Archive for month: July, 2023

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12.  Let’s go!

2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 (NIV)
1  Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers,
2  not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come.
3  Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.
4  He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.
5  Don’t you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things?

On verses 1-12:  What is going on in this passage? Apparently Paul’s church in Thessalonica was troubled by some false teaching they had received.  This false teaching concerned “the day of the Lord”, the time when Jesus the Messiah would return and dole out his final judgment on the world.  The Thessalonian church had received false teaching — possibly in the form of a letter, prophecy or report — that the day of the Lord had already come.  To complicate matters, the Thessalonian Christians were told that Paul was responsible for this teaching.

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28.  Let’s go!
 
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 (NIV)
12 Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you.
13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 
 
On verses 12-13:  This past weekend I got to witness one of our ministry teams at Thrive honouring their team leader and thanking her for her hard work leading them.  It was cool to see verses 12-13 lived out that way.  For how we treat our church leaders is a reflection of our character, maturity and commitment to Jesus and His church. 
 
1 Thessalonians 5:14 (NIV)
14 And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 
 
On verse 14:  When you notice other brothers and sisters in the church who may seem idle, timid, or weak in a certain area, be patient with them.  In addition, be sensitive to what they need: in some cases what they may need is a warning, in some cases encouragement, and in other cases other help.  May the Holy Spirit give you a discerning heart to know what those around you need and how best to give it to them.

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11. Let’s go !

1 Thessalonians 5:1-8 (NIV)
1  Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you,
2  for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
3  While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
4  But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.
5  You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.
6  So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.
7  For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.
8  But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.

On verse 1-8:  Jesus is returning one day. The question is not if, but when, He will return. The best way you can prepare for Jesus’ return is not by trying to figure out the exact date and time of His return — something which Jesus Himself says He doesn’t know (Mark 13:32) and something which Paul says he won’t bother writing about (v1).  Rather, the best way to prepare for Jesus’ return is by living a life of faith, hope and love in Jesus Christ every day.