Daily Manna (Coffee with Jesus)

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” –Jesus, Matthew 6:31-33

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire.
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” Psalm 46

Seek God first—Be still and know that He is God.  As we come to God in an attitude of grateful praise with a humbled heart seeking to know God, we realize His Presence as been there all the time waiting for us to talk with Him.  He delights in our seeking and in our wanting to let go of everything else occupying our minds to know Him more.

We discover that the more we know about God, we more often fixed our gaze on Him.  We also learn that we know little and must learn more.  Once there was a young adult, the youngest in the family, who was given the work of a shepherd boy. (Much like telling the youngest in our families to take out the trash today!)  It was a stinky job but had to be done.  But God had other plans for this young man, a gifted song writer who was deemed “a man after God’s own heart” because of David’s life-long pursuit to know God.  David loved to worship Him with his psalms but he also learned hard lessons when his eyes were fixed on something or someone else other than God.  David suffered the consequences of his sins against God. 

All the songs David wrote to God were filled honor and praise for God with a repentant, humbled heart, seeking forgiveness from God.  Because he knew God well, studied his word, and listened to God’s Spirit, David also knew when he had failed. Sometimes David needed a mentor, as in Nathan the prophet, to confront him of his sins unrepented and guide him back to God. David always returned to God who loved him. David experienced God’s mercy and grace to him.

That same God, who never changes in His love for his created humans, forgives and loves us still.  He helps those who believe in Him for God is for us, not against us.  He provides for our needs.  He protects us and leads us through the “dark valleys” of our days on earth.  He restores our broken hearts and gives us new life in Christ Jesus who died to remove our sins from our being—God’s Plan to save us forever!  God also has a plan and purpose for each life lived on earth.

Paul, God’s mentor to Timothy, another young man who loves God, continues to remind Timothy of how God wants us to live—in simple faith as we learn His plan and follow Truth.  But, “the first thing I want you to do is pray,” says Paul. 

How will we know what God wants to do in and through us if we do not ask God first?

1 Timothy 2, The Message

Simple Faith and Plain Truth

^1-3 The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live.

^4-7 He wants not only us but everyone saved, you know, everyone to get to know the truth we’ve learned: that there’s one God and only one, and one Priest-Mediator between God and us—Jesus, who offered himself in exchange for everyone held captive by sin, to set them all free. Eventually the news is going to get out. This and this only has been my appointed work: getting this news to those who have never heard of God, and explaining how it works by simple faith and plain truth.

^8-10 Since prayer is at the bottom of all this, what I want mostly is for men to pray—not shaking angry fists at enemies but raising holy hands to God. And I want women to get in there with the men in humility before God, not primping before a mirror or chasing the latest fashions but doing something beautiful for God and becoming beautiful doing it.

^11-15 I don’t let women take over and tell the men what to do. They should study to be quiet and obedient along with everyone else. Adam was made first, then Eve; woman was deceived first—our pioneer in sin!—with Adam right on her heels. On the other hand, her childbearing brought about salvation, reversing Eve. But this salvation only comes to those who continue in faith, love, and holiness, gathering it all into maturity. You can depend on this.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Jesus got alone often to a quiet place to pray to God.  Jesus did this before doing anything of significance because it was God who sent Him and He knew God who would provide direction.  Jesus did what the Father told Him to say and do.  Jesus, His Son, knew God, the Father well.  Jesus knew as Son of Man, to be still and know God so He could fulfill the mission God sent him to be and do.

So, who are we to think we can be and then do what God wants in and through us without asking Him?  I shudder and tremble at the thought.

PAUSE TO PRAY

Paul reminds all of us to refrain from reacting to the unfair, rude, cruel world around us with fists of anger and instead respond with raising “holy hands to God in prayer.  Read that again, I did.  There is a distinct difference in reacting in haste and respond to the God who created all, knows all and is over all. 

Seek first God and His righteousness—the “right” response to be and do.

Lord,

Help me to avoid the natural temptation to react to injustice with anger by pausing to respond instead with seeking you first asking what you want from me.  Help us all to be in pursuit of you all day long, looking for you, listening to you, hiding your Word in our hearts—all for the purpose of being still, letting go of what we think, to know what you think as we know you more.  May your glory and beauty be seen in me.

In Jesus Name, Amen 

“Christians are quite serious in believing that when they gather together for worship and work, God is present and sovereign, really present and absolutely sovereign.  God creates and guides, God saves and heals, God corrects and blesses, God calls and judges.  With such comprehensive and personal leadership from God, what is the place human leadership?

Quite obviously, it has to be second place.  It must not elbow its way to the front, it must not bossily take over.  Ego-centered, ego-prominent leadership betrays the Master.  The best leadership in spiritual communities formed in the name of Jeus, the Messiah, is inconspicuous, not calling attention to itself but not sacrificing anything in the way of conviction and firmness either.

In his letters to two young associates, Timothy in Ephesus, and Titus in Crete—we see Paul encouraging and guiding the development of just such leadership.  What he had learned so thoroughly himself, he was ow passing on, and showing them, in turn, how to develop a similar leadership in local congregations. This is essential reading because ill-directed and badly formed spiritual leadership causes much damage in souls.  Paul in both his life and his letters shows us how to do it right.” –Eugene Peterson, Introduction to Timothy & Titus, The Message Bible

Leadership classes I took in college in the school of education stimulated my mind.  I enjoyed learning ways to lead others as a team in pursuit of a common goal.  In my mind, I was always translating what I was learning to God’s church.  I had professors who were believers who took time to discuss with me privately how developing these skills were essential to honor God with what He has given us to be and do.  It was not surprising that the greatest elements of a leader are found right here in the pages of our Bibles.  Leadership principles were first given by God to his created Adam and Eve, then lived and demonstrated later by His Son, Jesus.  Jesus spent three years developing servant leadership skills within his disciples who passed them on to others who passed them on to Paul. And now he is passing them on to the next generation. 

1 Timothy 1, The Message

^1-2 I, Paul, am an apostle on special assignment for Christ, our living hope. Under God our Savior’s command, I’m writing this to you, Timothy, my son in the faith. All the best from our God and Christ be yours!

