It Will Be Given You

"Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened." Matt 7:7-8 NRSV

This morning I would really like the Lord to produce a couple of sermons for me. It would be good if I didn't have to focus on writing them; but, that's not how it works. God is not going to send it directly to my printer. I must do some listening, some searching, in order to know what He would have me say at Carol's funeral tomorrow and at worship on Sunday.

God does, indeed, gift us good gifts without our asking. He gave us His only begotten Son without our asking; without our even realizing that we needed him. But, sometimes we must ask in order to for us to be open to hear His word and His will for us. It's not a matter of God not giving them to us freely. It's a matter of whether we are willing to receive them or not.

The older I get, the more I realize that in order to know and do God's will I have to practice the presence of God so that I can hear Him. I have to actively seek Him because my human nature would shut Him out as I attempt to go it alone, without Him. This, I have found, is not a very wise idea. Of course, God is always with me; but, there are times I shut the door on Him and do not listen; do not hear His word or His will. Without Him, I can do nothing good. But, with Him all things are possible.

Search His word and you will find His good will for you and for all people.

"For this purpose he called you through our proclamation of the good news, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Thess 2:14

God's Peace - Pr. J

Grief with Hope

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Matt 5:4

This morning, I grieve. The family at Zion Lutheran lost two very special ladies on Friday. They were both very gentle and kind; but, also very strong. Both Eunice and Carol were strong in Lord, in their faith.

It is difficult to lose someone you love. It is natural to grieve. Yet our grief is not without hope. St. Paul wrote to the Thessalonians: "And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died." 1 Thess 4:13-14

I am grateful for the opportunity to have known both of these women. It brings me peace to know that even as Christ rose from the dead and lives, so shall all who believe in him.

God's Peace - Pr. J

2 Thess 3 - Disruptive Believers

2 Thessalonians 3 NIV
When was the last time you told anyone about the blessings that God has given you? I find that very few people talk about Jesus (not even at church). When I am out and about, I sometimes hear about people's church affiliation and what people's churches have or have not done for them. But, I rarely hear anyone talk about what God has done for them. I try not to think about this disconnect between believers and their witness to what they believe too often. Professing to be a Christian; yet, not professing Christ gives me heartache.

But; apparently, idle and disruptive believers are not exclusive to our day and time. St. Paul warned the Thessalonians to stay away from those who are not busy; but, are busybodies. There are very good reasons for this warning. First of all, we must be careful not to endorse these unfruitful lifestyles by our silence and cooperation in their unfaithfulness. Secondly, we put ourselves in danger of becoming idle ourselves.

St. Paul reminds us that we are not to regard them as enemies. We are to warn them because they are our brothers or sisters in Christ and we do not want them falling of the path. We ought to be good examples of children following in the way our Father would have us go so that others might be encouraged to get back on track, as well.

As always, I remind you that good works will not save you. But, good works naturally follow faith because the Spirit of Christ abides in you. If you are one who is idle, get back on track and live as an example of one who follows Christ. May the Lord direct our hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance so that we might live life in a manner that God is glorified in all that we say and think and do.

God's Peace - Pr. J

2 Thess 1 - Trials Then Glory

2 Thessalonians 1 NIV

Toksovan Lutheran Church, Russia (2002)
A church, then communist meeting hall,
now a church. There is always hope for
those who persevere.

In the face of persecution by friends, family, community; how easy it would be to just give up and follow in the ways of the world! But, for those who are confident in the Lord and in His justice, we do not give up. Our hope is in the Lord and in His promises. We know that in the end God will work all things out for the good to those who love Him and He will be glorified.

Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians begins with words of encouragement. He commends them for their perseverance and faith. They are enduring many persecutions and trials; yet, they remain faithful.

We are tried, daily, in many ways. We suffer many injustices here in this world. Yet, we know that our trials will bear fruit for the good of all of God's children. May God help us to persevere in faith 'till the day that we will see His glory in all its fullness.

God's Peace - Pr. J

1 Thess 5 - Live in the Light

1 Thessalonians 5 NIV
Paul's closes his first letter to the Thessalonians reminding them that should be diligent in serving the Lord and doing His will. We ought not be thinking that we can slip away into the darkness for secret rendezvous and no one will know. God will know. Be prepared always, for the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. It will come at a time when we are thinking "all is well with the world" even though all might not be well with our souls.

