“And they speak of how you are looking forward to the coming of God’s Son from heaven—Jesus, whom God raised from the dead. He is the one who has rescued us from the terrors of the coming judgment.”
1 Thessalonians’s 1:10NLT
“You yourselves are our witnesses—and so is God—that we were devout and honest and faultless toward all of you believers. And you know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children. We pleaded with you, encouraged you, and urged you to live your lives in a way that God would consider worthy. For he called you to share in his Kingdom and glory. Therefore, we never stop thanking God that when you received his message from us, you didn’t think of our words as mere human ideas. You accepted what we said as the very word of God—which, of course, it is. And this word continues to work in you who believe. And then, dear brothers and sisters, you suffered persecution from your own countrymen. In this way, you imitated the believers in God’s churches in Judea who, because of their belief in Christ Jesus, suffered from their own people, the Jews.”
1 Thessalonians 2:10-14 NLT
2020 is coming to an end. I would be lying if I didn’t say on top of the Covid-19, it wasn’t a great year. Deaths, friendships cut off, illness..it had its moments. But as I was reading this morning, I read something I’ve read again and again, but this time it’s like the combination of a cup of coffee and the Holy Spirit brought this excitement over me! So I couldn’t help but share that with you this morning. I was in 1 Thessalonians, the first 2 chapters. And as I got to chapter 1 verse 10, something ignited. The verse is above, but after picking it apart, and studying it, I read it as:
Turn to God.
Serve God.
Look forward to the return of Jesus!!
Turn from sin.
Be fervent as you serve.
And be prepared!
And then if you skip over to chapter 2, verse 11-14(also above), you see where Pail is talking about a fathers love. Most, if not all fathers, would never ever neglect the safety of their children. A father would not allow their child to walk into something harmful or even fatal. So in a similar way, as Christians, we should be taking on new believers, until they are mature enough to stand firm in their faith. That’s why I love so much that our church is so passionate in our mentoring programs. This is why!! Part of Discipling is helping newer Christians become stronger in the faith so that they can go out and share the Good News as well.
Paul is encouraging the Thessalonians to live in a way God considered worthy. Read that again, and then take a deep breath. Worthy.
And I have to think.. what in my daily life would be an embarrassment to God? Is there anything? What about or this? What do people think of God from watching me? From watching you? Take another deep breath if you need one. :)
This is why it’s important for me to be in the Word daily, and I’m not always. Gods Word isnt just words, or a document. It is a VERY REAL source of transforming power! The Bible is full of this amazing REAL and LIVING power! Read it. Study it. Share it. Encourage new believers to read it. I mean while you’re at it, you can encourage non-Christians to read it. Because, if you’re really seeking truth, and if you’re really yearning to learn, there’s a very good chance that you will be transformed, and touched by this living power. And there’s an even better chance that you’ll never be the same. :)
At the same time, taking a stand for Christ doesn’t come easy.. usually. Instead, it can come with opposition, disapproval, ridicule, and that’s from the people you’re close to. That’s why part of building this foundation of faith, is standing firm.
For me, being a Christian is an everyday battle. There’s always a battle in my mind between the Wordly way and the way that models a life after Jesus. Its not easy but it’s so amazing and rewarding when we choose to follow Jesus every single day.
I’ll wrap this up and say.. Christianity isn’t perfection. But having a community of believers, and people who keep you accountable is so important. I’m not perfect, and I’m never going to be. But I rest assured that God will be my strength, my hope, my peace, my joy, and my life. And I am taking that with me into 2021.
