Today’s Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:1 – 2:5

In his next letter, which he wrote to the church in Corinth, Paul took the gospel that they had received beforehand and applied it, making it a very useful letter for us to study today. The letter is built on this foundational idea: Now that you have a relationship with Christ, this is what your life should look like — NOT a new set of rules or a new law to oppress the people but a call to holy living born out of a marriage with Christ and an outflow of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

I am writing to God’s church in Corinth, to you who have been called by God to be HIS own holy people. He made you holy by means of Christ Jesus, just as he did for all people everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours…

I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you, now that you BELONG to Christ Jesus. Through him, God has enriched your church in every way – with all of your eloquent words and all of your knowledge. This confirms that what I told you about Christ is true. Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. – 1 Corinthians 1:2-7

OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST CHANGES US.

Jesus Christ died on a cross so that we can be forgiven of our sins and freed from our sinful nature. This is THE MESSAGE OF THE CROSS that Paul preached and the message we believe. Our faith in Christ and the forgiveness of our sins brings us into a relationship with Him that forever changes our lives. We now belong to Christ; we have been united with Him.

God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. – 1 Corinthians 1:30

So, since I belong to Christ and am united with Him, and you belong to Christ and are united with Him, is it too much for God to ask us to live in harmony with each other? Paul answers that question with clarity: Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose (1 Corinthians 1:10). How do we do this? We rely on the power of the Holy Spirit (2:4).

THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ENABLES US TO LIVE IN UNITY.

The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. – 1 Corinthians 1:18

United in Christ, we know with confidence that He was crucified and raised to life and that He now reigns in our hearts, but the world around us does not understand our faith. They call it a “crutch” and see it as a weakness or craziness. But we know the message of the cross is the definition of the power of God!

So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it is nonsense. But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength… God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose the things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. – 1 Corinthians 1:23-25,27

THE POWER OF GOD LIVES INSIDE OF US.

So why do we feel inadequate? Why do we pull back and wait for someone else to do the work of God? We buy into the criticisms of the enemy and the world. We think of ourselves as incapable of doing anything great for God. Yet it is not about how simple we are but about how committed we are. It is not about how strong a vessel we are for God to fill, but about how strong He is and how capable He is to do something great even in and through us!

My message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God. — 1 Corinthians 2:4-5

Father God, thank you for THE MESSAGE OF THE CROSS — the message that frees us from our bondage to sin and gives us new life in You, Lord. Please shut out all of the discouragement of the world around us and of the enemy so that we can hear only you today, cheering us on and calling us to do great things. Remind us that we only need to rely on the power of the Spirit and not on our own wisdom or abilities. Remind us that you have equipped us with every spiritual gift we need and graciously poured out your Spirit on us. As we are united in you, help us to be united with each other, living in harmony – being of one mind, united in thought and purpose. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Acts 20; Psalm 31

Paul made many more stops as he hurried to make his way back to Jerusalem for the Festival of Pentecost. Rather than go into Ephesus, Paul sent for the elders of the church at Ephesus to meet him in Miletus, where he said these words of farewell:

“You know that from the day I set foot in the province of Asia until now, I have done the Lord’s work humbly and with many tears. I have endured the trials that came to me from the plots of the Jews. I never shrank back from telling you what you needed to hear, either publicly or in your homes. I have one message for Jews and Greeks alike — the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus.

“And now I am bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me, except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead. But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it to finish the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus — the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.

“And now I know that none of you to whom I have preached the Kingdom will ever see me again. I declare today that I HAVE BEEN FAITHFUL. If anyone suffers eternal death, it’s not my fault, for I didn’t shrink from declaring all that God wants you to know…

“And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” – Acts 20:18-27, 35

What a wonderful testimony — one I hope to have as my time on earth comes towards an end.

• To be able to say I served humbly and opened my heart up to others.

• To be able to say I survived hard times or opposition, not because I shrank back and avoided, but because I stayed true and committed regardless of the situation.

• To have no feelings of regret – regret that I didn’t say enough or that I wasn’t bold enough in my faith, that I loved others enough to have tough conversations.

