While We Wait for Christ’s Return …. Encourage One Another with These Words (Study in the Pastoral Letters of Paul to the Church in Thessalonica) Just like the Thessalonian Believers, we have questions about Christ’s Return. We would like to know the when and how of the sequence of “end time” events – just a natural, human “need to know.” Historically, there have been many false teachers claiming to know the date and details concerning His Return. Many followers have been misled. However, as believers, we should not be listening to those who are counting down to an exact date! …
Honor God in our Relationships in the Church
While we wait for Christ’s Return – Honor God in our Relationships in the Church We should demonstrate good spiritual health in our relationships within our churches by showing honor and respect to our leaders. “Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you and to regard them very highly in love because of their work …” I Thess. 5:12-13 Annually, October has been suggested as Pastor Appreciation Month; however, appreciation for your pastor and staff can be acknowledged any day, any month. We …
Believers Pattern for Living
Paul has instructions for the Believers with specific “Do’s and Don’ts” for living in expectation of Christ’s return and looking forward. We, as children, are blessed with a unique family relationship in which we have been enlightened of God’s Ways. We are aware of His Light, and we are to live in the light of His truth. “For you are all children of light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness.” I Thess. 5:5 Paul lays out the instructions as a military leader gives out commands for the soldier at his post. …
Churches Should Be Model for Others
While We Wait for Christ’s Return – Our Churches Should be Models for Others Not only are individuals held accountable for how we live, but churches are accountable for their testimony in their communities. “We ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, since your faith is flourishing and the love each one of you has for one another is increasing.” II Thess. 1:3 How would you rate the church’s relationship with God? Is faith continuing to grow? Is your church consistently trusting God? How would you rate relationships within the church? Is love increasing? …
Encourage One Another With Words
Encourage One Another with These Words – “BE” 1) Be Thankful “But we ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God has chosen you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, so that you might obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” II Thess. 2:13-14 (CSB) 2) Be Steadfast “So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold to the traditions you were taught, whether by what we said or what …
Praising God as Creator
Psalm 104:24 ” How countless are your works, Lord! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.” (CSB) Compare the black and white view from the photographer’s camera with the artist’s painting of the same Colorado mountain stream. What a difference! Beautiful! But neither compares to the work of the Master Artist – God, the Creator. What a difference! Beautiful! But neither compares to the work of the Master Artist – God, the Creator. Through the experiences of a shepherd boy and gifted psalmist, we praise the Creator for His workmanship. How …
Praising God as Designer
I Samuel 16:7 “Do not look at his appearance or his stature because I have rejected him. Humans do not see what the Lord sees, for humans see what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart.” (CSB) Yes, God’s creativity is displayed in nature. In addition, His creativity is also displayed in each one of us as He designs His plans for us. Consider the story of David to illustrate how life experiences, giftedness, family, friends, and interests are developed into a purpose-filled life to give God Glory. David – poet, musician, shepherd, giant-slayer, and …
God promises a King – a Redeemer
Psalm 118:1 “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his faithful love endures forever.” (CSB) One of my favorite verses is found in Psalm 118. I’m sure it is very familiar to you also. Psalm 118:24 “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Following on down, just a few verses, we find vs. 26 -“He who comes in the name of the Lord is blessed.” Let’s discover an Old Testament connection with the New Testament! In Matthew 21, we find the event we call the triumphal entry of …
Our Response
“For the eyes of the Lord roam throughout the earth to show himself strong for those who are wholeheartedly devoted to him.” II Chronicles 16:9 Remember the kings of Israel and Judah, they were given a divine evaluation. Over and over again in the Old Testament books of Kings and Chronicles, we read about kings who did evil in the sight of the Lord. Only a few were given this description: “he did what was good and right in the sight of the Lord his God.” The heart matters! We continue to learn from the story of David. Looking back …
What We Deserve
Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Ephesians 2:8-9 “For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift – not from works, so that no one can boast.” Have you ever been in a store and seen this sign: “You break it – You buy it?” Well, here’s a true story! My husband and I were in an antiques/flea market/consignment shop just browsing around. My husband collects railroad memorabilia. So he was attracted to a decorative …
Be My Witnesses
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 Jesus gave marching orders to new believers to explain our assignments: 1) Go into all the world and preach the gospel and 2) Be my witnesses unto the ends of the earth. Created, Designed, Called, Chosen, and Empowered! Because of the eyewitness testimony of men like John and Paul, we have the New Testament instructions to teach us. ”…these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of …
Jesus Is The Way
Your spiritual journey begins when you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Your journey begins with a relationship. He is Your Guide. Remember, you have never been this way before! You need a guide. You need to get to know your guide so you can trust Him and follow Him. Has there ever been a time when you encountered Jesus Christ and acknowledged Him as your personal Lord and Savior? For me – on my 31st birthday, sitting at my kitchen table, all alone studying my Sunday School lesson. God impressed on me that the only …