Self-Appointed Experts on Life

^3-4 On my way to the province of Macedonia, I advised you to stay in Ephesus. Well, I haven’t changed my mind. Stay right there on top of things so that the teaching stays on track. Apparently some people have been introducing fantasy stories and fanciful family trees that digress into silliness instead of pulling the people back into the center, deepening faith and obedience.

^5-7 The whole point of what we’re urging is simply love—love uncontaminated by self-interest and counterfeit faith, a life open to God. Those who fail to keep to this point soon wander off into dead ends of gossip. They set themselves up as experts on religious issues, but haven’t the remotest idea of what they’re holding forth with such imposing eloquence.

^8-11 It’s true that moral guidance and counsel need to be given, but the way you say it and to whom you say it are as important as what you say. It’s obvious, isn’t it, that the law code isn’t primarily for people who live responsibly, but for the irresponsible, who defy all authority, riding roughshod over God, life, sex, truth, whatever! They are cynical toward this great Message I’ve been put in charge of by this great God.

* * *

^12-14 I’m so grateful to Christ Jesus for making me adequate to do this work. He went out on a limb, you know, in trusting me with this ministry. The only credentials I brought to it were violence and witch hunts and arrogance. But I was treated mercifully because I didn’t know what I was doing—didn’t know Who I was doing it against! Grace mixed with faith and love poured over me and into me. And all because of Jesus.

^15-19 Here’s a word you can take to heart and depend on: Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. I’m proof—Public Sinner Number One—of someone who could never have made it apart from sheer mercy. And now he shows me off—evidence of his endless patience—to those who are right on the edge of trusting him forever.

Deep honor and bright glory
    to the King of All Time—
One God, Immortal, Invisible,
    ever and always. Oh, yes!

I’m passing this work on to you, my son Timothy. The prophetic word that was directed to you prepared us for this. All those prayers are coming together now so you will do this well, fearless in your struggle, keeping a firm grip on your faith and on yourself. After all, this is a fight we’re in.

^19-20 There are some, you know, who by relaxing their grip and thinking anything goes have made a thorough mess of their faith. Hymenaeus and Alexander are two of them. I let them wander off to Satan to be taught a lesson or two about not blaspheming.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Encouraging growth toward maturity was a constant theme in Paul’s letters.  It is no wonder this is of great importance to Paul. Paul had to physically rely and spiritually depend on spiritual mentors to guide and transform his thinking after Jesus got his attention on the road to Damacus!  (See Acts 9) 

Paul suddenly needed an older, wiser believer to walk him through the first steps in his new life, and God assigned that task to Ananias. It’s difficult to decide who would have been more terrified in their first encounter—Paul or Ananias (Acts 9:10–19)! Paul was waiting in blindness and wondering, “What’s next?” while Ananias was making his way to Straight Street muttering the same question under his breath. Neither man could have known how history would be affected by their meeting. But God knew!

We learn that God works out His transforming work in our lives on His timetable, but the direction is always toward greater spiritual maturity. 

Our response:

Recognize mentors who God sends to us at just the “right time”.  Lean in to listen to their guidance and wisdom with thanksgiving—because “they’ve been there, done that” and have learned valuable lessons from the experiences! We all are Timothy’s at times, eager to learn. 

Be a mentor to whomever God sends as a privileged opportunity to serve God by helping others grow in their faith by what we have experienced.  Yes, other times we are Paul’s who pass on what we have learned to others.

Spiritual mentors are given Godly Traits: (What to look for in a mentor)

• They simply love and avoid gossip.
• They seek God first and avoid ego centered behaviors.
• They mentor and are mentored with a heart filled with God’s love.
• They keep a firm grip on their faith in God, our loving, merciful God who sent His Son to save us by grace.

“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” –Paul to Timothy, 2 Timothy 2:2, NIV

Lord,

I could spend all morning thinking of all the great mentors you provided for my growing faith.  Right now, I thank you for each one of them.  Some are now with you in glory, and some are still helping me.  I pray that what I have learned can be of help to others—in Your Name, by your leading.  Thank you for the way you work in our lives that connect us back to you and to each other—by your love that is maturing in us.  You are amazing!

In Jesus Name, Amen

Jesus taught his disciples how to commune with God, the Father.  Jesus did not teach prayer as a last resort, after all human efforts failed, He taught prayer as a way to seek God first before doing anything for God.  We must BE with God before we DO what God says.  If we do what we think is needed without consulting God and following is lead, we might be able to do good things for others and that work will make us feel good.  When we miss the point of prayer; We miss the greatness of God! When we attempt to “do good” on our own, we miss the joy of watching God work in and through us in incredible ways that go beyond our human abilities!  We fail to realize what an awesome privilege it is to join HIM in His greater work to bring all people to His saving grace. 

Jesus never prayed, “Father, bless my work.”  Instead, Jesus prayed—

“Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.
May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.  (Matthew 6:9-13, NLT)

Jesus tenaciously taught all who would believe, listen, and follow to seek God first. Only God is good. Jesus model of prayer to God Almighty provides followers words to begin their relationship with God who loves us dearly.  Jesus begins by honoring God for who He is before asking for God’s Kingdom and His Will to prevail over all the things of this earth.  God’s Kingdom is where believers in Jesus dwell.  It is a place where new hearts are given a fresh start, where minds are transformed to think more like Jesus, which leads to changes in our behaviors.  Kingdom thinking is not like what the world generally thinks.  Kingdom living is opposite of selfish living in a world out to get all we can for ourselves.  God first—always!

In this prayer, Jesus also teaches followers that God is the Source and Sustainer of all we need.  And …we need forgiveness most of all.  God provided us Jesus.  Jesus, the One without sin, nailed all our sins to the cross so that we are able now to come to the throne of God, the Holy One, and be forgiven.  Because we have been forgiven—we must forgive those who sin against us.  This is the complete work of salvation that sets us free!  Knowing that evil is still at work, Jesus teaches us rely on God to rescue us from the evil one who taunts us daily.  “This then is how you should pray…” –Jesus

Paul reminds his beloved friends who he can rely on and trust in the work to “pray for us.”  He concludes his letter to the believers in Jesus who live in Thessalonica not only with this request to pray but with how to pray for those who work hard to spread the message of Jesus’ redemption!  Listen and learn…  

2 Thessalonians 3, The Message

Those Who Are Lazy

^1-3 One more thing, friends: Pray for us. Pray that the Master’s Word will simply take off and race through the country to a groundswell of response, just as it did among you. And pray that we’ll be rescued from these troublemakers who are trying to do us in. I’m finding that not all “believers” are believers. But the Master never lets us down. He’ll stick by you and protect you from evil.

