And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 1 Peter 5:10 ESV

     The book of 1 Peter is all about the Christian suffering and the sustaining faith in God / Jesus. When reading this book, you can imagine the intense suffering in the church as Nero, the leader of Rome, blamed the burning of Rome upon the Christians. Persecution intensified upon the Christian, and to be a Christian meant you were going to suffer. Peter challenged the Christian to live and follow the example of Christ. This challenge involves suffering that is done not with a fight but with a submissive spirit causing people to look past you as a Christian and see Jesus. The Christian in Nero’s day could not control the lies that were being spread about them, but they could live in order to give testimony that the lies were false. I heard a statement years ago that I have repeated multiple times. It goes like this, “Confidence is how little you react when you are falsely accused.” Being a Christian is not an easy lifestyle to live because “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5: 8 ESV  It is important for the Christian to live his life in submission to God. Not to do so would be furnishing the Devil the seasoning he enjoys while devouring you. Seasoning like hate, ungodly anger, bitterness, unforgiving lifestyles, and on and on this list of seasonings could go. One important note to remember about the verse written above is suffering is limited to, a little while. It goes on from there and states, “The God of all grace, who called you to his ETERNAL glory in Christ will….”

RESTORE:
     To restore something means there is someone who is doing the restoring. In the life of the individual Christian, the person doing the restoring would be God. When life becomes difficult or painful, a person can become frustrated and want to withdraw or quit, but one must have faith that, “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6 ESV

CONFIRM:
     I have heard the statement, “If I just knew good would come from this, it would be easier to live with.” Never quit living or doing right for Galatians 6:9 says, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we WILL REAP, if we do not give up.” ESV  Remember from the verse above, “He who began a good work in you WILL.”

STRENGTHEN:
     Strength generally comes from exercising muscles, and spiritual strength comes from exercising faith in God. Faith grows when a person looks to God for answers knowing and understanding that He is in control. It is acknowledging, I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 ESV  It is learning to live right before him when it seems every ounce of your fiber tells you to run. It is putting on the whole armor of God and standing. (Ephesians 6:10-20) If you read this passage, you will notice it tells you to stand not charge into battle…. the reason? The battle is already won; we are commissioned to tell how it was won.

ESTABLISH:
     What was true in 2 Thessalonians 3:3 when written, is true for you today…. But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. Acts 17: 28  should be our model to live by today…. In him we live and move and have our being.

Let me close with a challenge…… LIVE STRONG in the Lord! And after you have suffered a little while, the God of grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 1 Peter 5:10 ESV

Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David

     But someone will say, “ You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your
works and I will show you my faith by my works. James 2:18 ESV

     James explains how we should live as Christians and gives evidences of the faith we have in Jesus. As the half brother of Jesus, he witnessed first hand how Jesus lived, yet growing up, James did not believe Jesus to be God’s Son until after His death and resurrection. (John 7:5… Acts 1:14) When you read James, remember Jesus lived perfectly the teaching and instructions as written by James. How else could James have written so clearly how we should conduct ourselves in faith? He wrote this not by his own authority, but by the example he, no doubt, witnessed in Jesus. This is a book not written to a specific church but rather to all Christians. The book of James is just as applicable today as when he penned this letter to Christians of his day. While works in the Christian’s life is important, remember works do not and cannot save you; for we are saved by grace. (Ephesians 2:8-9) Works by faith give evidence of the truth and results of grace that you have experienced in Christ Jesus. Good works by those who have experienced grace are acts of love, not works to gain salvation. Salvation is only possible in the person of Jesus Christ alone. (Acts 4:12)

ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS:

     While words are important, and much is said by James concerning the tongue, actions generally speak what you really believe. Words can inform people of your knowledge or lack of it, but actions inform people what you really believe. Have you ever heard a person say, “I know I shouldn’t do _______ but…. then they do it. Knowledge of right and wrong never gives evidence of change in a persons life, but living rightly or wrongly gives evidence of what is really true in your life.

FAITH WITHOUT WORKS:

     Many today say they have faith or that they are Christians. The thought comes to mind, “How should this affect those in this world?”. I heard an illustration this week that puts this in perspective. I did not check these numbers to see if they were correct but for the sake of illustration it makes the point. About twenty five percent of people say they are evangelical Christians. In comparison this should be like putting one fourth a pound of salt into a pound of hamburger. How would that affect the  hamburger? How is it possible for twenty five percent of people to be Christians and yet not have a MAJOR affect upon the world? You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and be trampled under people’s feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.. In the same way, let you light shine before others, so that they may SEE YOUR GOOD WORKS and GIVE GLORY TO YOUR FATHER WHO IS IN HEAVEN. Matthew 5:13-16 ESV Our works should not be for our glory but to point people to the God we love who has saved us by his grace and give HIM glory.

