All Day, Every Day

We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. 

2 Thessalonians 1:3

I'm not much of a farmer and I don't have a green thumb, but, I do know that if I put a seeds for tomatoes in the ground I should see tomatoes, not lettuce, grow in that spot. What about our faith, what should I see as a result of my faith?

Well, there are a few things that faith may produce and one of them is love. Paul speaks of the Thessalonians observable love as the expected result of their growing faith. This is not a warm fuzzy, romantic love, rather it is a selfless, giving love. The demonstration of their love was lived out in what was not the easiest circumstances to be loving in. The Thessalonians were living out their faith in the midst of persecutions and trials. 

Sometimes God uses adverse circumstances to produce acts of faith that will bear eternal fruit. We are occasionally confronted with the choice to do something for someone else. That may "cost" us something we might like to have. It may be money, time or some thing we have. The Spirit of God will gently lead you in that moment to trust Him with the results. 

A long time ago I used to take the Blue Line Metro Rail to work. Every morning in between the station and my work a man would be sweeping his steps and the sidewalk in front of his home. As soon as he saw me he would begin to cuss me out like you wouldn't believe! "You *@#$ing, #@$%*, I'll kick your @##$%ing @#$*..."  He would continue yelling obscenities at me until I was at least out of earshot. One day I caught him just as he was looking up and I said, "Good morning, sir. How are you doing today?" He replied, "Good morning, how are you?" And every day after that he would say, "Good morning, how are you?" and I would reply, "Fine thanks, how are you?" Sometimes just being nice, which I believe is definitely godly, will produce the fruit of our faith. 

Opportunities to act in faith happen every day, all day long. Whatever you do, do in faith that God will use it to bring his kingdom into other peoples lives.  

It's All About Pleasing God

I guess that's the long and the short of it; it's all about pleasing God because he is our Rock and he is our Redeemer. We look to some many other things to please us and fulfill us yet, only God can heal our broken hearts and mend our minds. So, I pray that today we will please the Lord in all we think, say and do.

Get in the Word, Get Refreshed

The battle is rough. The world is fighting against God and seeking destroy all those who believe. That's you and me. But, when we get weary we seek the Lord. We seek the Lord in his Word. The Bible tells us the truth when we need it most, wether we want it or not. When the Word tells us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us when we may want to destroy our enemies and curse them. 

That's a hard pill to swallow sometimes. Maybe it's because God wants us to trust him with our battles. The great men and women of faith knew that the Lord was the one who fought their battles. We must be great men and women of faith and allow God to fight our battles as we seek him and serve others.

Remember Who You Are

You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 

1 Thessalonians 5:5 NIV 

The apostle John reminds us, "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin" (1 John 1:7). Each day we face the darkness of this world. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6). How we value others, how we treat others and how we act even when no one is watching is guided by the light we find in Christ. 

Lord, open our hearts and minds to see the world in your light. Use us to shine your love to this dying and dark world today. Praise be to you in us today.

Come Rest Secure

I read this last night while studying for a Sunday School class I participate. It spoke to me and I pray that the Spirit of the Lord will comfort and encourage you with these words. 

Shield Up

Lord God Most High, be our shield today. Preserve and protect us as we seek to serve you in our homes, jobs and school. Praise be to you in us today.

Find Your Strength

David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God.

1 Samuel 30:6

One of the things I like about David was his realness. You know, he was distressed because his men, his followers, were thinking of stoning him. I would be too. But what made David a man after God's own heart, different than Saul, was that in that moment of stress he found his strength in God. He still had to seek the Lord about what to do. There was still a battle to be fought. He would have to make some discussions that would not please everyone, but he found his strength in the Lord his God.

The lesson for us is that we can find strength in the Lord our God in the circumstances we are facing today. What is the battle you find yourself in the middle of? Maybe you just went through a trial and you've been hit with another crisis with no time to rest. Time to find your strength in the Lord your God. Like David you might find yourself the focal point of blame. Time to find your strength in the Lord your God. No matter why or how you find yourself in a trial, remember: find your strength in the Lord your God. Seek him and fight on in Jesus' Name.

Now, let me ask you this...

I went to college in the south. I'm from southern California, born and raised. One of the things that people from the south do is when they are going to ask you a question they often say, "Now let me ask you this, " before they actually ask you something.  I always wondered why they didn't just ask? It's just part of the southern culture. Asking questions is also how we naturally learn.

As I said yesterday I have been teaching a class on how to study the Bible using a plan I have used and been developing. When we read something or interact with information our minds naturally ask questions in order to understand what we are interacting with. Asking questions is what I like to focus on for the second step or second day of study. The point is not necessarily to ask and answer every question. The point is to use questions to help us understand what the author wants us to know. 

This week we are looking at 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

13But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord,^d that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.17Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18Therefore encourage one another with these words.

