every DAy

Transcription

every DAy

Written By
WavErlEy traininG & EvEnts
The Big STory geneSiS To revelaTion
Discover the Bible’s overarching
story and link your life to God’s
strategic plan for the renewal of
creation
12-16 March 2012
inTroducTion To BiBlical
counSelling
Understand people from a biblical
perspective and help them get to
the root of their problems
19–23 March 2012
The passionate, warm and immensely
practical words of the apostle Paul to the
fledgling church in Thessalonica form the
subject of Jeff’s studies this issue. As a parent
cares for his children, Paul longs for these new
Christians to live faithfully and avoid error.
The times and culture are different, but the
challenges and opportunities of being human
remain the same. As we join Jeff in reading
Paul’s encouragements, we too are inspired to
stay true to the risen Jesus, who will be faithful
to us to the end.
Life Every Day is written bimonthly by Jeff Lucas
to help you apply the Bible to your everyday life.
Through laughter and tears, and his customary wit
and wisdom, Jeff will help you day by day to gain
insight, understanding and practical application
from God’s Word. Expect to be challenged,
encouraged, entertained and confronted.
(You can also follow Jeff daily with
current updated comments on the notes
on www.facebook.com/jefflucasuk)
jeff lucas
JAN/FEB 2012
All saints
JAN/FEB 2012
y
a
D
y
Ever
Website: www.cwr.org.uk
Email: [email protected]
PRICE: £2.85
International author, speaker and
broadcaster, Jeff Lucas also holds
a pastoral teaching position at
Timberline Church in Colorado, a
church that has grown to 10,000
members.
PreParaTion for Marriage
Explore key issues and build a solid
foundation for your marriage
23–25 March 2012
pens
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topz
7–11s
yp’s
11–15s
All saints
mettle
14–18s
cover to cover
Every Day
www.cwr.org.uk/training
Inspiring Women
Every Day
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Other CWR daily BIBLE-reading notes
Tel. 01252 784719
Applying God’s Word to everyday life and relationships
LOLED JF 12_cover.indd 1
a p p ly i n g t h e b i b l e t o l i f e
26/8/11 10:13:17
Call me odd if you like, but I’m an avid reader – of
church newsletters. I’m privileged to find myself
speaking in a variety of different congregations and
denominations. One of the best ways of finding out about
the church I’m with is to scan their news sheet, especially
the ‘Word from the Minister’ section, which often reveals
a lot about where the church is at on their journey.
As we turn to Paul’s first epistle to the Thessalonians,
think of it as a letter from a minister to his congregation.
Paul wrote not as a local pastor at Thessalonica, but
as the apostle who founded the church there, laid its
foundations and endured opposition in the city (from
some elements within the congregation and opponents
of the faith). What we’ll discover is passionate, warm
and immensely practical, as Paul writes as a parent
to his children (1 Thess. 2:7,11). This church, planted
in the middle of the first century, lived in a culture
very different from our own. But the challenges and
opportunities of being human remain the same. Paul
urges his ‘dear children’ towards faithfulness to Christ.
As we listen in on their conversation, may we be inspired
to stay true to the risen Jesus, who will be faithful to us
to the end. Thank God – He is going to stick with us!
P.S. Join in the conversation on Facebook for a further
comment on each day’s notes – live and added daily …
www.facebook.com/jefflucasuk
is based at Waverley Abbey House in Farnham, Surrey, and is
committed to enabling people to apply God’s Word to their everyday lives
and relationships. We pray that Life Every Day will inspire you to get to grips
with the Bible in a whole new way and help you grow in your understanding
and spiritual life. Be prepared to be challenged and to laugh – and meet God
through His Word every day.
You can find further information about CWR’s worldwide ministry at
www.cwr.org.uk and don’t forget you can visit the Life Every Day readers’ forum
at www.cwr.org.uk/forum
LOLED JF 12_cover.indd 2
Contemplate the mystery
and majesty of the Messiah
These six studies for Lent examine the way
Jesus fulfils Old Testament ‘types’ and looks at
His key ‘I am’ statements in the Gospel of John,
to reveal something fresh of the mystery and
majesty of the Christ who came to redeem us.
Ideal for individual or small-group use.
cover to cover lent Study guide:
Magnificent Jesus
by Wendy virgo
84-page booklet, 148x210mm
isBn: 978-1-85345-621-3
£6.99
renew your spiritual
strength day by day
Each of our new devotional books
for older people contains 30 selected
Bible passages, encouraging reflections
and suggested prayers. Clear, simple
layouts with Bible readings printed in
full make these devotionals engaging
and easy to use.
by rita Mclaughlan
32-page booklets, 153x231mm
new every day – god’s unfailing love
isBn: 978-1-85345-650-3
new every day – god’s great faithfulness
isBn: 978-1-85345-651-0
£4.99
strengthen your prayer
life with a deeper
understanding of how
Jesus prayed
Take a closer look at Jesus’ prayers
and you’ll be surprised at the depth
and breadth of what He prayed – and
how He prayed. Seven sessions with
icebreakers, discussion starters and
leader’s notes make this guide ideal for
both small-group and individual use.
cover to cover Study guide: Prayers
of Jesus – hearing his heartbeat
by Peter Hicks
isBn: 978-1-85345-647-3
£3.99
Enjoy freedom from both
legalism and lawlessness
Explore in depth the apostle Paul’s
complex and passionate letter on
freedom from religion, and living a
life by the Spirit that is both free and
righteous. Icebreakers, discussion
starters and more make this guide
perfect for both small-group and
individual use.
cover to cover Study guide:
galatians – freedom in christ
by John Houghton
isBn: 978-1-85345-648-0
£3.99
Prices correct at time of printing and exclusive of p&p
available online at www.cwr.org.uk/store or call +44 (0)1252 784710 – also available from Christian bookshops
26/8/11 10:13:20
Written By
jeff lucas
JAN/FEB 2012
y
a
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Ever
All saints
Copyright © CWR 2011
Published 2011 by CWR, Waverley Abbey House, Waverley Lane,
Farnham, Surrey GU9 8EP, UK
Tel: 01252 784700 Email: [email protected]
Registered Charity No. 294387 Registered Limited Company No. 1990308
Front cover image: Getty Images/Cultura/Les and Dave Jacobs
Concept development, editing, design and production by CWR.
Printed in England by Linney Print.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in
a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic,
mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior
permission in writing of CWR.
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture references are from the Holy Bible:
New International Version (NIV), copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by the
International Bible Society.
LOLED JF 12_internals.indd 1
26/8/11 10:07:11
how to get the best out of
life every day
26/8/11 10:07:12
01 JAN
of
Acts 17:1–3 // Acts 17:10
Beginnings
Paul was a tactician; he knew that Thessalonica,
about 100 miles from Philippi, was a strategic city.
Located on some important trade routes, it had a
bustling harbour and was a thriving business centre.
Greece’s second largest city, with a population
of 200,000, this was an ideal hub for sharing the
Christian message in that area.
Paul launched his work by speaking at the local
synagogue, his usual practice (Acts 14:1; 17:10). And
on his way to Thessalonica, he didn’t stop to preach
in Amphipolis or Apollonia, probably because those
cities had no synagogues.
Paul reasoned with the synagogue-goers – the
word used here means dialogue. As Jews, they were
already immersed in the big story of Scripture. They
worshipped the One God and had expectations of
Messiah’s coming. Paul didn’t just preach at people,
but talked with them.
When it comes to sharing our faith, let’s listen as
well as talk. Let’s not ignore or discount the spiritual
experiences of others. And let’s start where people are.
... let’s listen
as well as talk
To ponder: Why is dialogue with people harder than
preaching at them?
26/8/11 10:07:12
MON 02 JAN
Healthy
church
BIG PICTURE
Acts 17:4
Acts 2:42–47
Focus
‘Some of the Jews were
persuaded and joined
Paul and Silas, as did a
large number of Godfearing Greeks and not a
few prominent women.’
(Acts 17:4)
Growth is natural
where there
is health ...
It had been a full day of speaking, but I’d enjoyed the
conference. I was heading back for a break when one
of the delegates approached me. ‘The church you’re
part of it – it’s big, isn’t it?’ he asked. ‘One of those
megachurches, is it?’ The tone of his voice made it
obvious that he wasn’t terribly pleased that Timberline
Church has grown substantially in the last decade. He
managed to make ‘megachurch’ sound like a disease.
As Luke describes the first three weeks of missional
work in Thessalonica, he reports, without hesitation,
on the growth of the fledgling congregation there. He
mentions the ‘large number’ ... and also records that ‘not
a few prominent women’ believed in Christ. Unconcerned
by the potential charge that he was more interested in
the influential than the ‘nobodies’, Dr. Luke is delighted to
report: the church was growing.
Not every church can be large, or needs to be. That’s
especially true in rural communities. An incredible impact
is made when there are just thirty or so people gathering
in a village church – which might represent half the total
population! And some labour for years without seeing any
obvious fruit – Hudson Taylor is an example.
But let’s not be disparaging about larger churches,
writing them off as entertainment centres, only good
at pulling a crowd. Growth is natural where there is
health and, if we’re missionally focused and perhaps
in a metropolitan area with a large population like
Thessalonica, then we should pray, work and hope for
numerical growth.
Prayer: Lord, bless the church that I call home. May
we be effective in reaching people with words and
works that declare Your love. Amen.
26/8/11 10:07:12
A close friend of mine says that it is one of the sins that
he fears most, because it has such a power to destroy. It
leads some Christian leaders to launch vitriolic attacks
on each other, volleying Scripture-laden accusations
over the internet. It can tear a previously close worship
group apart, or create a huge schism in a formerly united
leadership team. It motivates unwarranted sniping about
the more successful church across town. Corporate
boardrooms, sports teams and marriages can all
succumb to this aggressive virus, which creates chaos
and trouble wherever it infects. Courtrooms will be busy
today because of it.
What sin am I talking about? Jealousy. Apparently
bitter because some potential synagogue converts were
choosing to follow Christ, some of the Jews in the city
decided to launch an attack on the church. It wasn’t a
doctrinal dispute or an argument over money that sparked
opposition – but envy. Some believe that the jealousy
might have come from Jewish teachers who were envious
of the response Paul had received.
Jealousy – where we become bitter because others
have what we want – is the soil in which terrible weeds
grow – ‘disorder and every evil practice’, according to
James. The jealous will accuse unjustly. As Shakespeare
put it, ‘For oft, my jealousy shapes faults that are not’.
May God give us grace when others succeed in areas
where we have failed, or prosper beyond what we have
enjoyed. May we recognise jealousy for what it is – and
fight it.
TUES 03 JAN
Jealousyfuelled conflict
BIG PICTURE
Acts 17:5
James 3:13–18
Focus
‘But other Jews were
jealous; so they rounded
up some bad characters
from the market-place,
formed a mob and
started a riot in
the city.’ (Acts 17:5)
Prayer: Lord, save me from envy and jealousy. Help
me to celebrate others’ successes – especially when
they are more successful than I am. Amen.
26/8/11 10:07:12
WED 04 JAN
Jealousy thinly
disguised
BIG PICTURE
Acts 17:6–9
Mark 15:1–15
Focus
‘These men who have
caused trouble ... have
now come here, and
Jason has welcomed
them ... They are all
defying Caesar’s decrees,
saying that there is
another king ... Jesus.’
(Acts 17:6–7)
Jealousy usually
disguises itself ...
