Daily Reading February 17 2010 from 1 Thessalonians 3 NIV

Day 38

1 Thessalonians 3 NIV
1 So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens.2 We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God's fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,3 so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we were destined for them.4 In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. 5 For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless. 6 But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you.7 Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith.8 For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.9 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? 10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith. 11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you.12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

Trials and Persecutions!
Chapter 3 is a relatively short section of this letter but the content is weighty. The Apostle Paul is trying to help this young church endure trials, sufferings, and persecutions. Paul mentions that he had concern about this church and when he couldn't wait any longer he sent Timothy to encourage the people and bring back a report. Paul's concern was that these trials and sufferings would cause some to fall and hurt the fledgling church. "I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless" here the Paul is voicing the reason for his concern. He realizes that since he had to leave prematurely that he was concerned that temptation and discouragement might set in and break up this young ministry effort. The persecution began while Paul and his missionary team were ministering in Thessalonica. The Jewish leaders became enraged as Paul began to win over new converts to Christianity and away from Judaism. Paul was accused of treason and forced to flee for his life. Jason a native of Thessalonica had been Paul's host and he was brought out before the mob and accused of aiding and abetting a traitor. These persecutions apparently continued even after Paul and the team had fled. In fact you can read where people from Thessalonica followed Paul to other locations again inciting riots and stirring up strife. I'm sure Paul hated to leave not knowing what would happen to his new converts therefore he sent Timothy to check on them. Timothy returned with a report that their faith had continued it seems this is often the case when a church is persecuted. Verse 6 states "but Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love" This news was enough to ease Paul's concerns therefore Timothy's trip not only satisfied Paul but also greatly encouraged this young church. Paul concludes with a word of longing to worship with them again and then a prayer of blessing. Verse 13 "May He (God) strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones. Paul again mentions the coming of the Lord as we often do when we begin to go through times of distress or difficulty. Any time I go to the hospital to visit and elderly saint one sure consolation is the prize that is just ahead of them. The Thessalonians must have taken solace and encouragement from these words because repeatedly refers to the Lord's coming through this first Epistle to these beloved people. Persecution is difficult for you and I to imagine in this free nation where we live but there are those around the world being killed for declaring the name of Christ. Why don't you take a few minutes today and pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters just as the Apostle Paul did for the people of Thessalonica. Thinking of others and their persecution should serve to cause us to pray for our freedom to continue, to pray for others who don't have freedom, and cause us to praise God because we are so blessed.

Blessings,

Pastor Larry

Daily Reading for January 22 2010 from Ephesians 5:15-21

Day 12

Ephesians 5:15-21 NIV

15 Be very careful, then, how you live–not as unwise but as wise,16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,
20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. 

A simple passage today before getting into a lengthy one tomorrow. Paul exhorts the people to watch how they live, to watch their witness. To make the most of every opportunity. 

Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom. 

When are being taught to do everything as if we are doing it unto God.  So when you go to work you are working for God not the employer. Many times we get our eyes on our careers but we should always keep in mind that we are working for the glory of God. So Paul says make the most of every opportunity. Look for opportunities to minister and do God's Word and when those doors open be obedient. 

Speak to one another with Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs...

Exhort others! Share your testimonies of God's goodness and encourage others with God's Word. Rejoicing in the Lord stirs us to joy and the joy of the Lord is contagious. There are many around us who need to get there eyes off our trials and on to our joy, our hope in Christ. 

Paul concludes this section with always give thanks. Paul teaches in other passages that we can be content in any situation. The Apostles were known for praising God even when they were being persecuted. They had truly learned that their hope was in Christ and not in the foundations of this world. This is a difficult task but let me encourage you today to thank God in spite of things that are discouraging you. That's right praise Him in advance because you know that you will always come out victorious in Christ. He has already bought our victory, He has fought our battles and we WIN. Practice praise and see if God doesn't lift your Spirit. Stir up your joy with praise and thanksgiving. We can all find something in which to be thankful for. 

Praise Him!

 - Pastor Larry

Compassion Campaign

We have so much to be thankful for! Don't we? I know I do. This holiday season I have challenged my family and friends to approach the holidays with more than talk. I have provoked them to take action. Throughout God's Word we are told to take action. Our actions can bring blessing, they demonstrate our faith, and let the world know we are what we claim to be. This Thanksgiving and holiday season it would be easy to just sit back and talk about how good God has been, but what would that prove? My challenge is that we take action. Let's be a light this season. Let's show our Thanksgiving and Christmas spirit by making a difference. I'm not asking for anyone to take on new activities that keep you away from family, just be on the lookout for an opportunity to do good. Help someone at the store load their groceries. Give that stressed out Wal-Mart employee a tip or a God bless you. Give up your spot in line to a wearied shopper. Go to a neighbor or friend that you know will spend the holidays alone and invite them to eat Thanksgiving Dinner with your family.

If you do the research you will quickly find that more people take their own lives during the holidays than any other period of the year. Why? Because they are alone and don't know the Savior, Jesus Christ. How many lives can you impact this year? Why not find out. Be thankful by giving the grace and love God has given to you.Let others see the love of God by the example you live this season.

Matthew 25:34-40
34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' 37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'