1 Thessalonians (Part 3)

1 Thessalonians 2:13-20

 13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe. 14 For you, brothers, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own countrymen the same things those churches suffered from the Jews, 15 who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to all men 16 in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.  17 But, brothers, when we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. 18 For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan stopped us. 19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy.

Thoughts:

Just something to consider…  Who do you find yourself thanking God for – continually?  We each have special family and friends that we hold dear and remember in our prayers.  I like to begin prayer with thanksgiving, and it would be easy to spend quite a bit of time just thanking God for family and friends, and interceding for them.  It’s not a waste of time.  It’s only  natural and healthy to pray for those you love and to be thankful for the blessings they bring to your life.  Take the time.  Paul took the time… it was just natural, because of his love and appreciation for these Christians.

It’s encouraging to know that God’s word is at work in you – you who believe.  God’s word doesn’t stop working in you if you don’t read it for a day.  God’s word is more powerful than that.  God’s word is spiritual: living and active.  Put God’s word into your mind and your heart – and believe.  God’s word will be “at work” in you.  You gotta love that!

Relationships… Christian fellowship that is meaningful, encouraging and life-changing.  It’s amazing to me how Paul’s heart went out to Christians he was serving in ministry.  He sincerely expresses his love and bond in phrases like “torn away from you”, “intense longing”, “made every effort to see you”, “we wanted to come to you” and “you are our glory and joy”.  I would hope that all Christians have this quality of relationship, whether it be with one believer or many.  Having lived in many cities since becoming a Christian in 1978, I find it difficult to keep up with all of the wonderful believers with whom I have a bond of fellowship and fond memories (I’m thankful for Facebook.com), but it’s a nice problem to have! 

Enjoy fellowship!

1 Thessalonians (Part 2)

1 Thessalonians 2:1-12

 1 You know, brothers, that our visit to you was not a failure. 2 We had previously suffered and been insulted in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition. 3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. 4 On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. 5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. 6 We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else.  As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, 7 but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. 8 We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. 9 Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. 10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. 11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

Thoughts:

Christian ministry in it’s purest form – at its best!  Daring to share the message of Christ with people, in spite of strong opposition, without impure motives or tricks, desiring to please God (not men), without flattery or greed and not concerned with the praise of men (or women for that matter). 

Paul shows up in Thessalonica and sets the example for Christian ministry: gentle like a mother, sharing his life (along with the message), working night and day so as not to burden others financially, living a holy and blameless life, dealing with them like a Father with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging them to live for God.

Imagine it… no church office, cell phone, church building, website, email, car, plane, cozy home, etc…  Just pure and raw Christian ministry.  It’s healthy to let your mind drift back to that time.  This raw Christian ministry is still going on in some third world and communist countries.  Unfortunately, in many churches this is no longer practiced.  Yet, it can still be practiced in an environment that includes offices, phones, cars, planes, websites, church buildings and the rest, but it’s easier for Christian ministry to be more sterilized and corporate (let’s not go there right now… it’s discouraging).  Something to think about.  Something to imitate.

Enjoy pure ministry.

1 Thessalonians (Part 1)

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

1 Paul, Silas and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.  2 We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. 3 We 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. 4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because 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. 6 You 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. 7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 The 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, 9 for 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, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

Thoughts:

Work, labor and endurance!  I would think these are what every church builder would love to see in his church family, among other good things, of course.  Work, labor and endurance!  Imagine the productivity and growth! (No, I’m not being facetious.)  Productivity and growth (in maturity and number) are good and healthy. 

Paul affirms their work as being produced by faith.  Their labor is prompted by love, and their hope is inspired by hope.  So perhaps church builders should consider how to build faith, love and hope in  their members’ hearts.  What preacher worth his salt wouldn’t want to people leaving their Sunday meetings inspired and motivated?  It’s something worth pondering.  “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

There is so much meat in these 10 verses – it’s overwhelming to consider writing about everything… so I won’t.  I will, however, comment on how Paul’s words of encouragement and reminders to the Christians in Thessalonica (verses 2-10) are a fine example of how build faith, hope and love in those you care about.