HOW CAN WE CHANGE?

     Read the Bible not just as a book of information but as an instruction manual for living. But be doers of the word and not hearers only. James 1:22 ESV  When reading the Bible and seeing where you may fall short in so many ways, don’t be overwhelmed. Many people say, “ I just can’t do this; no one can.” That would be a correct statement, and that is why we are saved by grace and not works. I have heard people say after eating a large plate of food, “I can’t believe I ate the whole thing.” So how did they do it? ….One bite at a time. The process of growing as a Christian is called sanctification. This is a person who is not what they were but is growing and is not yet what they will be. Growing as a Christian is a process of surrender and loving God more everyday. When Jesus was asked, “Teacher what is the greatest commandment of the law?” Matthew 22:36 ESV Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law of the Prophets.” Matthews 22:37-40 ESV  We work not for salvation but in order to show our love for God. The work of salvation was done on the cross, and trust me, neither you nor anyone else will do a work that is greater than this. God became flesh, lived, died, and rose again defeating the consequence of sin….Death. I was once asked, “What’s the big deal? He was God; of course, he could raise from the dead”…. after much thought to the question, my answer was and is ….YOU are the deal. He did it for you… willingly. He didn’t have to do it …. He was God. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 ESV ….. God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 ESV 

     One final thought; what or who you love will determine how you live. Good ….. or ….. Bad. My prayer for myself and for all who read this is that we would choose good…. that we will always choose God for He chose us. He became like us, yet without sin, so that we could become like Him who knows no sin. (2 Corinthians 5:21) It is grace and mercy which makes the gospel, the gospel of GOOD NEWS.

Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David

     We have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the MAJESTY in heaven. Hebrews 8:1 ESV

     The book of Hebrews was written to an audience that was keenly aware of old testament ways. The author, whom we don’t know, was making much of Jesus over the covenant system that was taught before Jesus came. This writer made sure that those to whom he was writing understood that no one or no thing took center stage in life more than Jesus. He was greater than the aAngels and Moses. He is our High Priest and the New Covenant by which God reveals himself to us. The book of Hebrews is just as relevant to us today as when it was first written. Today there may be many that do not understand nor know the significance of this teaching concerning Angels, Moses, and the priestly line, but you must understand the significance of who Jesus is. He is God’s communication of Himself to us. There is no earthly system, material position, or knowledge greater than Jesus. If you give more significance to anything in your life than Jesus then it must be because you do not understand who Jesus is. You may have a knowledge of Him, but to know Him personally will change your life. A change caused by faith in someone much greater than yourself….GOD. To receive a glimpse of this faith, we can review what is called, “The Hall Of Faith,” in Hebrews chapter 11. It is by faith that we believe the communication of God to us through His Son Jesus. Without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6 ESV What would be the greatest reward we could ever receive today? Jesus….. God’s only Son becoming our Lord and Savior and the forgiveness of all our sins accomplished by his death in our place on the cross. Jesus is our greatest reward; for He accomplished everything we could not do, presenting us to His Father as if we had never sinned….. justified.

Jesus Is Our High Priest:

     In the Old Testament the priest offered sacrifices before God on behalf of the people for their sins. These sacrifices showed the seriousness of sin in that something died in order to cover sin. While these sacrifices covered sin, Jesus ultimately did what the blood of animals could never do. Being the perfect sacrifice He not only covered sin but provided eternal forgiveness of sins. Forgiveness that would cover all our sins, causing no other sacrifice to ever be necessary. (Hebrews 9:22)

Seated At The Right Hand:

     The priests that were before Jesus went into the Temple to meet with God on behalf of the people. Jesus, our high priest, is seated by His right hand of the throne of God and intercedes for us around the clock. He neither sleeps nor slumbers nor has any limitations. That is who Jesus is for us as Christians. The Son of God became flesh, then died, was buried, and rose again and is now seated with His Father on our behalf.

