QT 30 Sep 19, 1 Thess 5:14-15, Work is good because we were created / designed for work

1 Thessalonians 5:14–15 (ESV) — 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.

NOTE: Paul gives instructions regarding the idle, the fainthearted, the weak, and then a general instruction that is applicable to all. The idle are the lazy, and I suppose the selfish. I say selfish because they do not want to give of their time to help others, or for that matter themselves. But you reply, that if they do not want to help themselves, how does that hurt others? Because we then have to take care of them and so that also is selfish. We are to admonish them. The Greek word means to warn, and is the same word used in another letter associated with discipline. The problem with idleness is not just the selfishness of the action, but the danger of the inaction. Work is a good thing, and we are created in the image of God to work. When we do not work, we destroy something of the fabric of our souls. We can't ignore the creation. It is essential to our well-being. Which is why evolution through random processes is such a danger, because it hides these essential facts of our soul.

PRAYER: Father, protect me from laziness. I want to work hard because I know it is good for my soul. I want to do the best I can so that I am a good witness for you. Now, as I take time for an extended two-week rest, help to truly rest and let go. I want to be recharged and ready to go when I return to work. Thank you for a job. Thank you for the people. Give me grace to be a good witness.

QT 27 Sep 19, 1 Thess 5:12-13, We abuse our Pastors

1 Thessalonians 5:12–13 (ESV) — 12 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

NOTE: I do think we esteem our leaders very highly, but I am not sure we do it for the right reasons or with the right motives. Throughout history, people have wanted to be associated with a Pastor, and to be considered a close friend of the Pastor, as if by some proximity, we too might be seen as spiritual. And then, we don't seem to realize the Pastor walks with God like any ordinary person. He struggles with sin, he struggles with anger, anxiety, and a whole host of issues -- just like us (to a degree -- everyone's struggles are different). It is possibly true that the Pastor may have a deeper walk with God, but that is the product of a "forced" intake of the word of God. If we showed the same discipline in quiet time, bible study, and prayer, we could have a similar close walk with God. Our jobs do not keep us from those disciplines. Our jobs give us greater opportunity to reach those who will never set foot in a church. And technically, the Pastor's job according to Eph 3 is NOT to do the ministry for us, but to train us up to do the ministry.

We are to esteem our Pastors because their work is very hard. People with spiritual problems are the most difficult and painful job to tackle in the world. We are so selfish. We believe the Pastor is there for us, for when we have struggles, and that he is at our beck and call. That is not true. Jesus is there for us. He is the one we are to call upon.

PRAYER: Father, forgive us for how we abuse the Pastor and misuse the Pastor. Forgive us for not listening to the Pastor, and for expecting that he must listen to us. We are a sorry lot. We are dirty smelly sheep and we don't even realize it. Open our eyes. Help us to esteem and love our leaders because of their hard work, not because we want to use them.

QT 26 Sep 19, 1 Thess 5:8, Faith, love, and hope are the expressions of the armor of a believer

1 Thessalonians 5:8 (ESV) — But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

NOTE: In Ephesians 6 is the passage detailing the armor of God. I believe this letter predates that one and so this is an early embryonic version of the same idea. Roman soldiers must have been a normal course of life and so their clothing, their armor probably offered a lot of food for thought. In this passage, Paul only mentions two of the items, the breastplate and helmet, leaving off the shoes, sword, and shield. These items mentioned are the most focused on protecting the body. The shield might be similar except that a shield, when used properly, was a very effective offensive weapon. But the two Paul mentions here are very defensive and protective. They protect our heart and our mind, the two areas Satan is most interested in attacking. Paul also brings in the concepts of faith, love, and hope. If I was to stretch the analogy, faith and love (the breastplate) protect our heart, and hope (the helmet) protects our mind. So when I feel the attack of Satan in one of these areas, I need to exercise the particular protective action. If I find myself doubting, I must remember my hope. Jesus has promised to return. And he will return -- in the air, before the great judgment. I have that hope of eternal life. The enemy has nothing that can take away my future in the kingdom.

PRAYER: Father, thank you for the great hope I have in my salvation. There is nothing I can really lose. I need to exercise my armor though, not waiting for the attacks of Satan, but living a life of faith, love, and hope so that I am ready for the attack when it comes.