So, let me ask you a few questions:
Are you informed about those who sleep?
Is your belief system aligned with the Biblical teaching on death?
Are you encouraged by the truth that we will be with the Lord forever?

Control

"that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable" 1 Thessalonians 4:4

I haven't been posting as much lately because I have been heavily invested in teaching a Sunday School class at the church I am a member. It's been a lot of fun and taken much of my time. We've finally reached the point where we can put it all together and really enjoy applying the word of God to our lives. 

One of the tools we use on the first day is connecting to ideas we read in Scripture. Using the term, "that reminds me of" helps us connect to things we read. So, when I read this verse I was reminded of growing up and being taught that I had a choice in how I acted. That choice was usually framed in these words, "How would Jesus...?" 

In verse one of chapter four Paul reminds the Thessalonians that he had instructed them how to live in order to please God. Asking ourselves the question, "Does it please God?" can clarify a lot of issues. I don't want to throw out some guilt bombs to sound spiritual but not actually be meaningful. For example, I don't want to ask, "Does it please God for me to be here?" because I think that is a "gimme" question. We know there are obvious places that would not please God, but, what about going to the mall or to the movies? Too often things turn legalistic at this point. 

Sometimes it's not where you are but how you act once you're there. Buying something is not wrong, if it is within your budget, but, if you use credit are you trusting God (as in being content with what God has given you) or are you worshipping what I call the god-of-I-have-to-have-it-now? It's about trusting God no matter what anyone else is doing around you. Self control is obedience and faith working together to glorify God. The result is peace and power. 

If it pleases God, it's all good.

"As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more."

1 Thessalonians 4:1

About a year ago my teenage daughter was participating in an event and was asked a question and she gave an excellent answer, off the cuff, from her heart. It was a great answer. I was so proud of her, so pleased that she was thinking about others and how she might help someone who was hurting. 

When I read this verse I am struck by the idea that what I do can please God. I know that today I am going to deal with hundreds of different personalities, adults and teenagers. There will be positive and not so positive encounters. My approach and response will either please God or not. My aim: to please God.

Pleasing God is different than making everyone else feel better, even though, pleasing God often means putting other first. Sometimes, when pleasing God means doing the right thing, it means some people will not be happy with that choice. Doing the right thing may mean I admit I was wrong, or I failed. Pleasing God is about doing what we know God would have us do and with the attitude of a servant of the Lord. 

The message of Paul to the Thessalonians rings true for us today, keep living to please God. 

He is on the Throne

When we see our problems we can get overwhelmed. God is not. He is not worried, he is not hurried. He is neither ambivalent nor passive. He is Enthroned. He is Sovereign. He reigns. Christ is always interceding for us (Hebrews 7:25). He is Enthroned. 

Reign Everywhere

You know when you watch the weather person on the news and they show a map and point out where there is supposed to be rain? Well, think about your life. There are different areas and relationships. You have your inner life and your outward life, your friends, family, and acquaintances. The question to ask is wether or not the Lord reigns in every part of your life?

This is just a little check. Because if Christ is not reigning who is? The flesh is a tyrant and legalism is chains disguised as jewelry. But Christ's reign is a gentle and protective reign. He is the good shepherd who gave himself up for the sheep, us. His reign means freedom for us, not bondage. 

Today, look at the map of your life and ask, where does He need to reign in your life?

You Have Help and Hope

Thank you, Lord, for being our help and our hope. You know our needs and our struggles, where we need help and hope. Open our eyes to see you in our lives. Thank you that you hear our prayers. 

Praise be to you in us today! 

You Will Be Encouraged

During that night the Lord said to Gideon, “Get up, go down against the camp, because I am going to give it into your hands. If you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah and listen to what they are saying. Afterward, you will be encouraged to attack the camp.” So he and Purah his servant went down to the outposts of the camp.

Judges 7:9-11

How about Gideon's faith, right? He'd just gone through the whole fleece thing. God was speaking to him about who should fight and he's still afraid. Did God rebuke him for his lack of faith? No. God encouraged him by letting him hear and see the fear that the enemy had of him. 

That's why I love this story, that why God is awesome. I get it. Sometimes even when we know we are doing what God wants us to do, we are still afraid, maybe a bit unsure. Yet God still encourages us. Gideon had faith, he believed, but he still was afraid. It's not about perfect faith, it's about God's faithfulness. He is compassionate, gentle and loving. He understands we are who we are. Gideon is even in Hebrews 11:32 in the famous Hall of Faith! 

Afraid or not, keep seeking God, keep trying to be obedient, keep believing. Let God deal with your fear. He is faithful. 

Compassion to all, even...

God has compassion on all he has made. The goodness and greatness of God is demonstrated in his compassion that is undeserved, unearned and frankly rejected. 