MAJESTIC ONE:
“OH LORD OUR LORD HOW MAJESTIC IS YOUR NAME IN ALL THE EARTH…..AND HEAVEN.” He has done great things and is greatly to be praised. May it never be said that the rocks cry out more in praises to Jesus than we who have been redeemed by His blood. May we sing loudly, “Redeemed how I love to proclaim it, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.” May we receive a glimpse of the majesty that is in Christ Jesus and bring much glory to God!!!!!

God, it is my prayer that we who have been redeemed by YOUR sacrifice will live daily as living sacrifices, which is our reasonable service to the Majestic King Jesus. Amen.

Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David

Scripture… Read the one chapter in the book of Philemon … Pauls shortest letter.

     Philemon is the shortest of all Paul’s letters. A letter not written to a church but to a man named Philemon. Paul was a close friend to Philemon, whom he had led to Christ. Philemon had also helped start the church in Colossae. (vs 1-2) Philemon had a slave by the name of Onesimus who had wronged him and then run away. Onesimus somehow met Paul who was in prison, and during this meeting Paul lead him to faith in Christ. Paul was sending Onesimus back to Philemon with this letter to right whatever wrong he had done and to encourage Philemon to forgive him and receive him back, not as a slave but as a fellow believer. Much can be learned from all of Paul’s letters, but what are some of the principles of truth we can learn in the letter to Philemon?

FORGIVENESS:
     Paul, in this letter, was working as a mediator between Philemon and Onesimus. Onesimus had committed an act that according to Roman law, could be greatly punished. He would have lived the rest of his life, if not captured, in hiding and running. Receiving forgiveness was the only way Onesimus would ever really live in freedom- Freedom that comes from being forgiven and received as a fellow believer by Philemon. Just like Onesimus, before a person comes to know Christ as Savior, he is also a slave- a slave to sin— sin which is a wrong against God and is greatly punishable. He is not free. Every person born needs a mediator… Jesus … who will speak on our behalf before God. God will forgive and receive us back when we repent of sin, and return to Him, acknowledging the sin we have done against Him. God is a forgiving God, and by His grace we are set free from the bondage of sin and its unavoidable consequence. We are received by God and made a part of the family. We no longer are separated from Him by our running from Him in our sin. This is the forgiveness every person born needs.

COURAGE:
     If you run away from something, that is what you will be doing all your life. It surely took courage for Onesimus to return to Philemon. Do you suppose that Onesimus had thoughts in his mind as to how Philemon would receive him? Would he forgive him or punish him? Would he take the council Paul had written in his letter to him or ignore it? It took courage for him to travel back to Philemon, but he desired to make right the wrong he had done as a result of his new life as a believer. One difference for the running in this world today is we know that God will receive us and forgive us when we return to a Him. God made the way through His own Son by making a road back to Him by the way of the cross. It takes courage to return to God, for Satan will try to discourage you with fear by the way of questions. Courage is believing and coming to God in faith when your legs are telling you to run.

FELLOWSHIP:
     Fellowship is a result of being where you need to be. Onesimus would never have experienced fellowship as a fellow believer with Philemon if he had not returned. Paul encouraged Philemon to receive Onesimus as a fellow believer equal to himself before God and not as a slave. When a person receives salvation in Christ, God does not look at us as runners/sinners but as his child. For to be in Christ is to experience a freedom that creates fellowship between God and that person. You will never be in fellowship by running from God but only by returning to God….. Where do you need to be?
     Are you a runner today? Return to God by the way of the cross and be forgiven. Take courage in the truth of God’s word and stop listening to the lies of Satan. This will create for you a fellowship with God that will make life, even though difficult at times, worth living by living in a way that you will never know by running.

Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David

     For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. Titus 2:11-13 ESV

     In this world there is nothing new under the sun concerning the sin nature of man.  When Paul wrote to Titus, he did so preparing him to deal with issues in the churches at Crete.  Paul refers to a general description of the Cretans as a true testimony that they are described as liars, evil beasts, and lazy gluttons. (Titus 1:12-13)  This was not exactly an area influenced by Godly living as Christinas are called to live when empowered by the Holy Spirit in their life.  Paul also wanted Titus to deal with the false teaching of works plus faith being taught by some of the leaders in the churches (Titus 1:10-11)  He instructed him to remove these false teachers and replace them with teachers of the gospel of grace – the gospel by which you are saved, which then influences how you live life by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Titus 1:11-3:6)  The challenge Paul gave to Titus instructing him to put things in order at Crete could easily be the same challenge for us today in the world in which we live.  Crete was not an easy place to live because of all the evil that shrouded the region, yet like Christians then, we are called today to be light in the darkness of no hope.  We do so by ——–