^4-5 Because of the Master, we have great confidence in you. We know you’re doing everything we told you and will continue doing it. May the Master take you by the hand and lead you along the path of God’s love and Christ’s endurance.

^6-9 Our orders—backed up by the Master, Jesus—are to refuse to have anything to do with those among you who are lazy and refuse to work the way we taught you. Don’t permit them to freeload on the rest. We showed you how to pull your weight when we were with you, so get on with it. We didn’t sit around on our hands expecting others to take care of us. In fact, we worked our fingers to the bone, up half the night moonlighting so you wouldn’t be burdened with taking care of us. And it wasn’t because we didn’t have a right to your support; we did. We simply wanted to provide an example of diligence, hoping it would prove contagious.

^10-13 Don’t you remember the rule we had when we lived with you? “If you don’t work, you don’t eat.” And now we’re getting reports that a bunch of lazy good-for-nothings are taking advantage of you. This must not be tolerated. We command them to get to work immediately—no excuses, no arguments—and earn their own keep. Friends, don’t slack off in doing your duty.

^14-15 If anyone refuses to obey our clear command written in this letter, don’t let him get by with it. Point out such a person and refuse to subsidize his freeloading. Maybe then he’ll think twice. But don’t treat him as an enemy. Sit him down and talk about the problem as someone who cares.

¹⁶ May the Master of Peace himself give you the gift of getting along with each other at all times, in all ways. May the Master be truly among you!

¹⁷ I, Paul, bid you good-bye in my own handwriting. I do this in all my letters, so examine my signature as proof that the letter is genuine.

¹⁸ The incredible grace of our Master, Jesus Christ, be with all of you!

There is no greater encouragement this side of heaven than to know people who believe in Jesus are holding us up to God in prayer for us!  Are we returning the favor by praying for others in the work to spread the message across the world?

PAUSE TO REFLECT

• How often do we pray for those who deliver messages from God’s Holy Spirit each Sunday—that place where we meet with others to learn to be more like Jesus?
• How often do we pray for those who hold our babies, teach Jesus to our children, and guide our youth in the ways of God, through Jesus as Savior and Lord while we bask in the word of God being laid out before us?
• How often do we pray for those called of God to go to another country to spread the news of Jesus’ salvation to those who have never heard the story? 
• How often do we pray for those who believe but are shunned and even persecuted by their families because of turning to Jesus?

PAUSE TO PRAY WITH PAUL’S HEART USING JESUS’ WORDS

Are we praying like Paul who goal is one thing—Jesus?  To pray like Paul means praying “that the Master’s Word will simply take off and race through the country to a groundswell of response.”

How long has it been since we prayed to God like that along with this? —

“May the Master take you by the hand and lead you along the path of God’s love and Christ’s endurance.”

We have learned how to pray and how to love.  We learn we not each other’s enemies. 

We have learned how to respond.  Seek God first in prayer.  Help each other. Talk to each other from the love of God who resides with us.

“May the Master of Peace himself give you the gift of getting along with each other at all times, in all ways. May the Master be truly among you!”

Lord, God of All,

May Your Kingdom come, Your will be done in all the details of our lives here as it is in heaven.  Forgive us as we forgive others.  Lead us. 

In Jesus Name, Amen

“Keep all arms and legs in the ride at all times.”  We’ve all heard it said many times while getting on a tram, roller coaster, and any ride at the local fair or theme park.  We get in line, wait, and look forward to the exhilaration of the ride to come.  When it is our turn, we get inside, listen to the instructions, and then grip on the handle in front of us and hang on for dear life.  Some rides take our breath away.  Some just send us around in circles.  Some jerk our bodies in ways that confuse us and make us wonder why we got on this ride in the first place.  But very soon, the brief ride is over.  We remember the final instruction was to remain seated until the “vehicle comes to a complete stop”—another rule of the ride.  We trust the ride built by humans and ridden thousands of times by other humans will get us from the beginning to end without harm.  That’s a lot of trust!

Paul gives the church(us) very important instructions for the ride of our lives!  This ride, the span of our lives on earth, is also brief and can be the wildest ride of our lives!  This wild ride of ups and downs can be full of joy in all circumstances or littered with bitterness and sadness.  It depends on who you choose and trust to sit next to you!

“Read carefully,” Paul advises, because the ride could get dicey and confusing if you allow the one who opposes God and wants to be God to ride with you. Whose hand are you gripping until you are safely home?   Who do you trust?

2 Thessalonians 2, The Message

The Anarchist

^1-3 Now, friends, read these next words carefully. Slow down and don’t go jumping to conclusions regarding the day when our Master, Jesus Christ, will come back and we assemble to welcome him. Don’t let anyone shake you up or get you excited over some breathless report or rumored letter from me that the day of the Master’s arrival has come and gone. Don’t fall for any line like that.

^3-5 Before that day comes, a couple of things have to happen. First, the Apostasy. Second, the debut of the Anarchist, a partner in crime with Satan. He’ll defy and then take over every so-called god or altar. Having cleared away the opposition, he’ll then set himself up in God’s Temple as “God Almighty.” Don’t you remember me going over all this in detail when I was with you? Are your memories that short?

^6-8 You’ll also remember that I told you the Anarchist is being held back until just the right time. That doesn’t mean that the spirit of anarchy is not now at work. It is, secretly and underground. But the time will come when the Anarchist will no longer be held back, but will be let loose. But don’t worry. The Master Jesus will be right on his heels and blow him away. The Master appears and—puff!—the Anarchist is out of there.

^9-12 The Anarchist’s coming is all Satan’s work. All his power and signs and miracles are fake, evil sleight of hand that plays to the gallery of those who hate the truth that could save them. And since they’re so obsessed with evil, God rubs their noses in it—gives them what they want. Since they refuse to trust truth, they’re banished to their chosen world of lies and illusions.

^13-14 Meanwhile, we’ve got our hands full continually thanking God for you, our good friends—so loved by God! God picked you out as his from the very start. Think of it: included in God’s original plan of salvation by the bond of faith in the living truth. This is the life of the Spirit he invited you to through the Message we delivered, in which you get in on the glory of our Master, Jesus Christ.

