EVEN IN THIS?  ESPECIALLY IN THIS!

Each one of you should know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter.  I Thess. 4:4-6

What happens behind closed doors, in the privacy of one’s home, is often appalling.  While ministering to a group of eight hundred Christian women recently, I was reminded again of the desperate need within families, even Christian families.  The stories of abuse, incest, and neglect were rampant.  The days following the event, I cried out to God on behalf of His people.  The pain inflicted in the area of sexuality can be so severe.  What can often appear to others to be a solid Christian home is anything but that once night falls and the bedroom doors are closed. Continue reading “Even In This? Especially In This!” →

THE SOLITARY JOURNEY

For this is the will of God, your sanctification.  I Thess. 4:3

To be sanctified means to be set apart from the mainstream.  Those who are hand-picked from any group and set aside for another mission are usually the minority.  In a platoon, only someone in pristine physical and mental condition is called forward to take part in special ‘ops’.  Out of hundreds, there may only be one who qualifies. Continue reading “The Solitary Journey” →

AUTHORITY AND SPIRITUAL ABUSE

For you know what commandments we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.  I Thess. 4:2

            When Jesus was attacked by the scribes and Pharisees for His activities, He was quick to say that He had not acted on His own authority.  He only did what His father told Him to do.  The bottom line was clear.  “If what I’m doing causes you distress, take it up with God because I only do what He says. And, we are One, by the way.”  His claims should have sent all of them to their knees. Continue reading “Authority And Spiritual Abuse” →

WHAT KIND OF LOVE IS THIS?

May the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all men, just as we also do for you.  I Thess. 3:12

God has commanded His children to love all people.  Does that mean that I must feel affection for everyone?  No.  That would require that each person in my life, including my enemies, act lovable. I have often felt guilty for not having feelings of love toward a certain person.  I just couldn’t conjure up the warm affectionate emotions that I thought characterized God’s love. Continue reading “What Kind Of Love Is This?” →

WHEN IT’S NOT WHAT I WANT

Now may our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord direct our way to you.  I Thess. 3:11

            Paul loved the group of believers in Thessalonica.  He had poured his life into them and they were his spiritual children.  He wanted to see them again but is quick to defer his longing to God’s desires instead of his own.  He is a servant of Christ and he knows that he is not free to do what he pleases.  This is no small concession.  It is not some insignificant matter that means little to him.  God called him to stay where he was, separated from those he loved, and give up what his heart really wanted.  Continue reading “When It’s Not What I Want” →

THE HOUSE ON THE CLIFF

Night and day we keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith.  I Thess. 3:10

            I remember the times I was weak in faith.  One of the most comforting things said to me during a crisis was this, “I know your faith is weak right now.  Why don’t you lean on mine!”  There could have been a better offer though.  Rather than leaning on them, they might have shown a commitment to complete what was lacking in my faith.  Continue reading “The House On The Cliff” →

IS IT FELLOWSHIP OR NOT?

In all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith; for now we really live, if you just stand firm in the Lord.  I Thess. 3:7-8

Two things are true.  1.) If my life is going well but those I love are struggling with their faith, I can not fully enjoy my good times. And, 2.) If I am being tried by fire but those I love are alive to Christ, my valley experience is eclipsed by the joy I feel as I watch them soar. Continue reading “Is It Fellowship Or Not?” →

HE TOLD US AHEAD OF TIME

When we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction, and so it came to pass, as you know.  I Thess. 3:4

   Paul had told his converts repeatedly that suffering would be in his future.  He didn’t want them caught unaware lest their expectations of what it meant to follow Christ be shaken. Jesus had warned his disciples, too.  He had told them about their future. He said, “These things I have spoken to you, that you may be kept from stumbling.”  (John 16:1)  Continue reading “He Told Us Ahead Of Time” →

HOW IS FAITH STRENGTHENED?

We sent Timothy to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith.  I Thess. 3:2

Perhaps we can build a visual for how Timothy strengthened their faith.  In doing so, we will have an understanding of how others might strengthen us and most importantly, how we can build up those around us. Continue reading “How Is Faith Strengthened?” →

GIVING UP MY LIFE

For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation?  Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?  I Thess. 2:19

Think of what Paul knew when he wrote this.  He did not know that this letter would ever be read by anyone outside of his generation.  He did not know that it would even reach the Thessalonians, so uncertain were the times. He did not know that He would be revered by millions across the centuries.  He could not have anticipated that his perseverance in hardship would inspire so many to trust Christ in their hard times.  All he knew was what He experienced at the moment.  Just like us.  He was being hunted down like an animal, yet in spite of such acts of hatred against him, he continued to sacrifice everything just to see another person profess Jesus as Lord of their life. Continue reading “Giving Up My Life” →