Tag: standing firm
Shining lights in a dark world!
Scripture reading for June 16th: Philippians 2, Psalm 120, Proverbs 27
Philippians 2:14-18 “Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the Word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.”
Paul knew that as believers lived in love and unity of the Holy Spirit, they would cease from grumbling and complaining and begin to shine in the darkness of this world. Paul told them that the people living in the world system were crooked and twisted in their ways and thinking. It would require focused living for Christ, clinging to His Words of life, to bring reward when Christ returned. Paul, even though suffering in jail, rejoiced with the Philippians that they were standing fast. He encouraged them to rejoice with him as well. Suffering for the Gospel is part of shining light in the darkness and crookedness of this world.
Psalm 120:6-7 “Too long have I had my dwelling place among those who hate peace. I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war!”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the wise counsel of our Brother and Friend, Jesus Christ, and Paul Your Apostle. Help me to rejoice in those of faith who are suffering around this world for standing firm in Christ. Help me to stand firm and share the Word of life, shining Christ’s eternal Light into all darkness. Keep me from war, grumbling or dissention, but guide me in Your peace and unity with my brothers.
Proverbs 27:9 “Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a a friend comes from his earnest counsel.”
Standing fast in faith!
Scripture reading for June 16th: 1st Thessalonians 3
Key Scriptures: 1st Thessalonians 3:4-8 “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. For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain. But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you– for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord.”
Paul loved the Thessalonians and was concerned how they might be taking the afflictions and persecutions coming against Paul as well as believers. He sent Timothy to them to find out about their faith. Timothy informed Paul that the believers were standing firm in faith and love. This brought great comfort and encouragement to Paul. He knew that Satan, the tempter, would be at work as well and wanted to strengthen these friends with God’s Word, as he had earlier when he warned them of coming affliction and persecution. Good pastors and apostles love and watch over their people and guard them against the tempter by equipping them with the Word.
1st Thessalonians 3:9-10 “For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for godly pastors and apostles who care for the souls of those they are sent to serve. May I give you joy by serving faithfully and praying for those you send me to. May You have great joy as believers stand firm in their faith! One day there will be a great reunion as we enjoy Your love and presence forever and ever!
3rd John 3-4 “For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”
Standing firm in the faith!
Scripture reading for October 10th: 1st Thessalonians 2:9-3:13
” We also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.” God’s word has power to work inside of those who will receive it. The Thessalonians had chosen to believe the word of God and embrace it as coming from God, not just men.
This is an argument in our culture today: “How can I know for sure that the Bible is God’s word, and not just men’s.” Jesus taught us that God’s word is Spirit and life. It is like seed or sperm, having the power to produce God’s life within us. (John 6:63) (1st Peter 1:23) All Scripture is inspired by God and the writers of Scripture were moved on by God and given what to write. (2nd Peter 1:20-21)
The Thessalonians had suffered persecution from their own countrymen for turning away from the idols of that culture. Paul suffered too, as he preached the Gospel in that region. Paul taught the Thessalonians that Satan was behind this. God’s wrath had already fallen on some who were hindering them. (1st Thessalonians 1:14-18)
Paul sent Timothy to the church to encourage and strengthen them in their faith. He was concerned that the trials might shake the church and cause them to fall away. He knew the ways of the tempter and carried this church on his heart. Timothy brought back a good report of their faith and love. “Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution, we were encouraged about you because of your faith. For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?
What a joy it was for Paul to know that his congregation was strong! He erupted in prayer again: “May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May He strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all His holy ones.” (1st Thessalonians 3:12-13)
Standing firm in faith!
Scripture reading for October 10th: 1st Thessalonians 2:9-3:13
” We also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.” God’s word has power to work inside of those who will receive it. The Thessalonians had chosen to believe the word of God and embrace it as coming from God, not just men.
This is an argument in our culture today: “How can I know for sure that the Bible is God’s word, and not just men’s.” Jesus taught us that God’s word is Spirit and life. It is like seed or sperm, having the power to produce God’s life within us. (John 6:63) (1st Peter 1:23) All Scripture is inspired by God and the writers of Scripture were moved on by God and given what to write. (2nd Peter 1:20-21)
The Thessalonians often had suffered persecution from their own countrymen for turning away from the idols of that culture. Paul suffered too, as he preached the Gospel in that region. Paul taught the Thessalonians that Satan was behind this. God’s wrath had already fallen on some who were hindering them. (1st Thessalonians 1:14-18)
Paul sent Timothy to the church there to encourage and strengthen them in their faith. He was concerned that the trials might shake the church and cause them to fall away. He knew the ways of the tempter and carried this church on his heart. Timothy brought back a good report of their faith and love. “Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution, we were encouraged about you because of your faith. For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?
What a joy it was to Paul to know that his congregation was strong! He erupted in prayer again: “May the Lord make you love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May He strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all His holy ones.” (1st Thessalonians 3:12-13)