Jealousy usually disguises itself and when religious
people get jealous, they often resort to pious carping,
using shrill tones and inflammatory language to veil their
real motives. Obviously Paul had been teaching about
the kingdom of God – which is the main message of
the New Testament. The Jews who attacked the young
believers in Thessalonica were jealous of the success
that Paul and his team were enjoying, but they phrased
their complaint with insincere words that implied they
were deeply concerned about allegiance to Caesar as
king. The original Greek of their accusation uses a word
that describes a terrorist leading a revolt. This was an
accusation of high treason, and one that would have
placed the lives of the new Christians at risk. Treason was
a capital offence.
It’s tough when you’re attacked by people who are
sanctimonious hypocrites, but that was one of the
first obstacles that the church at Thessalonica had to
overcome. Early in their history, they learned that being
slandered is part of the deal when you’re a follower of
Christ. And sometimes innocents get especially singled out
for attack, like Jason here. He is mentioned nowhere else
in the New Testament, so we have no idea who he was.
The apostolic team, who were bringing good news of peace
with God through Christ, were maligned as troublemakers.
Is someone attacking you, and making it sound as if
they are full of integrity as they do so? That’s tough to take
– but not dissimilar to what new converts had to cope
with in Thessalonica.
Prayer: When I am criticised by people who use
religious terms and pious words, help me to be
gracious, gracious God. Amen.
26/8/11 10:07:13
CWR ministry events
Please pray for the team
Date
Event
Place
Presenter(s)
9–10 Jan
Leaders’ Time Out
Waverley Abbey House Philip Greenslade & Andy Peck
14 Jan
Counselling Training Enquirers’ Morning WAH
CWR team
7 Feb
More Than You Can Handle Alone
WAH
Lynn Penson
10 Feb
Helping Survivors of Childhood Sexual
and/or Emotional Abuse
WAH
Heather Churchill
17–19 Feb
Bible Discovery Weekend – Mark’s GospelWAH
Philip Greenslade
18 Feb
Small Group Leader’s Toolbox
WAH
Andy Peck
28 Feb
The Bible in a Day
WAH
Andy Peck
29 Feb
Headteachers’ seminar
WAH
Coleen Jackson
Please also pray for students and tutors on our ongoing BA in Counselling programme
at Waverley and our Certificate and Diploma of Christian Counselling and
MA in Integrative Psychotherapy held at London School of Theology.
Waverley Spring Programme
For spring 2012 we have planned a variety of residential courses at Waverley to help you to
grow in God and be equipped to help others.
9–11 Mar
Women’s Weekend of Spiritual Refreshing
with the Women at Waverley Team
12–16 Mar
The Big Story
with Philip Greenslade
19–23 Mar
Introduction to Biblical Care and Counselling
with the CWR team
26–30 Mar Pastoral Care in the Local Church
with Stuart Pascall & Lynn Penson
We look forward to welcoming you!
For full details phone 01252 784719, international +44 (0)1252 784719
or see the CWR website for further information
www.cwr.org.uk
26/8/11 10:07:13
THURS 05 JAN
Life is a
mixture
BIG PICTURE
Acts 17:10
1 Thessalonians 2:17
Focus
‘As soon as it was night,
the believers sent Paul
and Silas away to Berea.
On arriving there,
they went to the Jewish
synagogue.’ (Acts 17:10)
Don’t wait for
perfect days
to dawn ...
I’d like a perfect life. I sometimes catch myself
dreaming about waking up one day with no mortgage,
being totally up to date with all my emails, feeling rested,
at the peak of physical condition and stepping on the
scales to discover that I’m at my ideal weight. Oh, and the
sun would be shining in a brilliant blue sky – but, it being
the perfect day, I wouldn’t get sunburned.
Life isn’t like that. Paul and his team had enjoyed great
success in Thessalonica, as some key people in the city
were won for Christ – but at the same time they faced
terrible opposition. So fierce were Paul’s opponents in
that city, they would travel far and wide to harass him
(see 17:13–14; 21:27). Notice that Paul showed some
practical wisdom when the rabble were running around
town looking for blood. He and his companions hid,
escaping by night and heading 45 miles or so to Berea,
where they found a more open-minded reception.
But this must have been a difficult day, both for the
Thessalonian Christians, brand-new in their faith, and
for Paul himself. He writes about being ‘torn away’ from
them. It’s a strong word he uses here: it is only used once
in the New Testament and means ‘orphaned’. Paul felt
like he’d been ripped away from his family. Great joy and
deep sorrow were mingled in the same season.
Don’t wait for perfect days to dawn, in order to be
content – in reality, they are rare. Live fully today in the
knowledge that we all do life and faith in a mixture of
circumstances. Be thankful to God in the midst of life as it
is, not as we’d like it to be.
Prayer: Lord, help me to learn the secret of
contentment so, whatever the mixture of joy and pain
in my life, I live to the full each day. Amen.
26/8/11 10:07:14
I’ve been pondering the amazing commitment of the
Victorian missionaries. It’s said that when those pioneers
bade farewell to their home shores and set off to take
the message of Jesus across the world, they took their
coffins with them. They knew that they were probably not
coming back and they literally laid down their whole lives
to serve the Lord. Their dedication was epic. Often they
didn’t see much fruit, labouring for years without seeing a
single convert.
But there is another side to this – there are times of
incredible fruitfulness, where amazing results come
rapidly. That’s what happened for Paul and his team in
Thessalonica. They were only preaching in the synagogue
for three weeks (‘three Sabbaths’) but a church was
established, one that would be strong and flourish. In
days, a city was hugely impacted.
Don’t underestimate what can be accomplished by
small actions in a short time. And this isn’t just about epic
missionary endeavours. A simple act of kindness here,
a word of encouragement there – a burden shared, a gift
given ... God is able to multiply the small things we do
and make them have an impact, as that young lad found
when he surrendered his lunch to Jesus. Often we will
never know the result of a small gesture or a caring word;
eternity alone will reveal the effect of what seemed like
inconsequential acts of goodness. As we turn to Paul’s
letters to the Thessalonians, let’s keep in mind the mighty
God who was at work in that city – and is at work where
we live too.
FRI 06 JAN
Much
achieved
BIG PICTURE
Acts 17:1–10
Matthew 14:13–21
Focus
‘... and on three Sabbath
days he reasoned
with them from the
Scriptures.’ (Acts 17:2)
Prayer: Mighty God, thank You that You are able to
multiply the effect of small, good decisions that I
make today. Amen.
26/8/11 10:07:14
07/08 JAN
Acts 18:1–5 // 1 Thessalonians 3:6
Friendships of depth
When you care about people, you worry when you
don’t know how they are. Paul’s hasty departure from
Thessalonica meant that he was concerned about
what trouble he might have left behind. Knowing
that Jason had been hauled out by the mob must have
preyed on his mind – and so Timothy was sent to find
out how things were. Timothy’s reunion with Paul
(by now in Corinth) and the message he brought from
the Thessalonian church was revealing: ‘He has told
us that you always have pleasant memories of us and
that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you’
(1 Thess. 3:6).
Timothy was bubbling over with enthusiasm about
the faith and love of the Thessalonians, and their
warmth towards Paul: the word used here literally
means ‘he came back evangelising about you’ – the
only time in the New Testament that the idea is not
used in connection with sharing the faith.
I’m challenged by all this: would my love and faith
cause someone to want to boast excitedly about me?
May our love for God – and each other – be of such
depth that we’re worth shouting about.
I’m challenged
by all this ...
To ponder: Do you have friends who are worth
‘shouting about’? Why?
26/8/11 10:07:14
It happens from time to time – like yesterday. A
spiteful email arrived, loaded with vague, generalised
criticisms that were difficult to respond to but laced with
the clear message: the sender does not like me at all.
I’m blessed to receive plenty of encouragement but I’m
still disappointed by my vulnerability to unkind words.
Constructive criticism is helpful: acerbic attacks are
hurtful. It messed up my day.
I decided to respond with warmth and grace (which,
frankly, was not what I wanted to do). I’m still not sure
if I got it right. Sometimes unkind people need to be
told firmly that their behaviour is unacceptable. But on
the basis that ‘a gentle answer turns away wrath’ (Prov.
15:1), I decided to take that approach.
Paul had been heavily criticised in Thessalonica. Some
of the believers there were hurt because, following his
hasty exit under cover of darkness, he’d not been able to
return. His motives were questioned. But he responded
with words of grace and peace. His opening words of
greeting were formed in the accepted form of letter
writing of the day, but look beyond the protocol and see
him reaching out in warmth to some who have been quite
unkind.
Notice that he includes Silas in the greeting. This
is probably the same Silas who had joined Paul in his
midnight hymn singing. Perhaps it’s true that when
you’ve sat on what might have been Death Row, a little
criticism doesn’t matter too much.
When under attack, ask for grace to respond gently. It
might prevent a full-on war.
MON 09 JAN
Responding
to hurt
BIG PICTURE
1 Thessalonians 1:1–2
Proverbs 15:1–2
Focus
‘Paul, Silas and Timothy,
To the church of the
Thessalonians in God the
Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ: Grace and peace
to you.’ (1 Thess. 1:1)
Prayer: Father, help me to respond, not to react, in
tough situations where I’m criticised. Amen.
26/8/11 10:07:14
TUES 10 JAN
We Christians can be a strange lot. Thanking a
minister for a sermon, a lady was surprised to find that
he responded to her encouragement with a mild rebuke.
Encouragement Pointing heavenward, he blustered, ‘No, madam, please
give Him the glory. It was the Lord.’ Wrinkling her nose,
she replied, ‘Actually, it wasn’t that good ...’
We all need encouragement. I’ve been to churches
where people serve quietly and faithfully for years – and
BIG PICTURE
seldom does anyone take a moment to thank them.
1 Thessalonians 1:2–3 Perhaps it is assumed that they do what they do for
Jesus, and therefore no human appreciation is needed.
But that’s wrong. Paul certainly didn’t take that view, but
Focus
‘We always thank God
rather praises his friends in Thessalonica for their work,
for all of you, mentioning faith, hope, endurance and love. Endurance here means
you in our prayers.’
‘bearing up under a heavy load’. Paul frequently talks
(1 Thess. 1:2)
about faith, hope and love together.
We are all going to encounter people today who carry
heavy burdens – not just within the church. A kind word
of thanks, or a note of appreciation, can bring strength
to the struggling. Why not aim to encourage two or
three people sincerely today? If we’re unsure of what to
say, Paul’s beautiful sentence, ‘I thank God for you’, is a
great place to start. And it’s not just leaders who should
take that responsibility for expressing appreciation.
Encouragement is a responsibility we all share.
And if someone brings thanks and encouragement to
you, accept their words with grace. We do what we do for
the glory of God – but that same God knows that we all
need to be cheered on once in a while.
We do what
we do for the
glory of God ...
Prayer: Lord, help me to use the opportunities I have
today to strengthen and encourage others. Amen.
26/8/11 10:07:14
It was an idea that blew a fuse in my brain – God’s
choosing of us, or the doctrine of election. The Church
has been arguing about this for centuries, and I don’t
think I’m going to resolve the issue here in a few words!
But, at first glance, it seems that if God has ‘picked’
some people to be saved, then that means that He has
picked others not to be saved – some are effectively
‘selected’ for eternal rejection. I don’t buy that. If the
offer is made to any and all to come, then that means
that the door is wide open – whoever wants to, can.
I believe that the key to this is found in the
background to the idea of election. God chose Israel
as an elect people, as Chris Wright says, ‘not at the
expense of the rest of the world, but for the sake of
the rest of the world’.1 In other words, God decided to
use a people for His purposes – not individuals, but a
people together.
This truth is beautifully outlined in Deuteronomy 7.
We tend to individualise Scripture – so when it talks to
us, using the word ‘you’, we think ‘me’ rather than ‘us
together’. What God has done is to use the Church, the
people of God, as a lighthouse to the world, just as He
intended Israel to be the people for His purpose. Just as
they were ‘set apart’ for God, so we too are ‘saints’ set
apart for His usefulness.
God has chosen the Church and everyone is invited to
join that chosen people. All are loved by the Lord – and
discover His love as they share in the colourful adventure
of the people of God together.
WED 11 JAN
Chosen
BIG PICTURE
1 Peter 2:1–10
Focus
‘For we know, brothers
loved by God, that he has
chosen you.’
(1 Thess. 1:4)
Prayer: Father, I’m grateful to be part of the people of
such purpose and calling. Amen.
1
C.J.H. Wright, Living as the People of God: the Relevance of Old Testament Ethics
(Leicester: IVP, 1983) p.45.
26/8/11 10:07:14
THURS 12 JAN
Imitation
BIG PICTURE
1 Thessalonians 1:6
1 Corinthians 4:14–16
Focus
‘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.’
(1 Thess. 1:6)
Challenged?
Me too
I’ve been reminded recently about how much we learn
by imitation. Out shopping with my grandson, I sat with
him on a bench. I folded my arms. He folded his. I put
my sunglasses on. He followed suit. In the development
of language, body language and social habits, so much is
done by copying.
In my early days as a Christian, some fellow Christians
would say: ‘Don’t look at us, look at Jesus.’ Obviously
they were trying to rescue me from disappointment. New
converts can easily develop idealism about the Church,
and then be discouraged by the reality that we are all
flawed people who are still very much in the process. But,
although we are all called to ‘look’ at Christ by faith and
focus our attention on Him, God has always wanted His
people to be a living demonstration of what life with God
looks like. Israel was called to be a lighthouse people, as
we saw yesterday.
Paul is able to call his readers to be imitators of him
and of the Lord. This is not a ‘Do as I say, not as I do’
statement from a hypocritical theorist, strong on ideas
but weak on example. Paul was able to use his own life
as an example of what the Christian life should be. And
he even puts himself first in the sentence – because
the first introduction to Jesus the Thessalonians had
was through his life. Ultimately the model is Christ, as
Paul clarifies in writing to the Corinthians: follow me,
as I follow Christ (1 Cor. 11:1). Nevertheless, Paul was
able to use himself as a model for others to emulate.
Challenged? Me too.
Prayer: So work in me, mighty God, that others might
find my life a godly example to follow, as I continue to
walk with You. Amen.
26/8/11 10:07:14
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26/8/11 10:07:15
FRI 13 JAN
Impressive in
suffering
BIG PICTURE
1 Thessalonians 1:7
Focus
‘And so you became a
model to all the believers
in Macedonia and
Achaia.’ (1 Thess. 1:7)
In one sentence, Paul sets out how the Church grows
in influence and numbers. He was an example to the
Thessalonians, and then they became a ‘model’ for others
to follow. As Leon Morris puts it, ‘the imitators become
the imitated’. The use of the word ‘model’ here speaks of
the impression made when hammering out a coin. Paul
had left his mark on the Thessalonians – now they were
making an impression on other believers far and wide.
It’s sobering to remember that we all have influence
– not just leaders. The ways in which we respond to
criticism, use our money, treat our friends and spouses
or handle conflict – all of these surely make a mark. But
we make the greatest impression by the way in which
we handle trial and even persecution. The Thessalonians
became a model because they had welcomed the gospel
‘in spite of severe suffering’.
I’ve discovered that to be true in my own life in the
last couple of years. I’ve attended many conferences
and been glad to hear lots of inspiring teaching. But, by
far the greatest example to me has been that of friends
who have decided to cling tight to Christ in the midst
of the darkest trials imaginable. Their lives ‘preach’ to
me with unprecedented power, and nudge me towards
perseverance, with an eloquence that words alone could
never have.
Perhaps you’re in a season of terrible suffering right
now. I pray that you’ll be encouraged, and not exhausted,
by this truth: as you’re faithful, you’re not just surviving –
you’re making a mark.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, in Your suffering, You showed us
how to be faithful. May the pain of those who struggle
now strengthen others. Amen.
26/8/11 10:07:15
14/15 JAN
1 Thessalonians 1:8 // Hebrews 11:1–40
Faith in God
I so enjoyed last year’s royal wedding in London. The
television coverage was beautifully done and one of
my favourite shots was of Westminster Abbey’s bells
pealing after the ceremony. Their beautiful sound
was a proclamation of joy.
As Paul celebrates the Thessalonians’ faith in God –
‘which had become known everywhere’ – he uses a term
which means ‘pealing’ or even ‘thunderclap’. And, as he
does, I think of the hall of faith in the book of Hebrews.
What a motley group of people are listed there: Father
Abraham, and Samson who destroyed his life with his
behaviour. Even Rehab the harlot is listed there.
... to trust
Him when
they don’t
understand ...
So what is it about faith that counts so much in the
sight of God? Perhaps it is the tenacity that causes
people to hope in Him in the face of their huge
frailties; to trust Him when they don’t understand;
to accept His grace when they stumble and fall; and
to believe that, however dark life becomes, the light
of His love can never be extinguished. Certainly that
was true of the Thessalonian Christians, who began
following Jesus amongst such fierce opposition. As we
trust God, the bells ring.
To ponder: Why is authentic faith arresting and
appealing? When is faith unattractive and ugly?
26/8/11 10:07:15
MON 16 JAN
Turning
BIG PICTURE
Acts 9:1–9
Focus
‘They tell how you
turned to God from idols
to serve the living and
true God.’ (1 Thess. 1:9)
People come to God in different ways. Some, like me,
had very little Christian influence in their upbringing, only
to experience a sudden, cataclysmic conversion. Paul’s
headlong fall from his high horse of pharisaic religiosity
is probably the most famous example of such a sudden
conversion. As he met the risen Christ on the road to
Damascus, he had an immediate turnaround.
But some believers – in fact most – do not come
through crisis conversion. Many are brought up in
Christian homes, and have loved Jesus for as long as
they can remember. There will have been moments
of commitment and connection along the way, but no
earth-shattering conversion as such. And that’s fine –
what matters is not how we come to God but that we
come to God.
Whatever the route of our journey, we should realise
that turning will always be involved. The believers
in Thessalonica had turned from idols to serve the
living God. There had been an awakening in their
understanding, and they’d switched their loyalties from
empty beliefs to the true and living God.
The journey of discipleship calls us to navigate many
junctions and involves many moments of turning. We
turn away from shame, easy living, addiction, gossip,
arrogance, to list just a few. Notice that there is not just
a turning away from – but a turning to God Himself.
Christianity is far more than dumping our armfuls of idols
and being left empty. Rather, it means embracing by faith
the living Christ who promises to be with us always.
Prayer: Lord, when I’m standing at a critical junction
of life, help me to make the right turn. Amen.
26/8/11 10:07:15
In my early years as a Christian, I devoured many books
about the second coming. Most of them are out of print
and for good reason. Writers interpreted what was going
on around the world at the time, attached significance
often to random scriptures and assured us that Jesus
would be making an appearance very soon. I know
of people who decided against getting an education
because they expected Christ to return at any moment.
Eventually, disappointment set in with the realisation
that the ‘signs’ had been wrongly read. Not that this
stopped some prolific authors: they simply amended
their manuscripts and brought out further editions.
Years later, it seems there are two ways to approach
the second coming. One is to be obsessed with it, and
embrace a ‘head in the clouds’ mentality that insists
long-term planning and work are useless because
Jesus’ appearance is imminent. The other is to do
the opposite, and virtually ignore the truth of Christ’s
return, seeing it as irrelevant. Wearied by fruitless
speculation, we just get on with life. Both extremes
are wrong. Paul gives the Thessalonians a model to
work from with regard to the End Times – he wants
them to be working and waiting. In both letters the
second coming is mentioned in every chapter, so this
is a dominant theme in his thinking. Paul calls us to dig
in and work as if the coming of Jesus might not be for
another thousand years, but always to keep an eternal
perspective, remembering that what we have now is
not all that there will be.
Prayer: Lord, help me to serve wholeheartedly as if
You were not coming yet, and live faithfully as if You
were coming today. Amen.
TUES 17 JAN
Waiting, but
working while
we wait
BIG PICTURE
Focus
‘... and to wait for his
Son from heaven, whom
he raised from the dead
– Jesus, who rescues us
from the coming wrath.’
(1 Thess. 1:10)
... what we have
now is not all
that there will be
26/8/11 10:07:15
WED 18 JAN
Responding
to false
accusation
BIG PICTURE
1 Thessalonians 2:1
Focus
‘You know, brothers and
sisters, that our visit to
you was not without
results.’ (1 Thess. 2:1)
Confession time – sometimes I don’t challenge people
who criticise me, because I just don’t want it to escalate
into a fight. In fact, I don’t even want to continue the
conversation. An apology is easier. But it’s not always
the right way. There is a time to defend ourselves, and
defend the integrity of what we’re doing.
Paul was obviously insulted in Thessalonica, first
by those from outside the church, who sneered at
his sudden departure and described his mission as a
failure. Those unkind words must then have infected the
church, causing some to think that Paul was a charlatan
who had abandoned them. And so the words that we
will consider over the next few days are Paul’s robust
defence in the face of those unfair charges. He refuted
the idea that his visit to Thessalonica had been a waste
of time and without results, as obviously the current
rumours were suggesting.
In this situation, not only was he personally under
attack, but the power and effectiveness of the Christian
message was in question as well.
Of course we should be gracious when we’re falsely
accused, and sometimes silence and a refusal to get
further into the fight is the right way to go. Jesus Himself
demonstrated that when He stood silently before His
accusers. But there is also a time to give a robust (yet
still gracious) reply to those who malign us. If they’re
wrong, they’re wrong, and a kind but firm rebuttal might
be exactly what is called for, lest those who spread lies
continue the practice unchallenged.
Prayer: Lord, when I am falsely accused, help me to
know when to speak, and when to be silent. Amen.
26/8/11 10:07:16
Sometimes I struggle with Paul. He can be a little too
blunt at times. I wish he’d been a little more sympathetic
to the frailties of others, like John Mark. But I also
admire him, not only for his fearlessness (he describes
his preaching as bold and courageous in the face of
opposition) but for his consistency of life. Look again at
the words he shares, and see that he was able to use his
own life as a clear example for the gospel. He was able
to say to the Thessalonians, ‘You know what I am like’ –
and expect a positive response.
Perhaps we all have areas of our lives where we
struggle and would rather hide the facts from others.
Sometimes I meet Christian leaders who are plainly
living dual lives. They preach against the use of alcohol,
and drink to excess; they applaud others in public,
and then sneer about them behind closed doors. Paul
seems able to say that, while he was not claiming to be
perfect, he was in private what he was in public. He
was not looking for the approval of the Thessalonians
– more about that tomorrow – but he knew they could
attest that he lived the message he spoke so boldly. So
much was this the case that Paul doesn’t have to defend
himself, but just reminds his friends in Thessalonica of
what they knew to be true.
At my daughter’s wedding, she stood up and said: ‘My
dad is privately what he preaches publicly.’ I cried, and
still do when I remember that day, my joy mingled with an
awareness of my own many failures. May we be able to
say with confidence: ‘You know what I’m like.’
Prayer: Lord, only grace and the work of Your Spirit
can make me into the likeness of Christ. Work in me
today, I pray. Amen.
