TEXT: ‘But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you’– 1 Thessalonians 4:9-11 THOUGHT: The Book of Chronicles records that the army of Issachar joined forces with David because, ‘They had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do.’ 1 This helped the other tribal armies to get behind David and make him King of Israel after the death of King Saul. When you do not know what to do, you will often find there is someone who does! In Part 1, we saw Paul urge the Thessalonian Christians to serve the living God, to wait for return of His Son, and to be aware of the wrath to come. In the same epistle, Paul exhorts the believers to do four more key things. To love one another – ‘for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another’ Love for...
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TEXT: ‘For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come’ – 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 THOUGHT: A rich young ruler asked Jesus, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” 1 The Philippian Jailer asked Paul a similar question, “What must I do to be saved?” 2 There is something we can and must do to be saved, “Repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.” But there are things we need to do once we become a Christian. Paul was writing to the new Christians in Thessalonica. They had turned to God from idolatry. They had believed in gods out of fear, worship and tradition. Becoming Christians now meant they believed there is only one true God. The problem with Western Society is not with idolatry as much as having no belief in a God at all. This makes it all the more difficult for someone to be saved. Thank God for the work of the Holy Spirit who helps people to realise the sin of not believing...
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TEXT: ‘One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see’ – John 9:25 THOUGHT: In a previous Today’s Teaching, this miracle was looked at in more depth. http://box2340.temp.domains/~recovfz7/parents-what-are-you-saying/ This teaching concentrates on four things that were opened. Opened Eyes It is very interesting to see Jesus doing the same miracle in different ways. Blind Bartimaeus received his sight as Jesus spoke to him. This man had clay smeared on his eyes and was told to go and wash it off in the pool of Siloam. John Chapter 8 gives an insight as to why Jesus did it this way. The Jews threatened to stone Jesus and another miracle would only aggravate things, so by the time the blind man returned with perfect eyesight, Jesus was long gone. To get your miracle it is so important to be obedient to God’s voice. This man could have argued with Jesus, “I want to be healed in the same way as Bartimaeus was. Why don’t you just speak out my healing?” Instead he allowed Jesus to do it His way and his obedience was rewarded with perfect sight! Opened Mouth This miracle produced a stir. First the crowd did not believe that this was the same blind man. New...
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TEXT: ‘Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them’ – Matthew 11:4-5 THOUGHT: I have just returned from Uganda, where the Missions Team conducted 3 conferences for Pastors and Leaders, held in areas not much dissimilar to the time of Jesus. People living in homes with no running water or electricity. Surviving as farming communities by trading in livestock, fruit and vegetables. Uganda has recently been badly affected by a nationwide drought, so it was good to see the rain fall at each venue. People, although having so little of this world’s goods, yet so hungry to hear the Word of God being taught, hour after hour. The Poor Financially – either due to being born into poverty or as a result of waste, as happened to the Prodigal Son (Luke 15). Physically – due to malnutrition, sickness and disease. Thank God, at each conference people testified to being healed by God’s power through the name of Jesus. Spiritually – Jesus said, ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven’ – Matthew 5:3. Ignorantly – ‘Because you say, “I...
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TEXT: ‘But there is forgiveness with you, so that you may be revered’ – Psalm 130:4 NRSV THOUGHT: Many people misunderstand a Christian’s assurance of heaven and eternal life, mistaking it for arrogance and spiritual pride. Christians are not perfect, just forgiven! We need to remember Heaven is God’s place. He makes the rules concerning entry, regardless of whether we agree with them. He has decided that repentance and forgiveness are the sole criteria for getting there, so that He can include everyone and exclude none. It’s not God’s fault if we choose another route that leads to exclusion, especially if we are expecting our own good works to be good enough. The role of the church and Christians is to ensure that everyone knows about the right way. Jesus said, ‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father except through Me.’ 1 Psalm 130 reveals some very important truths about God’s forgiveness and how it influences our lives. Anyone can experience “sinking” times and depression – ‘Out of the depths I have cried to you’ Christians are not immune to “down” times, especially over personal faults and failures, but should have a better chance of getting out of them than those...
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