• To have worked hard in order that those in need can be helped – to have lived a life that echoes Jesus’ words – “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” – (Acts 20:35)

Paul knew that jail and suffering were in his future, and he was right. Yet Paul said, “My life is worth nothing to me unless I use it to finish the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus – the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God” (Acts 20:24).

Lord, give us that kind of passion and determination. Help us to keep our eyes focused on you and your calling, knowing in confidence that you will be with us — even when suffering is ahead. May we never shrink back but remain faithful to what you have called us to do and say.

And Lord, we pray this morning for all who are currently living in war zones. Lord, we pray for your protection of the innocent and we pray for those who are daily giving their lives to protect others from harm. We pray for all the refugees as they struggle to protect and provide for their families. Help them to reach their destinations safely and provide for their needs, we pray.

Lord, we include in this prayer all of the individuals and organizations who are on the “front lines” with a willingness to do what you have called them to do, regardless of the resistance against them or the danger to them. Help them to continue to be strong, to be courageous and to be faithful. Amen.

But I am trusting you, O Lord,
saying, “You are my God!”
My future is in your hands.
Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly.
Let your favor shine on your servant.
In your unfailing love, rescue me…
How great is the goodness
you have stored up for those who fear you.
You lavish it on those who come to you for protection,
blessing them before the watching world.
You hide them in the shelter of your presence,
safe from those who conspire against them.
You shelter them in your presence,
far from accusing tongues.
Praise the Lord,
for he has shown me the wonders of his unfailing love.
He kept me safe when my city was under attack.
In panic I cried out,
“I am cut off from the Lord!”
But you heard my cry for mercy
and answered my call for help.
Love the Lord, all you godly ones!
For the Lord protects those who are loyal to him,
but he harshly punishes the arrogant.
So be strong and courageous,
all you who put your hope in the Lord! – Psalm 31:14-24

Today’s Reading: Acts 19:23-41; Psalm 7

Paul was wrapping up his ministry in Ephesus and making plans to go to Macedonia and Achaia before going to Jerusalem and then Rome. But before he could carry out those plans, trouble began to brew for him.

Those who made their money from the worship of false gods were losing business and creating accusations against Paul. A silversmith named Demetrius gathered together the other craftsmen and convinced them of the need to protect the profit-making industry surrounding the goddess Artemis. They took a posture of anger, causing confusion that led to a riot of historic proportion in the Amphitheatre. God rescued Paul from this intense situation, allowing Paul to leave and go to Macedonia and then to Greece, where he wrote the second letter to the Corinthian Church.

Paul was doing a good thing in Ephesus. People were given the freedom to choose the message of Christ over what the culture of Ephesus was promoting. They were throwing out their confidence in incantations and sorcery because they had seen the power of Jesus’ name, and they wanted to embrace all that God had for them. But the anger and jealousy of a small group of people caused confusion in the community and chaos broke out. Paul had to hold on to the words the Lord had spoken over him.

DO NOT BE AFRAID. SPEAK OUT. DO NOT BE SILENT. FOR I AM WITH YOU.

Reading through Acts 18 and 19 over the last few days has shed new light on what is happening in the state of Illinois right now. For over 40 years, pregnancy help organizations have been making a difference in the lives of both men and women. Hundreds of thousands of families have received resources and emotional support during difficult times, and the hope they have received has made a generational impact.

But there is a small group of angry people who are upset about what this community impact is doing to their own profit-making abilities, and they are doing everything they can to discredit the professionalism and authenticity of pregnancy help organizations. But we must stand confident in who we are, what we do and how we do it. The words of the Lord to Paul in Acts 18 are a good reminder to us of the Lord’s presence and protection.

One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me.” So Paul stayed there for the next year and a half, teaching the word of God. – Acts 18:9-11

Perhaps there are some voices in your life that are seeking to discourage you or shut you down. I pray this morning that you, too, will hear the truth that God is with you. I pray you will see the large number of believers in your life who are there to encourage you and shut out the voices of the few who seek to emotionally destroy you. You are created by God for a beautiful purpose, and you should never be ashamed of how God is calling you to live out your faith. I pray the Holy Spirit will fill you this morning, giving you the power and authority to do all that the Lord is prompting you to do in the lives of others.

DO NOT BE AFRAID. SPEAK OUT. DO NOT BE SILENT. FOR I AM WITH YOU.

