Today’s reading:  1 Thessalonians 5

My son Freddy leaves for college in three weeks.  From talking to several of my friends, I am finding there is a big difference between boys and girls when it comes to preparing to move away from home.  My friends with daughters tell me their girls have been preparing for months by getting their parents to buy matching bedding, decorative pictures, and every expensive toiletry under the sun.  Like me, my friends with sons have had the opposite struggle.  We can’t get our boys to do much of anything.

Week before last, we pinned Freddy down and made him work through the University’s access checklist so we could get into to his online account.  Did you know they don’t send tuition bills, or even copies of the bills, to parents anymore?  Fortunately the first time around the University also sent an email to the parents to tell us the first payment was due.  Whew, we almost missed that one!

Last night I sat down with Freddy to work the University’s move-in checklist and place a big Target order.  First thing he tried to tell me was that he didn’t need soap.  He claims that he uses shampoo to wash everything.  Nonetheless, I bought him two bottles of bodywash.  Next thing he tried to tell me was that he didn’t need a first aid kit.  We landed on one box of band aids being good enough to start.  Then he tried to tell me he didn’t EVER use Kleenexes (He said, “you know those things don’t work Mom.”).  What?  What do you think Kleenexes are designed to do, and for what have you been trying use them?  I convinced him to take one box for when he gets a cold.  Oh boy.  Three hundred and fifty dollars later, we almost have everything he needs.  While the checklist was super helpful, working through it with Freddy didn’t give me a whole lot of confidence he is really “ready” to move out.

Our scripture for today is the last chapter of Thessalonians 5.  It is also about being ready, specifically being ready for Christ’s return.  Paul wrote this first century letter to the church in Thessalonica to encourage them and give them assurance Jesus was really coming back.  He started the chapter with a reminder that no one knows the exactly when Jesus will return and compared it to a thief.  (Like working through the move-in checklist with Freddy, I’m not sure the opening of this letter gave the Thessalonian Christians much confidence.)

Now, brothers and sisters, 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).

Fortunately, after reminding them of this potentially scary reality, Paul goes on to encourage the church with practical reminders of how to prepare for Christ’s return.  These reminders were relevant for the Thessalonian christians and are relevant for us today.

• Warn those who are idle and disruptive (1 Thessalonians 5:14)
• Encourage the disheartened (1 Thessalonians 5:14)
• Help the weak (1Thessalonians 5:14)
• Be patient with everyone (1 Thessalonians 5:14)
• Do what is good for each other (1 Thessalonians 5:15)
• Be joyful always (1 Thessalonians 5:16)
• Pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
• Be thankful (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
• Validate teaching against the Bible (1 Thessalonians 5:20,21)
• Avoid evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22)

There is nothing we can do to earn salvation or earn God’s favor, so don’t let Paul’s reminder to the Thessalonians scare you or overwhelm you.  Rather, use these simple reminders to help you take your focus off yourself and the things of this world.  Use them to help you draw near to God and focus on emulating Christ.  Then you will be ready!

 

Quality, not quantity

Today’s Reading: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16

A couple days ago, I was chatting with a friend and we were discussing the difference between the oldest and the youngest children. The friend had just had a birthday party for their oldest child. This was one of the first parties that the youngest child was able to participate in and remember since COVID. The oldest child was excited just to have friends and spend quality time with his friends. As with most parties the participants bring gifts. This was the first time that the youngest child actually was able to associate the parties and the GIFTS. The youngest child was now excited to have a party not for the friends and the quality time but for the GIFTS. We as adults sometimes place a bigger emphasis on the THINGS and not the TIME. We as adults still may think of things as in quantity instead of quality.

This brief example we see that it’s a level of maturity that allows us to focus on the intimate time that we have with each other instead of the amount of time. This maturity does not have to do with age. This maturity does not have to do with amounts of energy or amounts of time. Maturity takes time and understanding and wisdom to truly understand what we have.

