Brotherly Warnings

"Yet do no regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother." 2 Thessalonians 3:15

Paul is an amazingly insightful guy. Besides being led of the Spirit to write the General Epistles, he also allows his own human compassion and understanding to flow through. Not only that, but he also restrains the other harsher side of himself. He has to, it is how the Spirit uses him. It is the only way the Spirit can use him. He surrenders to God so God can temper his strengths and use his weaknesses. So it is with us. I want God to use me however He can through my strengths and weaknesses. This is why so many times in this Word the term servant is used. Accountability in the church is not a strength in the 21st century Body of Christ. First of all, commitment to the Body of Christ is not very strong. Even a few decades ago, people were aligned, signed up and committed to a local church on a way different level than they are today. Today, it seems like we are all "Christians at-large", meaning that we don't value highly any loyalty or belongingness to a particular church. Mega churches thrive on this reality and they also try to deal with it focusing on small group ministries and bible studies.

As For You Too

"As for you brothers, never tire of doing what is right." 2 Thessalonians 3:13

This is pretty obviously good counsel. Maybe it should go without saying. Maybe it is so obvious that there must be a reason that it needs to be said. In previous verses Paul has urged the early church to not tolerate idleness. To the extent that he quotes a rule that had been widely distributed... "If a man will not work, he shall not eat." Whoa, kind of a harsh rule don't you think? Of course the rule is made because evidently it was needed because there were far too many folks that were receiving much, but doing little. But what about those who have disabilities, or the sick, or those who have lots of personal problems or have been victimized? Well, I think the understanding is that everybody can do something. Nobody gets to do nothing.

Why 'Grace Is Sufficient'

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9

This is my verse these days. The sufficiency of His grace is a very, very powerful thing. Maybe for the believer the most practically powerful principle within our grasp, if we can just wrap our minds around what all it really means. There are two things recently that my heart keeps saying about this truth. One, that there is absolutely nothing like His grace.The other is that His grace often will have to do because I got nothing else. His unmerited favor can address every circumstance and situation in life. Whether it is fear of the unknown, or anxiety about what you know you have to face. The same grace is all you need to get through.Let's tear the verse apart by asking questions and answering it with the truth.

Directed Hearts

"May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance." 2 Thessalonians 3:5

When I was 19 years old I had a remarkable opportunity to serve with an international Christian acting troupe called Covenant Players. This experience was probably contributed more components to my capabilities to be on stage and in front of people than any other in my life. The fundamental principles of Covenant Players still ring true with me today. I remember Chuck Tanner, the founder and writer of thousands of plays and productions giving us several very instructive lectures on how to be on stage.

Stand Firm

>"So then brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter." 2 Thessalonians 2:15

Many in the early church were convinced that Jesus would return in their lifetime. Some folks today hold to that belief. Many hope He does. I know He will come at the perfect and proper time, just as only the Father knows. When we are young it is hard to wait. Waiting for birthdays, Christmas, Easter, summer, vacation or any anticipated event is not easy. We understandably get excited about a big day approaching. We are full of ideas about what will happen and how and especially if that event is going to be special. The Second Coming of Christ could not be more special.

Why We Pray

"We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus many be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Thessalonians 1:12

You may have heard many explanations as to why we should pray, how we should pray, when we should pray, to whom we should pray and all matters about prayer. I think we talk a lot more about prayer than we may actually spend time praying. I am a huge proponent of keeping that constant contact with God and an open channel going, but recognize the need also for focused and concerted prayer. We should both "pray constantly" and "go to Him in prayer". There is a difference and our spiritual lives will be richer when we begin to realize and experience more and more that prayer is not a formulated thing nor is it a presumed thing.