Let’s pray Psalm 7 together:
Lord, I come to you for protection this morning. Save me from those who wish to make my life difficult or to stand in the way of what you have called me to do. May your righteousness at work in my life be evident to those around me. Thank you for being my shield — the One who saves those whose hearts are true and right. I am grateful for the reminder this week that you are with me. I will thank you, Lord, because you are just; I will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Acts 19:1-22; Psalm 21

Paul did not spend much time in Antioch before he set out on his third missionary trip, which had an itinerary to go back to many of the areas he had previously visited. His purpose was to encourage and strengthen them. When he stopped in Ephesus, Paul found many believers who had repented of their sins and had been baptized with John’s kind of baptism of water, but they had not yet been baptized by or received the gift of the Holy Spirit.

THEY NEEDED TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP IN THEIR JOURNEY OF GRACE.

The first thing he said was, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? Did you take God into your mind only, or did you also embrace him with your heart? Did he get inside you?”
“We’ve never even heard of that — a Holy Spirit? God within us?” – Acts 19:2 (The Message)

Paul laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. They began praising God and telling others about the actions of a God who would love them enough to live in them. They spoke in other tongues and were given the gift of prophecy. The presence of the Holy Spirit immediately made a difference in their lives.

Paul stayed in Ephesus to continue preaching about Jesus and the way to salvation. For three months, he went to the synagogue to debate with the Jews, trying to persuade them about the Kingdom of God. But they stubbornly rejected Paul’s message, speaking out in opposition against the way. So Paul left the synagogue and began teaching in a lecture hall instead, taking the believers with him. I guess you could say that he planted a new church. He stayed there for two years teaching both Jews and Greeks, and possibly writing his first letter to the church in Corinth.

God gave Paul the power to perform unusual miracles. When handkerchiefs or aprons that had merely touched his skin were placed on sick people, they were healed of their diseases, and evil spirits were expelled. – Acts 19:11-12 (NLT)

PAUL WAS ABLE TO DO AMAZING THINGS BECAUSE GOD GAVE HIM THE POWER TO DO IT.

The City of Ephesus was known for its worship of Artemis, the goddess of fertility, otherwise known as Diana. With this pagan culture, they were in awe of all that Paul was able to do. Some began casting out evil spirits “in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches.” When the evil spirits acknowledged both Jesus and Paul, the tone of the city changed. The name of the Lord Jesus became greatly honored among the Ephesians because it was evident there was power in Jesus’ name.

Many who became believers confessed their sinful practices. A number of them who had been practicing sorcery brought their incantation books and burned them at a public bonfire. The value of the books was several million dollars. So the message about the Lord spread widely and had a powerful effect. – Acts 19:18-20

REVIVAL BROKE OUT WHEN THEY WERE WILLING TO WALK AWAY FROM THEIR OLD LIVES IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE LIFE THAT JESUS HAD DIED TO GIVE THEM.

So what is the Lord eager to do in your life and through your obedience? What is the next step on your journey of grace? Are you willing to walk away from something in order to receive the life God has for you?

You have endowed him with eternal blessings
and given him the joy of your presence.
For the king trusts in the Lord.
The unfailing love of the Most High
will keep him from stumbling. – Psalm 21:6-7

Lord, we humbly come before you this morning to ask you to guide us towards the next step on our journey of grace. We long to grow in our understanding of you, daily preparing ourselves for each conversation and opportunity you place before us. We pray for revival to break out among our churches in such a way that our communities take notice. Lord, be glorified through your power at work within us. May the message of salvation spread widely and have a powerful effect because we were not afraid to speak out. May each of us experience the powerful presence of your Holy Spirit living within us, giving us the courage to not be silent so that someone else can experience the next step on their journey of grace. Amen.

DO NOT BE AFRAID. SPEAK OUT. DO NOT BE SILENT. FOR I AM WITH YOU.

