Thursday, October 10, 2013

October 10
Livin' the Life

1 Thessalonians 2:10-3:13

New International Version (NIV)
10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. 11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.
13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe. 14 For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from the Jews 15 who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone 16 in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.[a]

Paul’s Longing to See the Thessalonians

17 But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. 18 For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way. 19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy.
So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain.

Timothy’s Encouraging Report

But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? 10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.
11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.
*******************************
When we think of living the Christian life, we often think of an easy road ... flower filled window boxes, bluebirds singing in the trees, always sunshine and roses.... sort of a "Disney- Christian Version" existence.
But ....when we read scripture, or just plain... "get up in the morning".... we find it is not quite that way.
There can be bluebirds, sunshine and roses.... but as believers we are chosen to walk the rugged path. We must be ready to suffer persecution for the name of Christ, if it comes our way.
Most of us don't have to suffer in the way of the Apostles, but persecution will come if you are living for Christ and serious about your calling to reach everyone with the Gospel.
How do we do it?
Stay in the Word of God... be faithful to the Lord. If you are in His Word daily, and praying... having conversation with Him.... you will grow in your love for Him and for His Kingdom.
The Holy Spirit of God will show you wonderful rich truths.
In this life, you will have struggles, even IF you have roses and bluebirds.
But those will not be what bring you the greatest pleasure.
Your joy will come through seeing the amazing grace of God do His work in and through you to reach into the lost world with the Gospel!
Stay Faithful
 

Footnotes:

  1. 1 Thessalonians 2:16 Or them fully

No comments: