Month: February 2019

“For this we declare to you by the Lord’s [own] word, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord shall in no way precede [into His presence] or have any advantage at all over those who have previously fallen asleep [in Him in death].” 1 Thessalonians 4:15 ->me: The passage this verse is taken from is widely used at funeral services. A passage that encourages the saints at Thessalonica to have a hope in the believers that had died before the second coming. In fact, the entire New Testament regards believers who have died as only being ‘asleep’. In the same passage here were Paul talks about believers who have fallen asleep, he says the we can have hope because Jesus DIED and rose again. He did not say ‘Jesus fell asleep and then rose again’, no; Jesus endured the horror of death–> the wages of sin for us so that sleep would take the place of death for the follower of Christ. Is that not awesome??? So all of my loved ones (Papa, Pappy, Grandma, Nana, and all the others) are just sleeping until the Lord returns. If I am ‘awake’ when He returns then the reunion will not only be with Jesus but with all of those who fell asleep before. The other awesome thing about this is that when I see Jesus on that day, I will never be out of His presence again….for all eternity. Ahhhh……

“…make it your ambition to live quietly and peacefully, and to mind your own affairs and work with your hands, just as we directed you, so that you will behave properly toward outsiders [exhibiting good character, personal integrity, and moral courage worthy of the respect of the outside world], and be dependent on no one and in need of nothing [be self-supporting].” 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 ->me:  At first blush this passage may seem to give permission to just focus on your work and allow yourself to be lost in it; permission to use this verse as an excuse for not having an appropriate work/life balance.  I need to remember that the Thessalonians were super generous and loving and there were, no doubt, those living off the generosity of others in the church.  Paul is saying that this looks deplorable to the watching world.  Our actions and behavior in not supporting ourselves, if able, are a bad witness to the world around us.  Additionally it can cause us to be an undue burden on those whose provisions could go to someone much more needy.  He is saying to not be afraid to work with your hands (the Greeks deplored working with their hands, thinking it was the work of slaves); don’t be so prideful that a job working with your hands to provide and income is beneath you.  I love my job and my job provides greatly (that is an awesome, blessed, and stewardship demanding thing), but it is just that, a job.  The moment it becomes an idol, that is a whole different problem.

No verse today but my time with the Men’s Group (Building Faithful Men) was so good. We reviewed our reading of Side By Side by Ed Welch. This book was about helping one another on this walk here on earth in our faith. Personally I learned that I need to be proactive about reaching out to others. God reached out me and I need to draw close to others. In my ministry, the best I can do is make sure that my heart is right with the Lord so I can be sure to hear His voice by knowing intimately His character and instruction. The is not only focusing on the garden God has put me in but also the world in which I operate and live. I am so thankful for this group of men our pastors for seeing this as such an important part of our church. Blessed!

“For God has not called us to impurity but to consecration [to dedicate ourselves to the most thorough purity]. Therefore whoever disregards (sets aside and rejects this) disregards not man but God, Whose [very] Spirit [Whom] He gives to you is holy (chaste, pure).” 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 ->me: Lately I have been beating myself up over not having consistent quiet times. The reason I have not had a quiet time the last 3 days is because I didn’t think I could give the Lord adequate time…time is so short these days. This is the same trap I fell into with prayer – I wouldn’t pray because I was not in my prayer closet or able to get to a quiet place. So dumb – I live a life everyday with my Lord at my side; these stipulations are self imposed and silly. I overcame the prayer one through reading ‘A Call to Prayer’ by JC Ryle. Today I spent the best 30 minutes of my week taking notes through my bible reading and pondering the above verses in the Cafeteria at work before starting work (I usually take an hour). I sometimes feel like such an idiot for putting these constraints on myself. Although they are righteous in thought they are detrimental in practice.

“FURTHERMORE,BRETHREN, we beg and admonish you in [virtue of our union with] the Lord Jesus, that [you follow the instructions which] you learned from us about how you ought to walk so as to please and gratify God, as indeed you are doing, [and] that you do so even more and more abundantly [attaining yet greater perfection in living this life]. For you know what charges and precepts we gave you [on the authority and by the inspiration of] the Lord Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 4:1-2 ->me: This is a reminder that even when I feel like I am doing a great job following the Lord and seeking Him…I can do more. What I find is the closer I get to my King, the further away I realize I am from Him. There are so many more things I need to ask the Lord to reveal to me about what keeps me from being like His Son.