Today’s Reading: Acts 18; Psalm 91

Meanwhile, a Jew named Apollos, an eloquent speaker who knew the Scriptures well, had arrived in Ephesus from Alexandria in Egypt. He had been taught the way of the Lord, and he taught others about Jesus with an enthusiastic spirit and with accuracy. However, he knew only about John’s baptism. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him preaching boldly in the synagogue, they took him aside and explained the way of God even more accurately. – Acts 18:24-26

Paul met a lot of interesting people on his evangelistic journey. Priscilla and Aquila were two Jews from Italy whom he found kinship with because they were tentmakers like Paul. They had been deported from Italy when Claudius Caesar made all the Jews leave Rome. They settled in Corinth, where they met Paul, and they invited Paul to live and work with them.

Paul went to the synagogue every Sabbath to try to convince the Jews and Greeks that Jesus was the Messiah, while working as a tentmaker the other days. Yet when Silas and Timothy arrived in Corinth, Paul began spending all of his time preaching the word. But instead of believing in Jesus, the Jews insulted Paul and opposed his message. Here he was giving his life to making a difference in theirs, but they rejected both Paul and the good news about Jesus.

Then he left and went to the home of Titius Justus, a Gentile who worshiped God and lived next door to the synagogue. Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, and everyone in his household believed in the Lord. Many others in Corinth also heard Paul, became believers, and were baptized. – Acts 18:7-8

I am sure it was discouraging for Paul when the Jews would not listen to the truth about Jesus; I am sure it was painful when they insulted him. But if Paul had not experienced this opposition, he never would have come to stay with Titius Justus, a Gentile whose home was strategically positioned by the synagogue. He never would have met Crispus and all the others who came to believe that Jesus was the Messiah. Rather than getting down about what went wrong, Paul could now celebrate the salvation and baptism of this group of new believers.

One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me.” So Paul stayed there for the next year and a half, teaching the word of God. – Acts 18:9-11

At times, we go through difficulties and persecution because of our faith. No matter how hard we try, it seems as if the world is determined to reject both Christians and Christianity. Day after day we live out our calling to go and make disciples, but it can be discouraging when there is no fruit to be seen. Yet sometimes when we respond in obedience to what God is calling us to do and say, we experience a season of many coming to know Jesus as their Lord. In both seasons, God is faithful to encourage us; God is with us through the good and the bad times — through both harvest and drought.

DO NOT BE AFRAID. SPEAK OUT. DO NOT BE SILENT. FOR I AM WITH YOU.

After a season of growth and the word of the Lord being received by the Gentiles, some Jews rose up against Paul. They brought him before Galilio, the governor of Achaia, on charges of persuading people to worship God in a way contrary to the Jewish law. But wait. Was there an expiration to God’s promise in verse 10 — that no one would attack or harm Paul? Just as Paul was prepared to defend himself, Galilio shut it down and kicked them all out of the courtroom. What a random response in the middle of this court case. No, this was not random at all! Paul had continued to courageously speak out and God protected Paul, just as He said He would be!

Eventually Paul moved on from Corinth, taking Aquila and Priscilla with him. When he left Ephesus, this dynamic couple remained behind, which is how they came to know Apollos. So Paul taught Aquila and Priscilla about Jesus and then they taught Apollo. Let’s read about how God used Apollos next:

Apollos had been thinking about going to Achaia, and the brothers and sisters in Ephesus encouraged him to go. They wrote to the believers in Achaia, asking them to welcome him. When he arrived there, he proved to be of great benefit to those who, by God’s grace, had believed. He refuted the Jews with powerful arguments in public debate. Using the Scriptures, he explained to them that Jesus was the Messiah. – Acts 18:27-28

DO NOT BE AFRAID. SPEAK OUT. DO NOT BE SILENT. FOR I AM WITH YOU.

What is God asking you to do that requires courage? To what purpose are you called, even if met with opposition and insults? When the world tries to silence us, we must obediently speak out the message about Jesus, regardless of the response. We must not be silent; we cannot be silent. The impact of our courage could make a difference in someone else’s life today.

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
he is my God, and I trust him. – Psalm 91:1-2

If you make the Lord your refuge,
if you make the Most High your shelter,
no evil will conquer you;
no plague will come near your home.
For he will order his angels
to protect you wherever you go.
They will hold you up with their hands
so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.
You will trample upon lions and cobras;
you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!
The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
I will protect those who trust in my name.
When they call on me, I will answer;
I will be with them in trouble.
I will rescue and honor them.
I will reward them with a long life
and give them my salvation.” – Psalm 91:9-16

Today’s Reading: 2 Thessalonians

FAITH, HOPE and LOVE — Paul opens up his first letter to the church in Thessalonica praising God and commending the church on their faithful work, their loving deeds and their enduring hope. Over the last two days, we have focused on the faithful work and loving deeds God is calling us to. Today, let’s consider the enduring hope we have in Christ, even when life is difficult.