Surrender Me

"Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken." Psalm 55:22

In the last eight months, my life has gone from busy to chaotic to nonsensical, or at least that's how it sometimes feels when I'm trying to juggle the demands between work, school, family, and life in general. I recall several weeks ago a supervisor at work kindly (seriously, he really was quite gentle about it) telling me and a few other Interventionists that he didn't know what else to tell us because "it just has to get done" with regards to one of our daily assignments. Bottom line - do it and leave the excuses at the door. Around the same time, I sat in one of my classes listening to an instructor speak very similar words. "I don't know what to tell you, it has to get done." Bottom line? Do it and leave the excuses at the door. The problem? I was three dissertation assignments behind, had practicum interviews coming up, a family to tend to, 30 hours of online continuing training for work, meetings to attend, clients to see, and three other classes with equally demanding requirements aside from midterms. I started trying to calculate how much time I could shave off of my sleep to get it all done, but if you've seen me on less than six hours, you know this was a bad idea and I was already only getting about five and a half. "How about four, God? Can we make it on four hours?" I asked God with caffeine bulged eyes one morning. "What are you doing?" He asked me. "I'm doing everything You gave me to do, Lord, but I think You miscalculated how much I could handle at once." The miscalculation, however wasn't His; it was mine. While it's true that God gave me the workload, He never intended for me to go it alone, which, for weeks I had been doing just that and didn't even know it. My own strength began to crumble and not even the supportive shoulders of my husband could hold me up under the weight of endless deadlines, tasks, and demands, so I eventually found myself sitting in our church parking lot crying. "I can't do all of this, Lord, I don't even know where to begin," I whispered through choked sobs. "You just began," His Spirit gently responded. By finally acknowledging my own limitations I was able to receive His limitless grace. All I had to do was just surrender me.

Do Not Quench The Spirit

"Do not quench the Spirit." 1 Thessalonians 5:19

Short verses can be special. This one is. Many times Paul implores and urges and requests and asks for effort, not here, he gives a directive. The attitude, behavior or practice that quenches the Spirit is particularly egregious. Why is that? The Spirit should be free and not limited by anything human being do. As a matter of fact you might be asking how humans have any say in what the Holy Spirit does anyway. Well, it seems that the function of the Holy Spirit as it works in and through people is connected to our will. We naturally do not allow the Spirit to move and work, it takes our surrender, our cooperation and our willingness in order for that to happen. And, it is not only that which happens when we, ourselves dampen the Spirit, it is also when we squelch the Holy Spirit in others. How can that happen?

Through and Through

"May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and though." 1Thessalonians 5:23a

Sanctification is God's work in us. he does it, but we must submit and surrender to it. It should not be such a battle. I know, we are not inclined to cooperate, but God HIMSELF peaceably wants to do this. He desires to do it as a project together. Sanctification is not a beating. God does not want to beat us into submission or obedience. He wants us to seek it and receive it. He desires us to desire it. We must want to be transformed, and not just for the moment until we get out of trouble or pain or conflict, but for a lifetime process. I am confident that almost all of you reading this know Jesus as Lord and Savior. You have experienced salvation and know that he has redeemed you. Your sins are forgiven, you have eternal peace with God and you know you are going to live forever with Him. But, there is a step after salvation that too many Christians don't get or don't know, or don't understand. God did not save you for salvation's sake. He saved you for a purpose. He wants your whole life committed to Him. Immediately upon receiving salvation you should be taught and understand your position in Him. Who you are in Him. This is called justification.

Always and Continually

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."" 1 Thessalonians 5:16

I really love all of Paul's writings, but especially those usually shared under the subtitles of 'Final Instructions', 'Final Warnings', 'Final Advice', 'Final Greetings'. In a sense he gives final words to each of the letters that he writes. They come across like 'bullet points for believers'. I do pretty well with lists. I always and continually have a list of Things To Do working. Nothing is more satisfying than to complete a short list of things to do. Of course we never get everything done. In the same way, we never complete the spiritual maturation process either.

Live in Peace

"Live in peace with each other." 1 Thessalonians 5:13b

This verse comes at the end of the admonition to respect and hold in high regard those who are over the believers and admonish the flock. Though it may apply specifically here to being at peace with Pastors and others, it is also an often mentioned encouragement. The Bible many times says for us to 'live in peace'. Doing so from my personal point of view would certainly make my job easier and more enjoyable.

Respect and Regard

"Now we ask you brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work." 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13a

I'm sure Paul must have found it awkward because I sure do, to address this matter. Paul is telling the believers that they should respect and hold in high regard those who the Lord has called to serve them. That of course includes himself. This is a request. It is not a mandate. Respect for those who serve the Lord in the ministry has greatly waned in recent decades. Some because some have behaved so wrongly, some because general respect is on the decline and some because the respect and regard for Christianity and Christians is in such decline. But as for believers, they should do just as Paul has asked. Pastors and other ministry leaders should be given a respect because of the work they do. Sometimes you may respect the work more than the person, that is understandable. But, in general, Pastors, Missionaries, and other ministry workers should be held in high regard, as should those who serve. I know some Pastors, Missionaries and Ministry people, who because of their weaknesses, personalities or styles are difficult to respect, hold in any regard, even with love. But, because of their work and who they work for, they should be respected.