THURS 19 JAN
Integrity that
is known
BIG PICTURE
Focus
‘You know we never
used flattery, nor did we
put on a mask to cover
up greed – God is our
witness.’ (1 Thess. 2:5)
… he was in
private what he
was in public
26/8/11 10:07:16
The importance of
Next month Jeff will be travelling to the UK from
the USA to contribute to the ‘Honest’ conference,
organized by Faithworks. This is being held in Bristol
on 10–11 February and Manchester on 17–18
February. He will be joining Steve Chalke and Ruth
Dearnley for this event.
‘Honest’ is an opportunity for Christian leaders
and activists to gather, question, probe and even
confront. The purpose of the conference is:
• To see that it really is good to talk and ask some vital
questions, such as:
- Why does honest conversation matter?
- What makes us shrink back from honesty?
- What are we afraid of? • To think honestly about the Bible. Can we question
and disagree without launching a stoning?
26/8/11 10:07:16
being honest
Lucas on life …
• To talk about church – what it is and what it could be. No cheap
cynicism or whining here, just a chance to confront the tough issues
facing the church we love.
• To reflect about leadership. How can we create safe places for
leaders to wrestle with the tough challenges that leadership in postChristian Britain presents?
• Most importantly, those who attend the conference will talk about
what they want to talk about. Much of the agenda will be set by the
delegates.
Honest is what Jesus was and is. He was honest about the struggles
of life, the foibles of religion, the potential and fragility of humanity.
Jesus’ honesty delighted some and enraged others. He sent Temple
tables tumbling; He enraged the entrenched authorities and enjoyed
slap-up meals with the excluded ... All to make it clear that we can
come to God just as we are; honestly. Come and join the conversation!
For more details go to www.faithworks.info
26/8/11 10:07:16
FRI 20 JAN
Approved
by God
BIG PICTURE
1 Thessalonians 2:6
2 Timothy 2:15
Focus
‘We were not looking for
praise from people, not
from you or anyone else,
even though as apostles
of Christ we could have
asserted our authority.’
(1 Thess. 2:6)
Here’s another confession – I like the approval of
others. Don’t we all? Sometimes it is for good reasons.
If I go to speak at a church or a conference, I know that
people have gone to considerable time and effort to
make that event happen. So it is important to me to
know that I have served them to the best of my ability,
and that something has been achieved, by the grace of
God. But it is possible to become compulsively insecure,
desperate for the approval of others. Then their applause
can become more significant than the approval of God.
And there are times when we might find ourselves
saying things that are unpopular – and not get such a
positive response.
That happened to me during a visit to a church in
the USA. I had been there on numerous occasions and
had always been well received. But I felt that I needed
to preach a message about what might happen to
that church – or indeed any church – were it to resist
mission-driven, Spirit-led change. The result was fairly
blunt and confrontational, although I tried very hard to
speak with kindness.
The reaction was horrible. People rushed past me at
the end of the service, seemingly desperate to escape
as fast as possible – and I was never invited back. I’ve
searched my heart over that experience. I might be
wrong, but I do feel that I was obedient to what I felt
God was saying. Sometimes we have to make a choice:
a smile and a ‘Well done’ from God – or one from His
people. And the two don’t always go together.
Prayer: Father, help me to be confident when
criticised for doing right, and responsive when
criticised for doing wrong. Amen.
26/8/11 10:07:17
21/22 JAN
1 Thessalonians 2:7–9 // 2 Timothy 2:24–25
Gentleness
I’m increasingly disturbed by some comments
that well-known speakers are making about
masculinity. Reacting against what they describe as
the feminisation of the Church, they insist that Jesus
was a ‘man’s man’. Incredibly, one writer says that
he could never worship a Jesus that he could beat up,
which is amazing seeing as Jesus was called the Lamb
of God who did allow Himself to be beaten up. These
are twisted images of masculinity. Paul describes his
ministry among the Thessalonians not only as gentle,
but as being like a mother who cares for her child. The
language used is very tender and caring.
This a model for Christian leadership. God is not
on the side of aggressive, heavy-handed shepherds –
there are still too many reports of spiritual abuse in
churches. It also gives us a picture of what a ‘man’s
man’ like Paul was really like; not an aggressive
macho Rambo figure, but a tender nurse of the flock
of God.
A good mother is gentle, self-sacrificing and caring.
May we be the same – men and women both.
... a tender
nurse of the
flock of God
To ponder: What do you think of the statement:
‘I could never worship a Jesus whom I could beat up’?
26/8/11 10:07:17
MON 23 JAN
True character
BIG PICTURE
1 Thessalonians
2:10–12
1 Timothy 3:1–7
Focus
‘... encouraging,
comforting and urging
you to live lives worthy of
God, who calls you into
his kingdom and glory.’
(1 Thess. 2:12)
What does a ‘good’ Christian look like? We’ve all
bumped into people who claim to be ‘holy’, but are
unkind with it. And we’ve met others who are endlessly
and wonderfully serving their neighbours, but seem to
have little time for God. Then there are those who are
so odd (thinking that strangeness is to be equated with
deep spirituality) that they don’t worry too much about
what those outside the Church think about them. When
their enthusiasm is mocked, they just assume that they
are being persecuted for Jesus’ sake.
As Paul writes to the church in a city where he
has been laughed at and derided, he speaks of three
character traits: holiness (which includes pleasing God
and being set apart for His purposes); righteousness
(which is about doing life justly and caring for our
neighbour); and blamelessness (which relates to public
reputation). Those who are not Christians might criticise
us for our convictions, but shouldn’t be able to point an
accusing finger at our character. Paul may have been
criticised, but the criticisms were false and without merit.
And then he was able to switch metaphors from that of
being motherly and speak of the fatherly encouragement
he gave to the believers there.
I can’t think of a better definition of Christian character:
to please God, love people and have a good reputation
with outsiders. And Paul was able to say that God
Himself was a witness to such character. May the
same be said of us. And don’t forget: everyone needs
encouragement.
Prayer: Lord, may my life be an event that is a sign
and a wonder to those who do not know You. Amen.
26/8/11 10:07:17
After a 40-hour flight home from Australia recently
(I’ll spare you the details), I spent a couple of days
in bed recovering from dehydration. I felt weak and
ill. This wasn’t just jet-lag and it was all because of
insufficient water in my system. Energy drinks helped
my recovery.
As Paul writes about the transforming power of ‘the
word of God’ in the lives of the Thessalonian believers,
he talks about the Word being at work within them – the
Greek word means ‘energy’. Whenever this word is used
in the New Testament, it usually refers to supernatural
activity. And that’s exactly what Scripture does. We
don’t just read it because that is what good Christians
are supposed to do. Instead, as we read, reflect and
apply it, so we are nourished, challenged, energised and
transformed. In a grimy world where there are 10,000
unclean messages trying to weasel their way into our
minds, and thereafter to show up in our behaviour,
Scripture is the pure straight edge of God’s truth that
builds the muscle of faith.
The Holy Spirit is actively at work, shaping us as we
bring our hearts and minds to it. No wonder the writer to
the Hebrews described it as being ‘living and active’.
Let’s be honest, parts of the Bible are less exciting than
others. But if we are to be energised to run the marathon
of faith, we must make time to read and reflect on
Scripture daily. Only then will we ‘run and not grow weary
... walk and not be faint’ (Isa. 40:31).
Prayer: Teach me how to feed on Your Word each
day, Lord. Strengthen, energise and change me as I
do. Amen.
TUES 24 JAN
The Word
at work
BIG PICTURE
Hebrews 4:12–13
Focus
‘And we also thank God
continually because,
when you received
the word of God ...
you accepted it ... as ...
the word of God,
which is indeed at work
in you who believe.’
(1 Thess. 2:13)
... nourished,
challenged,
energised and
transformed
26/8/11 10:07:17
WED 25 JAN
Racism
BIG PICTURE
1 Thessalonians
2:14–16
Galatians 3:23–29
Focus
‘You suffered from
your own people the
same things those
churches suffered from
the Jews who killed the
Lord Jesus.’
(1 Thess. 2:14–15)
These words could be dangerously inflammatory, taken
out of context. As Paul launches a tirade against the
Jews in Thessalonica, he seems to be indulging in an
anti-Semitic rant. Some have suggested Paul did not
write these words, but that they were inserted later – but
there’s no evidence for that at all and no need to assert it.
Paul had suffered considerable persecution and had
nearly lost his life at the hands of hostile Jewish agitators.
That was a fact which he affirms here. And then he states
that it was Jews who were involved in Jesus’ trial and
execution. Obviously the Romans played an enormous
part as well, but it was the Jewish religious leaders who
had done everything in their power to get rid of the Christ.
And so Paul speaks of this plainly. He says what is true.
But he is not condemning a whole race because of the
actions of some of its members.
Racial prejudice is evil, and the Church has been
guilty of it. Martin Luther is lauded as a hero of the
Reformation but, as John Stott points out, Luther’s
work On the Jews and their Lies (1543) is ‘intemperate’.
‘It is true that his health was declining, not long before
his death, and that he was disillusioned over his earlier
hopes for the conversion of the Jews. Yet these things
do not exonerate him for his diatribe against them, or
for his call to set fire to their synagogues, destroy their
homes, confiscate their Talmudic books and silence
their Rabbis.’2
Too many lives have been damaged by racism. May we
celebrate the truth that ethnicity is irrelevant.
Prayer: Lord, may not a hint of prejudice be found in
me. Amen.
2
John Stott, The Message of Thessalonians (Nottingham: IVP, 1991).
26/8/11 10:07:17
There’s been a lot of debate about the nature of hell
recently. I welcome this, because it’s good to talk. We
should be able to discuss our theological convictions
without fear and allow others to compare them to
Scripture. But, whatever the outcome of the discussions
is, I confess to being worried about Christians who
seem to relish the idea of a final hell and damnation
for those outside Christ. God’s profound desire is that
no one should spend eternity outside His love – He is
‘not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to
repentance’ (2 Pet. 3:9). That is why He went to such
desperate measures in sending His only Son among us.
If that is true, then there’s no room for glee among the
people of God at the thought of others being judged.
And Paul’s words here about the wrath of God coming
upon the Jews can easily be misunderstood, as if he were
delighted that they were suffering judgment. Writing
around AD 50, he was probably referring to some natural
disasters and political upheavals that had taken place,
and was interpreting those events as judgment on the
Jewish agitators who had been such a threat to the
Church. These are not racist words of condemnation
against the Jewish people generally but against the
tormentors of the Church specifically.
Once again, we see the danger of taking Scripture out
of context. I’m deliberately labouring the point – don’t let
there be even a hint of racism towards any ethnic group
in our lives and churches. And, whatever hell is, we
shouldn’t be happy about it. On the contrary.
THURS 26 JAN
Happy
about hell?
BIG PICTURE
2 Peter 3:1–18
Focus
‘The wrath of God has
come upon them at last.’
(1 Thess. 2:16)
... not wanting
anyone to
Prayer: May I live and speak in such a way that points
people to a knowledge of Your love, Lord. Amen.
perish ...
26/8/11 10:07:17
FRI 27 JAN
Satan
hindered us
BIG PICTURE
1 Thessalonians
2:17–18
Ephesians 6:10–20
Focus
‘For we wanted to come
to you – certainly I, Paul,
did, again and again –
but Satan blocked our
way.’ (1 Thess. 2:18)
It was an exciting, occasionally frightening, day. On
safari in the Eastern Australian rain forest, we narrowly
avoided stepping on a red-belly black, a very poisonous
snake. We were nervous of cassowaries, ostrich-like
creatures that charge and then disembowel you. The
day was almost over, and our jeep was skidding along
a remote mountain track, when suddenly we realised
that getting home might take a little longer than we had
anticipated. A tree had fallen across the track, completely
blocking it. I was grateful for the chainsaw that our guide
had strapped to the roof. Thirty minutes later, we were on
our way again.