He lets them know that he’s praying for them, and that their labor and endurance is of great value.  He encourages their deep convictions and their imitation of his life and of the Lord, in spite of severe suffering.  He let’s them know what a great example they have been to Christians everywhere.  Paul writes about the amazing repentance that was evident when they turned God.  Finally, he reminds them of the living and true God (faith), and that they are waiting for God’s Son from heaven (hope), whom he raised from the dead (hope) – Jesus, who rescues believers from the coming wrath (hope).

If you were a Christian in Thessalonica, reading this letter, how would you feel after those words?  Loved?  More faith?  More hope?  More love?  I would think so.  There is a time for being built up and encouraged by the Word.

Enjoy God’s loving hug!

Let it Snow!

Psalm 147:16-18

16  He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes.  17 He hurls down his hail like pebbles. Who can withstand his icy blast?  18 He sends his word and melts them; he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow.

Thoughts:

I woke up this morning to  another beautiful covering of Colorado Spring snow.  For some, the snow isn’t such an encouraging sight, but for some reason I generally see a beauty – and a reminder of God’s love.  I see snow and I’m reminded of Psalm 51:7 – “Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.”  I’m reminded of Isaiah 1:18 – “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.”  God’s love for me has been shown by his willingness to forgive me of all my sins.  “For God so loved the world…” – and snow reminds me.

I see snow, and I’m reminded that a generous dusting of this white miracle every year is what keeps our beautiful lakes, rivers and streams full of water.  “He sends his word and melts them; he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow.”  Shortly after moving back to Colorado, we began hearing the news reports about a drought.  Every day… you know how the news is.  They want you to worry and come back to their trough for a regular helping of more misery.  Eventually, it became more obvious how the lack of rain and snow over a couple of years was impacting the lakes.  I began to pray about it with much more concern.  After a bountiful snow season, the lakes filled again, and I was so encouraged by seeing it happen.  I was also quite encouraged that the news people couldn’t talk about drought any more.  Snow now makes me more thankful – that God is blessing us with the water source!

“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater…”   Isaiah 55:10

Enjoy!  Let it Snow!

Through and Through!

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

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.

Thoughts:

God himself… an absolutely amazing thought!  God himself, the God of peace – at work in me, sanctifying me through and through!  You gotta love that!  God is diligently and faithfully doing it – in me!  Just think about that for a moment (I believe that would be meditation). 

Did you take a moment to think about that?  (If not, then do it now.)

Sanctify: to separate, set apart, purify, dedicate.  God is sanctifying me through and through… wow!   I’m amazed that God is always at work in me (every bit of me – spirit, soul and body), making me his own purified and dedicated possession.  Why?  Because he wants to use me for some great purpose?  Perhaps that is part of the plan, but I believe, of first importance, that God just loves me.  Like my wife and I were devoted to faithfully working in our children’s lives day after day, sometimes relentlessly, because we loved them and wanted what is best for them… so God just loves me – and you.

Blameless (greek: holoklēros) means withouth blemish, faultless, complete in all respects, consummate.  God does it… and keeps you that way!  Think about it… Who among us, of our own doing, can keep our whole spirit, soul and body blameless.  This is active sanctification.  This is active justification.  This is God’s work, not our own.  We know our own sin (hopefully we aren’t blind to it) and weaknesses, and with worldly sight we will never see ourselves and blameless and pure.  This is the gospel – the good news!  God alone is “the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.” (Romans 3:26).  I’m so thankful it doesn’t depend on me.  I just can’t do it.

I’m reminded of one of my favorite verses…

“…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)

God is faithful.  He will do it.  Enjoy God’s faithfulness!

In Him…

Ephesians 1:4
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.

Thoughts:

In him.  Those two little words don’t qualify as a sentence, but they speak volumes about the meaning of life; the very heart of Christianity and of the gospel message.  Paul’s letter to the Christians in Ephesus is certainly one of the most encouraging, inspiring and helpful books in the New Testament.  I love to read from Ephesians when I need to rewind my mind or jump-start my heart… to remember the encouraging reality of what God has purposed and accomplished through Jesus Christ – in him.

