Just got back from an awesome pastor’s conference and was blessed to know the theme was “Pastoring in the Last Days.” It was going thru the book of First Thessalonians and I am so blessed everytime I read this book. paul writes to the church at Thessalonika and reminds them that they should be
1. Established in the truth
2. Exhorted to holiness
3. Encouraged despite persecution
4. instructed to look for his soon return
As i went over the outline i saw it as a picture of what the Lord wants his church and believers to be about today. We need to be established in the truth. Growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord. Grasping more of his word and understanding and applying it to your life. We need to be exhorted to holiness. I really believe that this is the main point of what we sometimes forget and are not informed of when we surrender our lives to the Lord. We are instructed to be holy. To desire holiness in our lives. To get close to the Lord and have his “wholeness” inside of us. And here’s the great part. Holiness scares the World. They don’t know what to do with it. They are afraid of it. May we truly be exhorted to live in Holiness. Encourage believers in the midst of persecution and even others even in the midst of martyrdom. Maybe we do not see that in the U.S. but my bible reads all who live godly will suffer persecution. paul’s heart was to encourage those who were going thru it. how we need to encourage and pray for our christian brothers and sisters who are going through it. Our brothers in China and India and other places.
My favorite part of course is looking for the soon return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Instructed others of the imminency of our Jesus. paul put it this way in Titus Chapter 2:13 Were looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ. He’s coming We’re looking Lord have your way in our lives.
God had me studying this book three months ago and I truly know it is his heart. I need to be established in his truth. John 17:17 sanctify them by truth thy word is truth get to know his Word and Established in it Exhort each other to holiness Live holy lives Encourage people Encourage each other despite the persecution we go thru and Look for Jesus Keep your eyes open He’s coming so……………………………………………………………………………………………occupy till I come
Bigfala Mike