^15-17 So, friends, take a firm stand, feet on the ground and head high. Keep a tight grip on what you were taught, whether in personal conversation or by our letter. May Jesus himself and God our Father, who reached out in love and surprised you with gifts of unending help and confidence, put a fresh heart in you, invigorate your work, enliven your speech.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

We learn that the Deceiver will show his limited power in ways that will confuse us and make us wonder if really believe who God is and what Jesus, His Son has done for us.  Our trust in God will be put on the line many times throughout the ride of life.  What will our response be? 

Will we fall for the lies and behaviors that oppose God?  Or will we “get a grip” the Hand of Jesus and stand firm with God?

How will we know the difference between Truth and Deception?  Sometimes it is hard at first, so Paul helps us.  He reminds us that the one who sets himself up as God Almighty in God’s temple of His people on earth is the Deceiver whose only goal is to destroy our faith and trust in God.  God is the One and Only God to be worshiped and honored as God—the first “rule of the ride”!  (See Exodus 20 for the complete list)

Ask for God’s Holy Spirit of discernment in decisions; it’s a matter of life or death!  Look for behavioral signs that indicate the true heart of a person.  All the traits of Satan are manifested in the hearts of those against God and will soon be brought to the light of Day from a person who is the god of self—hate, arrogance, pride, envy, self-satisfaction—to name a few.  When we pause to seek Truth throughout the ride; we begin to see life from God’s perspective and view.  Then deception is easier to recognize with behaviors to avoid. 

With God/Jesus/Holy Spirit as our Father, Savior/Lord, and Helper, the ride is much more enjoyable—full of hope and unspeakable joy!

The promise of Jesus, Son of God;

“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”—Jesus, John 14:15-21

“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”—Jesus, Matthew 28:20

So, “stay in your seats with Jesus until the ride on earth comes to a complete stop!  The ride to eternal life will continue!  Pray without ceasing for wisdom and discernment.

Lord,

Thank you for saving my soul and preparing my heart daily for the ride of life with you!  You are God and no one else.  I will trust in you.

In Jesus Name, Amen

… You are my strength and comfort
You are my steady hand
You are my firm foundation
The rock on which I stand
Your ways are always higher
Your plans are always good
There’s not a place where I’ll go
You’ve not already stood

… When You don’t move the mountains
I’m needing You to move
When You don’t part the waters
I wish I could walk through
When You don’t give the answers
As I cry out to You
I will trust, I will trust
I will trust in You
I will trust in You
I will trust in You
I will trust in You

(Songwriters: Lauren Daigle / Michael Farren / Paul Marbury; “Trust In You” lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing, Essential Music Publishing, Integrity Music)

“Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.” Matthew 10:1

Jesus prepared and equipped the Twelve for a specific purpose. This sending out was a “practice run” for all who would be taught and then sent them out into the world in need of help in all kinds of ways.  The greater purpose of this “giving” of Himself to His disciples went beyond the ability to offer temporary relief with physical healing but so that the world may know God who so loved the world He sent His Son to save us from our sins—eternal and forever spiritual healing!  What the disciples did gave God glory as God was glorified in them!  This is the teaching of Jesus!

“These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.”  Matthew 10:5-8, NIV

God gives us life in Jesus’ name
he lives in us in Jesus’ name
And in Jesus’ name I come to you
To share his peace as he told me to.

He said ‘Freely, freely you have received; freely, freely give.
Go in my name, and because you believe others will know that I live.

(Copyright © 1972 Bud John Songs/ EMI Christian Music Publishing/ Adm. by CopyCare)

Paul was one of those lost sheep of Israel who now is a fully committed servant of Jesus Christ.  Paul, saved by grace, transformed by the Holy Spirit, now preaches Jesus—crucified for our sins and raised to life to give us our hope of eternal life!  Called and equipped by God; Paul is sent in Jesus Name to preach Jesus’ salvation to Gentiles and Jews—everyone in the world whom God loves—with the message of redemption by Jesus. 

Paul, who has freely received Christ now freely gives his life so the rest of the world may know the God who saved him through Jesus, His Son.

2 Thessalonians 1, The Message

^1-2 I, Paul, together with Silas and Timothy, greet the church of the Thessalonian Christians in the name of God our Father and our Master, Jesus Christ. Our God gives you everything you need, makes you everything you’re to be.

Justice Is on the Way

^3-4 You need to know, friends, that thanking God over and over for you is not only a pleasure; it’s a must. We have to do it. Your faith is growing phenomenally; your love for each other is developing wonderfully. Why, it’s only right that we give thanks. We’re so proud of you; you’re so steady and determined in your faith despite all the hard times that have broadsided you. We tell everyone we meet in the churches all about you.

^5-10 All this trouble is a clear sign that God has decided to make you fit for the kingdom. You’re suffering now, but justice is on the way. When the Master Jesus appears out of heaven in a blaze of fire with his strong angels, he’ll even up the score by settling accounts with those who gave you such a bad time. His coming will be the break we’ve been waiting for. Those who refuse to know God and refuse to obey the Message will pay for what they’ve done. Eternal exile from the presence of the Master and his splendid power is their sentence. But on that very same day when he comes, he will be exalted by his followers and celebrated by all who believe—and all because you believed what we told you.

^11-12 Because we know that this extraordinary day is just ahead, we pray for you all the time—pray that our God will make you fit for what he’s called you to be, pray that he’ll fill your good ideas and acts of faith with his own energy so that it all amounts to something. If your life honors the name of Jesus, he will honor you. Grace is behind and through all of this, our God giving himself freely, the Master, Jesus Christ, giving himself freely.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Paul thanks God for those whose faith is so strong and tenacious that others come to know God because of the testimony of their very lives lived for Jesus!

“Our God gives you everything you need, makes you everything you’re to be.”  God provides where He guides and sends.  We respond with grateful hearts as we freely tell God’s Story of His Glorious Son!

REAL LIFE is all about His Grace!  “Grace is behind and through all of this, our God giving himself freely, the Master, Jesus Christ, giving himself freely.”  We don’t deserve to be set free.  We cannot earn this freedom from our sins.  God freely gives us the Way out of our sins.  Jesus is the Way, Truth, that leads to Life eternal!