HOPE THAT BELIEVES WE WILL SEE OUR LOVED ONES AGAIN

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.

We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who died. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words. – 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

For centuries, we have been encouraging each other with these words when we lose a loved one, finding hope in the midst of our grief and goodbyes. We experience hope that we will see them again, and also hope that we will be together with the Lord forever. Spending eternity with Christ Jesus — now that promise produces hope! Paul goes on to describe to his readers how this will happen.

HOPE THAT BELIEVES CHRIST WILL RETURN AGAIN

…the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains. And there will be no escape…

So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and clearheaded. Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk. But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.

For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. – 1 Thessalonians 5:2b-11

So the source of our hope goes back to love — the love of a God who chose to save us instead of pouring out his anger on us; and the love of our Lord Jesus Christ who died for us. And it gets better: His plan is for us to live with Him forever!

FAITH, HOPE and LOVE

Therefore, remain strong in your FAITH even in the midst of persecution, criticism and suffering. When suffering takes you to the edge of your faith, allow the circumstances to help you grow in grace rather than anger and bitterness.

Take the Master by the hand and allow Him to lead you along the path of His agape LOVE as He performs loving deeds through you and daily gives you evidence of His fierce love for you.

Endure with a HOPE that knows what our tomorrow holds and who holds our tomorrow. Let’s choose hope today. Being a believer does not mean we are immune to troubles and difficulties in life, to sorrow and grief, but we can choose to hang on tight to the hope we have in Christ — not just hang on, but tightly grip onto this hope that endures.

Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again — my Savior and my God! – Psalm 43:5

Lord, thank you for the reminder this week that you are with us on both our good days and our bad days. Thank you for the gift of faith you initiated in us, and for helping us to daily grow in that faith. May we always operate from a place of faith in you, speaking confidently of all that you are capable of. May your love shine through us as we keep a tight grip on the hope we have in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Today’s Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4-5

Faith, hope and love — Paul opens up his letter to the church in Thessalonica praising God and commending the church on their faithful work, their loving deeds and their enduring hope. Yesterday we were challenged to choose grace rather than bitterness when suffering takes us right to the edge of our faith. Today, let’s focus on the loving deeds Paul referred to in his letter.

THE PATH OF LOVE GROWS AND OVERFLOWS

May God our Father and our Lord Jesus bring us to you very soon. And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows. May he, as a result, make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy as you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again with all his holy people. Amen. – 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13

Paul is not referring here to a love of human efforts or loving deeds produced of our own strength. No, Paul is talking about a love that the Lord grows inside of us for others – not just GROWS but OVERFLOWS. If we will open up our hearts and allow Him to produce this kind of love, He will make our hearts strong, blameless and holy. It is not something we can do on our own. We need the righteousness of our Savior and the love of the Spirit dwelling within us.

THE PATH OF LOVE LEADS TO HOLINESS

Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you…God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from sexual sin. Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor — not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways…God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives. Therefore, anyone who refuses to live by these rules is not disobeying human teaching but is rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

But we don’t need to write to you about the importance of loving each other, for God himself has taught you to love one another. Indeed, you already show your love for all the believers throughout Macedonia. Even so, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you to love them even more. – 1 Thessalonians 4:1-10

THE PATH OF LOVE CHANGES OUR BEHAVIOR

Paul goes on in 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22 to describe how the love of God should be reflected in the actions of the church:
• Honor your leaders; work hard and show respect, wholeheartedly loving them.
• Live peacefully with each other.
• Warn those who are lazy.
• Encourage those who are timid.
• Take tender care of those who are weak.
• Be patient with everyone.
• Try to do good instead of seeking revenge.
• Always be joyful.
• Never stop praying.
• Be thankful in all circumstances.
• Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.
• Test everything that is taught, holding on to what is good.
• Stay away from every kind of evil.

