Living to Please God

1 Thessalonians 4:1-7

From the sound of things, the Thessalonians were excellent students.  They paid attention and followed instructions.  They were a shining example of living out their faith.  In Chapter 1 Paul writes, “And so you became a model to all the believers” (v. 7).

Paul gives them a “gold star,” but more than once encourages them to do “more and more.”  He doesn’t want them to be satisfied, but to keep striving for greater holiness.

We too are called to “do more” – to keep reading Scripture and learning his Word - to keep praying and asking for guidance – to keep living a holy life.  We’re never going to have faith all figured out.  There’s always more to learn and ways to grow, but we certainly can serve as examples to others along the way.

Don’t we all need role models to show us how to stand firm in the Lord?  To be encouragers of the faith?

Thank goodness for the Thessalonians.  Not everyone who heard the message, lived it out the way they did.  If you go slightly beyond today’s passage to verse 12, Paul says, “so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders.”

It’s in our everyday living when we truly show outsiders what it means to be a disciple of Christ.  It’s not Sunday worship alone that gets it done.  It’s living out the message to love each other day by day. When Christ becomes a habit, a part of your daily routine and people can see it in the smallest of actions, then you are truly living to please God.

God is in Control

Romans 11:28-29 (MSG)
From your point of view as you hear and embrace the good news of the Message, it looks like the Jews are God's enemies. But looked at from the long-range perspective of God's overall purpose, they remain God's oldest friends.  God's gifts and God's call are under full warranty—never canceled, never rescinded. 

I admire those people who can say they have a few of the same friends as they had in childhood. Just think, from the time you were a toddler or in the 1st or 2nd grade, a friend or two from those days is still a friend today. That is incredible. Think, there was and still is a bond that makes the two of you click.  There is a force at work that kept you both in one another's lives.  Do you ever wonder why?

I can recall a few of my childhood friends, names and even the houses they lived in, but I am hard-pressed to tell you anything about them now. I don't even know if they are still alive.  So what is the difference? Why do some relationships stand the test of time and others are shed like last summer's sun-burn? To be honest, God is probably the only One to answer that question. Friendships such as those are made in Heaven.

I do know that friendships I have made since becoming a Believer when I was still a young Christian are relationships I still have today - 20 and 30 years later. um...perhaps God does have something to do with it. These Christian friends helped shape and form my faith. At times they tested it as well. But these Faithful were put in my path as a youngster, just starting out on my journey to Jesus.

God is indeed in control of my life and He has allowed me the privilege of having a few of His Faithful to be my forever friends.

Romans 11:1-21a,29,32

Stand Firm in the Spirit

2 Thessalonians 2:15 (NIV)
So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. 

Stand firm, don't waiver, remember what you learned while with us. This sounds like good advice, and perhaps something we heard as we ventured out into the world. Our parents might have shared the same wisdom their own parents bestowed on them. Below are more words to encourage us to stay strong in the faith, and don't fall when tempted, but keep our eyes on Jesus.

1 Corinthians 16:13 "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong."

1 Samuel 4:9 "Take courage and be men, O Philistines, or you will become slaves to the Hebrews, as they have been slaves to you; therefore, be men and fight."

 

2 Samuel 10:12 "Be strong, and let us show ourselves courageous for the sake of our people and for the cities of our God; and may the LORD do what is good in His sight."

Psalm 31:24 "Be strong and let your heart take courage, All you who hope in the LORD."

Matthew 24:42 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come."

Galatians 5:1 "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery."

Ephesians 3:16 "I pray that out of the riches of His glory, He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being,"

Consider noting these Bible verses and turning to them when faced with situations which challenge the faith. As this happens regularly in life, and we need to be prepared.



2 Thessalonians 2:13-17