QT 25 Sep 19, 1 Thess 5:9, We will be physically saved from the wrath to come

1 Thessalonians 5:9 (ESV) — For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

NOTE: These verses continue the discussion on life and death for those who are in Christ, and the coming rapture that will resurrect both the living and the dead that are in Christ. But Paul makes it very clear that we are not destined to wrath. Why would he say that? Because Jesus' return is associated with the tribulation period, a time of wrath upon the whole world, and especially on the unbelieving Jewish nation. His point is that is not a part of a Christian's destiny. As a believer we will be raptured. Jesus will come and take us up with him. This is not the second coming which comes after the tribulation and the explosion of God's wrath upon the world. We are protected from that. The "salvation" mentioned here while related to our spiritual salvation is actually the physical salvation from experiencing the wrath of the tribulation.

PRAYER: Father, I thank you that I am saved, spiritually and in the future physically from the great tribulation. Your anger must be very great against the world. In every way possible we have sought to discredit your word and your creation. We are an incredibly stupid people. Forgive us. Have mercy. Open our eyes to your absolute truth about life and the world.

QT 24 Sep 19, 1 Thess 4:16-17, God is in control of the events unfolding on this planet

1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 (ESV) — 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.

NOTE: This event is what is commonly referred to as the rapture. It also agrees with the earlier verse where Jesus's coming with his holy ones (angels) is mentioned. We see at least one angel here, the archangel, and use of the trumpet of God suggests a multitude of angels ready to accomplish their mission upon the signal. This event is not the second coming. Jesus does not return to earth. The passage makes it very clear that he meets the 'dead and alive in Christ' in the  clouds in the air. And then we transverse to heaven to await traveling to the earth again in the second coming and the marriage supper of the lamb which will occur approximately seven years later. Nowhere does it suggest that this event triggers the tribulation, although it may be very coincidental with the signing of the peace treaty between the Antichrist and Israel -- the treaty being the real trigger which starts the seven year tribulation period. The point is that we have a hope. We are not appointed to wrath, although we will suffer and be persecuted to our faith. We will not face God's judgment, but we will face human judgment for our faith. But we have a hope and a glorious future.

PRAYER: Father, thank you for the truth of this passage and the reassurance it gives. Things will get worse in the world, but you are in control and at some point you will come and rapture us from the wrath to come. We wait in hope upon you.

QT 23 Sep 19, 1 Thess 4 :11-12, Work hard -- it builds my witness

1 Thessalonians 4:11–12 (ESV) — 11 and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, 12 so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.

NOTE: In other words, verse 12 suggests that being dependent on others financially is the opposite of a strong Christian witness. Paul is not saying welfare is bad, but that they we should avoid it if at all possible. Now there will come times when life puts a person in a situation that makes it almost unavoidable, but it should not be a pattern of our life. We should work and we should spend only what we earn. A good witness is characterized by being a good citizen and a helpful member of the community.

PRAYER: Father, help me to be seen by all as a positive contributor to my community, church, social circle, and work. Give me grace to stand up where I need to and to speak gently and respectfully. Give me grace to let things pass that aren't really that important as pertains to real life.

QT 20 Sep 19, 1 Thess 4:3-6, A sexual relationship is designed only for marriage

1 Thessalonians 4:3–6 (ESV) — 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you.

NOTE: I used to think that verse 6 was separate from verse 3, and adds a second definition for the will of God which is our sanctification (i.e., becoming more like Christ). But now I believe that 3-6 are saying the same thing--the whole group of verses are focused on sexual immorality. When we commit sexual immorality it has an effect on our brother (and grammatically our sister in Christ too). Our lust can wrong others. Not only does it do something spiritual to the relationship, it can create divisions and hurts. Relationships are not built on sexuality. Only one relationship, that of our spouse, is designed for sexuality. All other relationships are wronged. Verse 8 makes it clear that if you disregard this teaching, you are not disobeying man but God himself.

PRAYER: Father, I live in a world that vehemently opposes this idea and denies it truth. But the world does not believe it was designed and created but came about randomly and through chaos, therefore there are no "rules." Forgive us. Open our eyes to our sin. Convict us so that we repent.