When Jesus walked this earth "he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd" (Matthew 9:36). These were people who would turn on him and turn him over to be crucified. Yet, he still had compassion on them. He died for the sins of everyone. He has not changed. His compassion continues.

We too should have compassion for all. Not just for those who need us, those who can't hurt us, but, even for those who, dying in their own sins, hate us...

Be Battle Tested and Taught

These are the nations the Lord left to test all those Israelites who had not experienced any of the wars in Canaan  (he did this only to teach warfare to the descendants of the Israelites who had not had previous battle experience): ... They were left to test the Israelites to see whether they would obey the Lord’s commands, which he had given their ancestors through Moses.

Judges 3:1-2,4

Sometimes we like to paint a picture of Christianity like it makes life easy. We forget that Christianity is life as it truly is. In the third chapter of Judges the Israelites are confronted with the reality that there would be warfare. 

I see three things from this passage; there will be warfare, warfare has a purpose and God wants us to have victory. For every nation back at the time of the judges warfare was just what you did. Even during the time of David the spring was when kings went out to war (1 Chronicles 20:1). Jesus warned his disciples that the world would hate them because the world hates him (John 15:18ff). We live in a world that is constantly trying to destroy our faith. 

Warfare tests us and warfare tests our faith. God does not test us to see if we will fail or not, he tests us to reveal himself and strengthen our faith. Sometimes when you work out you see how far you can go, how much you can lift, how much you can endure. You push yourself to strengthen yourself. God allows us to experience battles to strengthen us and show us his faithfulness. 

Jesus told us, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).  Psalm 60:11-12 encourages us to pray, "Give us aid against the enemy, for human help is worthless. With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies." Paul tells us, "The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin in the law. Bu thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:56-57). The apostle John proclaims, "for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith (1 John 5:4). 

There will be spiritual warfare. You will struggle. You will battle. You, by faith in Christ, will have victory, knowing Christ and the power of his resurrection in deeper and deeper ways. 

Service & Experience

Israel served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him and who had experienced everything the Lord had done for Israel.

Joshua 24:31

There is something almost mystical, almost magical about serving Christ. Somehow when we seek to serve the Lord he allows us to see his power, his faithfulness, his mercy, grace and forgiveness in ways we might not normally experience them. 

It's that place where God works in our lives in such a way that by faith we know that it is God. There is a difference from when you hear about God providing for someone else and when he provides for you. Your testimony is yours. Remember how God revealed his love for you to you, how he forgave your sins and you gave you life to him? That is where God became real. 

Lord, I pray that we would experience all that you do and that we would serve you throughout our lives. I pray that our children and their children, until you come again, will experience everything you do and serve you throughout their lifetimes too. Praise be to you in us today!

Keep Holding Tight

But you are to hold fast to the Lord your God, as you have until now.

Joshua 23:8

Sometimes we just need to remember to hold on to the Lord our God, not ourselves, not our own wisdom and understanding, just remember to hold on to the Lord. 

Joshua and the Israelites had been taking the land. Under Joshua's leadership they were learning that God was faithful to fight their battles for them. Joshua knew his time was just about up and he would soon go see the Lord. He gives the Israelites good advice. Keep holding fast to the Lord. 

Isn't it easy after you have had some victories to sort of take your foot of the gas? Maybe make a few "treaties" with the enemy, let down your guard. But, Joshua told the people to keep holding fast. Thanking God for the victories and remembering that it's all about the Lord's faithfulness. 

Hold tight because the Lord is holding on to you!

Choose a Good Day

And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 

1 Thessalonians 1:7

A blessed Monday to you all.

I want to encourage you to continue in your efforts to follow Christ. Imitate Christ. Imitate those who humbly and faithfully seek to follow the Lord. 

At work I like to greet people with "Happy Monday!" I don't say that to be glib because I view it more of a choice. I choose to find a way to make this a good day. The way I know best to do that is to seek to glorify Christ and serve others. This is and act of faith, prompted by the love of Christ for me, that gives me hope. I think that's a good model to seek to live like. 

Be blessed today. Choose to have a good day glorifying and serving Christ and others. Be a model of faith, hope and love.

Drive Them Out

Joshua was telling the tribes of Joseph, Ephraim and Manasseh, that even though the enemy was well equipped and strong, with God's help, they could take them. Here's the deal: we often look at the strength of the enemy that is all around us and fail to know that God and his army is all around them. Greater is he that is with us than he that is in the world! Yes, the enemy will resist, but God will grant the victory.

Remember, there are areas of our lives that God wants us to live by faith in. Our marriages, families, finances and more, are areas that he should be reigning. There may be struggles but, his peace should reign. So, go ahead and take the land and through prayer and faithful obedience, drive out the enemy.