TEACHING SALVATION BY GRACE:

     To be religious and teach salvation is Jesus plus something else.  This is a false teacher.  Salvation is made possible to all people only by the grace of God.  For by grace you have been saved through faith.  And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.  Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV  To believe additional work is needed to be saved, is to believe the death of Jesus on the cross was not quite enough.  The truth is simply this, “there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaved given among men by which we must be saved.”  Acts 4:12 ESV  That name….. JESUS. (Acts4:11)  Also the teaching of works being necessary to stay saved, is teaching Jesus can save you, but isn’t strong enough to keep you.  Good works are the result of salvation, not the process of salvation.  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.  Ephesians 2:10 ESV

LIVING ON PURPOSE FOR OUR GOD AND SAVIOR JESUS:

     It is one thing to say you are a Christian; it is another to live on purpose for God.  Living on purpose is making much of our God and Savior Jesus Christ, not bringing attention to ourselves.  The light that should shine in every Christian should cause fellow Christians and others to see God.  You are the light of the world.  A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.  Matthew 5:14-16, ESV  Obviously the light that is shining in you is Jesus, and that is what you want others to see. (2 Corinthians 4:5-6)

WAITING WITH HOPE FOR JESUS’ RETURN:

     A life without hope is a dark life.  The Christian is to live as one knowing and believing that Jesus will return.  We believe this because Jesus said He would do so. (John 14:3)  When we take our eyes off Jesus, we see only the darkness of this world.  We may be surrounded by the storms of life, but we can walk on the waters of this life without drowning when Jesus is our focus.  May we, as Paul, live our lives so that if we are to sleep in death before the return of Christ, we finish well.  Paul said it like this. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7 ESV  May this be true of all who go and live by the name….. Christian.

Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David

You then, my child, be strengthened by grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 2: 1

     Paul was imprisoned in Rome and it wasn’t going well for him. He was probably going to die, and in his letter to Timothy he informed him of this reality. (2 Timothy 4:6-8) Suffering proved to be a part of Paul’s life, but he considered it more than worth it as a believer. Paul had experienced and received unprecedented grace from Jesus on the road to Damascus. Grace that he recognized as his only hope which was a gift given by God. (Ephesians 2:8-9) Don’t we all need to be strengthen by the grace that is in Jesus? Paul needed it, he encouraged Timothy to be strengthened by this same grace, and this letter applies to us today. The gospel of grace needs to be taught to all who will listen. Then, upon believing and receiving the gift of grace,  share with others. How do we live in the strength of grace that is in Jesus?

WE LIVE IN THANKSGIVING TO JESUS:

     I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord. 1 Timothy 1:12a ESV……. And the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 1:14 ESV

     Everything we have is from the Lord, even our strength and ability to walk as we are commanded. We are to give thanks to Him continually for the strength we receive from him. We are to lay aside every weight of sin that slows us down in our spiritual growth. (Hebrews 12:1) Jesus needs to be our focus in the midst of difficulties, suffering and trials. Stephen, just before he was stoned, gazed into heaven and said these words, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” Acts 7:56 ESV Jesus was his focus when he lived and when he died.

WE LIVE IN THE JOY OF JESUS:

     The joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10b ESV

     I know this is in the Old Testament, but it is the same Lord. Strength comes when we are walking strong in joy because of who Jesus is in our life. This is how Paul endured all that he experienced in suffering. A person who has joy in Jesus will have strength to live in victory. This is why we sing the song, “Victory in Jesus, my Savior forever….” We have salvation in Christ alone, not in and of ourselves. This joy is a result of the Holy Spirit living in us.

WE LIVE IN THE STRENGTH OF HIS PRESENCE:

     At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me…… But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. 2 Timothy 4:16a – 17 ESV

     Paul, like Jesus, was alone when all deserted him at his first trial. (2 Timothy 4:16) -All that is except Jesus. Jesus made a promise just before he went back to His heavenly kingdom. He said, “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20b ESV  I know there may be times when you feel all alone, but what we feel and what we know are two totally different realities. We must live in the fact that the Lord will never lie to us. I have never read where Paul wavered from this fact. Let me encourage you not to live with the “why me” mindset. Instead, If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Colossians 3:1-2 ESV  You may say ‘I don’t deserve the Lord to be with me,’ but the truth is you never have. That is why it is called grace, and it is in this grace that we have strength. Strength that comes from Christ alone. Strength that comes from a grace that is greater than all our sin. Paul referred to himself as the chief or worst of sinners when sharing the gospel of grace. (1 Timothy 1:15.)