QT 19 Sep 19, 1 Thess 3:13, We need to be prepared for Jesus coming with his mighty ones

1 Thessalonians 3:13 (ESV) — … so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

NOTE: I won't pretend to have a definitive answer for this verse, but in light of other verses the following view makes the most sense. The word for saints is hagios, meaning holy ones. It is used of mighty angels and it can be used for the saints. In this case, since the event refers to the rapture, it is better argued as angels, since the saints (living and dead) have not been resurrected. Additionally, OT saints, tribulation saints, and the unbelievers are all resurrected at different times in the period between the tribulation and the millennial kingdom. Jesus' coming at the rapture is a partial coming since he does not return to the earth, but rather meets us in the air. Believers alive in the Lord Jesus and those dead, both receive their new resurrected bodies and return with Jesus to the place prepared for them to wait the seven years, the bride preparation week (so to speak). When Jesus returns to earth, at the end of tribulation, we (the resurrected saints) will accompany him back, culminating in the final battle of Armageddon  (although Jesus will do all the work). So there are two points. One, we want our hearts blameless for the rapture. Two, the angels will accompany Jesus during the rapture.

PRAYER: Father, I realized I don't understand your word and I make mistakes. But the more I do understand it, the more it perfectly fits together. Thank you for the incredible accuracy and life-giving truth of the word of God.

QT 18 Sep 19, 1 Thess 3:8, The joy of seeing spiritual children grow

1 Thessalonians 3:8 (ESV) — For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord.

NOTE: Paul cared deeply for the people he had led to the Lord and those he had discipled in the Lord. He loved them greatly. For him, real living was knowing that his spiritual children and adopted spiritual children were standing firm in their faith. That is my desire as well for those that I minister to. There is a sense of pride (in a good sense) when they involve themselves in ministry or when they share something that God is doing or changing in their life.

PRAYER: Father, thank you for the IDGs and the opportunity to be a part of the lives of three more men. I pray for them that you would challenge them, you would change them, you would reveal yourself to them. I pray these next 8-9 months can establish a new habit and course of life for them. Thank you for your goodness.

QT 17 Sep 19, 1 Thess 3:4, Affliction because of faith is coming

1 Thessalonians 3:4 (ESV) — 4 For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know.

NOTE: While this may be specific to the Thessalonians, other passages make it clear that it is the expected life for the believer. It may be more telling when we are not experiencing affliction -- that we do not have a witness that challenges people in their lifestyle. Overall, I do not experience affliction on the same scale as the Thessalonians or much of the first century church. While my nation has turned its back on God, promoted sinful behaviors and attitudes, it has not yet put me in danger of physical violence. There are some groups who are attacking believers for standing up for the gospel. These groups, while expressing free speech, are opposed to any speech with which they do not like. People, Christians, are being attacked for their faith in this country. It is here and it is growing in influence as a godless nation takes root.

PRAYER: Father, open the eyes of my nation to their wickedness. Convict us of our sin. Give Christians the boldness to stand up and to be a witness for the name of Jesus. May we not shrink back.

QT 16 Sep 19, 1 Thess 2:19, It's not about me, it's about others

1 Thessalonians 2:19 (ESV) — For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?

NOTE: People are the goal. If we are not making an impact on people, we are a noisy gong. We are loud but we don't really love others. Our ministry has to affect others. We grow in Christ, not for our own good, but for our own good to serve others. We grow in love not to be more loving, but we grow in love to be more loving to others. It is not about me or how I look -- that is the noisy, clanging gong of 1 Cor 13. The key is how is my life making an impact on others?

PRAYER: Father, forgive me when I only think about self. The idea of ministry is to minister. Give me a strong impact on all the people around me. Help me to truly love and care for others.

QT 12 Sep 18, 1 Thess 2:11-12, God has called us (he has accepted us)

1 Thessalonians 2:11–12 (ESV) — 11 For you know how, like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

NOTE: To Paul, those he was helping were like his children. He was deeply concerned with their choices and growth. He wanted them to succeed. He exhorted, but he also encouraged. He gave them a charge, a goal that was high and lofty, the kind of challenge that causes people to reach for the skies -- "walk in a manner worthy of God." How can anyone do that? We are so unworthy, and yet God himself has called us to His kingdom and to share in His glory. Yes, we are unworthy, but God wants us to come. Rather than fighting with God about our unworthiness, we need to accept his call and live in a manner worthy of him -- no matter how hard.

