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Volume. XXVII, No. 53 Spiritual Encouragements for 2013 - Part 2(1 Thessalonians 2:13*): “...when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.”
Just as we often struggle with prayer, we often fail to find time to invest in the study of God’s Word. It’s not just a good habit, it is a vital pursuit. If God says that His Word is like our spiritual bread, how can a Christian survive without studying His Word on a daily basis? How many of us have spent more time looking for a Bible with a cover that we like, print we can read, and features we felt we needed – only to have it looking brand new and untouched six months later? When we receive God’s Word into our heart it is a catalyst of spiritual work that God desires to do in our hearts. 8. Endure Difficult Days Together (2 Thessalonians 3:3-6): “But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you. And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.” Trouble is on the horizon for all of us. No matter how prepared we think we are, there are some events that cut us to the core. The loss of a loved one, betrayal of a friend, losing a job we love…there are so many potential troubles ahead. We need to know that we have brothers and sisters who are going to walk with us through those days. Above all, we must remember that Christ will never leave us nor forsake us no matter what happens. Paul was afraid that maybe the faith of the Thessalonian believers might be in jeopardy due to the intensity of persecution. Timothy brought him a good word, though. These Christians were walking through these tough times together. They were never alone because Christ was always with them! 9. Let Love Overflow (1 Thessalonians 3:12): And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you.” Let’s get over being ‘visitor friendly’ and start letting the love of Christ overflow when we gather. We learn how to love by listening to God – His love informs our love for others. 10. Let God Strengthen Your Hearts (1 Thessalonians 3:13): “To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness, before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.” When we allow God to strengthen our hearts, we are moved toward holiness. For that is our foremost calling. God said, “Be ye holy; for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16) Growing in an awareness of our sin and His presence gives us a new perspective on the coming of Jesus Christ! Are we ready for His coming? 11. Grow in Sanctification (1 Thessalonians 4:3-7): “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication…know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour…God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.” In particular, we grow in the area of controlling our bodies sexually. In today’s world, unfiltered sexual fulfilment is a right, something that is essential to the happiness of individuals. However, it can be observed that this kind of living without restraint brings far more pain than it does happiness. When we reject the teaching of Scripture about sexuality, we truly reject God. Instead of falling into sexual traps, may we seek to live our lives by the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit this new year! 12. Live as people of Hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18): “But I would not have you to be ignorant…if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him…Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” Jesus is our hope now, but there is more. He is our hope when life is so hard, when pain is more than we can bear, when each day is a hardship – look ahead. Jesus is coming back again! He will set all things right. We are a people who are listening for a shout, the voice of the archangel and the sound of the trumpet! In short, Jesus is not only our hope now, but He is our hope in the future, we ought to live like it—like the people of Hope! 13. Be peaceful, patient, joyful, thankful, blameless (1 Thessalonians 5:12-24): “And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you in the Lord, and admonish you; ...See that none render evil for evil….Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things…Abstain from all appearance of evil….be preserved blameless.” These are the qualities that draw people together in true unity, not programmes. These are the things that are to be practised by every individual of a church, not just the elders and full-time workers. In some ways this is a summary of what has been said before. It is a picture of the sanctified life, and it is empowered by God through fervent prayers. You are not doing this under your own steam. In fact, you can’t. You can be a nice law-abiding citizen without God’s help. But you can’t be a sanctified, saved, and strong Christian without God’s Spirit living within you. You can’t be an effective witness of Jesus Christ if you are not in constant communion with God. So Paul closes his letter with a final reminder. May we be encouraged this new year as we resolve to live for Christ and to be holy like Him! Pastor Weng |
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