A HOSTILE AUDIENCE

After we had already suffered and been mistreated in Phillip, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition.  I Thess. 2:2

            Remember how you felt the last time you felt you needed to say some things you knew would not be well received?  I do.  I didn’t sleep for many nights prior to speaking up. Continue reading “A Hostile Audience” →

PREACHING A SERMON WITH MY FAITH

For not only has the Word of God has sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.  I Thess. 1:8

I used to believe that a sermon was only delivered by a speaker; one who uses words.  Apparently, sermons are not limited to that.  Anyone becomes a preacher when they extend their faith toward a situation, using the Word of God as they go.  Faith in the power of Christ is what separates the believer from the unbeliever. Continue reading “Preaching A Sermon With My Faith” →

IMITATING THE RIGHT PERSON

You also became imitators of us and of the Lord.  I Thess. 1:6

Many imitate their Christian leaders, but often, the Christian leaders they try to act like don’t act like Jesus.  Their imitation is in vain.

The religious leaders of Jesus’ day didn’t imitate Jesus either.  In fact, Jesus was so different from them in His lifestyle and speech that the Scribes and Pharisees didn’t recognize Him for who He was, so foreign did He seem to them. Continue reading “Imitating The Right Person” →

WHEN THE GOSPEL COMES WITH POWER

Because our Gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.  I Thess. 1:5

I’m sitting up straight writing this; at full attention in my spirit.  What does it mean when the Word is spoken with power, in the Holy Spirit, with full conviction?  What does it feel like to a group of people and how would it differ from the Gospel being preached without power, without the Spirit’s anointing, and delivered void of passion? Continue reading “When The Word Comes With Power” →

PREDOMINANTLY GENTILE

For we know, brothers loved by God, that He has chosen you.  I Thess. 1:4

One of Paul’s themes in I and II Thessalonians is that the believer is chosen by God for salvation.  Many read verses about being chosen and say under their breath, “Right!  Doctrine of election.” What an intellectual response to something highly emotional. Continue reading “Predominantly Gentile” →

HIDE OR BEAR DOWN?

We give thanks to God for you, constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.  I Thess. 1:2-3

What do you do when you’re persecuted?  Run and hide?  Engage in all out self-preservation?  What would you do if your life were in danger because your witness for Christ had reached the desks of someone powerful in authority?  Would you lay low until you were sure they had forgotten you?  It would be tempting, wouldn’t it? Continue reading “Hide Or Bear Down?” →

A TRUE SPIRITUAL FATHER

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:  Grace to you and peace.  I Thess. 1:1

Paul wasn’t alone when he took the Gospel to the Thessalonians.  He was supported by two ministry partners on that particular missionary journey; Silus and Timothy.  They traveled with him as he presented the message of Christ in the synagogues for three consecutive Sabbaths, reasoning with those who posed questions and raised objections.  God blessed it among some who heard.  Some prominent Jews and Greeks believed and joined the ranks of Christianity. Continue reading “A True Spiritual Father” →

A SOBER ENDING

I have gone astray like a lost sheep, seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments.  Psalm 119:176

I am very emotional as I write today.  It is the last devotional from Psalm 119.  This chapter has been my home for nearly a year.  I hope you are feeling sentimental about it, too. Continue reading “A Sober Ending” →

RESPONDERS TO THE CREATOR

Let my soul live and praise you, and let your rules help me.  Psalm 119:175

Don’t you wish that you were good enough to love God on your own?  I do.  I often think about the fact that if God had not loved me first and demonstrated it through the death of His Son, I would never have had the kind of heart that would have initiated a relationship with Him.  I was His enemy and the status would have remained unchanged if He hadn’t made the first move.  “We love Him because He first loved us.”  I Jn.4:19 Mankind is built to be a responder, not an initiator.  Continue reading “Responders To The Creator” →

SO MANY REQUESTS

Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.  Psalm 119:173

I decided to really tune in today with how many times I asked for God’s help.  It is now mid-afternoon and my requests have numbered above 75.  There have been prayers for me, for my family, for friends.  How faithful is our Father to be on standby. Continue reading “So Many Requests” →