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