Building Each Other Up

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up just as in fact you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Let me add a little Bible Study before the devotional today. Whenever you see the word "therefore" in the Bible, you should ask... what is the therefore there for. There is always a reason a verse starts with the word therefore. In this verse the therefore is there for a couple of reasons. The therefore is because we are not like those who don't know Christ. We are different. We are set apart. That is why we encourage each other. That is why we build each other up. The other reason the "therefore" is there for is because we have received salvation and we know who we are in Him, so we should encourage one another and build one another up.

Like A Thief In The Night

"Now brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night" 1 Thessalonians 5:1-2

You can count on the fact that I, for one,will not be putting times or dates on the return of Christ. Evidently this verse, and some others, are not in some folks Bibles or they somehow explain away that we cannot know the day of Christ's return. The way I read my Bible, the Son Himself doesn't know that day and only God the Father knows. Struggle all you want how one of the Godhead knows and the others don't, but the truth remains, His return is top secret. I know this, it won't be on a day when somebody has made some big deal about His return or predicted it precisely. God would not honor that. Although, my understanding of God says that He can do whatever He pleases, whether that works with anyone's calendar or prognostication or not.

The Rapture

"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. 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.Therefore encourage each other with these things" 1 Thessalonians 4:16

This verse has been studied and torn apart as much as any in the Bible because there are several viewpoints on what, how and when these events are to take place. I have never been fond of tying down the details of what God is gonna do. He does it how He pleases, when He pleases and How He pleases. That is good enough for me. I try to let Him handle those details, because He is so good at them. Let me add three things that are important to me in the passage, one from the beginning, one from the middle and one from the end. First off, I love that it is the Lord Himself that is coming again. He is not sending someone or doing all this from above. He is coming back Himself.

Personal Responsibility

"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent of anybody else." 1 Thessalonians 4:11

Wow! Isn't this the freshest definition of ambition that you have seen in a long time? Ambition is usually defined as becoming famous, or the best, or better than everybody else, or getting ahead, or making money, or being influential, or impressing people with all your accomplishments. Be aggressive and assertive and get yourself out there in the public eye for everybody to approve of you! Not quite... I must make a list. This is too good not to illustrate the principle behind it.

More Love

"Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. And in fact, you do love all the brothers throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers, to do so more and more." 1 Thessalonians 4:9

I am noticing that teaching and talk about love is not as strong as it used to be. Back in the 60's and early 70's there was much talk about love. Some of it was called 'free love', which is love without commitment and without boundaries. The brotherly love that Paul speaks of here is the kind of love that Christians should be known for wherever they are. I think our problem may be that it is hard to say you love when you are constantly creating stress, drama and agenda for people. Or, it is hard to talk about love when you are being mean-spirited or vengeful. It is also hard to spread the love when you are greedy or selfish. Equally difficult is to speak of love when you, yourself feel so unloved or think you are entitled to more love.

Take It Up With God

"Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you His Holy spirit" 1 Thessalonians 4:8

People who want to argue with me about what God's Word says are wasting their time. Of course they say that they are arguing with my interpretation of what God's Word says. Usually I direct their frustration with me to the Bible. Particularly in the cases about sexual immorality. The norm of the day or whatever is culturally acceptable justifies many in their minds to be involved in sexual sin. Some would say that all sexual behavior that is consensual cannot be against God's Word. After all, He made us sexual beings with a need to express that sexuality, therefore whatever way that comes out is a matter of personal choice as long as there are no victims involved. Have you heard these kind of arguments before?

Think About Such Things

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things" Philippians 4:8

Truthfully, this is a struggle, for us all. Controlling our words and actions seems tough enough, but most importantly, we need to control our thoughts. Herein lies the real issue of "control." You see, what we put into our minds determines what comes out in our words and actions.

Don't Be Impure!

"For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life" 1 Thessalonians 4:7

When we as Christians hear the word impure, we most often think of it as a reference to sexual purity. Granted, it is often exactly what the Scripture is talking about. Even in this passage the previous verse references sexual immorality and encourages each of us to control our lusts. It even says that we should not sin against one another or take advantage of one another. To make sure that we are honoring one another. Pure means sexually pure. In our world today we seem to have an uneven view of sexual sin. Christians can rail against homosexuality and the wrongness of it while turning a blind eye to adultery and fornication (sex before marriage). When Paul addresses impurity and is referring to sexual immorality he is talking about all of it. We need to be pure towards one another, in all relationships.