In today’s reading of 1 Thessalonians, Chapter 2: 1-16, we are witness to Paul’s letter to the Thessalonica and his instructions to them. This particular passage, Paul is reminding the people of Thessalonica of the example that he gave of just being with them and talking about God. There were no hidden agendas. There was only time and connection with the people of Thessalonians. To fully understand the letters of Paul, I always like to go back to see what was the content and the context of his time with the people. In Acts 19, Paul visits Thessalonica but only for a brief time. In Acts, it tells us that Paul was there for three Sabbaths. But it doesn’t tell us how long. Paul could’ve been there for 3 full weeks or he could’ve come in on Saturday and left on a Saturday which would’ve been two full weeks. But the main thing is Paul was only there for a short amount of time. And when he was there he was running from persecution and then he was running away from persecution in Thessalonica.

The time that Paul spent in this place could be seen as short. But we also have to see what Thessalonica was in the grand scheme of things. The city of Thessalonica at the time of Paul could equate it to New York City or Los Angeles. It was the second largest city in all of Rome at the time. The amount of time that he preached and taught and communed with the people was astounding. The time Paul spent here in the city each day could have reached as many people that he could get in a smaller city in over a month. So these weeks that Paul spent in Thessalonica he accomplished the magnitude of what could have been done in two years.

The take away from this passage is: God uses us in the amount of time that he wants for that particular situation. We may think that God only uses us for a long amount of time to make the biggest impact, but sometimes the smallest things that we consider small, God actually has amazing things for. Let us not discount the time that we spend doing God’s will because he has a greater purpose for us. The small words of encouragement or gratitude sometimes may seem insignificant to us, but they have grand impacts on all others.

It’s not the amount of time that we spend with each other, but it is the quality and the engagement that we have with each other.

This was a daily verse that I read this week that summaries this quality not quantity: 

“Don’t overlook the obvious here, friends. With God, one day is as good as a thousand years, a thousand years as a day. God isn’t late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn’t want anyone lost. He’s giving everyone space and time to change.”

‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3:8-9‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Faith – Hope – Love
We have probably heard many lessons about having faith, hope and love. They are very important to the Christian journey. In our reading today, 1 Thessalonians, Paul gives us great insight on how faith, hope and love all work together to help us press on in our walk with Jesus.

For we remember before our God and Father how you put your faith into practice, how your love motivates you to serve others, and how unrelenting is your hope-filled patience in our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 1:3

Paul is writing to the young church at Thessalonica. In this verse Paul makes three distinctions:
1)  how to put your faith into practice
2)  how love motivates you to serve and
3)  how unrelenting is your hope-filled patience.

The first distinction that Paul makes is how to put your faith into practice. Where you put your faith determines what you do. If God is the focus of your life than that will show in what we do with your time.

The second connection that Paul makes is how love motivates us to serve. How much do you love Jesus? Love is what motivates us in the direction of our faith. If we truly love Jesus than that motivates us to serve Him through serving others.

The third point that Paul makes is how unrelenting is your hope-filled patience. According to Merriam-Webster, unrelenting means 1-“not softening or yielding in determination: hard, stern and 2- not letting up or weakening in vigor or pase: constant.”  This refers to how we are to live out our life. We have to push on with endurance to the end, even in the most difficult times. How do you continue to push on when life is hard? Paul tells us that it is through hope.

The word hope in the Bible means a “joyful and confident expectation”. What we hope for is what we expect to happen. You have to have the right kind of hope to endure hard things. Hope is what keeps us going when the going gets tough.

Paul gives the church at Thessolonica a commendation of these three things. He praises them for putting their faith into practice, for letting their love motivate them to serve, and for having unrelenting hope-filled patience.

Could Paul give that same praise to you and I? Do I put my faith into practice daily? Do I let my love for Jesus motivate me to serve those around me? And, do I have unrelenting hope-filled patience as I endure daily hardships?

I must daily be in God’s Word to renew my mind and deepen my love for Him. My love for Him is what will motivate me to keep my faith, hope and love at the center of my life.