Mercy is the act of withholding deserved punishment, while grace is the act of endowing unmerited favor. In His mercy, God does not give us punishment we deserve, namely hell; while in His grace, God gives us the gift we do not deserve, namely heaven—all because of His great love for us!

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17

There was a cost to redeem us.  Jesus paid it in full.

“He said ‘Freely, freely you have received; freely, freely give.
Go in my name, and because you believe others will know that I live.”

Lord,

Thank you for your love, mercy, and grace.  Thank you for saving us and setting us free from the bondage of our own sins. Thank you for reconciling (reconnecting) us to you in a growing, intimate relationship with you—one that you have always desired with us.  Continue to cleanse our hearts, renew our minds, refresh our souls with our daily mercies, and restore the everlasting joy and peace of your salvation at work in us so that we can be all you created us to be as we freely give the message that has so freely been give to us.  To you be the glory!

In Jesus Name, Amen

When that day comes
And I find myself
Standing in the Son
I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever, forever worship You
I can only imagine, yeah
I can only imagine

Surrounded by Your glory
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you Jesus
Or in awe of You be still?
Will I stand in your presence
Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah?
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine, yeah
I can only imagine…

(Written by Bart Millard, Sung by Mercy Me)

Paul is not only helping us to imagine when that Day comes, when Jesus returns, but led by God’s Holy Spirit, he teaches us who we are in Jesus with how to prepare for the coming of Christ—who we say we believe!

We are human creatures of order and habit formed by living in this world.  Even as believers, we often think we are in control of everything that surrounds our lives—until we are not and our world is turned upside down in circumstances beyond our control.  Instead of thinking, “What in the world just happened to me” we must turn our hearts to another world waiting to embrace us and teach us another way of thinking.  It is called Kingdom of God.

The Kingdom of God is a different world that can only be entered into by the invitation of the nail-scarred hands and feet of Jesus Christ.  Because of God’s great love, demonstrated through His Son, ALL are invited!  When we accept Jesus and Savior and Redeemer and Remover of our sins; we begin to live a new life of following Jesus as Lord.  In doing so, we enter a new world of thought, words, and actions.  We discover that Kingdom of God thinking is higher than our thinking and love goes deeper than we can imagine.  We soon see that this unlimited depth of love that God has for us begins to spill over into all our relationships.  We love greater with less judgment.  Yes, Kingdom of God ways of thinking and behaving bring out God’s best in us as we look for the best in others! 

As sons of Light and daughters of Day we seek God first as a new habit and revel in His ways as His perfect love is being formed in us, a love that saved us from darkness!  Because of this new love of God, we begin to love others in the same ways He loved us! Imagine it!  Live it! 

God’s Holy Spirit, our extreme Helper, works daily in our surrendered hearts to transform our thinking and behaving with Kingdom of God ways to respond to God and others.  To imagine what it would be like to stand before the Son as sons of Light and daughter of Day, it helps greatly to listen to God’s word and learn how to prepare for the Day Christ returns.  In this preparation, we come alive in Christ!  Bonus!

And He IS coming back…count on it!

1 Thessalonians 5, The Message

^1-3 I don’t think, friends, that I need to deal with the question of when all this is going to happen. You know as well as I that the day of the Master’s coming can’t be posted on our calendars. He won’t call ahead and make an appointment any more than a burglar would. About the time everybody’s walking around complacently, congratulating each other—“We’ve sure got it made! Now we can take it easy!”—suddenly everything will fall apart. It’s going to come as suddenly and inescapably as birth pangs to a pregnant woman.

^4-8 But friends, you’re not in the dark, so how could you be taken off guard by any of this? You’re sons of Light, daughters of Day. We live under wide open skies and know where we stand. So let’s not sleepwalk through life like those others. Let’s keep our eyes open and be smart. People sleep at night and get drunk at night. But not us! Since we’re creatures of Day, let’s act like it. Walk out into the daylight sober, dressed up in faith, love, and the hope of salvation.

^9-11 God didn’t set us up for an angry rejection but for salvation by our Master, Jesus Christ. He died for us, a death that triggered life. Whether we’re awake with the living or asleep with the dead, we’re alive with him! So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you’re already doing this; just keep on doing it.

The Way He Wants You to Live

^12-13 And now, friends, we ask you to honor those leaders who work so hard for you, who have been given the responsibility of urging and guiding you along in your obedience. Overwhelm them with appreciation and love!

^13-15 Get along among yourselves, each of you doing your part. Our counsel is that you warn the freeloaders to get a move on. Gently encourage the stragglers, and reach out for the exhausted, pulling them to their feet. Be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs. And be careful that when you get on each other’s nerves you don’t snap at each other. Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out.

^16-18 Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.

^19-22 Don’t suppress the Spirit, and don’t stifle those who have a word from the Master. On the other hand, don’t be gullible. Check out everything, and keep only what’s good. Throw out anything tainted with evil.

^23-24 May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he’ll do it!

^25-27 Friends, keep up your prayers for us. Greet all the followers of Jesus there with a holy embrace. And make sure this letter gets read to all the brothers and sisters. Don’t leave anyone out.

²⁸ The amazing grace of Jesus Christ be with you!

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Paul’s advice and teaching is very practical and clear. This is how to live and respond as sons of Light and daughters of Day;

• Keep eyes open and be smart.  Live as believers in Jesus!  Follow Truth.
• Walk out into the daylight sober, dressed up in faith, love, and the hope of salvation. Jesus’ death and resurrection triggered new life—and forever life—for us!  Live it!
• Speak encouraging words that build hope in Jesus!
• Honor leaders called of God with overwhelming love and appreciation.
• Get along with each other—it’s the healthiest way to live!  Here’s how: Encourage the stragglers, reach out to the exhausted, be patient with each other, see a need and do what you can to help, avoid snapping at each other when frustrated.  It makes God smile when His kids get along!
• Look for the best in each other—not the worst.
• “Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens.”   

“This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.”

“May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ.”

Our prayer, Lord, for all who believe and call on your Name.

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen!

Jesus promised.  God said it.  His Holy Spirit prepares us for it.  Jesus IS coming back to take us to the place He has prepared for us—eternity.  In the meantime, we are “God-taught” in our preparation before He comes.  It is up to us to listen, trust, and obey as His Holy Spirit grows and matures His holy character traits in us.  It is God who makes us holy.  It is God who so loved that He sent His Son, Jesus to save us from the sins that makes us unholy.  We cannot do this for ourselves.  Only Jesus removes our sins completely—to be forgotten and no longer held against us!

Where would I go but to the Lord?  This old gospel hymn from my past is playing in the background of my mind to reassure me this morning.  I woke with this song on my mind—even before I read this passage.

Where could I go but to the Lord
Where could I go oh where could I go
Seeking the refuge for my soul
Needing a friend to save me in the end
Won’t you tell me
Where could I go but to the Lord        

Paul’s first letter to the beloved church in Thessalonica is to remind them to stay firmly planted in the faith driven by God’s love in them.  “God want you to live a pure life.”  Live to please God—even with our bodies.  You can feel the caring compassion for his friends as we read the words.                                                

1 Thessalonians 4, The Message

You’re God-Taught

4 ^1-3 One final word, friends. We ask you—urge is more like it—that you keep on doing what we told you to do to please God, not in a dogged religious plod, but in a living, spirited dance. You know the guidelines we laid out for you from the Master Jesus. God wants you to live a pure life.

Keep yourselves from sexual promiscuity.

^4-5 Learn to appreciate and give dignity to your body, not abusing it, as is so common among those who know nothing of God.

^6-7 Don’t run roughshod over the concerns of your brothers and sisters. Their concerns are God’s concerns, and he will take care of them. We’ve warned you about this before. God hasn’t invited us into a disorderly, grungy life but into something holy and beautiful—as beautiful on the inside as the outside.

⁸ If you disregard this advice, you’re not offending your neighbors; you’re rejecting God, who is making you a gift of his Holy Spirit.

^9-10 Regarding life together and getting along with each other, you don’t need me to tell you what to do. You’re God-taught in these matters. Just love one another! You’re already good at it; your friends all over the province of Macedonia are the evidence. Keep it up; get better and better at it.

^11-12 Stay calm; mind your own business; do your own job. You’ve heard all this from us before, but a reminder never hurts. We want you living in a way that will command the respect of outsiders, not lying around sponging off your friends.

The Master’s Coming

^13-14 And regarding the question, friends, that has come up about what happens to those already dead and buried, we don’t want you in the dark any longer. First off, you must not carry on over them like people who have nothing to look forward to, as if the grave were the last word. Since Jesus died and broke loose from the grave, God will most certainly bring back to life those who died in Jesus.

^15-18 And then this: We can tell you with complete confidence—we have the Master’s word on it—that when the Master comes again to get us, those of us who are still alive will not get a jump on the dead and leave them behind. In actual fact, they’ll be ahead of us. The Master himself will give the command. Archangel thunder! God’s trumpet blast! He’ll come down from heaven and the dead in Christ will rise—they’ll go first. Then the rest of us who are still alive at the time will be caught up with them into the clouds to meet the Master. Oh, we’ll be walking on air! And then there will be one huge family reunion with the Master. So reassure one another with these words.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

We are “God-taught” in all the details of life.  God’s Word is not hard to understand if we are listening with our hearts committed to God.  Love God.  Love each other.  Love as if your lives depended on it.  Today, Paul reminds us again— “Just love one another”!

But are we listening?  Are we trusting?  Are we leaning on the everlasting arms when times get tough?  Do we turn back quickly when we see evil trying to grasp our hearts?  Do we run to those arms that are held wide open when we have strayed?  Do we run home, our real home, where God resides where all is pure and holy?  These are personal questions that determine our spiritual health.  We need daily check ups to remain in tune with our Savior and Lord.

Paul also assures believers that Jesus is indeed coming back—just as Jesus said.  Only God knows when but He is coming back.  Just as the grave could not hold Jesus, the graves that hold believers will not hold them down for much longer.  When God says, it will happen.  This is our blessed assurance. This is our story—this is our song—of Life forever with Him.

Lord,

Thank you for your consistent blessed assurance, your tenacious God-taught lessons for a holy life, and your compassions for us that “fail not”—even when we fail you. Thank you for saving us from our sins and removing them as far as the east is from the west! Thank you for forgetting all sins repented and no longer holding them against us as humans can do.  Where would I go but to you in my life?  You are Life!

In Jesus Name, Amen 

In my life of believing, learning, growing, and serving in Jesus Name, God gives me people to help me mature at different stages and phases of my life.  I thank God for those timely, specific people who seemed to know exactly what I needed to hear that helped me.  Like the iconic Mr. Rogers used to say, “Kids, look for the helpers” when troubles come.  That’s what I did most times.  But God knew who I needed even before I knew I would need them to help me through the next challenge, trouble or trail that would test my faith. That’s who God is—the Greatest Helper of all!

“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2, ESV

I have also discovered that the people who I respected most for their wisdom, demeanor in troubles, insight in confusion, and understanding for others when broken and perplexed in life where those who had suffered greatly in their own lives in ways no one else knew.  I’m thinking of one of my most revered mentors right now.  I asked him privately one day how he got to be so wise, loving, and understanding. 

My great mentor of faith paused and then slowly related his painful past of being “given away” as a child because his parents could no longer afford feeding he and his brother.  He told of the day he was adopted by a couple; but was separated from his brother for years.  He felt rejected, alone, and unloved—until he met Jesus.  His adoptive parents led him to Jesus.  Later, he would accept God’s call to be a minister of the gospel that saved his life.  After years of being a pastor, he was then led to answering the call to be President of a Seminary that would train people to minister in Jesus Name for His glory.  Wow.  God knows how to pick people whose hearts are fully committed to Him, doesn’t He?  This man was a mentor to many!

“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9, NIV

The mentors with the most wisdom and greatest help to others and myself have walked through pain with God helping them and they always give God the glory! Great men and women give credit to their mentors and helpers sent by God to them!  Great mentors truly know how you hurt and can feel your pain because they have previously traveled that road and learned great lessons that made their faith strong and their love consistently growing without conditions—taking on the character of Christ! People who know you are suffering have suffered themselves.

The greatest advice Randy and I received came from his dad when we were going through troubles that seemed unbearable at the time.  “Someday you will be able to help someone else going through the same.”  This quiet mentor of few words foretold our future as believers who would be later called of God to minister to others.