As Paul writes of his longing to see the Thessalonians,
he mentions that Satan hindered him – the word used
here means to ‘cut in’ or to ‘block a path’. Something
had happened to prevent Paul revisiting the city. It is
interesting that the man who was ‘prevented by the Spirit
of Jesus’ from going into the city of Bithynia was now
experiencing a devilish roadblock. The exact nature of
the block isn’t shared – some say that the Thessalonian
authorities put a legal injunction upon Jason, making
a further visit from Paul impossibly precarious for him.
Others say that fresh attacks were planned in the event of
a return visit from the apostle.
Whatever the reason, Paul’s route through life was
not without interference. We’ll see tomorrow that it is
possible to give Satan too much credit for the difficulties
we experience in life – but we should be prayerfully aware
that we continue to live on a battlefield.
Prayer: Lord, help me to remember that You never
said that life would be easy. Amen.
26/8/11 10:07:17
28/29 JAN
1 Thessalonians 2:17–18 // Ephesians 4:17–32
Satan and sanity
I’ve paused on these verses, because we’ve all met
Christians who claim their lives are littered with
supernatural encounters and experiences. Insisting
that God speaks to them almost audibly on an hourly
basis, they don’t have opinions, only revelations.
And the battle seems especially intense for them.
If anything goes wrong, it’s the result of the devil’s
activity. Paul doesn’t tell us how he determined that
Satan had been hindering his path – only that it had
happened. But be careful of rushing to lay blame
at the devil’s door for any unforeseen difficulties,
especially those that are the result of bad choices.
And don’t fall into the trap of insisting that ‘the devil
made me do it’ when you are tempted and fail.
Don’t be afraid, either. I’ve met Christians, about
to embark upon an new season of adventure in
the mission of God, who were paranoid about the
potential satanic backlash that might come upon
them or their families as they made strides forward
in faith. Don’t be ignorant of the devil’s wiles or
obsessed by them – either extreme is unbalanced.
To ponder: How can we avoid this imbalance in our
Christian lives?
Don’t be
afraid, either
26/8/11 10:07:17
MON 30 JAN
Too heavenly
minded?
BIG PICTURE
1 Thessalonians
2:19–20
2 Timothy 4:1–8
Focus
‘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?
Is it not you?’
(1 Thess. 2:19)
... significant
It’s been said that some Christians are too heavenly
minded to be of any earthly use. I don’t think it is
possible. Some get sidetracked into foolishness, like
those who once taught that education was unimportant
because of Jesus’ imminent return, so why waste time
studying for a college degree? I’ve also met Christians
who feel that environmental action and responsibility are
unnecessary because ultimately the earth is going to be
burned up. This is so wrong on so many fronts. In fact,
the earth will be renewed.
But true heavenly mindedness stirs us to action and
love. Paul speaks with such tenderness to his brothers
and sisters in Thessalonica – because one day he will
share with them such amazing joy when Jesus returns.
And so now he longs to see them, whatever the risks.
The bright future ahead stirs him into action in the now.
There’s one other detail we might notice: as Paul
speaks of a day to come of joy together, in the presence
of Jesus, this clearly suggests that we will be able to
recognise each other when we’re in the presence of God
for eternity. There’s so much we don’t know about what
that eternity will look like, simply because we aren’t
told. But I’m comforted by the reality that, in Christ, the
relationships that have been birthed here will continue
for ever. Death truly is not the end. And, as Paul speaks
of the Thessalonians being ‘his crown’, we once again
see the depth of his love for them. May God help us to
build significant sustaining relationships – that will truly
go on for ever.
sustaining
relationships ...
Prayer: Help me to build relationships of depth and
commitment, Lord – that will last for ever. Amen.
26/8/11 10:07:18
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26/8/11 10:07:18
TUES 31 JAN
Agonising love
BIG PICTURE
1 Thessalonians 3:1
2 Corinthians
12:20–21
Focus
‘So when we could stand
it no longer, we thought
it best to be left by
ourselves in Athens.’
(1 Thess. 3:1)
It’s the agony most parents go through. Your child is
making the wonderful, awkward transition into being
an adult, and perhaps now is out on her first date.
The hands of the clock have passed the time that you
agreed for her return and now, as each minute ticks by,
your anxiety grows – and you imagine terrible things.
When she returns safely, you experience a mixture of
relief and frustration.
As Paul speaks of ‘not being able to stand it any longer’,
he was tormented by the uncertainty of not knowing
how his dear friends in Thessalonica were faring. We’ve
already seen that he likens himself to a parent to the
Thessalonians – now he experiences the pain that
parental love brings. Even though it would mean Paul
being left alone in Athens, he was willing to endure that
loneliness in order to allow Timothy to travel and report
back on how the Thessalonian believers were doing. Paul
was not only an evangelist and apostle – he was a true
pastor. Truly good shepherds don’t just count sheep –
they are willing to lay down their lives for them.
Pray for those who lead the people of God: sometimes
the concern that leadership brings is overwhelming.
When you really care about people, there’s plenty to be
anxious about.
But perhaps there’s someone you know who is likely to
be anxious about you, simply because you haven’t taken
time to tell them how you’re doing. Why not relieve their
agony by making contact today? Being in touch could end
some real fear and concern in them.
Prayer: Father, may I not cause others pain because
I leave them uncertain about me. Amen.
26/8/11 10:07:18
If there’s one truth we need to hear repeatedly, it’s
that life is hard and Christians suffer along with the rest
of the world – and sometimes suffer more because they
are followers of Christ. Paul’s language here makes it
clear that this was the sober warning that he continuously
reiterated to them. Why don’t we want to believe it?
Most of us have not bought into the faith and prosperity
teaching that promises riches and freedom from sickness
if we have enough faith. It doesn’t take too much biblical
study to realise that was not the experience of the
disciples of Christ in the New Testament. But still we get
‘surprised’ at the fiery trial that comes upon us, to borrow
Peter’s language. Why?
Do we hanker to be protected from all harm, and
hope it will turn out that way? Do we hold a theology
that echoes the basic human conviction (at least in the
Western hemisphere) that bad things happen to other
people, not us, and that because God loves us He will
ensure that we don’t have to experience any endurance
tests? And do we cling to the ridiculous idea that if storm
clouds arrive it means that God has left us or, worse still,
is judging us? Sometimes we quickly affirm that life is
good because God has been good to us. Does that mean
that if life is rough, then God is not being good to us? Of
course not.
Like the Thessalonians, we too need to be reminded.
We will suffer. God loves us. Life is tough. Difficulty
doesn’t mean desertion. On the contrary, we need to
affirm our trust that He will walk with us through the trials.
Prayer: Loving God, help me to trust You when I don’t
understand, and to pray when life threatens to leave
me speechless. Amen.
WED 01 FEB
Life is tough
BIG PICTURE
1 Thessalonians
3:2–4
1 Peter 4:13–19
Focus
‘We sent Timothy ...
to strengthen and
encourage you in your
faith, so that no one
would be unsettled by
these trials.’
(1 Thess. 2:2–3)
... Christians
suffer along
with the rest of
the world ...
26/8/11 10:07:18
THURS 02 FEB
Temptation
and faith
BIG PICTURE
1 Thessalonians 3:5
Luke 22:31–38
Focus
‘I was afraid that in some
way the tempter had
tempted you and that our
labours might have been
in vain.’ (1 Thess. 3:5)
We tend to think that when the enemy uses temptation,
the aim is to draw us into sinful behaviour or addiction.
But I think that’s wrong. The main target is not our
integrity, but our faith in Christ. Paul’s thinking went like
this: trials may have surprised and unsettled the Christian
family at Thessalonica, and so Paul was worried about
their faith. Timothy was sent to strengthen it (v.2), and to
report back on it to Paul.
Peter was warned by Jesus at the Last Supper that
Satan was after him, and the focus of Jesus’ praying for
Peter was that his faith might not fail. Just as the tempter
whispered in Eden, ‘Did God really say ...?’, the enemy
wants to undermine our confidence in God’s existence
and goodness.
Let’s realise that our faith in God is what the enemy
really wants to erode – that’s why he goes after our
integrity. If he wins, our shame taunts us, hopelessness
begins to take over and, before we know it, we wonder
if we’re really even followers of Christ at all. We can be
overwhelmed by the ‘unfinished business’ that is us – or
disappointed by the immaturity of other Christians – and
the tempting question comes: is God at work anywhere
at all? If Jesus is so active, how come so much pettiness
and stupidity continues in our lives? Our faith comes
under threat.
If you’re battling crippling doubt at the moment, you
need to realise that this is not only normal but is part of
our spiritual warfare. Christians who never experience
crises of faith make me wonder – are they actually living
on the battlefield at all?
Prayer: Strengthen my faith, Lord, especially when
the battle is heavy. Amen.
26/8/11 10:07:18
Faith and love: Calvin called this sentence the ‘total
sum of all godliness’. In just three words, as he hears
good news from Thessalonica, Paul gives us a great
description of what healthy Christianity looks like. And he
goes even further when writing to the churches in Galatia:
‘… the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself
through love’.
Some people insist that they have great faith, but
they’re loud, intolerant of others who don’t have the same
vision and passion, and seem to delight in pointing out
the many shortcomings of the Church. True faith is shown
not only by diligent prayer and hopeful expectation, but
by kindness, servanthood and humility.
Faith means that we’re not only trusting God, and
asking Him to do things, but that we’re walking with
Him. And you normally get to become like someone with
whom you spend a lot of time: their character rubs off
on you. God’s primary character trait can be summed up
in yet another pithy three-word sentence – ‘God is love’
(1 John 4:16), so it naturally follows that those who truly
spend a lot of time consciously around Him will become
like Him.
Timothy’s report warmed Paul’s heart, because these
new disciples were growing fast, in their relationship to
God – faith – and in the depth of their commitment to
each other – love. Earlier in the letter Paul had used the
two terms together: ‘We ... remember before our God
and Father your work produced by faith, your labour
prompted by love’ (1 Thess. 1:3).
Faith and love: one without the other just won’t work.
Prayer: As I walk with You, as I trust You, may I
become like You, loving God. Amen.
FRI 03 FEB
Faith and love
BIG PICTURE
1 Thessalonians
3:6–10
Galatians 5:6
Focus
‘But Timothy has just
now come to us from you
and has brought good
news about your faith
and love.’ (1 Thess. 3:6)
Faith and love:
one without
the other just
won’t work
26/8/11 10:07:18
cw
04/05 FEB
1 Thessalonians 3:11–13 // John 11:17–37
I love you
The more I read Paul’s words to the Thessalonians,
the more convinced I become that he was not the
stern, focused apostle he’s often portrayed to be. His
words are tender, vulnerable and effusive – he wants
his friends to be in absolutely no doubt that he loves
them very much. All this talk of overflowing love,
coupled with his saying once again that this is exactly
how he feels about them, shows us that Paul certainly
knew how to say, ‘I love you’.
At every opportunity I let my family know how much
I love them. Sometimes they get to hear it twice a day.
I occasionally worry that this might get redundant,
and become meaningless. But I want them to be in
absolutely no doubt. Obviously words only count
when they are backed up by action. Paul’s affectionate
language was endorsed by his willingness to risk his
life for the Thessalonians. However effusive we might
be, let’s remember that our profession of love must
always be followed by actions and choices that prove
the words to be authentic. All that said, if you love
people, make sure that they know it. Tell them – often.