Today’s reading is Philippians 4.

I’ve often been told I seem like a very relaxed person – probably a little too relaxed sometimes, from what some people say. Reading Philippians 4 gives me a good idea of how I can work sharing Scripture into conversation when people bring this up in the future: Philippians 4:6-7 says “The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” It is the otherworldly peace that comes with learning to trust God in all things that lets us stand firm & calm when the world around us is shaken, found in daily immersion in God’s word and knowing to trust in Him in the things beyond our control.

If you struggle with worry and anxiety about things beyond your control – as I often do, but find comfort and help in through these writings – ask yourself if what you give sway in your mind, as Paul warns in Romans 12:2: Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Read through Philippians 4:8 when you need to reflect on your thoughts and ask yourself if what your worries are about are:

•true: is it based on the truth of the word of the Living God? (John 17:17)

•honorable: is it worthy of adoration and relevance in the presence of God?

•just: is it in accordance with the righteousness of God?

• lovely: is your train of thought pleasing to God?

•reputable: do your thoughts & actions reflect the good transformation God has brought in your life?

Our minds are prone to wander, as fallen humans often do, but Paul commands us in 1 Corinthians 10:5: “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” We have been blessed with a peace and comfort that comes with knowing our God is in control of all things, even those we could never hope to control. I pray for my own heart & mind that I could reflect on whether my thoughts & focus is on things that are false, dishonorable, unjust; and instead, give every thought captive to Christ, and instead give my worries to Him & focus on the good of His grace. And if this is a struggle to you, I pray for your journey in asking yourself these questions as well, as well as helping those around you focus your thoughts on the glory of the Lord.

On July 12, 2022 we got to witness the first ever color scientific images and spectra from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. The image (above) reveals for the first time previously invisible areas of star birth. It shows landscape of “mountains” and “valleys” speckled with glittering stars from a nearby star-forming region called NGC 3325 in the Carina Nebula (NASA news, July 12, 2022).

I am not an avid star watcher, although I have used the app on my phone to do some star-gazing. It is amazing what technology can find and discover these days. Back in the days of the Bible stars were used for navigation. The movements and patterns of the stars showed direction. When people travelled they studied and watched the stars carefully to find their way.

In our reading today, Philippians 2, Paul tells the Philippians to “shine like stars.”

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky

Philippians 2:14-15

The phrase “shine like stars” is more accurately translated as “appearing as luminaries.” Paul wanted the Philippians to be luminaries or light-bearers in the world and be a witness for Jesus Christ.

If Paul thought the world of his time was “crooked and twisted”, how much more is our world “crooked and twisted” today? Every time I turn on the news I am reminded just how dark our world is. The light of Christ can shine brightly through us to all the world.

We can be a light by obeying the words of Paul, “do everything without grumbling or arguing.” It is so easy to find something to complain or argue about these days, but God asks us to simply not do it. This is such a good reminder as I catch myself complaining about how hot it is today.

If we know Jesus, we are called to live differently than worldly people around us. We are called to be a light to those around us. Do people around you notice something different in us through our actions? Our light can lead other people to Jesus.

The James Webb telescope is so powerful it can see stars that have never been seen before. God calls us to “shine like stars” in the midst of the dark world we live in.

Philippians 1

Few things stir my heart more than the concept of calling. Why? Well…if I am honest, the answer is self-incriminating. When I think of a calling, I consider what my life is about. What is the significance of my time here on earth and what is my contribution to the world? Now, these are not bad questions to answer, but we need to be careful with the answer. Here’s why.  I see two options. One is to answer them according to the American dream, the second is according to the faith I have professed in Jesus Christ.

When I answer my calling with respect to the American Dream, I begin to think about all sorts of possibilities. I think of people like Henry Ford and John D. Rockefeller.   They are stand-outs among the fabricators and heroes of the American Dream. Their motto; anything is possible and everything is probable. Heck, I could even be President! It just requires persistence and hard work. Our dreams are within reach. So, how do I define my calling as an American? Unfortunately, much of my life has been marked by the shallow and self-serving answer of “success.”

