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DO this. . . DON'T DO this. . . sex - 1 Thessalonians 4.1-8

DO this. . . DON’T DO this. . . Sex

"Finally, brothers we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality, that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in… Continue

Added by Christine on November 19, 2009 at 8:57pm — No Comments

A Cord of Three Strands ~ 1 Thessalonians 3

A CORD OF THREE STRANDS

Finally, when we could stand it no longer, we decided to stay alone in Athens, and we sent Timothy to visit you. He is our brother and God’s co-worker in proclaiming the Good News of Christ. We sent him to strengthen you, to encourage you in your faith, and to keep you from being shaken by the troubles you were going through. But you know that we are destined for such troubles. Even while we were with you, we warned you that troubles would come soon—and they did, as… Continue

Added by Christine on November 18, 2009 at 9:43pm — No Comments

Heightened Awareness - the devil and his ways

HEIGHTENED AWARENESS – The devil and his ways

Yesterday we talked about the schemes of the devil—how his entire purpose is to lie, steal, accuse, and destroy. Without doubt, another way he gets at us is through busyness.

Take a look~

Satan called a worldwide convention. In his opening address to his evil angels, he said, “We can't keep the Christians from going to church. We cannot keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth. We cannot even keep them from… Continue

Added by Christine on November 17, 2009 at 10:17pm — 4 Comments

The Purpose-Driven Life of Satan ~ 1 Thessalonians 2.17-20

The Purpose-Driven Life of Satan

17 But, Brothers, when we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. 18 For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul did, again and again—but Satan stopped us. 19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? 20 Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy. 1 Thessalonians 2.17-20

Good… Continue

Added by Christine on November 16, 2009 at 9:11pm — 2 Comments

Are you strong enough to stand? 1 Thessalonians 2.14-16

Good Morning.

Today, we find out what we’re made of, as we examine what others have endured for the sake of Christ. . .

14 For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews, 15 who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out. They are not pleasing to God, but hostile to all men, 16 hindering us from speaking to… Continue

Added by Christine on November 16, 2009 at 9:17am — No Comments

The heart of a pastor ~ 1 Thessalonians 2.9-13

Please check out today's passage~

Today’s Scripture:

9 Don’t you remember, dear brothers and sisters, how hard we worked among you? Night and day we toiled to earn a living so that we would not be a burden to any of you as we preached God’s Good News to you. 10 You yourselves are our witnesses—and so is God—that we were devout and honest and faultless toward all of you believers. 11 And you know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children. 12 We pleaded with… Continue

Added by Christine on November 12, 2009 at 10:01pm — 3 Comments

Value-Added Integrity ~ 1 Thessalonians 2.1-8

Good Day~

As we turn the page to chapter two, it would appear from the text that Paul stood accused of another agenda besides just preaching the gospel. In response, he decries any impure motives, trickery, or flattery in winning people to Christ. Rather, Paul writes, ‘we speak as messengers approved by God’, or as ‘men approved by God’ to preach the Good News. Take a look--

1 Thessalonians 2.1-3 You yourselves know, dear brothers and sisters, that our visit to you… Continue

Added by Christine on November 11, 2009 at 10:26pm — No Comments

HOLY SPIRIT RADICAL ~ 1 Thessalonians 1.4-10

Good Morning,

"For we know, brothers loved by God, that He has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. The Lord’s message rang out from… Continue

Added by Christine on November 10, 2009 at 9:30pm — No Comments

NOT SOMEHOW. . . but victoriously! 1 Thessalonians 1.1-4

Paul, Silas and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Grace and peace to you.

2We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. 3We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4Brothers loved by God, we know that he has chosen you. 1 Thessalonians 1.1-4, NIV

Good… Continue

Added by Christine on November 9, 2009 at 9:36pm — No Comments

Moving On................1 Thessalonians 1 11.08.09

Good Morning,

Today the Gospel moves into Europe!

I take you now to Acts chapter 17 for this exciting stop on Paul’s second missionary journey. . .

