2 Thessalonians 1

3 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.

This verse is perfect after wraping up last night's 4 week financial fun series. I thank God for my brothers and feel that our small group is displaying just what Paul was communicating here to those Christians in Thessalonica.

1 Thessalonians 5

12 Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.

As we have seen in some of the previous scriptures that I have posted, these versus emphasizes the importance of how you live your life. I've said it before and I'll say it again. God knows better than we do, what makes for a good life. This concept is very difficult for us to grasp most of the time. When we are young we have the same kind of reaction to our parent's direction and suggestions. We think we know better. Then we get older and realize that they were right in what they said. Most adults feel that they have overcome this rebellion and laugh about it with their friends telling stories about how they did this and that as a kid and "I'm sure glad I got past that stage." But we find ourselves doing the same thing to God and his guidance for our lives.

16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

This scripture comes up a lot around Thanksgiving, and while we are less than a month away from that holiday, that was not then intention of this post. I feel that this scripture is all-to-often forgotten after the holiday season. How much better are our lives when we adhere to these three commands?

19 Do not put out the Spirit's fire; 20 do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21 Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22 Avoid every kind of evil.
23 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. 24 The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

May God bless each of you in your walk.

1 Thessalonians 5

12 Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.

These are final instructions to the church at Thessalonica. A theme that plays out in many of Paul's letters is being kind to everyone and doing what is right in all circumstances.

16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Soon Thanksgiving will be upon us. That is a popular time for this verse to pop up in sermons and Bible studies. However, it really sums up what daily life as a Christian should be. One should strive for God's will every day and Paul is clear that these three simple statments address what God's will is. Every day our joy, prayerfulness, and thankfulness is tested. How often do you fail to maintain these in your life. I know I fail every day. However, as I have grown in my faith, I have found that the more that I consciously remind myself of this verse, the easier it is to be joyful, prayerful, and thankful. I believe that this is because I am living more within God's will, therefore, life is better, and this makes being joyful, prayerful, and thankful easier.

19 Do not put out the Spirit's fire; 20 do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21 Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22 Avoid every kind of evil.
23 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. 24 The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

God does not command these things to make life boring. He commands these things because he knows what makes a good, happy, and successful life. Anytime I have ever felt down about my circumstances it is because I have been out of compliance with God's will for my life. I have NEVER felt that my life was going poorly when I have truly sought the will of God in my HEART.

1 Thessalonians 5

12 Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.

These are final instructions to the church at Thessalonica. A theme that plays out in many of Paul's letters is being kind to everyone and doing what is right in all circumstances.

16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Soon Thanksgiving will be upon us. That is a popular time for this verse to pop up in sermons and Bible studies. However, it really sums up what daily life as a Christian should be. One should strive for God's will every day and Paul is clear that these three simple statments address what God's will is. Every day our joy, prayerfulness, and thankfulness is tested. How often do you fail to maintain these in your life. I know I fail every day. However, as I have grown in my faith, I have found that the more that I consciously remind myself of this verse, the easier it is to be joyful, prayerful, and thankful. I believe that this is because I am living more within God's will, therefore, life is better, and this makes being joyful, prayerful, and thankful easier.

19 Do not put out the Spirit's fire; 20 do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21 Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22 Avoid every kind of evil.
23 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. 24 The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

God does not command these things to make life boring. He commands these things because he knows what makes a good, happy, and successful life. Anytime I have ever felt down about my circumstances it is because I have been out of compliance with God's will for my life. I have NEVER felt that my life was going poorly when I have truly sought the will of God in my HEART.

1 Thessalonians 4

In honor of a great woman, Mrs. Joy Warner and her wonderful family. I did not know her well but I know that she impacted a great number of people and always glorified God, even in her final hours.

This is what it's all about.

13 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. 14 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. 15 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. 16 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. 17 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. 18Therefore encourage each other with these words.

1 Thessalonians 1

1Paul, Silas, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.

2We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. 3We 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

I think that we often times forget the importance of praying for our fellow Christians on a regular basis. At least in my own experience, it seems that I pray for those who ask for a specific prayer but I rarely find myself praying for those whom I have no specific concerns for. Paul, Silas, and Timothy remind us here that it is important to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ for their continued growth and that their efforts for the kingdom of God will be fruitful.

4For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5because 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.

It is amazing to think about the amazing power that the Lord has entrusted to us. The word, the gospel, has such great power to change lives, I think it is unrealized by many what a great gift and responsibility it is for Christians to use this power for the glory of God.

6You 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. 7And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8The 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, 9for 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, 10and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

From my limited understanding of ancient nations and cities, I have gathered that Thessalonica was a haven for idol worship. It is an unbelievable phenomenon that these early Christians were able to stand up among their people and claim that there is only one true God. It is evident here that the story of these believers impacted people around the entire region. Taking a look at this from the perspective of the Thessalonians, it would seem that they proably did not know the impact they were making on other Christians. They were simply trying to serve God in a place where it was not easy to do so. Take a moment to consider how you serve God and the impact that your daily struggles have on observers you don't even know are watching.

Ephesians 4

I have been slacking on this project. I basically took a week off (though this was not intentional). I have decided to be a little more random in my study instead of working through one book at a time. Right now I am reading through Ephesians. Following are some scriptures and thoughts about what I have been reading. Today I'll stick with Ephesians 4 and some random scriptures I find particularly important. Paul is writing to the church in Ephesus about how they should develop in their walk with Christ.

I am going to insert comments as I go along. Scripture will be the bold italics and my comments will be the plain text.

Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its decietful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on a new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

I think this is a under-realized piece of scripture. I have been around Christians (or those who call themselves Christians) all of my life. However, I find it difficult to see the kind of change in them (and many times in myself) that really grasp this concept. The idea of a complete change of one's life to live in true righteousness and holiness seems almost foriegn to most people.

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. "In your anger do not sin": do not let the sun go down while you are still angry and do not give the devil a foothold.

I don't think most people realize that anger is a foothold for the devil. I hadn't really thought of it that way.

He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

What I like about this verse is that it recognizes that those coming to Christ are not those who are already pious and holy. It is the every day sinner and thieves that need Jesus.

Do not let unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

I think a lot of people that follow the first part of this verse often do not take the time to practice the second part. It is not only our responsibility to NOT say bad things but to use our speech to build others up. It is my challange to myself and to you that you monitor your talk this week and see what would qualify and talk that builds up and benefits those who listen.

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compasionate to another, forgiving each other, just as Christ God forgave you. (Eph 4: 21-32) (NIV)

This is the last verse of the chapter. I love how it ties everything back to what Christ has already done for us. God does not ask us to do anything Jesus has not already come and done for us. This ultimate act of humility and love for us should be and inspiration and reminder that God really does know how we feel and how we act and how we are tempted. And he provides all of the answers for us as we struggle through our lives.