PRAYER: Father, I am unworthy. But, I believe you have still chosen to call me. I won't argue with you or dismiss myself -- you have accepted me. I want to live up to the challenge given me -- to walk in a manner worthy of the King of all ages and the ruler over all things.

QT 11 Sep 19, 1 Thess 2:1-2,8, The enemy will oppose us

1 Thessalonians 2:1–2, 8 (RSV) — 1 For you yourselves know, brethren, that our visit to you was not in vain; 2 but though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the face of great opposition. … 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

NOTE: It was clear that Paul cared for people. They had a bad experience at Philippi, and maybe you begin to think about quitting. Also, there was opposition at Thessalonica. Most places Paul visited, he faced opposition. And why would we think that he would not, since he is entering enemy-held (Satan's) territory and freeing captives. Of course the enemy will fight. There will be opposition to the truth. It should not surprise us. But the opposition should not be a result of our abrasiveness but rather to the message. In fact, our life, especially in lifestyle-evangelism-settings should smooth the way for the gospel. Certainly Paul willingly gave to the people his very life, but he didn't always live around them long enough to do evangelism through relationships (exceptions being Ephesus and Rome). We can break down Satan's wall by love and care for those around us.

PRAYER: Father give me a good witness to those I work with and those I live near. Help me to show interest and care for them. Help me to pray for them. I especially think of my neighbors who are up in Oklahoma taking care of their sick daughter and the grandchildren. Heal her. Strengthen them. Cause them to seek you.

QT 10 Sep 19, 1 Thess 6:10, This life is not my reward

1 Thessalonians 1:10 (ESV) — … and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

NOTE: These new believers were waiting for Jesus' return. I think it is a good characteristic of all believers to be waiting for the son's return. Why? Because when we believe the return of the Lord is imminent, we live less for the things of the world and we live more for eternal things -- things that will last. My retirement home is not here, it is in heaven. I don't retire on earth to leisure. My earthly retirement is more opportunity to minister and serve. I am never above the things that are asked of me when I believe I am serving the Lord Jesus Christ. He is coming soon. I need to be fully engaged in his work.

PRAYER: Father, whatever happens here on earth. I am not living for this life. I thank you for supplying all I need. But my job is to minister to my co-workers, my neighbors, my friends, and the church body. I need to be engaged here because you are coming soon. There is not much time left to complete the work of the church.

QT 9 Sep 19, 1 Thess 1:3, We have a guaranteed future reality with Jesus

1 Thessalonians 1:3 (ESV) — … remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

NOTE: The word "work" is the Greek word, ergon, meaning your place of employment or duty. My job is to exercise faith and to live by faith. The word "labor" is the Greek word, ergos, meaning a beating or to cause trouble or toil. Loving others is difficult. Most people are not very lovable and are not very appreciative of love because we are all selfish to the core. Finally, our hope, elpis, is an expectation of fear in the literal sense, but in the Christian sense, it is an expectation of joy. I think the reason the word for fear is used is that fearful expectation is an impending doom that you don't think you can escape. You are sure it will happen and you are afraid. It is that same assurance but translated in a good sense for a Christian. We know that our hope is in Jesus Christ and he is coming back for us.

PRAYER: Thank you for the work that you have called me to. Give me grace to live my faith and to toil in love for all those around me. I know assuredly that my future with God is a guaranteed reality.

QT 5 Sep 19, 1 Tim 6:17-19, Commands for the rich

1 Timothy 6:17–19 (ESV) — 17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

NOTE: The "rich of this present age" would be wealthy believers, since all believers have a wondrous inheritance in the future age. Some people come to Christ rich, and some do well professionally. There are three commands given to the rich. The first is not to be haughty or proud. This is an easy trap to fall into where one begins to think they are deserving of special treatment since they pay for special treatment. I have seen it numerous times in first class on an airplane (due to my frequent flying some years ago).  After a while, people begin to have an expectation of special treatment that leads to a very strong pride and haughtiness. The second command is not to put their hope on the uncertainty of riches. Our hope needs to be in Jesus and not in our ability to fund our way out of problems. Regular prayer is a good protection of our mind from falling into this trap. Last, the wealth of the rich should be used for good works. Certainly, the rich ought to give far beyond a tithe -- my personal opinion -- the scripture tells us that each one must do as he has made up his mind to, not reluctantly or under compulsion. I only know for myself that it would be the height of selfishness to restrict my giving to a tithe. Certainly, the rich can do much better. I started a "giving" savings account a while back to put extra funds so that I can be able to respond to large needs. That money is God's and can only be used for legitimate needs of the body. I believe the rich have a special responsibility to use what God has given wisely, humbly, and secretively (to not call attention to their selves -- and hopefully I did not violate that with some raw comments about giving).

