Jonah 2  This is Jonah's prayer.  Jonah had run from the presence of the Lord.. and found himself about as far away as anyone can go.. notice the words he uses to describe his position:

- " deep in the realm of the dead (Sheol)" (v2)

- "into the depth.. into the very heart of the seas" (v3)

-"banished from your sight" ( v4)

-"the deep surrounded me" (v5)

- "to the roots of the mountains I sank down" ( v6)

- "the earth beneath barred me in forever" (v6b)

Banished.. deep.. down.. imprisoned.. as good as dead.. 

But.. " I called out of my distress to the Lord, and He answered me. I cried for help from the depth of Sheol; Thou didst hear my voice." (v2)  The NIV says.. " I called for help and you listened to my cry."

Jonah was absolutely helpless.. in the belly of a fish.. seaweed entangled around his head.. at the bottom of the sea.. in the realm of the dead.. " But you, Lord my God, brought my life up from the pit." As life was "ebbing away"  Jonah turned his thoughts to his God.. He called and God answered.. 

No idol could do such a thing, Jonah testifies.  Only the One True God loves enough to save a rebellious man in the belly of a fish.. "Salvation come from the Lord"!  Jonah knows this.. and he commits himself  to obey God's word and keep his vows.. 

How far do we have to sink.. how low do we go.. before we look up?  Jonah went to the bottom of the sea. I feel like I have been there before.. and thankfully.. I called for help and the Lord heard my cry!  He brought me up out of the pit!  He has shown me His great love. He has restored my soul!  I am so thankful!  Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Father, thank You for saving me. Thank you that, even in the times when life was ebbing away.. You hear the voice of one crying out to You.  You hear.. and answer.. Oh Father, I pray for those who are sinking right now.. those who have tried to run from You.. those who are helpless and terrified.  Hear their cries Lord God.. bring them back to Yourself.  Your love is so great.. so high, so deep, so wide, and so long.. Praise the Lord!  Let Your mercy and love flow into their hearts and minds! All glory and praise and adoration belongs to You alone! No other can save.. and we are so thankful that You choose to save.. Thank You Jesus, our Lord, that You came to seek and save the lost... Let the name of the Lord be praised! Amen. 

 Jonah 1 What Jonah heard from the Lord was more than he could handle..  who could?  The Lord wanted him to go to the worst possible place.. to the worst possible people. . and cry against the greatness of their wickedness..  How many of us have run from something far less horrible than that?  Nineveh was the capital of Assyria.. they were cruel, evil, and ruthless. They would skin people alive and put the bodies on the walls of the city..  no wonder Jonah ran the other way!  We don't even allow missionaries to go into far less dangerous places these days.  Would we send anyone to a place like Nineveh? 

But, the problem was.. Jonah was not just running from an assignment.. he was running "from the presence of the Lord." (v3)  And, as we know.. that is impossible.  The Lord knew exactly where Jonah was.. sleeping in the bowels of the ship as the "Lord hurled a great wind on the sea and there was a great storm.. " 

When the sailors had done everything they could .. when they had called on every god they knew of.. when nothing else could save them.. they did what Jonah told them to do.. throw him into the sea.  They didn't want to.. but they had no other choice.  

Jonah was willing to tell the sailors that he served "the Lord God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land."  He was willing to tell them that he was "fleeing from the presence of the Lord..."  And, he was willing to die.. so that they might be saved from the storm.   Everything he was not willing to do for Nineveh... he did for the sailors from Joppa. 

The result of Jonah's sacrifice was physical salvation for the sailors.. the storm stopped.  But, it also resulted in them calling on the Lord. "Then the men feared the Lord greatly, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows." 

"And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the stomach of the fish three days and three nights." 

In Matthew 12: 40 Jesus talks about the sign of Jonah the prophet.. "for just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster; so shall the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."  There are important lessons to be learned from the story of Jonah.. may God open our ears to hear!

Father  in heaven, lead us by Your Truth.. the Lamp to our feet and the Light to our way.  Help us to trust You in the difficult assignments.  Help us to obey You in the hard places.  May we run into Your Presence and cling to You always. May we take hold of the eternal life to which we are called.. in Jesus Christ our Lord.  Make our hearts willing.. Lord.  In Christ's name we pray. Amen. 