We are children of the light, so we must walk in the light. "... since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet." (vs 8)

And... may "the grace of our Lord be with you." (vs 28)

God's Peace - Pr.  J

1 Thess 4 - Believe and Live!

1 Thessalonians 4 NIV

 

Do you live in order to please God or your or maybe someone else? Those who live in Christ have no fear of death for we know that all who fall asleep in him will rise from the dead even as he rose from the dead. Abide in him as he abides in you for all eternity. Eternity includes today. God is with you and for you. Trust Him and not the work of your own hands or the work of another.

Because he lives, so shall all who believe in him - so shall all who put their trust in him!

God's Peace - Pr. J

1 Thess 3 - Stepping Back and Letting God

1 Thessalonians 3 NIV 


Faithful teacher receiving Communion with his students. He no
longer teaches; but, continues to pray that they will remember
what he  has taught them and continue in faith even in his absence.

We pray for good things for our children and for all whom we love. But, more than that we pray that they will know the joy that comes in following Jesus. We pray that they might know and share God's love. We pray that their faith may increase.

When Paul could not be with the people of Thessalonica, he was just a little worried that they might be backsliding without him there to encourage and teach them so he sent Timothy to check it out. The people were fine. They continued in faith to love the Lord and one another. They continued in His way. The Spirit of Christ continued to work in and through them.

I have found that, sometimes, distance from people we care about might be a good thing. Sometimes, once we have taught someone (especially our own children) all that they can learn from us, that it might be best to put a little distance between us so that we are not meddling in or trying to micro-manage their lives. Sometimes, the best think we can do is step back and pray for them, giving thanks to God for His work in and through them. Stepping back and trusting the Spirit of Christ to continue working in our loved ones is not always the easiest thing to do. But, sometimes it is the best thing. It is always a good thing to entrust their lives to God. He does a much better job at guiding them than we can.

God's Peace - Pr. J

1 Thess 2 - Persecution For The Good News

1 Thessalonians 2 NIV
The gospel is not always received well. There will be opposition to the good news of salvation through Jesus the Christ. St. Paul continued to proclaim it for the sake of others in the face of much opposition. The truth can be quite offensive to those who follow in their own ways. The light of truth can bring us to rejoice in in Jesus; but, for those who reject the truth it sometimes sends further into the darkness in attempts to hide from the truth. The truth sometimes stirs up fear and hatred and with that persecution of those who believe. In spite of hardship and persecution, those who follow Jesus will continue to share the good news with others so that all might know the joy of living in relationship with God our Father and our Lord, Jesus Christ.

May God grant us the knowledge, wisdom, courage and strength to speak the truth no matter what the opposition might be so that we might all know the glory of God.

God's Peace - Pr. J

1 Thess 1 - What Are You Thankful For?

1 Thessalonians 1 NIV

Give thanks for Christ is our hope
and salvation!

Paul opens his letter to the Thessalonians by telling them how thankful he is to God for them. Paul is thankful that their faith, love, and hope is evidenced by their witness and service to the living and true God.

What are you thankful for this morning? What or whom do you celebrate? Are you excited because the snow is melting? Or maybe you are thankful for that you get to go shopping rather than work today? Or, maybe you just bought a new "toy"? Or just maybe, you are thankful that you get to live and witness to God's glory today in what you say and do? Are you thankful for the opportunity to serve and glorify God?

In spite of much persecution himself, Paul did a lot of thanking God for the faith and faithfulness of others. He prayed for them. He encouraged them.

My sleep was interrupted last night with dreams of suicide bombers and images of the dead and dying. Our brothers and sisters in Christ are being persecuted, hunted down, and murdered around the globe, the latest atrocities being committed by suicide bombers at a Roman Catholic and a Christ Church in Pakistan. There are many hate filled groups around the world that are bent on exterminating those who don't agree with them; those who are not like them; those who do not worship as they do. I think we've seen this before and it seems the world has learned nothing from the experiences. Although, not to the degree as in some countries, it appears that hate groups are rearing their ugly heads here in the United States, as well.

We have a lot to be thankful for. This morning I thank God for the faith and faithfulness of our brothers and sisters in Christ around the globe who are ready to be witnesses to the love of God in Christ Jesus in the face of much persecution; in the face of even death. What are you thankful for?

God's Peace - Pr. J