek God’s will for your life where it is unclear. 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

Friday Thought – April 1, 2016

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 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:

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

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 our love for others. Paul was concerned about more than just how the church got along with itself. He longed to see their love grow for everyone, Christians around the world, and those who were not yet a part of the church. Love is a hallmark of a relationship with Jesus. He works in our hearts to turn them away from just thinking of ourselves to thinking of others, too.

That God would strengthen their hearts to be prepared for Jesus when He comes again. No matter how strong and mature they were in the faith Paul knew they could not rest where they were. God’s continued work in their hearts was needed. 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