Paul reminds us that troubles and trials while living in this dark, imperfect world are to be expected.  “It’s part of our calling” to help people find Jesus as Savior and follow Him as Lord of their lives.  Our “calling” by God in Jesus Name will be in direct opposition to the enemy who still tries to distract, deceive, and deconstruct our faith with the goal to destroy our soul.  It’s in the job description as believers in Jesus!

“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.”—Jesus, John 16:33

1 Thessalonians 3, The Message

^1-2 So when we couldn’t stand being separated from you any longer and could find no way to visit you ourselves, we stayed in Athens and sent Timothy to get you up and about, cheering you on so you wouldn’t be discouraged by these hard times. He’s a brother and companion in the faith, God’s man in spreading the Message, preaching Christ.

^3-5 Not that the troubles should come as any surprise to you. You’ve always known that we’re in for this kind of thing. It’s part of our calling. When we were with you, we made it quite clear that there was trouble ahead. And now that it’s happened, you know what it’s like. That’s why I couldn’t quit worrying; I had to know for myself how you were doing in the faith. I didn’t want the Tempter getting to you and tearing down everything we had built up together.

^6-8 But now that Timothy is back, bringing this terrific report on your faith and love, we feel a lot better. It’s especially gratifying to know that you continue to think well of us, and that you want to see us as much as we want to see you! In the middle of our trouble and hard times here, just knowing how you’re doing keeps us going. Knowing that your faith is alive keeps us alive.

^9-10 What would be an adequate thanksgiving to offer God for all the joy we experience before him because of you? We do what we can, praying away, night and day, asking for the bonus of seeing your faces again and doing what we can to help when your faith falters.

^11-13 May God our Father himself and our Master Jesus clear the road to you! And may the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you, just as it does from us to you. May you be infused with strength and purity, filled with confidence in the presence of God our Father when our Master Jesus arrives with all his followers.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Jesus’ promise to always be with us stands firm today.  (Matthew 28:20) This war on earth has already been won by Jesus who defeated death and rose again, assuring all believers of eternal life.  (John 3:16)

Paul had mentors and was a mentor to many. Barnabas, named the “Encourager” stood by Paul in his early years of ministry for example and taught Paul how to encourage the church!  Timothy, a young man of strong faith was mentored by Paul who carried out the work when Paul could not.  We need each other.  When God sends people into our lives to love and help us—take notice and thank God for them!  Paul consistently gave thanks for all those God put in his life.

How can we give thanks to God, “what would be adequate,” writes Paul.  I am reminded of a song, (it’s who I am), from my past that comes to mind as I think of how God helps us—even in those times of despair when we feel “so undeserved” of His care.

How can I say thanks
For the things You have done for me?
Things so undeserved
Yet You gave to prove Your love for me
The voices of a million angels
Could not express my gratitude
All that I am and ever hope to be
I owe it all to Thee

To God be the glory
To God be the glory
To God be the glory
For the things He has done…

(My Tribute, Sung by Andre Crouch and the Disciples)

Paul’s answer to his own question:  “Pray, then do what we can to help others…”  Best advice ever!

Lord,

Until you come again, our prayer this morning is Paul’s prayer for all believers:

May God our Father himself and our Master Jesus clear the road to you! And may the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you, just as it does from us to you. May you be infused with strength and purity, filled with confidence in the presence of God our Father when our Master Jesus arrives with all his followers.

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen.  Yes!

Both Paul and the believers in Thessalonica were going through troubles that tested their faith. When Paul heard they had remained strong in their faith during the trials, he was exceedingly joyful and encouraged.  The call of God to preach His truth and work hard alongside obvious believers is just easier and more joy producing when the people are obviously as engaged and committed as you are to help others know and follow Jesus!  Obvious believers, who truly believe what God says and follow the leading of His Holy Spirit, are an obvious joy to be around as we share the goodness of God together!

And what is the definition of obvious?  “Easily seen, recognized, or understood; open to view or knowledge; evident: an obvious advantage.”

So, we ask—how obvious is our faith? How obvious is our belief in Jesus to others in this world? Is our belief in Jesus obviously seen, easily recognized, and opening understood?  Do our behaviors show the evidence of our belief and committed faith in Jesus? 

How obvious is our love for Jesus and for others?

1 Thessalonians 2, The Message

^1-2 So, friends, it’s obvious that our visit to you was no waste of time. We had just been given rough treatment in Philippi, as you know, but that didn’t slow us down. We were sure of ourselves in God, and went right ahead and said our piece, presenting God’s Message to you, defiant of the opposition.

No Hidden Agendas

^3-5 God tested us thoroughly to make sure we were qualified to be trusted with this Message. Be assured that when we speak to you we’re not after crowd approval—only God approval. Since we’ve been put through that battery of tests, you’re guaranteed that both we and the Message are free of error, mixed motives, or hidden agendas. We never used words to butter you up. No one knows that better than you. And God knows we never used words as a smoke screen to take advantage of you.

^6-8 Even though we had some standing as Christ’s apostles, we never threw our weight around or tried to come across as important, with you or anyone else. We weren’t standoffish with you. We took you just as you were. We were never patronizing, never condescending, but we cared for you the way a mother cares for her children. We loved you dearly. Not content to just pass on the Message, we wanted to give you our hearts. And we did.

^9-12 You remember us in those days, friends, working our fingers to the bone, up half the night, moonlighting so you wouldn’t have the burden of supporting us while we proclaimed God’s Message to you. You saw with your own eyes how discreet and courteous we were among you, with keen sensitivity to you as fellow believers. And God knows we weren’t freeloaders! You experienced it all firsthand. With each of you we were like a father with his child, holding your hand, whispering encouragement, showing you step-by-step how to live well before God, who called us into his own kingdom, into this delightful life.

¹³ And now we look back on all this and thank God, a geyser of thanks! When you got the Message of God we preached, you didn’t pass it off as just one more human opinion, but you took it to heart as God’s true word to you, which it is, God himself at work in you believers!

^14-16 Friends, do you realize that you followed in the exact footsteps of the churches of God in Judea, those who were the first to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ? You got the same bad treatment from your countrymen as they did from theirs, the Jews who killed the Master Jesus (to say nothing of the prophets) and followed it up by running us out of town. They make themselves offensive to God and everyone else by trying to keep us from telling people who’ve never heard of our God how to be saved. They’ve made a career of opposing God, and have gotten mighty good at it. But God is fed up, ready to put an end to it.

