Day 45
2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 NIV
13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.14 He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. 16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
Eternal Encouragement!
I like that phrase "eternal encouragement", Paul was an encourager and it becomes more and more evident as we read passages like these to the Thessalonian church. Not only did the Apostle encourage he constantly mentioned those who brought him encouragement. Individuals such as Onesimus, Epaphras, Barnabas, and then churches also that encouraged him such as this very church at Thessalonica. When Paul was in prison there were times where he indicates that many had forsaken and rejected him so he was always very careful to mention those who had stayed true, they were his brothers and thus his encouragers. Encouragers are motivated by love for others. Those who can look through much of our negative qualities and see what we are inside and what we are destined to be in Christ. They are those who see diamonds rather than lumps of coal. They seem to always be able to find some kind of good in any situation and in just about any person. Why shouldn't we be encouraged? We are all examples of what God can do with a submitted life. If you are like me you seemed hopeless and unworthy. In fact I was unworthy and completely hopeless until I found some encouragers who looked through my past and saw what God could do. I still have many undesirable traits but God has delivered me from much. Along the way He has continued to send encouragment along through committed believers who were willing to share His love with the unlovable. It is for this reason that I have no other option but to find others that I can pour love and hope into and watch what God does in these submitted lives. As Paul says here the ultimate encourager is Christ Himself who alone was able to bring ETERNAL ENCOURAGEMENT to fallen man. Praise God! Find someone you can pour into, someone who even seems hopeless, and share the loving encouragement of Christ.
Blessings,
Pastor Larry
Showing posts with label compassion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label compassion. Show all posts
Daily Reading February 16 2010 from 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20 NIV
Day 37
1 Thess. 2:13-20 NIV
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.
A True Shepherd!
Though Paul filled the role of Evangelist, Missionary, and Apostle you cannot read his writings without seeing his shepherd's heart. Paul loved these people and wrote to correct but also to encourage these churches that he had helped to establish. He was always careful who he sent to them and constantly expressed his desire to hear of their growth. In our passage today his heart for this church and these people truly shows. True shepherds are not just numbers oriented, they build relationships and care about individuals as well as the church as a whole. Paul demonstrates this kind of love and passion consistently throughout his writings. Paul begins with thanksgiving because these believers had heard and accepted God's Word. He was expressing thanks for the evidence of salvation that he had seen and was hearing about. He mentions how these believers had been persecuted for the cause of Christ yet they had remained faithful to Him. Paul closes this section of scripture in by relaying his desire to see these believers again and renew these old relationships. Paul says "we were torn away from you for a short time" but then Paul continues again expressing his love for these individuals "(in person, not in thought)" this parenthetical statement truly expresses my heart and the heart of all pastors. Even when we are separated from our flock either by time or distance we never lose site of the needs and relationships we have found. People come and go and sometimes geography separates but relationships that are built in Christ are eternal and they are significant. This is why we can call our church a church family. Do you have a church family! Is it truly a group of like minded believers passionate about one another? We can sacrifice great preaching, great music, and many other bells and whistles that seem to exemplify the modern church but you cannot replace the true united love of a church that has bonded as a family in the love of Christ. These churches are favored of God because there is true love for God and one another. I pray that everyone who reads this post can identify with what I am writing. I pray you have a true church family and a shepherd that truly cares for you. Find someone you can pour your life into, someone not as strong in their relationship, someone who needs a mentor, or someone who just needs an accountability partner. We can all shepherd someone! Do you have the heart of a shepherd?
Blessings,
Pastor Larry
1 Thess. 2:13-20 NIV
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.
A True Shepherd!
Though Paul filled the role of Evangelist, Missionary, and Apostle you cannot read his writings without seeing his shepherd's heart. Paul loved these people and wrote to correct but also to encourage these churches that he had helped to establish. He was always careful who he sent to them and constantly expressed his desire to hear of their growth. In our passage today his heart for this church and these people truly shows. True shepherds are not just numbers oriented, they build relationships and care about individuals as well as the church as a whole. Paul demonstrates this kind of love and passion consistently throughout his writings. Paul begins with thanksgiving because these believers had heard and accepted God's Word. He was expressing thanks for the evidence of salvation that he had seen and was hearing about. He mentions how these believers had been persecuted for the cause of Christ yet they had remained faithful to Him. Paul closes this section of scripture in by relaying his desire to see these believers again and renew these old relationships. Paul says "we were torn away from you for a short time" but then Paul continues again expressing his love for these individuals "(in person, not in thought)" this parenthetical statement truly expresses my heart and the heart of all pastors. Even when we are separated from our flock either by time or distance we never lose site of the needs and relationships we have found. People come and go and sometimes geography separates but relationships that are built in Christ are eternal and they are significant. This is why we can call our church a church family. Do you have a church family! Is it truly a group of like minded believers passionate about one another? We can sacrifice great preaching, great music, and many other bells and whistles that seem to exemplify the modern church but you cannot replace the true united love of a church that has bonded as a family in the love of Christ. These churches are favored of God because there is true love for God and one another. I pray that everyone who reads this post can identify with what I am writing. I pray you have a true church family and a shepherd that truly cares for you. Find someone you can pour your life into, someone not as strong in their relationship, someone who needs a mentor, or someone who just needs an accountability partner. We can all shepherd someone! Do you have the heart of a shepherd?
Blessings,
Pastor Larry
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
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.'
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
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