     Remember, Satan is a lier and will always attempt to make you believe you are alone, without hope and weak. In order for Satan to do this he must make you believe that your sin is greater than God’s grace. The strength of grace is the cross upon which Jesus died, and the blood that covers a multitude of sin. Let me again encourage you to always walk in the strength of the grace that is in Jesus Christ alone.

Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David

     For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 2:5 ESV 

     The gap between God and man was and is so great that unless someone intervened, we would be without hope. That someone was and is Jesus. He, by His sacrifice on the cross, made it possible for this gap to be closed by making a bridge between us and God so that we might enter into His presences forgiven. What an awesome reality that by grace, we have someone to go before God on our account in order to restore a relationship that was destroyed by sin. It is also very important to acknowledge some important facts for this grace to be experienced.

THERE IS ONE GOD
     There is no one sufficient word to describe God. God is greater than any language could describe, yet we use words to attempt to have an understanding of His greatness. There are over a hundred names in the Bible to show the greatness of God. Words used like Alpha and Omega, meaning the first and last Revelations 1:8…. Elohim, meaning creator Genesis 1 1-3… Jehovah Jireh, God will provide, Genesis 22:14 . There are not many gods but one true God. God makes it clear for us to understand that we are to have no other gods before Him. (Exodus 20:3…. Matthew 4:10)

THERE IS ONE MEDIATOR
     Satan is more than happy to remind you of your failures. Our failures…sin… separates us from fellowship with God, and Satan would be just fine with us dying in this condition…. Satan would but not God! God in His love for us came in the flesh and paid the penalty for our sin by dying on a cross. All will one day experience physical death and will stand before God to give an account of the life we lived. If this death is faced without repentance, then that person will stand before God alone. However, for all who confess and believe, they will have an advocate that will speak on their behalf. (1 John 1: 8 -1 John 2: 1-2) Think about this…. the Christian will have someone who will stand before God on their account. Though the Christian is without excuse concerning their sin, they will be forgiven because of the work of Christ on the cross who took our penalty for sin….death.

THE MAN CHRIST JESUS God in the flesh; that’s who Jesus was!!! He has ascended back to the Father, and one day is coming again to take the Christian home to be with Him forever. These are just words to the one who does not know Him as Savior, but to the Christian they are words of hope and life. It is comforting to know that Jesus has covered us with His righteousness so that we might stand before God one day justified. Justified…JUST AS IF I’D NEVER sinned. Guilty we are, but forgiven….absolutely!!!! This should be the reason we love God so very much. He was willing to pay the debt for the sin that He did not owe. It was our debt. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV 

     This is the bottom line to all that is written above. How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? Hebrews 2:3 ESV  It must be understood that no one will come into the presence of God forgiven without Jesus. For by Jesus alone a person is saved. AND THERE IS SALVATION IN NO ONE ELSE, FOR THERE IS NO OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN GIVEN AMONG MEN BY WHICH WE MUST BE SAVED. ACTS 4:12 ESV

Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. 2 Thessalonians 3:16

     The book of 2 Thessalonians is a short letter written as a follow-up to 1 Thessalonians. Things had become worse concerning the issues Paul had written about in 1 Thessalonians. The persecution had intensified, false teachings concerning Jesus’s return had amped up, and people were not being biblically responsible when it came to work. It was becoming more difficult to …. rejoice always, pray continually and to give thanks in all circumstances as instructed in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. Paul was concerned and rightly so; for if thing continued, people might lose sight of the comfort, hope, and peace that Jesus is for them. There is nothing new under the sun, and people can still become discouraged even in our world today. There is still persecution in many places, false teachings, and our eyes watch for the promised return of Jesus. How does a person live in such times? Be it then or now? …In peace that only the Lord can give. Paul prayed it for the believers in Thessalonica, and it is a prayer that could be echoed through the ages.