* * *

^17-20 Do you have any idea how very homesick we became for you, dear friends? Even though it hadn’t been that long and it was only our bodies that were separated from you, not our hearts, we tried our very best to get back to see you. You can’t imagine how much we missed you! I, Paul, tried over and over to get back, but Satan thwarted us each time. Who do you think we’re going to be proud of when our Master Jesus appears if it’s not you? You’re our pride and joy!

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Paul is obvious with the traits and behaviors we are to avoid:

• Never use the Message of Jesus for personal gain.  The Message must be free of error, mixed motives, or hidden agendas.
• We must never use religious words to butter people up or throw up a smoke screen for the purpose of hiding evil’s obvious grab for attention of self.  We must never take advantage of people seeking help by distracting them from Truth—our authentic Christ!
• We must never be patronizing or condescending.  This is a “get by for the moment” attitude that demonstrates uncaring behaviors which leads to unloving relationships and false hopes.

Instead, Give of your best to the Master and to His created.  Love as if your lives depended on it!

• May we be obvious believers who are obviously in love with Jesus! 
• May we be joy producers in His church! 
• May our joy, produced by Jesus be evident through good times and challenging trials! 
• May we be people who Paul obviously loved to hang around! 
• May we be people whose hearts are fully committed to God—the people God loves to pour blessings over and with whom He delights in being around.  God loves everyone.  God is with us always. 
• So, may our lives bring a smile to God’s face because of the obvious love in our hearts!

“Go after a life of love as if your life depended on it—because it does. Give yourselves to the gifts God gives you. Most of all, try to proclaim his truth.” –Paul, 1 Corinthians 14:1, MSG 

May our love be evident as obvious believers in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord!

Lord,

Cleanse our hearts, renew our minds, refresh our souls with your new mercies, and continually restore the joy of your salvation at work within us so that we reflect your glory and Truth to others in this world.  May our lives obviously reflect who we believe!  I love you, Lord with all my heart, mind, and soul.  May this love for you be obvious to others who need you.

In Jesus Name, Amen

“The way we conceive the future sculpts the present, give contour nd tone to nearly every action and thought through the day.  If our sense of future is weak, we live listlessly.  Much emotional and mental illness and most suicides occur among men and women who feel that they ‘have no future.’ 

The Christian faith has always been characterized by a strong and focused sense of future, with belief in the Second Coming of Jesus as the most distinctive detail.  For the day Jesus ascended into heaven, his followers lived in expectancy of his return.  He told them he was coming back. They believed he was coming back. They continue to believe it.  For Christians, it is the most important thing to know and believe about the future.

The practical effect of this belief is to charge each moment of the present with hope.  For if the future is dominated by the coming again of Jesus, there is little room left on the screen for projecting our anxieties and fantasies.  It takes the clutter out of our lives.  We’re far more free to respond spontaneously to the freedom of God.

All the same, the belief can be misconceived so that it results in paralyzing fear for some, shiftless indolence in others.  Paul’s two letter to the Christians in Thessalonica, among much else, correct such debilitating misconceptions, prodding us to continue to live forward in taut and joyful expectancy for what God will do next in Jesus.” –Eugene Peterson, Introduction to Thessalonians, The Message Bible

And the beat goes on—this message given to Paul by His Master, Jesus Christ, continues because The Message cannot be stopped; it only picks up speed!  The Message never stopped and never will be stopped.  God will see to that!  Jesus IS coming back just as He promised.  We don’t know the time or place.  Jesus doesn’t know that, either.  We discover that the more mature we become spiritually by trusting in God; that knowing becomes irrelevant to living a life of Hope with joyful expectancy that He will return to claim His own.  It is more important to be known as His. 

Life is now as well as later for Life eternal begins the moment we accept Jesus as Savior and trust Him as our Lord.

1 Thessalonians 1, The Message

I, Paul, together here with Silas and Timothy, send greetings to the church at Thessalonica, Christians assembled by God the Father and by the Master, Jesus Christ. God’s amazing grace be with you! God’s robust peace!

Convictions of Steel

^2-5 Every time we think of you, we thank God for you. Day and night you’re in our prayers as we call to mind your work of faith, your labor of love, and your patience of hope in following our Master, Jesus Christ, before God our Father. It is clear to us, friends, that God not only loves you very much but also has put his hand on you for something special. When the Message we preached came to you, it wasn’t just words. Something happened in you. The Holy Spirit put steel in your convictions.

^5-6 You paid careful attention to the way we lived among you, and determined to live that way yourselves. In imitating us, you imitated the Master. Although great trouble accompanied the Word, you were able to take great joy from the Holy Spirit!—taking the trouble with the joy, the joy with the trouble.

^7-10 Do you know that all over the provinces of both Macedonia and Achaia believers look up to you? The word has gotten around. Your lives are echoing the Master’s Word, not only in the provinces but all over the place. The news of your faith in God is out. We don’t even have to say anything anymore—you’re the message! People come up and tell us how you received us with open arms, how you deserted the dead idols of your old life so you could embrace and serve God, the true God. They marvel at how expectantly you await the arrival of his Son, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescued us from certain doom.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Live as if Jesus were coming today.  Prepare for His return with excitement!

To live Hope is an attitude of joy that relieves our fears and anxieties!  To live for Jesus, with the Holy Spirit’s help and guidance, comfort, and peace; is to live in joyful expectation for the Son of God whom we have believed and know that He is able to do exactly what He says He will and did do—remove all our sins and give us life eternal with Him in glory!

“You ARE the Message!”  Paul affirmed the Thessalonians of their consistent faith—

“People come up and tell us how you received us with open arms, how you deserted the dead idols of your old life so you could embrace and serve God, the true God. They marvel at how expectantly you await the arrival of his Son, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescued us from certain doom.” 

What a reputation to have and to hold in the community! 

BE the Message today!  In Jesus Name…

Lord,

Cleanse our hearts, renew our minds, fill us with Your Holy Spirit who lead us and gives the words to be the message of your saving grace.  Refresh our souls with your new mercies for today.  Continually restore us with your expectant joy of your return and the joy and peace of you at work within us until you do come back to claim us and take us home for eternity.  Hope is rising in me even as we talk and commune with each other. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

In Jesus Name, Amen