 I Timothy 5-6  Paul gives Timothy some detailed instructions for leading and teaching in the church.  Some of these things may or may not apply in this day and age.. but the basic message always does.. for all of these instructions reveal the heart of true disciples of Jesus...  living out His love towards others. 

 Paul teaches that how we treat other people..matters:  We should treat older men and women with respect.. like we should a father or mother.  We should treat younger men and women like we would brothers or sisters.  There is a sense of kinship.. mutual love and compassion toward others.. we become family in Christ.  We need to keep this in mind, even when we don't necessarily want to... 

Paul has a lot to say about widows in verses 3-16.  The bottom line is that the church should help those who have no other means of support.. and.. are faithful believers, trusting in God, committed to prayer.. and have a good reputation.. having done good works as she was able.  But, those who have family, those who are young enough to remarry, or those who have some other way of provision.. are not to be dependent on the church. 

Paul talks about the principles that he applies to elders in verses 17-22. Those who are worthy should be honored. Those who are found to be sinning must be disciplined. There is wisdom in not being hasty to appoint someone into a position of leadership too soon. 

Chapter 6 is a familiar theme in Paul's letters.. living out the character of Christ.. even when in a position of servitude. Slaves are supposed to be respectful.. Masters who are believers should be respected.. even if they are brothers in Christ. 

Paul also warns about greed and discontent.. and exhorts Timothy and the rest of us to " pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness".  Verse 12 is a charge for all of us: "Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of eternal life to which you were called... " 

Paul finishes this letter with one more reminder that all we do is in light of what is to come.. Jesus is coming again.. "He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords; who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light; who no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen." 

Here.. in our coming King..  is where we fix our hope.. He is why we do good, being generous and sharing.. here is where we "take hold of that which is life indeed."  May we guard these truths.. even as Paul instructed Timothy.. "avoiding worldly and empty chatter and opposing arguments of what is falsely called 'knowledge'". 

Father, may Your will be done.. in us.. in all these things. Enable us by Your Spirit to live in a way that Christ is glorified1  We ask this in  His name... our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. 

 I Timothy 4  In the first 5 verses Paul is tells Timothy.. and  the church  to watch out for false teachers.  In the day the problem was with the Gnostics.  They believed that all physical matter was evil. Their teaching, Paul said, was from "deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons".   They were far from the truth.. for as Paul reminds us.. God created all things and He is good.  If we know and believe this truth then we can refute the false teaching and with gratitude receive all that He provides for us. Indeed, "it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer."  

What are the false teachers saying today?  What do we need to be careful of.. to bring to the lens of Truth and make sure we are not being deceived?  There has been a lot of discussion about the "prosperity gospel".. which is an example that we might use in this context.. There are also some who present a "social" gospel.. that we need to examine carefully.  Whatever has been or  is now being presented.. that which distracts us from the Truth.. falls into the category of false teaching.  Paul has warned us.. ".. the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith.. "  Let us be careful to keep our eyes on Jesus!  Let all we think about.. all we receive.. "be sanctified by the word of God and prayer.." 

In the rest of this chapter Paul gives Timothy advice on how to combat the false teachings.. good advice for all of us:

V6 We need to be "constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of sound doctrine.. " 

v7-8  We need to discipline ourselves "for the purpose of godliness".  ( That includes what we listen to.. watch.. or read) .. for "godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." 

v10 We need to  fix "our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers."

v12 We need to show ourselves as examples of what a believer is.. in our "speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity"

v13 We need to read, teach, and preach the Scriptures. 

v14 We need to use the spiritual gifts that God gives us. 

v15 We need to be diligent in all of these things.. Paul tells Timothy to "take pains.. be absorbed.. " in these truths. 

v16 We need to "pay close attention" to ourselves.. to our teaching.. to all we do as we serve the Lord.  This is for our own benefit as well as those who we might influence. 

Father, teach us.. enable us.. help us to walk in the Light.. in the Truth of Your Word.. to be steadfast and faithful.. to be diligent and focused  on  living for You. May all we do and say and think be centered on You... Your love, Your Truth and Your ways.  We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. 

 I Timothy 3  Paul gives Timothy instructions for the leadership of the church. Most of this chapter focuses on the character of the elders and deacons.  These important positions of leadership should be filled by those men who are "above reproach".   Paul defines that as "temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach.. "   Not only do those in authority in the church need to manage his own life.. but he is responsible for helping his wife and his children... taking care of their spiritual formation as well. 