“For in the Gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith [disclosed through the way of faith that arouses to more faith]. As it is written, The man who through faith is just and upright shall live and shall live by faith.” Romans 1:17 ->me: Over the last 2 weeks my accountability partner and I have been taking a passage of scripture and focusing on it all week. Last week was Colossians 1:9-10 and this week it is Romans 1:17-22. The goal is to memorize the passage committing it to memory and sending each other thoughts on the passage throughout the week. The week culminates with reciting the passage to our spouses from memory. Ok, that is the backstory and we are do ok at it. The snow has caused hiccups in our ability to connect but on the days I dive in, the passages have been so thought provoking. Let me try to put this verse into words that spoke to me. In the good news of the gift of Jesus rises a righteousness that is attributed to us by God. This righteousness not only comes from that belief in Jesus but living righteously leads us to having even more faith! The ‘As it is written’ part comes from Habakkuk 2:4 – “Look at the proud; his soul is not straight or right within him, but the [rigidly] just and the [uncompromisingly] righteous man shall live by his faith and in his faithfulness.” I love this!

“And we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s servant in [spreading] the good news (the Gospel) of Christ, to strengthen and establish and to exhort and comfort and encourage you in your faith, that no one [of you] should be disturbed and beguiled and led astray by these afflictions and difficulties [to which I have referred]. For you yourselves know that this is [unavoidable in our position, and must be recognized as] our appointed lot.” 1 Thessalonians 3:2-3 ->me: Because Paul was not able to get back to Thessalonica, he accepted this and sent Timothy instead. This is huge because Timothy was such a partner and encouragement to Paul. This shows Paul’s deep love for the recently converted. What is even more interesting (after doing a little investigation) is that what Paul was really concerned about is that under the duress and persecution by the Gentiles, the Jews would come along with their smooth talk and tell them that all they needed to do was revert back to Judaism and they would avoid the torment.   Paul is telling them that this was one of the reasons he sent Timothy. Then Paul ends verse 3 with the sobering reminder that afflictions and persecution are just part of what we sign up for when we become followers of Christ. I should always expect the world to push back against my faith, to question it, and even look down upon me for putting my faith and trust in the God of the bible….but His favor is what my eyes are set upon, His favor is the ribbon at the end of my race.

“Because it was our will to come to you. [I mean that] I, Paul, again and again [wanted to come], but Satan hindered and impeded us. For what is our hope or happiness or our victor’s wreath of exultant triumph when we stand in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? Is it not you? For you are [indeed] our glory and our joy!” 1 Thessalonians 2:18-20 ->me: These last couple of verses of chapter 2 are so intriguing. ‘it was OUR will to come to you’…notice he doesn’t say it was the Lord’s will. He even reinforces in the next couple of words that it was HE PAUL who again and again wanted to come. BUT satan (sorry, I refuse to capitalize this name) hindered and impeded. I am relatively sure that if would have been God’s will for Paul, Silas, and Timothy to come then they assuredly would have. So, what do we have instead? THIS LETTER! This awesome letter that has been included into the written word of God! Maybe if they had made it the letter would never have been written and we would not have it today. Lastly, I love how Paul signifies that their Hope, Happiness, and victors wreath even, is the Saints whom they have been teaching, admonishing, and encouraging. This is a view I need – that investment in people is the greatest one we can make here on earth…an investment that has huge dividends when we enter the Kingdom of God!

“And may the Lord make you to increase and excel and overflow in love for one another and for all people, just as we also do for you, so that He may strengthen and confirm and establish your hearts faultlessly pure and unblameable in holiness in the sight of our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) with all His saints (the holy and glorified people of God)! Amen, (so be it)!” 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 ->me: When I read this I have this takeaway -> The strengthening, confirmation, and establishing of my heart in purity and blamelessness before God comes through loving and caring for my brothers and sisters in Christ as well everyone around me. I was also taken by the word ‘make’ in the first verse. This would give me the sense that through prayer God can MAKE me increase my love for others; probably through life events/circumstances or through just the almighty power of His word. Lord God, I give of my will so that You might ‘make’ me to increase, excel, and overflow in my love towards others. It is through love that all goodness flows; for You are Love.