... if you love
people, make
sure that they
know it
To ponder: Can the words ‘I love you’ be overused?
Why do we sometimes hesitate to express our love
verbally?
26/8/11 10:07:19
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26/8/11 10:07:20
MON 06 FEB
Pleasing God
BIG PICTURE
Focus
‘As for other matters,
brothers and sisters, we
instructed you how to
live in order to please
God, as in fact you are
living.’ (1 Thess. 4:1)
He … offers
a welcome
‘Well done’ as I
choose well …
There are some things that are just beyond me. I
could never sing in an opera, paint a portrait or crack
a complicated mathematical question. I was so bad at
maths at school, I didn’t even bother to show up for my
GCE exam. Praise the Lord for calculators. Some things
are just impossible.
Here’s something else that I used to think was
impossible: pleasing God. I assumed that no matter
how much I prayed, it would never be enough. My
holiness would never be unblemished, my love for others
never untainted by selfishness and false motives. Quite
simply, whatever I did, I could not imagine bringing
a smile to God’s face. When you believe that you’re
living with someone who is ultimately impossible to
please, you soon lose hope and give up trying. If God
is never delighted, and if our best efforts are rejected
as insufficient, then life becomes an endless trudge,
heartbreaking as well as back-breaking.
As Paul speaks to the Thessalonians about living in
such a way that pleases God, I realise how wrong I have
been. I don’t have to wait for perfection in order to bring
pleasure to His heart. He knows my frailties, but offers
a welcome ‘Well done’ as I choose well, look for His
purposes, and do my best. Eric Liddell, of Chariots of Fire
fame, described the sense he had that God was delighted
by his athletic skills: ‘When I run, I feel His pleasure.’
Perhaps you’re working hard, and feeling unappreciated.
Know that there is One who is pleased. May you have a
sense of the pleasure of God towards you today.
Prayer: Lord, help me to live in a way that pleases
You – and, as I do, may I tangibly sense that You are
pleased. Amen.
26/8/11 10:07:20
We please God by living in purity – which was a
challenge for those living in Thessalonica, where it was
normal for a married man to have a mistress, or even
to take part in religious cults that used sex as part of
worship.
Here’s a potentially startling statement: purity can
be especially difficult in the context of church, because
it’s an ideal place for immorality to develop. In a healthy
church family, we talk openly about our struggles, making
ourselves vulnerable. We frequently express our love
for one another. Hugs as well as handshakes are often
in evidence. All of this is good – although caution is
advisable around anyone who seems to enjoy hugging a
little too much ...
Not only are we quite intimate with each other but, in
opening ourselves spiritually and emotionally, we potentially
open ourselves up sexually. Anyone who has ever worked
at a youth camp knows that the night when people are
moved to respond to a genuine work of the Holy Spirit is
also the time when the leaders need to be especially diligent
in their late-night patrolling. Those very same young people
who just responded to God might be being a little too
enthusiastic in their response to each other.
Paul warned the Thessalonians against taking
advantage of each other as they shared and cared from
day to day. We need to be wise and alert: not reserved,
but diligent. Let’s not allow even a hint of immorality to
ruin the beautiful, unsullied purity that not only pleases
God, but can also turn the heads of those who don’t
know God.
TUES 07 FEB
Purity
BIG PICTURE
1 Thessalonians
4:3–8
1 Timothy 5:1–2
Focus
‘It is God’s will that
you should be sanctified:
that you should avoid
sexual immorality.’
(1 Thess. 4:3)
Prayer: May I love with absolute purity, Lord. Amen.
26/8/11 10:07:20
WED 08 FEB
Prized
BIG PICTURE
1 Thessalonians
4:9–10
Romans 5:5
Focus
‘Now about your love for
one another we do not
need to write to you, for
you yourselves have been
taught by God to love
each other.’ (1 Thess. 4:9)
I’ve not won many awards – a white strip for swimming
a width is about the limit of the athletic prizes I’ve been
blessed with. I do have a couple of cut glass sculptures
that were presented to me after I had been a speaker at
some overseas conferences. But no trophies or medals
adorn the shelves of my study.
Paul was able to present the Thessalonians with a
verbal award that I would certainly covet. He could say
that he did not need to write to them about loving one
another. That was already happening because they had
been taught by God to love so well.
Let’s remember that God has lessons He specifically
wants to teach us (John 6:45). Often we use the term
‘self-taught’ – but that’s never the way it is for the
Christian. In fact, the Greek word here literally means
‘God-taught’. The problem with self-made people is that
they tend to worship their creator. And the love that Paul
describes was phileo – loving between brothers and
sisters, family love that is deep and practical; and agape,
the highest form of self-sacrificing love.
All this talk of love is in the present tense. Awards
generally celebrate something we once did, not
necessarily something we are doing at the moment. It’s
not that we’ve arrived, passed the test and got the prize;
the process continues daily.
Let’s not rest on our laurels, because sometimes
churches that have a reputation for what was can fail to
see that everything has changed. The same is true of us
as individuals. Let’s keep on loving.
Let’s keep
on loving
Prayer: Lord, give me grace to excel in love today.
Amen.
26/8/11 10:07:20
Sometimes I’d like a quiet life. I’m blessed with a
ministry that contains plenty of variety, and I’d never want
to complain about the opportunities for challenge, travel,
meeting new people and learning from the experience of
reaching across the different denominational traditions.
I’m grateful. But there are moments, when I come
under attack from Christians, when yet another flight
misconnects, or when I’m battling to put words on screen
for Life Every Day, when I wonder what it would be like to
quietly do little or nothing – or just to do some work which
ended at 5pm, every weekday. I could be tempted to
use Paul’s encouragement to live a ‘quiet life’ in defence
of my occasional fantasy. But this dream is not what
Paul is talking about at all. Far from calling his friends at
Thessalonica to live bland lives, he is talking about the
pursuit of an inner calm; and his word for ‘ambition’ here
is energetic – making every effort to be peaceful. How
do we do that? Don’t get ensnared in gossip, mind your
own business and find pleasure and satisfaction from the
ordinary, like your everyday work.
Paul knew some epic moments in his life but, even
for him, most of life wasn’t exciting – it was more about
faithfulness. What was true for him is true for us. May
you know calm today as you go about what might be just
another ordinary day. Just as the Thessalonians were
promised, people who are discreet, trustworthy and hard
working will always find respect from those who are not
Christians. Quiet living might do more for the kingdom
than loud shouting.
THURS 09 FEB
Quiet living
BIG PICTURE
1 Thessalonians
4:11–12
Ephesians 4:17–32
Focus
‘... make it your ambition
to lead a quiet life.’
(1 Thess. 4:11)
Prayer: Teach me how to live quietly, Lord. Amen.
26/8/11 10:07:20
FRI 10 FEB
In approaching the scriptures which are traditionally
used to support the ‘rapture of the Church’ doctrine, in
which all followers of Jesus are suddenly snatched up
into the sky, I need to say that I don’t interpret these
scriptures in this way. I believe that Jesus is coming back
to fully establish His kingdom rule in the earth and He will
come gloriously – but not in a ‘rapture’.
Fuelled by the Left Behind series, the rapture idea
BIG PICTURE
has become increasingly popular in many church circles
1 Thessalonians
over the last few decades. But the idea is only about
4:13–18
180 years old – prior to 1830 (when the doctrine was
1 Corinthians
15:51–54
popularised by J.N. Darby) teaching on the rapture did
not appear in the Church at all.
Focus
In writing to the Thessalonians, Paul indulges in his
‘For the Lord ... will come
usual
love of metaphors, which have then been taken
down from heaven, with
literally; hence the rapture idea. Taking Scripture literally
a loud command, with
the voice of the archangel is not the same as taking it seriously. So, for example,
and with the trumpet call
Revelation talks about a lamb on the throne, but it doesn’t
of God, and the dead in
mean that Jesus is a sheep!
Christ will rise first.’
We’ll look at Paul’s metaphors over the next couple
(1 Thess. 4:16)
of days, and I’ll be asking us to read this same portion
of Scripture a few times over. As we consider this idea
which has filtered into mainstream consciousness in
many churches, let’s do so without fear. God wants us to
consider our beliefs, debate them kindly and, above all,
allow our beliefs to be held up to Scripture rather than
popular opinion. After all, the Church used to teach that
slavery was acceptable because the New Testament
seemed to condone it. We got that wrong ...
Rapture?
Prayer: Lord, thank You because Your Word assures
me that You are the coming King. Help me, especially
when life is hard, to live by that truth. Amen.
26/8/11 10:07:20
11/12 FEB
1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 // Exodus 19:20–20:21
The trumpet sound
When we suffer, we can be tempted to slip into the
belief that God doesn’t care, we’ve been abandoned
and life is meaningless. When Moses was up Mount
Sinai receiving the Torah, the Law, the fickle people
of Israel slid quickly into hopelessness and then, later,
idolatry. The very loud trumpet blast, and the Lord
coming down in a dense cloud, made it clear: God
wasn’t absent at all. And Moses came back down the
mountain to see what had been going on.
Wanting to affirm the truth that Christ will come
again, Paul uses language connected with the
Thessalonian Jewish Christians, letting them know
that they were not abandoned in their sufferings. The
mention of trumpets would have stirred images of
Mount Sinai and the moment that Moses came down
the mountain.
The imagery of clouds also connects with the vision
of the Son of Man in Daniel 7 and refers to Jesus’
ascension to heaven, not His coming back to earth.
Just as Jesus suffered but was then vindicated and
received into glory, so we too will be welcomed into
an eternity, forever with Christ. We have not been left
alone.
... God wasn’t
absent at all
To ponder: Why does suffering so quickly prompt us
to think we are abandoned?
26/8/11 10:07:20
MON 13 FEB
Even so,
come, Lord
Jesus
BIG PICTURE
1 Thessalonians
4:13–18
Revelation 21:1–4
Focus
‘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.’
(1 Thess. 4:17)
Based on this metaphor, the idea has developed that we
will ascend into the sky, wait there for seven years (while
terrible tribulation envelops the earth) and then return
later with Christ. But Paul teaches that we will welcome
our coming King back to the earth. He is referring to the
protocol in New Testament times when an emperor or
king visited a colony or province. The citizens would go
out to meet him as he approached and then escort him
back into the city.
The idea is not that we are heading for the clouds, but
that Jesus is heading back to earth as glorious King and
Judge, ultimately to establish His kingdom, fully and
finally, in a renewed heaven and earth.
What we believe about this matters. The prevalence
of ‘escapology eschatology’, where our ultimate aim is to
get out of here, can lead to environmental irresponsibility,
in the mistaken notion that the earth is going to be
destroyed anyway. God has not finished with the earth,
and the new Jerusalem, the full rule of God, will come
down to earth. Earth will be renewed as Jesus fully rules
the planet with His people.
Chick Yuill puts it like this: ‘Discipleship is not
membership in an emergency plan for the safe
evacuation of the faithful to “a better place”. Rather,
discipleship is enlisting in God’s resurrection project for
the world that he created. It is a world that he sustains
by his word of power, that he loved enough to die for, and
that he will one day heal from every hurt and wound.’3
Let’s be faithful today, and look forward to the glorious
future!
Prayer: Come, Lord Jesus! Amen.
3
Chick Yuill, Moving in the Right Circles (Nottingham: IVP, 2011).
26/8/11 10:07:20
I hesitate to mention it here, lest Howard Camping of
Family Radio in America ends up with more publicity –
but he certainly created quite a firestorm with his talk
of knowing the date of the return of Christ last May
(22 May 2011, a date that was revised to October, which
obviously didn’t pan out as he predicted).