PRAYING FOR GOD’S UNENDING HELP ON THE PATH OF LOVE

As you go about your day, I pray God will shape you into the person He has called you to be. I pray that you will be filled with energy as His Spirit guides you in every conversation and through every action. Remember who you are with confidence that God is your unending help and that He is leading you by the hand along His path today.

Because we know that this extraordinary day is just ahead, we pray for you all the time — pray that our God will make you fit for what he’s called you to be, pray that he’ll fill your good ideas and acts of faith with his own energy so that it all amounts to something. If your life honors the name of Jesus, he will honor you. Grace is behind and through all of this, our God giving himself freely, the Master, Jesus Christ, giving himself freely. – 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 (The Message)

So, friends, take a firm stand, feet on the ground and head high. Keep a tight grip on what you were taught, whether in personal conversation or by our letter. May Jesus himself and God our Father, who reached out in love and surprised you with gifts of unending help and confidence, put a fresh heart in you, invigorate your work, enliven your speech. – 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (The Message)

May the Master take you by the hand and lead you along the path of God’s love and Christ’s endurance. – 2 Thessalonians 3:5 (The Message)

Today’s Reading: 1 Thessalonians 1-3

As we learned in Acts 17, Paul was only able to stay in Thessalonica for three weeks because some of the Jews were causing trouble for him. They even followed him to Berea and made trouble for him there as well. But many in Thessalonica had checked what Paul was saying against the holy scriptures, which led to them becoming believers in Jesus. So Paul wrote two letters to the church in Thessalonica, covering similar topics to those he had shared in his letter to the church in Galatia — FAITH, HOPE and LOVE.

As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ. – 1 Thessalonians 1:3

In both of his letters to this church, Paul went into detail about their FAITHFUL work in the midst of suffering and persecution. Just as he had experienced opposition to his preaching while in Thessalonica, the believers there were now faced with the same persecution. He encouraged them to continue to live a lifestyle of LOVE expressed in holy living. He also spoke of the HOPE we have as we look forward to the day in which Jesus will return for us. Let’s focus first on the faith God calls us to in spite of the difficulties that lay ahead, the persecution we experience or the suffering we endure for the cause of Christ.

IN SPITE OF THE DIFFICULTIES THAT LAY AHEAD OF US

So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you…As a result, you have become an example to all the believers in Greece — throughout Macedonia and Achaia. And now the word of the Lord is ringing out from you to people everywhere, even beyond Macedonia and Achaia, for wherever we go we find people telling us about your faith in God. – 1 Thessalonians 1:6-8

How is it possible to have joy in spite of suffering? Paul explained that this joy is from the Holy Spirit living within us. It is not something we have to create on our own or pretend to be; it is a gift from God that brings Him glory when others see our joy in spite of our suffering. Paul set an example of joyfully praising God in the midst of persecution, and now this church was an example to others who were going through a hard time. In addition to this, their faith was an encouragement to Paul and the other apostles who had invested in their spiritual growth.

So we have been greatly encouraged in the midst of our troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives us new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How we thank God for you! Because of you we have great joy as we enter God’s presence. Night and day we pray earnestly for you, asking God to let us see you again to fill the gaps in your faith. – 1 Thessalonians 3:7-10

IN SPITE OF THE PERSECUTION WE EXPERIENCE FROM OTHERS

For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts…As for human praise, we have never sought it from you or from anyone else. – 1 Thessalonians 2:4,6

How can we endure the persecutions and criticisms of others? Paul makes it very clear that we are to live to please God and not others. Then when other people express their disapproval of us, it falls on deaf ears because we are only listening for the approval of our God. We don’t seek out human praise but only the approval of our Heavenly Father, who calls us to follow Him and who knows our hearts.

IN SPITE OF THE SUFFERING WE ENDURE FOR THE CAUSE OF CHRIST

We proudly tell God’s other churches about your endurance and faithfulness in all the persecutions and hardships you are suffering. And God will use this persecution to show his justice and to make you worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering. In his justice he will pay back those who persecute you. And God will provide rest for you who are being persecuted and also for us when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven. – 2 Thessalonians 1:4-7a

It is not for us to get even or to return suffering back to those who cause us to suffer. We can let go of all of the hurt and bitterness and need for revenge. We can simply have faith in our true and just God, who is the only judge needed. We can also trust that someday our trials will end. At that time, and even now while we are hurting, God will provide comfort and rest for His children.

