Daily Reading February 20 2010 from 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 NIV

Day 41

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
1 Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you,2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.5 You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self‑controlled.7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.8 But since we belong to the day, let us be self‑controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.10 He died for us so that, whether
we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Sons of the Light!
Paul begins this section by writing about the timing of the coming of the Lord. We know from other scripture that no man knows the day or the hour though many have tried to predict the exact date. Most recently we have been hearing the date 2012 used as a possible date and time. Years ago it was 1988 when a man named Edgar Whisenant wrote of the 88 reasons why Jesus would return for the church in 1988. Later after his prediction didn't come true he gave 89 reasons why He would return in 1989, needless to say Whisenant found many less eager ears in 1989 after bring proven wrong in 1988. Since just shortly after Jesus ascended to heaven there has been talk of his return with many predictions as to when. While we cannot know the exact date and time we can understand the times. As Paul writes here we shouldn't be surprised by the coming of the Lord, in other words we should have an understanding of the nearness of His coming. We are not in darkness but rather we are children of light, of the day. Paul says in verse 6 "let us be alert and self-controlled" we belong to the day so we should be self-controlled. Paul goes on in verse 8 "let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and hope of salvation as a helmet. Are you living in hope, faith, and love? Are you trusting God? Are you walking in love? Are you renewing your mind on a daily basis? We have this great hope because Jesus came, overcame, died and arose. We can take courage because He lived the perfect life and became the sacrifice for our sins. Our challenge today is to stay in the light. Many circumstances can bring us down and cause us to doubt, lose hope, or waiver in our faith. But when we choose to walk in the love of Christ He will cause us to prevail even in the most difficult of times. Take courage God is in control.

Blessings,

Pastor Larry

Daily Reading February 19 2010 from 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 NIV

Day 40

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 NIV
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. 18 Therefore encourage each other with these words.

Death Were is Your Sting?
"Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep" here Paul makes death sound so temporary and for the believer it truly is. The Bible tells us that Jesus overcame death, hell, and the grave. Paul is again proclaiming the hope of the Cross to these persecuted believers in order to encourage them to persevere. Paul here speaks of the resurrection of the dead when Jesus returns for those who have called on Him. Verse 16 tells us that the Lord will command with a voice and a trumpet call and then at that very moment the dead in Christ will arise and after that those who are still living and serving Christ will be taken away to meet the Lord in the air. This is what we commonly call the rapture of the church. This is the ultimate promise to the believer. This promise should be communicated to all who believer in order to encourage. Not that we should cease from all activity until He comes on the contrary we need to win as many as we can as we anxiously look toward that last day. Paul concludes this chapter with "encourage each other with these words." We spend a great deal of time worrying about our enemy but we can read verses like these and realize even if we are killed for Christ we have the ultimate hope of eternity with our Lord. Aren't you glad you can claim that promise. If you cannot simply call on His name in repentance, He will hear your cry and you too can have this great hope of heaven and eternity with the Savior.

1 Corinthians 15:51-57 NIV
51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed–52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” 55 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessings,

Pastor Larry

Opportunity Knocks

A few weeks back I was called to the hospital in Muskogee because one of my church members was taken there in an ambulance. I went through the usual steps as a minister went back and prayed for her, visited with the family, and waited for results from the tests they were running. Her son Don and I were sitting in the waiting room when a man walked in. It was obvious he had been drinking and furthermore had been living a hard life. While Don and I were conversing the man made a comment or two which I pretty much ignored due to his intoxication. Finally, as we continued to talk and wait the man asked are you a preacher? I answered yes I am. He said I can tell because you have such a peace about you. My attention is now much more focused on this man with an obvious need. Before I can say anything Don speaks up and asks the man if he would like to know that peace. The man insists that he is saved and knows he would make heaven if he were to die.

We continued the conversation and finally I asked the man if he would like prayer. He immediately responded yes! Don and I led the man in the sinners prayer but I didn't feel like we were through ministering. I looked to the man again and said we need to pray again and you need to call out to God. To my surprise he called out very loudly JESUS HELP ME, BE LORD OF MY LIFE! By now everyone in the waiting room is looking at us but we certainly didn't care. Just as is so often true you wonder did he really mean what he prayed or is this just another person in crisis needing prayer.

Yesterday, to my amazement I received a phone call asking me if I was that preacher. After just a moment on the phone I knew that this was Ronnie from the hospital. I have to admit I was still treating this call with great skepticism wondering what does he need. You see weeks had passed without contact and after all he was drunk that night. But again to my surprise he had just called to update me on his situation. It appears Ronnie left the woman he was living with, has quit doing drugs and drinking and is regularly attending church. I must admit I am a bit ashamed at my skepticism but I have learned it from the world I live in today.

Let me encourage you to look for opportunities when they can be found. You and I though often hardened and skeptical are the only hope some people have. God is still opening doors and the Holy Spirit can change the most hopeless of hearts with gentle conviction. Please join in praying for Ronnie as he still has a difficult road ahead of him. But also pray for me and yourself that when opportunity knocks we quickly walk through it's door and that our sensitivity to God's Spirit will outweigh our hardened human hearts!

Blessings,
Larry

All is Forgiven

I thought I should share a little about God's grace and how He has changed my life. I was raised in church by parents who knew and loved God. During my childhood I saw the hand of God at many different times. I had an early childhood experience and came to know Jesus as my personal Savior. But as it so often happens during my teen years I slipped from a life devoted to Christ and sought for my independence. I went through the next 20 years of my lift lost looking for what I once had in Jesus Christ. It wouldn't benefit anyone for me to go into detail but I was lost and kept searching for answers. It wasn't until I was 24 years old that I would again try church. I had been constantly invited over the years but was afraid of having to make a change in my life. I guess I knew all along that God had a plan for my life and I was afraid to walk in it. Finally at the insistence of my wife we decided to attend the church I grew up in The Church of God of Prophecy in Coweta, Oklahoma. It was there that I met a loving church and Pastor D. Frank Hughes. Pastor Hughes was not satisfied with half hearted Christianity with him it was all or nothing. When Gena and I would miss a service he would call, send a bulletin or even come to the house. The more I went to church the more I realized the thing I had been searching for was a relationship with my Creator. I did not return to Him right away I didn't want to make major changes in my life. I saw christianity as bondage and I thought I was free. One day while driving down the road heading to work I had a real encounter with God. I was listening to Christian Radio and there was worship music playing at that moment I decided to make Jesus Christ Lord of my life. Almost instantly on the same drive home he called me into the ministry.

If I were to name the list of things I have done in my past you would wonder how can God love such a person? I have found that God doesn't remember even one of those sins because Jesus paid the price for all of my past failures. God's grace is sufficient for anything you may have done wrong. Guilt isn't from God! God wants all people saved! Regardless of who you are or what you have done you are a prime candidate for the love of God. If you don't know Him today you can change that. I encourage you to pray a simple prayer "Jesus be Lord of my life I admit I'm a sinner and I know that I need you, I believe you came to the earth and died on a cross so I could be saved and I now accept this salvation. In Jesus Christ's name Amen.

If you have just accepted Jesus as your Savior I would like to know about it please email me and let me know. If you have doubts or questions and would like to have someone to talk to please email me as well. info@porterchurch.com