Take a minute to absorb these truths, be encouraged and get centered, so to speak.

Ephesians 1:4
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
Ephesians 1:7
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace
Ephesians 1:11
In him we were also chosen…

Had enough?  There are more…

Ephesians 1:13
Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,
Ephesians 2:21
In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.
Ephesians 2:22
And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Ephesians 3:12
In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
Ephesians 4:21
Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.

Enjoy being in him.

Blameless!

1 Thessalonians 5:23
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.

Thoughts:

Amazing!  Blameless!  It’s hard to get my head around that truth.  Why even at work, a note was shared with our team recently, noting that management is “taking names” for problems; tracking who is to blame for mistakes and problems that result.  There is a certain level of stress, unrest and fear that exists when we know someone “over us” is making a list and checking it twice… the “blame” list.  It’s comforting to know that God is keeping a “blameless” list, and that he “himself” is sanctifying you through and through, keeping your whole spirit, soul and body blameless.  As a matter of fact…

…he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. (Ephesians 1:4)

Amazing! (yes, I know I already used “Amazing!” – but it is amazing!)  God chose to make Christians “holy and blameless” in his sight, before the creation of the world.  God knew that only “in him” (Christ) was there a way for us to be holy and blameless in his sight.  The plan: completely forgiven (as if sin had never entered the picture) and standing before God as blameless.  There’s that grace and faith “good news” again… just can’t seem to get away from it.

So where did the blame go?  We’ve all heard the term “Blame-shifting”, right? Well God’s plan for making us blameless gives new meaning to that term.  I’ll just end my thoughts with these scriptures…

1 Peter 2:24
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

1 Corinthians 15:57
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 9:15
Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Enjoy the blame-shifting.

Good News…

Romans 1:16
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

Thoughts:

Gospel… Old English = god-spell, meaning “good tidings” or “glad tidings”.  The Greek word εὐαγγέλιον, euangelion (eu- “good”, -angelion “message”).  Gospel simply means ”Good news” (though the phrase “it’s the gospel truth” is an interesting twist).

The good news is the whole package – God’s plan, Jesus’ suffering and resurrection, salvation, eternal life.  For me, the good news - salvation through Jesus Christ – can be summed up in these words:  by grace… through faith.

Ephesians 2:8
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.

Good News!  I don’t have to meet the requirements of God’s justice (sin has consequences).  I put my faith (trust – all of it) in Jesus, because he took the punishment that perfect justice required.  I must trust that the punishment Jesus endured on my behalf was sufficient, and that because of his sufferings I am forgiven.  It’s a gift.  Grace is “unmerited favor” (right – you can’t earn or deserve it).

It’s a gift from God, to me… to you.  Simple.  Forgiveness (salvation) comes by grace, through faith in Christ.  Some of us embrace this simplicity and thrive.  Some of us have trouble with it.  And for those of you that may be concerned that I’m making things too simple… the ”package” also includes repentance, baptism, commitment and an enduring faith (Acts 2:36-41, Col. 1:23).  But the only reason that repentance, discipleship, baptism and enduring faith have meaning or consequence is “by grace… through faith”.  I won’t assume so, but perhaps if you struggle with the simplicity, there’s a possibility you need to understand and appreciate grace more.  Paul stated that God’s grace that was responsible for his hard work  (1 Cor. 15:10).

Grace, because your repentance has no redeeming value when faced with justice.  Grace, because your repentance is never perfect anyway.  Grace, because everything you say and do as a Christian (disciple, follower – whatever you want to call yourself) cannot be used to make a deal with God for forgiveness of your sins.  No, all we do in response to “the good news” simply amounts to an acceptance of the truth that forgivenss is “by grace… through faith”.

I know that’s hard for some of us to accept.  We want our commitment to count for something, and our labors to really mean something to God (make us more deserving of his forgiveness and blessings or help us feel better about ourselves).  Some of us will not “feel forgiven” unless we are performing to a standard.  We can’t imagine that the other Christians we compare ourselves to so pridefully have the same standing with God that we’ve “attained“.  We’re not sure they really repented enough, or that they are as committed as we are.  We have our “science” for cutting the good news down to our level – our commitment level, our level of understanding, good deeds, perfection or openness.  Truth be told… our “levels” are not God’s levels.  Who among us is perfect?  I rest my case.