When I received the news that Pastor Ed Heck had died, I read through the weekly blogs he had posted since his cancer diagnosis. His words ministered to my heart. Consider what he wrote on August 15, 2016, just 10 days after finding out he had advanced, aggressive prostate cancer:

“When we ask ‘why’, intentionally or not, we are challenging God’s justice, God’s wisdom, and God’s power. Am I right? I mean, it really doesn’t seem to make any difference whether we are victims or culprits, innocent or guilty; suffering is always seen and felt as being unfair. Whether the cause of our pain is unknown, self-imposed, accidental or deliberate, most of us conclude that we have been singled out to suffer and that God is picking on us! When the flags of doubt are raised — when the ‘why’ is asked — we are really expressing a deep-seated belief that God doesn’t know what He is doing! Here is the key, I think: Suffering, however it is experienced, takes us right to the edge of our faith where contradiction gives us the option of either growing in grace or allowing it to turn into something as toxic as bitterness.” – Rev. Edward H. Heck, https://shardsofgraceblog.wordpress.com

Lord, there are so many people who are going through a difficult time right now. I pray that you would be a source of strength for them today. I pray that the presence of your Spirit will give them a peace and joy that cannot be explained. Please give all of us the faith we need to believe, the hope we need to endure, and the love we need to forgive. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Acts 17; Psalm 10

Paul and Silas then traveled through the towns of Amphipolis and Apollonia and came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. As was Paul’s custom, he went to the synagogue service, and for three Sabbaths in a row he used the Scriptures to reason with the people. He explained the prophecies and proved that the Messiah must suffer and rise from the dead. He said, “This Jesus I’m telling you about is the Messiah.” Some of the Jews who listened were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with many God-fearing Greek men and quite a few prominent women. But some of the Jews were jealous, so they gathered some troublemakers from the marketplace to form a mob and start a riot. – Acts 17:1-5

For three weeks, Paul preached straight from the scriptures, taking the time to explain the Old Testament prophecies and how Jesus fulfilled each one of those prophecies. Some who listened were open to the good news about Jesus, and others let jealousy take over. Instead of celebrating both the message and the messenger, these Jews chose to start trouble for Paul and Silas.

The wicked are too proud to seek God. They seem to think that God is dead. – Psalm 10:4

When they could not find the evangelists at the home of Jason, where they had been staying, they drug Jason and some of the other Jews who had accepted Paul’s message before the city council. They accused them of aiding and abetting one who was committing treason against Caesar, because Paul and Silas referred to Jesus of Nazareth as a king.

That very night the believers sent Paul and Silas to Berea. When they arrived there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth. As a result, many Jews believed, as did many of the prominent Greek women and men. – Acts 17:10-12

The initial response of the people in Berea is a stark contrast to how things played out in Thessalonica. The difference can be found in these verses. When the people searched the scriptures to check the message that Paul was preaching, they were able to confirm the truth of the good news about Jesus. Their willingness to study God’s word to protect themselves against false teaching made all the difference in their reception to the truth about Jesus. They checked what the apostles were saying against the holy scriptures and what they found changed their lives.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO SPEND TIME IN GOD’S WORD SO THAT WE CAN COMPARE THE THEOLOGY PREACHED BY MAN WITH THE WORD INSPIRED BY GOD.

When some Jews from Thessalonica arrived to stir up trouble for Paul, he went on to Athens. Now Athens was known for its love of the newest ideas. Paul spent time reasoning with the Jews in the synagogue and he preached in the public square to anyone who would listen. When they brought Paul before the high council of the city, they asked him lots of questions out of curiosity. This was his response:

“Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way, for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: ‘To an Unknown God.’ This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I’m telling you about.

“He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples, and human hands can’t serve his needs—for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need. From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries.

“His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us. For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ And since this is true, we shouldn’t think of God as an idol designed by craftsmen from gold or silver or stone.

“God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him. For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead.” – Acts 17:22-30

IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO SEEK AFTER GOD, FEELING OUR WAY TOWARD HIM UNTIL WE FIND HIM. FOR IN HIM WE LIVE AND MOVE AND EXIST.

