Tag: Christ’s return
Satan hindered us!
Scripture reading for November 15th: 1st Thessalonians 2, Psalm 78, Proverbs 11
1st Thessalonians 2: 17-20 “But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, because we wanted to come to you–I, Paul, again and again–but Satan hindered us. For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at His coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy.”
Because of persecution, Paul and his ministry team had to leave Thessalonica quickly. They only had a short time to minister the Gospel to them but Paul wrote back to them to encourage them to stand firm and cast prophetic vision of the joy that they all would share at Christ’s coming. This prophetic vision is what God uses to counter our enemy, Satan. Paul identified the power behind the persecution as coming from Satan. Satan was just a hinderance, not a major road block! Steadfast faith and righteous living will bring eternal joy and reward in Christ’s return. We must strengthen our flesh with the indwelling Holy Spirit and the food of God’s Word.
Psalm 78: 37-39 “Their heart was not steadfast toward Him; they were not faithful to His covenant. Yet He, being compassionate, atoned for their iniquity and did not destroy them; He restrained His anger often and did not stir up all His wrath. He remembered that they were but flesh, a wind that passes and comes not again.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for defeating our hindering enemy, Satan. Thank You for prophetic vision in Your Word and flowing through the body of Christ that encourages me day by day to stay steadfast and walk in righteousness and Truth. I look forward to the soon coming of Jesus and the joy and crown of my family and friends in Christ’s return celebration.
Proverbs 11:19 “Whoever is steadfast in righteousness will live, but he who pursues evil will die.”
Saved for Christ!
Scripture reading for June 19th: Song of Solomon 1-3, Psalm 72, 1st Thessalonians 5
Key Scriptures: 1st Thessalonians 5:8-11 “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, for God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with Him. therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”
Paul encouraged the Thessalonians to live in the light as children of the light. Christ will come again soon. Whether awake (alive) or asleep (body resting in the grave) we live with Him and for Him. God has not destined His people for wrath but for salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. We should encourage each other to continue in faith as we wait for Christ’s return.
Song of Songs 2:4 “He brought me to the banqueting house, and His banner over me was love.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for the light of Your Word and Your love shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Spirit. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and encouragement for others. I long to be with You.
Psalm 72:19 “Blessed be His glorious Name forever; may the whole earth be filled with His glory! Amen and Amen!”
The times and seasons.
Scripture reading for September 18th: Ecclesiastes 2-4, 1st Thessalonians 5
Key Scriptures: 1st Thessalonians 5:1-4 “Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.”
Paul encouraged the believers concerning the times and seasons. They were in a period of grace that could end at any time with the coming of the Lord Jesus. This coming would be like a “thief in the night” to the world but not to the church family of Jesus! We are children of light and are eagerly awaiting Christ’s return.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; . .”
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for making me aware of the times and seasons that are here and coming soon. Help me to make the most of my time here for You and Your coming kingdom. Amen.
Sunday rest and reflection!
Sunday April 7th, 2014
Dear Friends,
Greetings in the Wonderful Name of Jesus Christ! Today Christians from around the world gather to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and encourage each other to prepare for His soon return for His Bride, the Church! He died according to God’s plan, showing the world His Father’s great love in offering His body and blood as covering for sin. He was buried in a tomb, but rose on the third day! Death was defeated and life and immortality were brought to light as hope for anyone who would believe in Him! We will anticipate His coming again as King of Kings!
If you need a church home or call Good Shepherd your home, please join us in this wonderful celebration as we gather to remember our Lord, worship, and pray! Jesus Christ is the center of our church!
In His Love, Pastor John and Mary
Living to please God!
Scripture reading for October 11th: 1st Thessalonians 4:1-5:2
“Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.” (1st Thessalonians 4:1) These believers had listened to Paul’s message of the Gospel and responded in faith. They had observed his example and teaching about how to live and began to do it. Paul’s letter was to encourage them to increase their obedience level. This wasn’t to please him, but to please God. This is how Jesus Christ lived! (John 5:30)
A specific area of obedience was in sexual purity. Sexual sin harmed others as well as a person’s own soul. The pagan and idolatrous culture was full of sexual immorality. Idol temples employed prostitutes and homosexuality and incest were common. Paul reminded them of God’s will for sanctification. Sexual purity would please the Lord and disobedience would bring His wrath. “The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. for God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you His Holy Spirit.” (1st Thessalonians 4:6b-8) God’s word is truth and the Holy Spirit lives in us to lead us into all truth.
Another area of obedience involved work. A number of Thessalonians felt that because Jesus was coming soon that they could be idle. What was the use of working, when the church members would take care of them? “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, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” (1st Thessalonians 4:11-12) Paul taught that a quiet life of work and caring for family was a good witness. Idleness was causing strife and bad reputations outside the church and inside!
Christ would come back and those who trusted Christ, whether alive or in the grave, would be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. No one knew the day or the hour, but they were all to be ready. This kind of faith pleases God and gives encouragement and hope.