And of course there are ‘end of the world’ speculations
because of the Mayan 2012 phenomenon, where some
suggest that a new era – or perhaps global catastrophe –
will be launched on 21 December 2012.
In the face of these pseudo-Christian or New Age
speculations, it’s important that those who follow Christ
stand firm. We believe that the world ultimately is in the
hands of Christ, the returning King – and that no one
knows when He will come. Thieves in the night don’t
call ahead.
And Jesus made it clear to His disciples that it was not
for them to know the key seasons in God’s calendar.
Surely it’s a futile exercise to speculate about these
things, not only because the New Testament makes it
clear that we will not know, but because it shouldn’t
change anything. As we’ll see as we continue to reflect
over the next few days, we are called to live as children
of the light anyway. It seems that some in Thessalonica
had been asking about times and dates. Paul cuts
across that and silences speculation with his ‘thief’
metaphor.
Don’t be panicked or fearful about these predictions –
they’ve come and gone over the years. Live for Christ today.
TUES 14 FEB
Surprise,
surprise
BIG PICTURE
Acts 1:1–11
Focus
‘Now, brothers and
sisters, about times and
dates we do not need
to write to you, for you
know very well that the
day of the Lord will come
like a thief in the night.’
(1 Thess. 5:1)
... the world
ultimately is in the
Prayer: Lord, help me to live with this affirmation and
trust: our times are in Your hands. Amen.
hands of Christ ...
26/8/11 10:07:21
WED 15 FEB
Children of
the light
BIG PICTURE
1 Thessalonians
5:4–5
Romans 13:12–14
Focus
‘But you, brothers
and sisters, are not in
darkness so that this day
should surprise you like a
thief. You are all children
of the light and children
of the day.’ (1 Thess. 5:4)
It’s confession time again. There are times (usually in
the middle of the night, when I can’t sleep) that I not
only fear death, but I get worried about what’s going to
happen after death. My concerns about dying are not
so much about not being alive any more, but more to do
with the process of dying. I concur with Woody Allen:
‘It’s not that I’m afraid of dying, I just don’t want to be
there when it happens.’
But then there’s the issue of meeting God after death.
Yes, I understand the truth of grace, being saved by faith
and the goodness and love of God. But the crux of my
nervousness is this: at that point, I will be placed utterly
and completely in the hands of Someone else, in an
environment that will be totally foreign to me. Hence my
apprehension.
Apparently some Christians in Thessalonica had
similar fears and were nervous at the thought of Christ’s
coming. Paul sought to assure them that, as children of
the light, they would be able to welcome and celebrate
the coming of Christ, the Light of the world. As we’ll see,
being children of the light is not just about assurance, but
is also a call to holy living. But Paul’s overall intention is to
set the Thessalonians’ hearts at rest.
There’s much that I don’t know about the future. It’s
an unfamiliar and potentially anxiety-creating journey.
But, in the night, I find myself whispering this: ‘I can
trust in You, Lord Jesus, my Saviour and Friend.’ We
can trust Him with our past, our present – and our
future too.
Prayer: Lord, when I am afraid, no matter what
strikes fear in my heart, I will trust in You. Amen.
26/8/11 10:07:21
I must be in confession mode, because here comes
another one. When I’m speaking at Timberline Church, I
have to be up very early in the morning, in order for final
preparations, exercise and then a team meeting at 8am.
I live with a recurring concern that I’m going to oversleep,
which would not be good. And so my solution (here I
blush) is that I set an alarm clock. Actually, I set three
alarm clocks, timed five minutes apart. My reasoning
is simple: if one fails, or I’m in such deep sleep that I
snore on through it, I’ve got two backups. I want to be
absolutely certain that I’ll be awake at the right time. My
bedroom looks (and sounds) like a clockmaker’s shop on
Sunday mornings.
Using the analogies of wakeful alertness and sleep,
Paul encourages the Thessalonians not to fear, but
to remain diligent and wide awake in their faith. I
discover that daily alertness is vital. It doesn’t take
very long to make a foolish decision that can spell
disaster, and that’s easy to do if you’re spiritually
and emotionally drowsy. There are plenty of calls to
alertness in the New Testament. Discipleship is not a
habit, but a daily choice.
The trouble with sleep is obvious: it comes upon us
slowly. One moment I’m sitting in the plane looking alive
and alert, and then the next minute my head is back, my
mouth potentially a fly trap. Sleep is something we drift
into. So is sin. Most people don’t fall: they drift.
May God keep us sharp and diligent today. A decade of
faithfulness can be destroyed by an hour of drowsiness.
Prayer: Lord, sometimes I get weary, and cruise
through days rather than walk intentionally with You.
Help me to stay awake and alert. Amen.
THURS 16 FEB
Awake
BIG PICTURE
1 Thessalonians
5:6–7
1 Peter 5:8–11
Focus
‘So then, let us not be like
others, who are asleep,
but let us be awake and
sober.’ (1 Thess. 5:6)
May God keep
us sharp and
diligent today
26/8/11 10:07:21
FRI 17 FEB
Sure and
certain hope
BIG PICTURE
1 Thessalonians
5:8–9
Ephesians 6:11–14
Focus
‘But since we belong to
the day, let us be sober,
putting on faith and love
as a breastplate, and the
hope of salvation as a
helmet.’ (1 Thess. 5:8)
... because we
are saved, our
hope is certain
‘Hope’ is a potentially misleading word. I hope that the
sun might shine, I hope that my exercise programme is
working and, as you already know, I really hope that my
three alarm clocks will perform and I’ll wake up and get
to church on time. Hope used in these contexts means
wishful thinking and anticipation, but not certainty. But
New Testament hope is not like that. Rather, hope is
what results from salvation: because we are saved, our
hope is certain. It’s interesting that in writing to both
the Thessalonians and the Ephesians, Paul maintains
the metaphor of salvation as the helmet in our armour.
While to the Thessalonians, faith and love are the
breastplate, to the Ephesians, it’s righteousness. Once
again, this illustrates how much Paul uses (and mixes
around) his metaphors.
No soldier would dream of going into battle without
his helmet – it was the most vital piece of equipment in
his armour. The brain must be solidly protected on the
battlefield.
The key truth is this: in all that goes on around us and
as we ponder the future to come, what needs to guard
our minds is the reality that, in Christ, we are saved – and
that realisation will lead to faith and hope in our lives. Our
position in Christ, as rescued people, needs to be central
in our thinking when we’re tempted to fear or the battle is
heavy. And that’s another very good reason for guarding
what we put into our minds.
Affirm this today, by faith: we have been saved, we are
saved and we will be saved. And all through Jesus.
Prayer: Father, thank You for the hope that is mine
through Christ. The future is beautiful. I will praise
You then and I praise You now. Amen.
26/8/11 10:07:21
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26/8/11 10:07:22
18/19 FEB
1 Thessalonians 5:10–11 // Ephesians 4:29–32
Authentic encouragement
Trying to bring words of encouragement and comfort
can mean that we end up hurting people. Ask Job,
who suffered greatly at the hands of his ‘comforters’,
who were probably well-meaning but utterly
unhelpful – and wrong. We can be so desperate to say
something of comfort to a sufferer that we resort to
clichés or meaningless slogans or, worse still, offer
false conclusions that create even more pain. ‘Cheer
up’ is not great advice to the grieving. ‘It’s okay, he’s
with the Lord’ is equally unhelpful, because the pain
is that the dead person is not here with us. One of my
least favourite ‘encouragements’ is ‘It’ll be all right’.
Really? How do you know?
As Paul not only commends the Thessalonians for
the culture of mutual encouragement they enjoyed,
but commands them to continue to build each other
up, we realise that he is not calling for a church that
is a back-slapping club where everyone exhorts each
other to smile. The idea of ‘building up’ refers to
building faith and character. Knowledge puffs up,
but love builds up, as Paul reminds the Corinthians
(1 Cor. 8:1).
... continue
to build each
other up ...
To ponder: Who is the best encourager you know?
Why?
26/8/11 10:07:22
We Christians are good at going from one extreme
to the other. In some churches, the pastor, minister or
whoever is leading is revered so much that it has become
unhealthy. Their presence in a Sunday morning service is
greeted by an undue reverence. ‘The man (or woman) of
God is in the house’ seems to be the unspoken mantra.
But, in other churches, the pendulum has swung too far
the other way. Having taken on board the biblical truth
of the priesthood of all believers, church members then
simply reject the idea of leadership as being unimportant
or even stifling. John Stott calls this the swing between
clericalism and anticlericalism. Both extremes are wrong.
We need leadership, not to dominate the flock of God,
but to serve them. Leadership is a vital gift of God to the
Church. Without hardworking leadership that is wise
and able to give guidance (two hallmarks of authentic
leadership that Paul offers here), then the Church is
certainly less effective.
And then leadership does have authority – the word
Paul uses here is also used of shepherds, managers and
stewards. The word ‘guidance’ means admonish – that
speaks of warning us of bad choices. Leon Morris says,
‘The word is brotherly, but its tone is big brotherly’.
But in the kingdom of God people don’t have authority
because of a hierarchical system or the strength of their
personality. We freely give kingdom authority to others;
it is not authority which they take over us. Thank God for
humble, servant leadership: the only kind that can be
trusted with authority.
MON 20 FEB
Leadership
BIG PICTURE
1 Thessalonians
5:12–13
Ephesians 4:11–16
Focus
‘Now we ask you,
brothers and sisters, to
acknowledge those who
work hard among you,
who care for you in the
Lord and who admonish
you.’ (1 Thess. 5:12)
Prayer: I pray today for the leaders and shepherds of
Your flock, Lord. Bless these women and men with
wisdom, grace and courage. Amen.
26/8/11 10:07:22
TUES 21 FEB
Straight talk
BIG PICTURE
Titus 2:1–15
Focus
‘And we urge you,
brothers and sisters,
warn those who are
idle and disruptive,
encourage the
disheartened, help the
weak, be patient with
everyone.’ (1 Thess. 5:14)
Someone recently told me that, as a preacher, ‘I’m not
to his taste’. I don’t want to be sarcastic (or defensive),
but I’m not a pizza, and my role in life is not to entertain
or please people. On the contrary, the role of the
teacher/preacher is to present the truth of Scripture,
however uncomfortable and even irritating that truth
might be. Of course, that gentleman doesn’t have to
like my ‘style’ – that’s not required, and we all have
preferences when it comes to teaching, worship or a
host of other elements of church life. But my calling is
not to try to please. Inevitably, in pleasing some I will
displease others.
Preaching is not a means of making people feel
good, although, as we see in what Paul says here about
encouraging those who are discouraged and helping
the weak, the proper preaching of truth should bring
strength and grace. But Paul also tells the church there
to warn those who are ‘idle and disruptive’ – the words
used mean ‘playing truant from their regular duties’.
Apparently there were some in the church who were
neglecting their work, allowing others to support them
and using their time to spread division. And so Paul
insists that these people should be ‘warned’. I would
imagine that those on the receiving end of that warning
would not be best pleased.
Allow truth to confront you. When faithful preaching
makes us squirm, let’s respond by wrestling with the
issues raised and offering whole-hearted obedience to
God. And don’t shoot the messenger.
Prayer: I pray especially for those who have the task
of confronting or challenging, Lord. Give them grace
to speak. Amen.
26/8/11 10:07:22
I’ve discovered another uncomfortable truth about
myself. I am quite willing to be patient in dealing with new
Christians and those on the fringes of the church. I expect
that they will take time to see some of their life issues
sorted out. But I have a special intolerance towards
critical Christians who are easily offended and seem to
enjoy majoring on minors. And I am impatient with any
stubborn resistance to change. In a way, I think I have a
good precedent for my foot-tapping tut-tutting attitude
towards it. Paul didn’t hesitate to confront it head on.