For Those In Persecutions…. Peace
    There are places in the world today that are experiencing persecution because of their faith in Jesus. Places where churches are burned, people are tortured, families killed while other family member are forced to watch, and children taken captive to suffer greatly at the hand of their captors. (More information concerning these types of persecutions can be read in the magazine, “Voice of the Martyrs” or by visiting the web site, www.persecution.com) How do people endure such moments? They endure by grace that comes from trusting in Jesus. Peace is given by Jesus for those who endure such difficult times. Jesus spoke these words to us from John 15:20 … “A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecute me, they will persecute you.”

During Times of False Teachings…. Peace
     There were those who were teaching that Paul said “The Lord has already returned.” Paul had never taught such a falsehood. Today, we are still looking for the coming of Jesus and must not grow weary in doing so. Keep looking up with anticipation for His return. The world is full of all kinds of false teachings which can cause frustration and fear just as in Thessalonica. Never believe the lies of false teachings and always hold on to the truth of the written word such as the teachings by Jesus…. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you. And behold, I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, TO THE END OF THE AGE Matthew 28:19-20 and Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I WILL COME AGAIN AND WILL TAKE YOU TO MYSELF, THAT WHERE I AM YOU MAY BE ALSO. John 14:2-3

When People Cease to Work…. Peace
     Do not look to the lack of action by others but keep on keeping on until Jesus returns. We are not called to be idle but working until His return. Be one who sets an example for other in how you live by not being idle. There is no retirement in the Christian walk of faith. Have you ever heard someone say “Why should I do _______, no one else is?” We are called to live on purpose for the Lord until He comes, as described in Luke 12:35-40 ….. We must be ready!! While we don’t work to gain salvation, there is a peace that comes from God in our work for Him. It is a peace that knows why we do what we do.

Paul ended the second letter to the Thessalonians with a prayer for them to experience peace from the Lord. Peace, because it is the guard of our hearts to keep us keeping on. The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, WILL GUARD YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS IN CHRIST JESUS. Philippians 4:7 ESV  When we lack the peace that comes from faith in God, we will tend to wander from truth. We look for answers in places where there are no answers. When tempted to look for answers anywhere other than in Christ, may we have the mind of Peter in John 6:68 ESV when he said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”

Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

     Paul helped establish the church in Thessalonica as recorded in Acts 7:1-9. The church continued after Paul had to flee the city due to an uprising of jealous Jews. They were jealous because many other Jews and Greeks had chosen to follow and believe the teachings that Jesus was the Messiah and that He was buried and rose again from the dead. The church at Tessalonica continued but not without struggles, suffering, and persecution. Paul prayed prayers of thanksgiving because of Timothy’s good report concerning their faith and love. (1 These. 3:6)  He encouraged them to live in a way that is pleasing to God in the midst of a wicked society. (1 These. 4:1-12)  He encouraged them not to lose hope because their salvation was in Jesus, and He would return one day to take home those who have fallen asleep and those who remain waiting for His return. (1 These. 4:13-18 … 5:1-11)  If Paul was writing this letter to us today, how would we accomplish the challenge of continuing to live well in order to give testimony of Jesus? I believe three things to be important as instructed by Paul.

Rejoice Always:
     As a verb, according to one dictionary, rejoice means to feel or show great joy or delight. Joy always equals strength. To have joy is to have strength, for what makes us joyful makes us strong. I’m referring to the realization of the eternal joy that we have in Christ. This is the only place where true happiness can be attained, for God is eternal. Everything else will pass away. Nehemiah 8:10b states, “the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Delighting yourself in the Lord will give evidence of His presence in your life. Joy does not mean the absence of difficulty but gives ability to look beyond the circumstance to know God has a purpose for all that you are experiencing. James tells us to, “Count it all JOY, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” James 1:2-3 ESV ….. Jesus gave us the greatest example of this truth. Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the JOY that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrew 12:2 ESV

Pray Continually:
    Praying is communicating with God. This communication is a result of fellowship with him and recognizes the presence of God with you at every moment. Have you heard the saying, “There is strength in numbers and one with God is a majority?” It really is a true statement. Often when Paul would address people in his letters to them, he would say something concerning how he prayed for them. Paul never told people they wouldn’t have struggles, but he did encourage them to press on. In 2 Corinthians 11:23-28, Paul tells of his sufferings for being a witness of Christ. Paul could not have endured all this without his communication and acknowledgment of the presence of Jesus being with him. Praying continually is acknowledging His presence with you…. that is relationship.