“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… Continue

Added by Christine on November 8, 2009 at 8:53pm — 1 Comment

Shalom from Galatia

Shalom, brothers~ podcast:

“I am amazed that you have so quickly deserted him who called you by the grace of Christ, and that you have so soon gone over to a different gospel, a gospel which in point of fact is no gospel at all. What has really happened is that certain men are upsetting your whole faith and are aiming at reversing the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven were to preach the gospel to you, other than that which you have received, let him be… Continue

Added by Christine on September 27, 2009 at 8:07pm — No Comments

Welcome to Galatians - Galatians 1.1-5

Welcome to Galatians. . .

. . .a small book of just six chapters written by the apostle Paul. If you were along as we explored the book of Acts, you remember that Jesus stepped into Paul’s pathway—Paul, a proper Jew, full of scholarly self-righteousness, who had mercilessly persecuted the new Christians—and Paul was radically converted to a Jesus-follower. After a time, he set out on three journeys where he preached the good news of Jesus Christ, and saw many people—Jews and Gentiles… Continue

Added by Christine on September 24, 2009 at 10:10pm — No Comments

The Perfect Storm

Acts 27.1-28.10 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=Acts%2027-Acts%2028.10;&version=51;&interface=print

'Tis the story of Paul's voyage(s) en route to Rome. . . What could be Luke's purpose in writing in such detail about Paul's tumultuous journey?

Have you been in a storm lately? Probably not if you live in Southern California--we have earthquakes and fires. . . but you could have been where storms whip themselves up into tornadoes. . . storms caused by… Continue

Added by Christine on September 23, 2009 at 9:57pm — 2 Comments

You Be Da' Judge

Acts 25. 23 - The next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp and entered the audience room with the high ranking officers and the leading men of the city. At the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.

Good Day!

Well, we've seen Paul brought before immoral men for judgment, but these two are the creme de la creme of immoral yahoos. Let me explain. King Agrippa II was the Herod of the day--great grandson of the one who had feared the birth of Christ so much that he… Continue

Added by Christine on September 22, 2009 at 10:13pm — No Comments

When the waters are deep

Hello, Dear Friends.

I want to pause where we are, here in Acts 25. . .

my heart and mind are full with concern for some loved ones who are in the throes of tremendous struggle. . . creditors are closing in, family members seem lost, jobs are needed, the "c" word has come from the doctor. . . and the list goes on. Yesterday, I commented on Paul in verses 1-21, and wrote about "the blameless being blamed," and how God would have us respond when wrongly accused. Today, I should… Continue

Added by Christine on September 20, 2009 at 9:54pm — No Comments

The Blameless Blamed

Acts 25.1-21 ~ Three days after arriving in the province, Festus went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem, where the chief priests and Jewish leaders appeared before him and presented the charges against Paul. They urgently requested Festus, as a favor to them, to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem, for they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way. Festus answered, "Paul is being held at Caesarea, and I myself am going there soon. Let some of your leaders come with me and press charges… Continue

Added by Christine on September 18, 2009 at 6:16pm — No Comments

Later, Dude

Acts 24.22-27 - Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. ☗ "When Lysias the commander comes," he said, "I will decide your case."☗ He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs. Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and… Continue

Added by Christine on September 15, 2009 at 9:55pm — No Comments

Conscience. . . 'got one?

Today's passage - Acts 24.1-21 - Five days later the high priest Ananias went down to Caesarea with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they brought their charges against Paul before the governor. When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix: "We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation. Everywhere and in every way, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude. But in… Continue

Added by Christine on September 14, 2009 at 8:20pm — No Comments

Take courage

Acts 23.11-35 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=Acts%2023.11-35&version=31&interface=print

Verse 11 - The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, "Take courage!"

As you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome."

vv. 12-35 ~ We left Paul, lying on the stone floor, exhausted, battered, discouraged, and wondering just how long he would be alive, doubtful he would ever make it to his desired destination--Rome.… Continue

Added by Christine on September 9, 2009 at 9:54pm — No Comments

In the city of Self Control, you are the governor

THIS is good stuff. . . take a look with me:

In Acts 22.24-31, Paul cleverly establishes that he is a Roman citizen, and he is brought before the Sanhedrin, (the Jewish ruling council) for trial~

Acts 23.1-10 - Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, "My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day." At this the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him, "God will strike you, you… Continue

Added by Christine on September 8, 2009 at 11:20pm — No Comments