Those who profess to have walked with Christ for years
should know better and are held to a higher standard
than new babes in faith.
All that said, I discovered that I was becoming
pharisaic towards Pharisees, quickly writing them
off, deciding that when they fought change it was just
because they were being their usual picky selves. It never
occurred to me that, if I just took time to explain change,
they might feel happier. As Paul calls the Thessalonian
church – and remember he’s not just addressing leaders,
but the whole Christian community there – to patience,
he uses a word that means to take action only after
waiting a long time. And this patience is to be offered to
all. That doesn’t mean that the church should only move
at the speed allowed by its most resistant member. But
it does mean that we should approach everyone with
gentleness, care, explanation and prayer. Ultimately,
patience is what God shows to us every day of our lives.
Let’s pass it around.
Prayer: Thank You for Your steadfast patience with
me, Lord. Help me to bear with others; help others to
bear with me. Amen.
WED 22 FEB
Patience
with all
BIG PICTURE
Ephesians 4:1–6
Focus
‘Be patient with
everyone.’
(1 Thess. 5:14)
Let’s pass
it around
26/8/11 10:07:22
THURS 23 FEB
Payback
BIG PICTURE
Romans 12:17–21
Focus
‘Make sure that nobody
pays back wrong for
wrong, but always strive
to do what is good for
each other and for
everyone else.’
(1 Thess. 5:15)
... how I
respond is within
my control
Payback is a great film starring Mel Gibson. The word
describes the moment of getting even. We can all feel
a sense of exhilaration when the villain ‘gets what he
deserves’ – a victim has been rescued, justice done.
God’s love does not only speak of the way He cares
about the poor – He also calls for justice. But there is
a ‘payback’ that is more about revenge than justice.
Seeking vengeance will consume our emotional energy.
Our mind churns over and over, endlessly dreaming of
how we can hurt someone. In a sense, we continue to be
their victim, because they carry on having such a strong
influence on our lives. So their crime against us continues
to torment us, because we allow it to do so.
In 1999, Denise Green and her husband, Bill,
discovered that their son, William – who had been
treated at Liverpool’s Alder Hey Children’s Hospital
in 1992, and who later died – was one of hundreds of
children whose organs were removed, without consent,
for research purposes. As parents prepared for multiple
burials, the Health Secretary Alan Milburn described
what happened at Alder Hey as ‘unforgivable’.
The Greens disagreed. Denise, speaking of her choice
to forgive, said: ‘What happened was out of my control,
but how I respond is within my control.’* Forgiveness
isn’t always an instant decision – perhaps it never is.
Perhaps you’re not in a place where you’re able to forgive
– or even want to. My prayer is that God’s grace will help
you at least to begin the journey towards forgiving.
Prayer: Save me from the self-inflicted pain of
vengeance, Lord. Where I have been hurt, bring
healing, that forgiveness might eventually come. Amen.
*Taken from http://theforgivenessproject.com/stories/denise-green-england/
26/8/11 10:07:22
Next issue
Turning the tables
MAR/APR 2012
Next month we continue our journey through Paul’s
correspondence to his friends in Thessalonica, as we
investigate his second letter to them. This was written as a
postscript, and it’s entirely appropriate that we continue to
reflect on Paul’s counsel to the church there.
Those who followed Jesus in that city were still under siege,
bewildered by external opposition, but also confused by some
mischievous false teaching about the second coming that was
doing the rounds in the church. Paul writes to remind them
that, in the midst of suffering and gross injustice, they need
to remember that a day is coming when the tables will be
turned. Justice will reign and glory will replace pain.
Join me as we discover for ourselves encouragement in
the midst of our own challenges.
Obtain your copy
from CWR or your
local Christian
bookshop
26/8/11 10:07:23
FRI 24 FEB
I’m grateful
BIG PICTURE
1 Thessalonians
5:16–18
Philippians 4:4–9
Focus
‘Rejoice always, pray
continually, give thanks
in all circumstances; for
this is God’s will for you
in Christ Jesus.’
(1 Thess. 5:16)
I’ve recently added a new element to my daily exercise
programme – now I run, lift weights – and practise
gratitude. I realised lately that I had got into a rut of
not noticing the good things around me – a sunny
day, a smile from my daughter, a call from my son, a
stunning sunset. And when you don’t notice, you can
fixate on the challenges of life and even move to a
place of wishing you were someone else or were living
at another time.
Thanksgiving presses the pause button. It changes us
from being petulant, grabbing people for whom enough
is never enough. Instead, we celebrate the moments
and, as we mark them with thanksgiving, our joy
increases. And these verses seem to imply that prayerful
thanksgiving is the opposite and perhaps an antidote to
anxiety. That’s certainly true in my experience.
One quick caution though: 30 years ago this verse
was used to fuel a bestselling book that suggested we
had to thank God for everything – including terrible
injustice, tragedy and evil. I didn’t buy it then, and I
certainly don’t buy it now. We’re a kingdom people,
who celebrate when things are done God’s way, and not
when the enemy triumphs and people are hurt.
Thanksgiving is a consistent discipline, but it doesn’t
involve kissing our brains goodbye. Sometimes we
get confused about what God’s will is. Here, His will
is definitely made clear – He’s looking for a thankful
people. Are there elements in your life right now that are
good, but you just haven’t been noticing?
Prayer: Father, help me to notice, pause, celebrate
and give thanks. Amen.
26/8/11 10:07:23
25/26 FEB
1 Thessalonians 5:19–22 // 1 Corinthians 14:1–25
Testing the prophetic
A healthy church is one that is open to the work of the
Holy Spirit. As Paul encourages the Thessalonians
not to ‘quench the Spirit’, we see that God’s Spirit is
actively wanting to speak to us through the prophetic.
My life has been shaped and changed by some of those
moments. But there are some who seem to think that
to question or evaluate the prophetic, or to ask people
to wait for an appropriate moment to prophesy, or
not prophesy at all, is quenching the Spirit – and they
couldn’t be more wrong. As we test what is being
said, hold it up to the light of Scripture and consider
it carefully, we actually create an environment
of confidence where prophecy can operate safely.
The alternative is that prophecy is never checked,
and that leads to cynicism and disillusionment.
In fact, manipulation can also flourish in such an
environment. When we refuse to listen to prophecy –
or we refuse to test it – we end up despising it. Either
extreme is evidence that we are not approaching the
prophetic with maturity.
To ponder: What should we do if prophecy is shared
in a public or private setting in the church, but we’re
not convinced that it’s valid?
... open to the
work of the
Holy Spirit
26/8/11 10:07:23
MON 27 FEB
He will do it
BIG PICTURE
1 Thessalonians
5:23–24
Philippians 1:3–6
Focus
‘The one who calls you is
faithful and he will do it.’
(1 Thess. 5:24)
... God is
looking for
responsiveness
in us
It’s a challenging verse: ‘May God himself, the God
of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your
whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ’ (1 Thess. 5:23). In
the early days of my Christian life, I so desperately
wanted this verse to be true of me – that God would
have everything that was me and I would be entirely set
apart for His purposes. This meant that I responded to
just about every sermon I heard. Some of my behaviour
was rather neurotic. Nevertheless, God is looking for
responsiveness in us.
However, it’s so easy to forget that Christianity is not
primarily about what I do – but what God does in me.
It’s a daily supernatural event. Mere religion is about
effort, striving and self-improvement. That doesn’t
mean there won’t be battles – we are called to wrestle,
stand firm, endure and fight. But, ultimately, the work
is not ours. We are not the architects or engineers
of change in our own lives: God is. We are called to
co-operation and response.
G.K. Chesterton was right when he made his
assessment of the Sermon on the Mount and exclaimed:
‘This is impossible stuff.’ Truly, it is impossible – but God
is faithful and can work the impossible in us. Philippians
reminds us that He has begun a good work in us, and He
will complete it.
Perhaps you’re tired of the same-old same-old ruts of
failure you have fallen into. Get up, dust yourself down
and realise that God will keep working in you.
Prayer: Lord, I’m glad that being a Christian is not
something I have to do alone. As I surrender, Your
Spirit is at work in me. Amen.
26/8/11 10:07:23
As Paul begins to conclude this warm, open letter, he
places himself in a position of need. Rather than just
signing off with a reminder of his apostolic calling, he
appeals to his family at Thessalonica to pray for him. He
frequently makes that request in the New Testament,
seemingly very aware that it was only as others stood
shoulder to shoulder with him in prayer that anything
substantial could be accomplished for the gospel.
This truth is so familiar to us all, but how often do we
actively covet the prayers of others? As a final confession
(I’ve made quite a few in this issue of Life Every Day), I
admit that I can be slow to ask for prayer support. Such
a request can appear self-centred, to bring my needs to
others when they may be battling against equal or greater
challenges. But Paul would have none of that reluctance.
Following the example of Jesus, who repeatedly asked
His friends to watch with Him in Gethsemane, Paul
unashamedly asked for prayer.
Perhaps you need to think – when did you last ask for
prayer? Who would you immediately turn to with a prayer
need? The best friendships include not only the ability
to pray together, but the opportunity to share prayer
requests. In them, we know that the other person won’t
just promise to pray and then forget – but that prayer will
really be offered.
And, if I may, allow me to ask the regular readers of Life
Every Day – can I ask for your occasional prayers, that
God will grant me direction, wisdom and peace?
To those able to respond, I say thank you. I’m grateful.
TUES 28 FEB
Pray for us
BIG PICTURE
Ephesians 6:18–20
Focus
‘Brothers and sisters,
pray for us.’
(1 Thess. 5:25)
Prayer: Lord, help me to realise the strength that
comes, even as others pray for me. Amen.
26/8/11 10:07:23
WED 29 FEB
Grace and
peace to you
BIG PICTURE
1 Thessalonians
5:25–28
Romans 16:20–27
Focus
‘Greet all God’s people
with a holy kiss.’
(1 Thess. 5:26)
... may I offer
grace and
peace to you ...
It’s a moment in the Anglican Communion service that
many can find awkward: the sharing of the peace. I feel for
those who are naturally introverted, who find interaction
with others – especially strangers – to be daunting. And
there can be some awkwardness around protocol. What
are we to do? Is it a hearty handshake, a hug or a kiss on the
cheek? A friend of mine tells of the first time he ever entered
a church service and, as a complete outsider, was greeted
with a hug and a kiss on the cheek from the burly (and
unshaven) greeter. He went along as a casual enquirer and
ended up with razor burn. It didn’t put him off ...
Awkwardness aside, there’s something beautiful
about the moment of greeting – and Paul encourages the
practice of greeting each other even as he signs off. I’ve
attended some ‘Communion’ services that were anything
but communal – everyone dived into a period of private
introspection before sharing bread and wine, which was
not relational in any way.
Sharing in an Anglican conference recently, I
attended four Eucharists in four days – and each time
the sharing of ‘the peace’ took a good five minutes or
so, as everyone moved around the hall to express the
love of Christ to each other. It was moving to celebrate
our togetherness as members of the same family. Grace
and peace were extended.
And, as we conclude our look at Paul’s first letter to the
Thessalonians and have hopefully discovered help and
strength in our journey together, may I offer grace and
peace to you: consider yourself hugged!
Prayer: Thank You for the privilege of being part of
the family of God, Lord. May I be a carrier of grace
and peace to many today. Amen.
26/8/11 10:07:23

every DAy

Transcription

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