Give Thanks In Every Circumstance:
    Rejoicing and praying…. that seems understandable when living the Christian life but giving thanks in every circumstance? Yes, this is what we are to do as Christians, for it communicates that we really do believe God is in control. Not only that, but it also is a testimony to the lost that you trust God, and you love Him. We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 ESV  This is easier said than done; and if you do not have joy and pray relationally with Him, it is impossible. When things become very difficult in my life emotionally or physically, I ask this question in my prayers, “God, what are you trying to teach me?” As time passes, sometimes I see how He had worked in my life, and other times it didn’t make sense. However, this I know: God is in control and is working all things for His glory. I believe if God wants us to live on purpose for Him, then He does or allows things on purpose in our lives and “all thing work together for good.”

     In my years of ministry I have heard many times, “I wish I knew what God’s will is for my life.” Here’s the answer……. rejoice, pray and give thanks. I know it sounds simple but it is a simple truth.  I have never witnessed anyone practicing these three things that didn’t have clearer direction in life. Let me encourage you, when things don’t seem clear in your life as a Christian, to always go back to the basics of rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks just as Paul instructed the church at Thessalonica to do in difficult times.

Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David

     He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creations. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities— all things were created through him and for him. Colossians 2:15-16 ESV 

For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of the cross. Colossians 2:19-20 ESV 

     Paul, though he had never visited the church at Colossae, wrote a letter to them encouraging them not to lose sight of who Jesus was and is. There were those who were teaching that Jesus was simply another deity to be worshipped and others teaching the law must be followed. In both cases it was destroying the true teaching of who Jesus is and what he alone accomplished on the cross. Anything taken away or added to who Jesus is… is false teaching. Jesus is the Messiah… the Savior of all who will call upon his name. He was God in the flesh; the one and only God creator…. Lord. By him all things were made and without him nothing would be. Jesus lived so we could see the perfect God who created all things helping us to see God’s great love for us.

In The Beginning:
     Everything and everyone has a beginning. Everything and everyone that is except God. God has always been and will always be. He is eternal with no beginning and no end. This truth concerning Jesus is explained in the first chapter of John. In the beginning was the word , and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1 ESV… And the word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 ESV  So the reality is that Jesus made it possible to not just hear about God, but to see God. As a Christian, your beginning was when you called upon Jesus to be the Savior in your life. Not only do you know about Him by what you have heard and read but now you know him personally. God, through Jesus, has created in you a clean heart. It was your new beginning.

All Authority:
     Lord of all…. that is who Jesus is. There is no authority nor deity that supersedes Him for He is the King of kings and Lord of lords.(Revelations 19:16) Everyone will bow before Him as Lord over all. Pilate, when addressing Jesus, said to Him, “Do you not know that I have authority to release you and the authority to crucify you?” John 19:10b  Jesus replied, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it has been given you from above.” John 19:11 ESV  When Jesus was being arrested in the garden and Peter tried to defend Him by the sword, Jesus said to him, “Do you not think that I could appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angles?” Matthew 26:53 ESV  Everything and everyone is subject to the authority of God. Again it is fact that Jesus, God’s only Son, is King of kings and Lord of lords. There is no one greater nor would anyone have a position of authority without God allowing it to be so.

Reconciliation:
     The verb for reconcile means to…. restore friendly relations between. God restored what was destroyed by sin- Our relationship with Him as creator God. He did, this as we know, by the sacrificial blood of Jesus on the cross. To say that we need to do more is to say that Jesus, who was God in the flesh, was not enough. Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God as referred to in the Bible, is all that is needed to accomplish reconciliation. No other god, deity, works, nor efforts made possible our Salvation which is in Christ alone. And there is Salvation in no one else for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved Acts 4:12 ESV

     Unfortunately not much has changed in people from the time the letter of Colossians was written to today. I have heard it said even from people in a church setting, “There are many ways to heaven and one simply must be sincere.” To believe this is to steal the glory that belongs to God alone. There are gods that people worship which never lived or died and no longer lives. However as Christians, we worship a living God. The living God who is the creator of all that is or ever will be. His call to a person is to repent and believe in the work accomplished by Christ alone upon the cross of Calvary. There is no other work nor effort required, for it is a gift of God. (Ephesians 2:8-9) It will change how you live if you believe; for God never reconciled anyone to himself that He didn’t make a Temple of the Holy Spirit. God will do in you what you could never do for yourself… and that is why He alone should be and is to be worshipped. Always remember that, “ Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. (1 John 4:4 )

Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David