God is so faithful to be found when we authentically seek him, for He is never far from any of us. He does not stay in the shadows to be the unknown God, but He sent His Son into the world to be the light we needed to truly know God.

Just like the people of Athens, some hear the truth of God’s word and laugh in contempt, while others eagerly want to hear more about Jesus. While it can be discouraging to listen to the world’s critical voice against Christianity, and while it can be distracting to hear new ideas that run dissonant with the Holy Bible, God is calling us to continue seeking the truth so that we can be a beacon of truth and light to those who are feeling their way towards God. Every day becomes about Him and every decision becomes an act of obedience, for in Him we live and move and exist. To God be the glory! Amen.

Today’s Reading: Acts 16; Psalm 6

WHAT IF GOD ASKS YOU TO MAKE A SECOND JOURNEY?

Paul took Silas and Timothy with him on his second missionary journey. Their purpose was to go back and visit each city or village where they had previously preached the word of the Lord in order to see how the new believers were doing. The result of their availability to be used by God was that believers were encouraged and many more found faith in Jesus Christ.

Paul knew before he even began his second tour that he would again face persecution and potentially death. On the first missionary journey, he had been stoned and dragged out of the city. The memories of the pain and rejection he experienced must have been still vivid in his mind. YET HE RETURNED. Out of faithfulness to the God who had saved him from a life of persecuting others, Paul returned to a city that had brought him pain and suffering. The result of his courage and obedience was that the churches were strengthened in their faith and grew larger every day (Acts 16:5).

On the Sabbath we went a little way outside of the city to a riverbank, where we thought people would be meeting for prayer, and we sat down to speak with some women who had gathered there. One of them was Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth, who worshiped God. As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying. She was baptized along with other members of her household, and she asked us to be her guests. “If you agree that I am a true believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my home.” And she urged us until we agreed. – Acts 16:13-15

WHAT IF GOD WANTS TO GREATLY AFFECT THE LIFE OF SOMEONE ELSE TODAY THROUGH YOUR OBEDIENCE?

Lydia was one of three people who were forever changed by Paul’s visit to Philippi. Because of this trip, Lydia’s faith in God increased and all the members of her household were baptized. Lydia extended hospitality to the apostles and God provided them with a place to stay while in the city. Lydia was blessed by the apostles and the apostles were blessed by Lydia.

The second person greatly affected by Paul’s time in Philippi was a slave girl possessed by a demon. She was a fortune-teller, and her owners made a great deal of money from the abilities the demon living inside of her possessed. Each day she would follow after Paul’s team shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, and they have come to tell you how to be saved” (Acts 16:17).

Out of compassion for the slave girl, Paul cast out the demon. Actually, that’s not what happened. Paul, human like we are, became so exasperated after listening to her shout for days that he turned to the girl and said, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And instantly it left her (16:18). She was now free from the demon that had tortured her for so long. This young girl, a slave with little to no worth in the eyes of the community she lived in, was forever changed.

Her masters’ hopes of wealth were now shattered, so they grabbed Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities at the market place…A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks. – Acts 16:19-24

During the good times and the bad, Paul praised God. Because he was willing to suffer for the sake of others, another person’s life was greatly changed:

Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself. But Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!”

The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.” And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household. Even at that hour of the night, the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds. Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized. He brought them into his house and set a meal before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God. – Acts 16:25-34

WHAT IF GOD WANTS TO GREATLY AFFECT THE LIFE OF SOMEONE ELSE TODAY THROUGH YOUR OBEDIENCE?

What is God telling you to do? If you do what He asks us to do, someone’s life may be forever changed, or the change might be found in you. So, what if God asks you to make a second journey – to do something again, even if you still bear the scars from the last time? Will you respond in obedience? Someone’s forever may be depending on it.

Lord, thank you for the opportunity to be used by you in the life of someone else, just as the obedience of someone else made a difference in my own life. Thank you for the scars inflicted because I was faithful to the calling you placed on my life. They have made me who I am today and serve as a daily reminder of your healing presence. You are faithful and you are good, and I renew my commitment to be available for another day in service to my Savior and King. May you be glorified today through my life as you give me the courage and the strength to go where you call me to go and do what you ask me to do. Amen.