Daily Encouragement

June 14, 2009 - What An Example!

The Thessalonians were good examples to all believers. (v. 7) They were models as Christians in their work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. (v. 3) They could be such examples because they followed the model of the apostle Paul. (v. 5-6a)

They did not have it easy for they received the word of God in much affliction. (v. 6b) But they had the joy of the Holy Spirit. (v. 6c) Naturally others saw their Christian walk and took note.

An important example they manifested also was that they waited for the Son form heaven. (v. 10) The coming of the Lord Jesus Christ would be the theme Paul was planning to address later in this letter.

Is your life showing to others that you are waiting for the second coming of Christ?

June 15, 2009 - Spiritual Leadership

Meditation on 1 Thessalonians 2

It is so interesting that this chapter describes spiritual leaders as parents in the family. The Thessalonians’ church was such a good model to other churches was because of the leadership team of the apostle Paul. He said, "But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children." (v. 7 NASB) The leaders of the church care for the congregation like a mother nursing her baby with tender care. A mother would have fond affection for her child to the point of willing to sacrifice her life for him or her, Paul said.

Then in verses ten to twelve, Paul compared him and the leaders as a father who exhorts, encourages and implores the Thessalonians’ congregation as their own children in the faith. The spiritual mentors wanted to train the new believers to walk in a manner worthy of God.

The job of a spiritual leader in the church is not just to do a manual task or exerts some control over the church. All the leaders must show their love to the new believers under their care like a father and a mother both. The leaders should be tender and sacrificial as they feed the followers. He or she must also discipline and guide the new believers to the right path too.

Spiritual leaders are spiritual parents in the church family. Are you serving as a leader in your church?

June 16, 2009 - Without Blame At His Presence

Meditation on 1 Thessalonians 3

As spiritual leaders for those we have led to Christ, we need to follow them up with great care and training as Paul did for the Thessalonians. When he cannot be with them, he sent Timothy to minister to them and found out about their welfare. What great joy he had when he heard that his converts were growing in the faith as well love and hope in Christ.

One of important matter to encourage the new believers is to remind them constantly about living their lives in the light of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. In the last verse of chapter one, Paul complimented the example of the Thessalonians for their waiting for the coming of the Son of God. Again in the last verse of the second chapter, he considered them as his joy and crown at the second coming of Christ. Then, at the last verse of this chapter three, Paul prayed for them that they would be blameless at the glorious presence of the Lord Jesus with all His saints.

Christians are going through a process of being purified for the glory of God. Yes, we have been justified and given a heavenly seat. But our faith needs to be completed still. (v. 10) And our love for one another needs to increase continuously. (v. 12) We want to grow in sanctification so that when we see our Savior we shall be without blame.

Is it possible? Yes, Paul prayed that for the Thessalonians. We need to pray that for ourselves and for those who we have led to Christ.

June 17, 2009 - Meet Him In The Air

Meditation on 1 Thessalonians 4

Verses 13 to 18 of this chapter tells us that our Lord Jesus will come down from heaven, "with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever." (v. 16-17 NIV) This is what has been referred as "rapture" (caught up) for Christians.

1 Corinthians 15:51-53 describes this situation will happen in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we who are alive will be changed from mortal body into immortality. How exciting it will be.

Base on this sure hope from Jesus' word (v. 15), we should all be greatly encouraged to live our lives in purity and Christian responsibility. Moreover, we would want to excel in our love toward one another as we have been taught. (v. 1-12)

Whether in life or in death, all believers with the resurrected bodies shall see Jesus together up in the sky some day. Are you ready? Do you look forward to it?

June 18, 2009 - A Thief In The Night

Meditation on 1 Thessalonians 5

The word of God reminds us that the day of Jesus' coming will be like a thief in the night. (v. 20) A thief will come at an unexpected time. It will be in a time of darkness as far as human condition is concerned. But Christians should be living like a people of the day. While we are waiting for His coming, we should be alert and self- controlled. (v. 6)

There are many admonishments and explicit instructions in this passage that we should heed carefully so we can face Jesus without shame. So let us read them in detail. In Paul's benediction to the Thessalonians, he says, "May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (v. 23 NIV) Here we find the three functions of man are being addressed. God is able to keep the full faculty of each believer safe and blameless to meet Jesus. The reason is given in the following wonderful promise:

"The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it." (v. 24) What a great comfort to all Christians. Though the world may be dark and Satan is severe, you and I who are alert and waiting for His coming will be kept safe in Him. Our old nature may get in the way once awhile, but thank God that He is faithful and He will discipline us and guide us back to His path. He has assured us that He will do it so we need not to be fearful about His coming as a thief in the night.

June 19, 2009 - Pay Day Some Day

Meditation on 2 Thessalonians 1

The Thessalonian Christians had suffered persecution from the hand of the unbelievers. So the Apostle Paul wrote to encourage them to stand firm in their faith. In this second letter, he told them specifically that God is just and that He would punish the criminals and the opponents of God.

The time God will engage in vengeance is the time when the Lord Jesus will come back to reveal Himself with His mighty angels in flaming fire. He will repay the enemies with everlasting destruction.

But the believers will have rest. (v. 7)

Before the coming of that day, we should glorify the name of the Lord Jesus Christ as we serve Him.

June 20, 2009 - Prelude To Second Coming

Meditation on 2 Thessalonians 2

During the first century, there were false teachers telling the Thessalonians that Jesus had already come back and that was why they were suffering from persecution. So the apostle Paul wrote to remind the Thessalonian Christians what he had already instructed them before. This time he spelled out clearly that a great falling away which is the Apostasy will come before the second coming of Christ. (v. 3)

At such time, the son of perdition which is the Antichrist will appear and exalt himself as God. (v. 4) He will perform the work of Satan with power, deception and wonders causing many people to believe him. Eventually the coming of the Lord will cause his destruction. (v. 8) Those who believe his lie will be condemned also.

Right now the Antichrist is prevented from appearing. The only person who can prevent the appearing of this lawless one, is, I believe, the Holy Spirit. Only the Holy Spirit would have the power to do so. But he will be taken away someday. (v. 7) Then the lawless one will be revealed. He will sit in the temple of God which will be in Israel and show himself as God. This would be the situation before the re-entry of Christ to the earth.

While we are carefully watching the condition of the world to anticipate what is being predicted in the Bible, we should be like the Thessalonian church in standing fast of what we have been taught in the word of the Apostles. We know that we would be comforted and established by our loving Father through His word. (v. 16-17)