PRAYER: Father, riches are fleeting. They are here today and gone tomorrow. There is no guarantee. Job was wiped out almost instantly and he was the richest person in the East at the time. I pray that those who are rich, would be most generous in their good works. Protect them from pride and haughtiness. Give them a special excitement as they use the funds given to them to expand the work of the kingdom.

QT 4 Sep 19, 1 Tim 6:13-14, The good confession is that Jesus is truth

1 Timothy 6:13–14 (ESV) — 13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, 14 to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,

NOTE: What was the good confession Jesus made in his testimony before Pontius Pilate? There are two possibilities. One, that Jesus was a King and two, that Jesus bears witness to the truth. In fact, Jesus says that is why he was born into this world as a king (of another heavenly kingdom), to bear witness to truth. Everything Jesus says is truth. Pilate's question, "what is truth?" is an expression of Roman and Greek philosophy. How can one know absolute truth? Everyone has a different opinion on what is true. How can one truth be better than another truth? Jesus' life, as the God-man, is the absolute expression of truth. Jesus says to his disciples near the end of his life, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through me." Jesus is the elusive truth that Pilate sought . And that ultimate truth stood before Pilate physically and visually. But Pilate did not realize what was happening.

PRAYER: Father, we are often oblivious to what you are doing in the world. We don't even do a good job listening to your word, which is also absolute truth. Open our ears and eyes to the absolute truth you have revealed and you have given us. May we be doers and not just hearers.

QT 3 Sep 19, 1 Tim 6:6-10, Contentment and godliness together lead to a great spiritual gain

1 Timothy 6:6–10 (ESV) — 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

NOTE: I use these verses all the time, but somehow I have separated verse 10 from verses 6-8. The danger, the love of money, starts with a lack of contentment in combination with a lack of godliness. In this context, godliness (God-like-ness) would suggest an unusual concern for others over self. When we really put others first and when we are content with what we have, the "great gain' is the god-like attributes of service, love, and grace. But when we are more concerned for ourselves, and when we are not content, we are driven to pursue money and more money. It is the desire to be rich that is the danger as well. Some will be rich and God never suggests the rich are sinful for being rich. But the rich do have a separate standard. In both cases, godliness and contentment are the key and the secret to a great spiritual gain.

PRAYER: Father, when I am rich or not, in the standards of the world or even the US, I need to be contentment and I need to use the great resources you have given for the benefit of others--missionaries, the poor, and my brothers and sisters in need. Father, I pray that you would govern my giving. Protect me from the snare of money.

QT 2 Sep 19, 1 Tim 6:3-5, Balancing spiritual coaching and good mature spiritual advice

1 Timothy 6:3–5 (ESV) — 3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, 4 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.

NOTE: Some people want to argue. They want to be proved right. They want their opinion accepted by all or at least acknowledged as a very worthy idea. They measure themselves as spiritual, but they really just have a lot of opinions from other knowledgeable persons. But spirituality is not measured by knowledge, nor is it measured by actions, but it is measured in the heart and by our character. How do we treat people? Are we contemptuous of others or are we genuinely compassionate? Do we listen or do we lecture? Do we care what others say or is it more important to make our point? Personally, I want to work on a "coaching" philosophy over this new fiscal year to my management style -- more questions and less instruction. I'm not a huge enthusiast for the "coaching" movement occurring in the Navigators. I believe it contains a certain haughtiness that is quite noticeable. And maybe that occurs when it is taken to the extreme. For myself, I prefer mature spiritual advice, and it saves time when just given. So, I think there is a balance between the tedious drawing out through questions and the person who just gives instruction. I want to find that balance this year.

PRAYER: Father, help me to grow in my ability to ask probing questions and even more importantly, in listening. I want to give advice where needed, but I want to help others discover as well. I need your help to find that balance. Protect me from the haughtiness that I see in "spiritual coaches" today. I don't want to be a part of this new fad. But I do want to be a better listener and a better discipler.