2015 day 140 – Acts 19

20 Wednesday May 2015

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In today’s reading we see a lot of turmoil between the new believers and the Greeks of Ephesus. Because the “Way” (this is what the early Christian sect was called) was such a new and disruptive faith, people felt threatened. Especially those who made a living by selling people false hope and deceit. This chapter sets the stage for the majority of Paul’s letters to the early churches of the region. Most of these churches experienced tremendous amounts of pressure and persecution because of their faith. It is important to realize there are still Christians around the world that face similar persecution. The hope of Jesus is no less disruptive than it was 2,000 years ago. While we have allowed this message to be watered down in the United States, there are many believers in other parts of the world that still experience persecution. Let us not forget them and be in prayer for their strength, safety, and peace as they remain faithful servants of Christ.

2015 Day 139 – 2 Thessalonians 3

19 Tuesday May 2015

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When we lack control over our emotions, we tend to do stupid things. But Paul urges the Thessalonians to never tire of doing what is right. Paul say in 2 Thessalonians 3:13, And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right. The same advice goes to us. Never tire of doing the right thing even when the world pushes you into doing what is wrong. Remember to turn to God and the Holy Spirit for guidance and strength.

2015 Day 138 – 2 Thessalonians 2

18 Monday May 2015

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Paul gives a very strong blessing to the Thessalonian church at the end of 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17, 16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God the Father, who loved us by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. There is no sweeter blessing and encouragement than what comes from the Lord Jesus Christ and God Himself. While many of us seek the encouragement and acceptance of others, it does not match or compare to what God is capable of giving to us through the Holy Spirit. When the rest of the world seems to not be interested, remember that God loves us more than we could ever imagine.

2015 Day 137 – Rebekah Strong

17 Sunday May 2015

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The other day I watched this ESPN Sports Center video about Rebekah Gregory, who shielded her then 5-year-old son from the Boston Marathon bombing. She later made the difficult decision to amputate her leg due to her significant injuries. Six months after her amputation and being fitted for her prosthetic leg, she returned to the 2015 Boston Marathon to run a portion of the race in a display of determination and courage. This is such an emotional video to watch and shows how God can use even the worst of circumstances to show our deepest strength.

 

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2015 Day 136 – 2 Thessalonians 1

16 Saturday May 2015

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In this second letter to the Thessalonian church, Paul wanted to clear up confusion about Christ’s second coming. Many of these believers in the church thought Christ would be coming soon because of the amount of persecution they were facing. But Paul reiterated the time of His coming was unknown and not necessarily imminent. Paul simply encourages these early believer to trust that God is in control. In 2 Thessalonians 1:8 Paul says, God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you. It is not our job to judge others or retaliate when we feel persecuted. It is our job to be obedient and listen to God’s leading through the Holy Spirit in our lives. We are to life boldly, but we are also to live lives that are under control and obedient to God’s will and purpose.

2015 Day 135 – 1 Thessalonians 5

15 Friday May 2015

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God is faithful and in turn can help us be faithful back to Him. When God asks anything of us he does not expect us to accomplish it alone. As Paul finished up this first letter to the Thessalonians, he reminds them of God’s faithfulness to them. In 1 Thessalonians 5:24 Paul says, The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. God is able to do great things with or without us. But when we allow God to work through us, we are blessed to be a part of His will and it’s eternal impact.

2015 Day 134 – 1 Thessalonians 4

14 Thursday May 2015

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God calls us to live in community and to help each other as much as possible. But He also calls us to be self-sufficient and to live a life worthy of Him. In 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 Paul talks about how we should live our lives to win the respect of others and how accomplish this, 11 Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you. 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. In the end, God calls us to live quiet lives that allow the Holy Spirit to not only work in us, but through us as well. When we get so busy with our own agenda, we miss the Holy Spirit’s leading and all God has planned for our lives.

2015 Day 133 – 1 Thessalonians 3

13 Wednesday May 2015

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Faith is contagious and we can be encourage by the faith of both seasoned and new believers alike; especially in the heat of battle. In 1 Thessalonians 3:7 Paul says to this relatively young group of believers, Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we are encouraged about you because of your faith. Watching young or new believers act faithfully to God is powerful to watch. We can see God’s hand working in them in a raw and tangible way. When we see it, we are reenergized and remember what it was like to be new in the faith and how much it changed us. Let us not forget what it was like to be changed and renewed by God. There is much work to be done and God can continue to work in us. None of us is perfect and will never be perfect, but in an authentic relationship with God, we can become more like Him each day if we are willing to be influenced by Him.

2015 Day 132 – 1 Thessalonians 2

12 Tuesday May 2015

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In today’s reading, Paul urges the Thessalonian church as he would a father to his children. In the middle of 1 Thessalonians 2:12 he says “…urging you to live lives worthy of God…” We are to be a reflection of Christ; not because it is required for salvation, but because we are God’s children. Just as a child wants to be called worthy of their parents, and don’t want to embarrass their family, we are to be the same in our relationship with God. We are to conduct ourselves in a way that is pleasing to our Heavenly Father.

2015 Day 131 – 1 Thessalonians 1

11 Monday May 2015

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In this first letter to the Thessalonian church, Paul is addressing a relatively new church of believers, having only been established two to three years earlier. These believers were remote from the epicenter of the Christian faith, and they were doing the best they could with the knowledge they had. In addition, they were also being persecuted for their faith. Paul wrote this letter to encourage and to strengthen the Thessalonian Christians in their faith. And, as with the message in the rest of the Bible, this letter is timeless for all of us. We may not be struggling with the same issues as this early church, but we all face struggles and need encouragement from time to time. Sometimes we are the encouragers and sometimes we are the ones needing encouragement. In either case, God and His strength are at the center of it all.