The narrative changes, however, when we choose to follow Jesus. In Philippians 1:27, Paul reminds us to “let our lives be worthy of the Gospel of Christ.” In this simple statement, Paul clarifies that Jesus’ calling is not my own. Instead, Paul exhorts me to live the life to which God is calling me to.  Paul is talking about the life that God created us for.  What is the difference between these two lives? A handful of verses bring me clarity.

[Serve] the Lord with all humility and with tears (Acts 20:19 ESV)

 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit but in humility count others more significant than yourselves (Philippians 2:3 ESV)

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another (Colossians 3:12-13 ESV)

have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind (1 Peter 3:8 ESV)

Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another (1 Peter 5:5 ESV)

As I read through these verses, there is one word that appears and repeats in my head, tying them all together. It is the thing missing from my narrative. It is replaced with turmoil in our daily lives, as we chase the American dream. It is why Jesus died for us. It has eternal significance and, it will ensure our joy-filled life. What is it?  What does Jesus call us to? LOVE.

Ephesians 6 reads.

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day and have done all, to stand.

The “darkness of our age” comes from covert and overt places.  On the overt occasions, we can see and respond with our opinion when we encounter a situation or question about our faith.  We try to teach our children the Biblical foundations of living a Christ-like life, and how to respond to the many challenges each day that we experience.  There are times when we can witness to our friends, family, and children during a family dinner, a phone conversation, or a ride in the car.

The covert places of “darkness” are what I worry about.  The daily saturation of our friends, family and children with social media that is constantly barraging their hearts and minds to see things they shouldn’t see and tempt them in ways they may not be prepared. Our “armor of God” can be eroded each day by one swipe, one comment on a post, and the daily grind of trying to keep up with a technologically connected world.

I worry about the sexually explicit images young boys are tempted with every day.  Social media platforms like Snapchat and Instagram are constantly saturating our sons, nephews, and grandsons with sexually implicit images that demean women.  How do I know this?  Because I have profiles on these platforms to see what my children are experiencing.  Literally, they are one click away from pornography, on their phone, without any accountability.

The simple nature of “staying connected” with friends can create a desire to be included and accepted in a fictitious world that will never be satisfied.  Rather than having a strong foundation of faith in Christ, believing they are loved for who they are, regardless of what they look like, that they are loved, cherished, and were perfectly designed by their Father in Heaven, our young people and adults are being barraged with images and ideas that they are missing something.  The pressures and temptations of social media platforms cause our youth to question their looks, wish they had more material items like their “cool friends” who are having so much fun without them, and seed a constant desire that they should be something different than they are.  You are missing out…if you only had…you would be so much happier if you only…you would be so much thinner, funnier, cooler, and the list goes on of feelings and desires that will never be met.

The only constant and predictable solution to ridding ourselves of selfish desires, eliminating feelings of inadequacy, and removing doubt and guilt from our lives is following Jesus Christ.  When I hear of someone’s unhappiness or troubles, I think “they need some Jesus.”   Jesus is the one who removes all shame, doubt, and unhappiness.  Jesus is the one who turned away the devil, in the flesh, after being tempted many times.  Having “more Jesus” in our lives is not some cliché statement without tangible meaning.  Our God, who came to earth to be a man in our flesh as Jesus, changed the course of the world for billions of people by providing us guidance and a formula to a genuine sense of fulfillment, satisfaction and happiness in our lives.

Wondering how to get your family, friends, or children on the right course?  I would implore you to find a great Bible-based church, in person or online, to listen and read the words of our Savior Jesus Christ.  Jesus is the only “true armor” that will ride with us each day that will fulfill us when times of doubt and temptation arise.  No doubt, these moments will happen but our faith in Jesus is the best defense against a world of sin working against those that we love.