"More & More"

You can never get enough of a good thing! Recently, some girlfriends and I ordered a chocolate dessert at a restaurant. (We decided to be “healthy” and split the double chocolate fudge gooey brownie sundae 3 ways…that’s a little bit of an oxymoron!) The waiter gave us a cup of fudge sauce to drizzle on our grand finale to dinner. Wow! Our taste buds were thrilled! But once we had scraped the little cup dry, we looked at each other with the same expression…our eyes and smiles said one word… “More!” After our request, the patient waiter blessed us again with another cup of fudge sauce! Needless to say, he received a great tip! As I said before, you can never get enough of a good thing! The Thessalonians were doing some good things when Paul wrote them a letter around 50 A.D. In chapter four of 1 Thessalonians, he commended them of living lives that were pleasing to God (vs. 1), and showing brotherly love to others (vs. 10). But, he didn’t stop there- he said, “More!” “Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more” (vs. 2) & “Yet we urge you, brothers, to do so (showing love) more and more” (vs. 10). Paul challenged them to continue moving forward…living holy lives…pleasing God more and more and more and more and… While I was home this week, my dad challenged me with these same words…to keep on living for Him more and more. It wasn’t until a couple of days later that I read these verses of Scripture and was reminded that we have to continually ask, challenge, and urge each other to keep on keeping on in the Christian life...to never become weary in doing good (Galatians 6:9). You can never get enough of a good thing! Challenge one another today…don’t settle…live, serve, and love God “more and more!”

what is your destiny?

“It’s your destiny”- yeah, you hear that a lot in Hollywood movies- and usually it is surrounded by fame, glamour, and beauty. What is your destiny? But, Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 3:3 that trials are a part of a believer’s destiny. We were destined (intended, meant, ordained, designed) for hardship. Why? Because that is how God’s glory is going to be revealed. That is how is strength is made known most clearly. That is how His grace is proven that it is more than sufficient! The next time you hear, “What is your destiny?” Don’t picture Hollywood lights, fame, and fortune. Remember, Jesus’ destiny: He was born in an animal stable, he was the son of a carpenter, he had no place to lay his head, he was born to die…not so glamorous- but, oh, so eternal, so life-changing, so worth it.

Sharing Our Lives

“We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.” (1 Thessalonians 2:8) “…had become…” this past tense verb phrase plays a very important role in the interpretation of this passage. It shows that there is some history behind this relationship- it has already been developing- there was a process involved. Paul, Silas, and Timothy worked at their relationship with the Thessalonians. Acquaintances (and even friends) don’t become “dear” over night. A person can have many friends, but only a few that are truly “dear”. So…how do they reach this intimate level of friendship? …by spending time with them, walking alongside them through the good times and bad times, loving them in spite of their little quirks, initiating forgiveness, and being genuine. Basically, sharing life with them…being vulnerable, real, and unselfish. Preaching the gospel to the Thessalonians was not something to cross off the apostles’ “ministry to-do list”, it was an act of love and true friendship…a delight. As Paul, Silas, and Timothy shared their lives with the Thessalonians, it was natural to share their faith with them. After all, their lives were centered around Christ. “…to live is Christ…” (Philippians 1:21) So, are you trying to witness to someone about Jesus? Don’t think of it as an item to check off your to-do list. No! Share your life, invest, and spend time with them! Be real. Show your heart. Live out your faith. Then, you will have many people that are truly “dear” to you!

Here's a "Shout Out!"

I have a part time job at the YMCA, and when someone does something that is noteworthy, we give them “Shout Out”! Basically, it’s a compliment that is broadcasted for everyone to hear. Well, today, I want to give a “Shout Out!” to two very important people in my life (that is an understatement). I was reading in the second chapter of 1 Thessalonians, where Paul, Silas, and Timothy were explaining their ministry to the Thessalonians. Paul says in verse 7, “…we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children…” and in verse 11 & 12, “…we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God…”. Paul did make a generalization of parents in this passage…assuming that all parents live this way…with godly gentleness, encouragement, comfort, and wisdom. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. But, I am so blessed to give my folks a “Shout Out!” because they have truly lived this passage out…my mom is so gentle and loving towards me. I have even told her before, “Mom, I think you love me too much!” I am forever grateful for her kindness and compassion! And, my dad…he is always challenging me to deepen my relationship with the Lord, while reminding me of his love through his comfort and encouragement. As I seek to be a blessing to others, may I follow the example of Paul, Silas, Timothy, my mom, and my dad.
(PS- Thanks, Mom & Dad! And, Happy B-day, Dad!)

Are You Model Material?

Well, I am 5’ 6”, I wear a size 8 shoe, and I am about average in weight. What do you think? Hmmm… not quite the point I was trying to make. Many times, when we hear the word, “model” we think of the airbrushed divas on the covers of magazines. Or maybe the ladies that wear those eccentric, unique, (or just plain weird) fashion designer clothes on a runway. Well, the church in Thessalonica was not seen on the cover of a magazine, but they were a different kind of model. Those believers were excellent examples that were worthy of being imitated. Even in the midst of suffering, they kept the faith and had true joy. Because of their testimony, their faith in God became known everywhere…now THAT is true model material! (“…in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia- your faith in God has become known everywhere.” 1 Thess. 1:6b-8) And, just as people started watching and modeling their lives after them, the Thessalonians watched and modeled their lives after Paul, Silas, and Timothy… (“…you became imitators of us…” 1 Thess. 1:6a). It’s a chain reaction…we can imitate other believers, and in turn, they can imitate us. But, ultimately, we have ONE top model that we imitate…JESUS CHRIST. So, who is imitating you? Is that good news or bad news? Let’s make sure that we are all model material…there are a lot of “wanna be” models watching…

faith, love, hope...works, labor, endurance

It is clear in Ephesians 2:8-9 that is by God’s grace and through faith in Him that we are saved- not of our works…contrary to popular (worldly) opinions. However, our works and good deeds are not completely detached from our faith…but they do not produce our faith, nor do they bring us eternal salvation. Rather, our faith produces good works…because of our faith in Christ, we have a reason and a passion to please Him and to glorify Him in everything we say and do (2 Corinthians 5:9). This truth is found in 1 Thessalonians 1:3, where Paul writes, “We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith…”. He also continues on in this passage, saying that the Thessalonians’ labor was prompted by love and their endurance was inspired by the hope in the Lord Jesus. Just like our faith results in good works... our love results in good labor and our hope in the Lord results in our endurance.
Lord, may our faith, love, and hope, result in good works, good labor, and endurance...all for You.

My God is...

An email or a letter can tell you a lot about a person, right? Maybe it’s in the wording they choose to use, or the stories they tell, or even how they describe their day or circumstances. As I was reading a passage in Titus today in my devotions, God painted a picture of Himself. In less than three verses, He told me so much about Himself. Check it out:
“…He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:5b-7)
By looking at this passage, I know that my God is…
-the Giver of new beginnings
-generous
-gracious
-forgiving
-loving (adopts us as heirs)
-the Giver of hope
Thank You, Lord, for showing me clearly Who You are! And, You are so much more! May I dig deeper into Your Word to have the privilege of knowing You more and more!