Put the full weight of your faith/trust/hope in Jesus… by grace, through faith.  There is no other way.  It’s cool… you can rejoice in it!  Be zealous for doing what is good (Titus 3:8). Grow in your faith and commitment.  Strive for purity of heart.  Share Christ.  God, as any Father would be, is pleased by these things (Ephesians 5:10).  But always remember… Justice for your sin was pleased only thru Jesus’ cross/death. That’s the GOOD NEWS!

Enjoy Grace.

Thoughts on Colossians (Part 15, The End)

Colossians 4:7-18

7 Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. 8 I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our[a] circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. 9 He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here. 10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) 11 Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. 13 I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14 Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 16 After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea. 17 Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord.” 18 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

Thoughts:

People.  Just people.  Ordinary people.  People made “special” or “holy” through faith in a common Christ.  People connected by their faith, purpose and common love for Christ.  The close of some of Paul’s letters expose a spiritual bond and his appreciation for  the “people” connection in the Christian faith.  It’s a blessing to stop and take a moment to appreciate my spiritual family, here in Colorado and other cities/states where I’ve lived.  If you’re reading this, my friend(s)…  I love you and thank you for loving me!

Consider yourself one of those ordinary-but-special people.  You are important to someone – because you’ve loved, appreciated, understood, valued, cared, listened, modeled, applauded or even confronted them.  They remember you with fondness and thankfulness, not because you were perfect, but because you cared.  You would be in their “letter” if one were to be written.  They would greet you by name because they love you and miss you.  They might even note your qualities, or why you mean so much to them.  You’re not in Paul’s letter to the Colossian Christians, but that’s ok.  That’s not important.  You matter.  What you’ve said and done matters, just as you know that it matters to you what your spiritual friends/family have said and done for you.

I like these words in particular… dear brother, welcome him, they have proved a comfort to me, always wrestling in prayer for you, working hard for you, and I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.  Each of us has our own memories of people who have been (or remain) in our lives and have encouraged us in an unforgettable way.  I send greetings to Bob, Preston, Charles, Curt, Tonnis, John, Rex, Tony, Mark, Ty and Larry.  These are some of my ”dear brothers” – there are more – who have made a difference in my life.  Many have welcomed me, comforted me, prayed for me and even worked hard for me (and for my family… Thanks Ty, Cathy and Kate, who loved my kids and sacrificed for them).

You wouldn’t want to read all the greetings that I could share, so I’ll not go there, but I hope you’ve been encouraged to consider those “special” ordinary people God has blessed you with.

Enjoy connection.

Thoughts on Colossians (Part 14)

Colossians 4:1-6

1 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.  2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Thoughts:

Master?  I can’t relate.  However, I can provide what is right and fair to those in my charge or my care – work, church, coaching, business, etc.  It’s all too easy to neglect the needs and deserved rewards of others due to my own selfishness with my time, energy, possessions and money.  Right and fair – like my Master in heaven, who is expecting me to imitate his righteousness and goodness.  After all, I’ve come to expect that God be right and fair with me… if not just gracious and generous.  

Devotion to prayer – watchful and thankful, praying for others, praying for open doors for the message of Christ to be preached clearly to those who would listen.  This can be such a challenge for me, not just to be devoted to prayer, but to pray for God’s message to reach people.  Life is full of challenges and issues that fill our hearts and minds, and prayer can become such a self-centered spiritual discipline.  The recent destruction in Haiti has touched us and helped us pray more for those outside our little worlds.

Oh that God would give me wisdom in the way I interact with the people in my life – in the stores, the rec center and my neighborhood.  Every interaction with another human being is an opportunity for conversation (full of grace) and relationship.  You never know what God might be wanting to do through that conversation you had yesterday.  Perhaps that one wise answer you give to a shared thought or a question might make a difference in someone’s life.

Enjoy conversation…