A "good reputation" is vital for anyone representing the church. Here it is about a deacon.. but perhaps we should think about it for everyone who serves in the church in some  or any capacity.  Paul includes the wives of the deacons in his instructions as well, so I think it is fitting for both men and women to consider the words Paul wrote as important for all of us in the church. 

Just look at some of the traits.. "not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, uncontentious, free from the love of money... " v3;  " men of dignity, not double-tongued.. or found of sordid gain... " (v9); "Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things." (v11). 

Paul sums this up in verse 15 "I write so that you may know how one ought to conduct himself in the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth." 

Seems like we need to look closely at ourselves and our church leadership.. are we hitting the mark? How is our reputation.. as an individual.. as a church? How are we conducting ourselves?

Paul ends this chapter with a beautiful confession of the "mystery of godliness"-the gospel of  Christ:  

"He who was revealed in the flesh. ( incarnation)

Was vindicated in the Spirit. (resurrection)

Beheld by angels. (exaltation)

Proclaimed among the nations. ( proclamation)

Believed on in the world. ( redemption)

Taken up in glory." ( ascension) 

Paul always takes his readers back to the foundation.. . to what is most important.. to Jesus Christ.. and Him glorified. 

Father thank You for the Word that leads us to Your heart.. to the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ our wonderful Lord and Your faithful Son.  Help us to become more and more like Jesus. Shape our character to conform to His image. May we truly be people who have a reputation of being like Jesus!  Oh to be like Him!  Fill us Spirit of the Living God and complete what You have started in us who believe. We ask this in Jesus' name. amen. 

 I Timothy 2  Paul, in the first part of this letter emphasized that "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.. "  He showed mercy.. to Paul and to all who would come to Him.. to "believe in Him for eternal life."  The message that Paul brought to the Gentiles was not a message about the Law.. but about the grace of God.  The Good news of Jesus Christ is about love and faith and holiness.  

In light of this.. Paul urges Timothy and all of the church to pray.  Pray "on behalf of all men".  Pray for "kings and all who are in authority.. "  Pray because "this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." 

We pray because there is only "one God and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."  We pray because Christ came to give "Himself as a ransom for all."  There is nothing more important for the church to do.. than to pray.. "lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension." We pray because people need the Lord!

Forget all the arguments over the Law.. forget about the meaningless teachings of the false teachers.. forget about whatever it is that is causing divisions.. there is one thing and one thing only that we need to do.. WE NEED TO PRAY FOR THE LOST!

Now, the rest of  this chapter is something that has become pretty controversial .. ironic ..since Paul has been talking about overcoming the controversies in order to focus on the essentials.. faith, love, and holiness. But, if we look at verse 15 we see this is his point..talking about women, he says  "Yet she will be saved through child-bearing ... if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control." 

Paul is specifically addressing the conduct of women in the church.  The first thing that he asks is that they "adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly.. "  His point is that women should not be defined about how fancy they look on the outside.. but "by means of good works... "  What portrays godliness?  Is it how nice our clothes are?  How great our hairstyle is? How much jewelry we wear?  No, not at all.  What reveals godliness in us is our character.. our kindness, our compassion, our willingness to serve others in need.  How do we.. as Christian women.. want to be seen? We need to think about this carefully. 

Paul's second request is that "a woman quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness."  What was his point here?  It was not that a woman is  somehow less than a man.. for we are all equal in worth... but, there is a need for order in the church.. there is a need for self-control and restraint.  Unruly behavior.. from women or men.. will definitely cause distractions from the main goal of.. faith.. love.. and holiness. The example that God set up from the beginning still works.. Adam had the authority and the responsibility to lead.. Eve was meant to come alongside Adam.. instead she was deceived and led him into sin. Paul wants the church to follow God's order in everything. 

Paul is not saying that women can't learn the same things that men can, for we certainly can.  He is just saying that in order for the church to focus on the main things.. faith, love, and holiness.. we need to not be distracted by the wrong things.. like focusing on external adornments.. and disrespect for those in authority.

Father in heaven, teach us all of Your ways.. to do Your Holy will.. in everything.  Help us to be devoted to prayer.. that the lost may come to Jesus.  Help us to have appropriate behavior in all we say and do.. so that You will be glorified in our lives. Let the Light of Jesus Christ overflow in our lives.. for the glory of Your Holy name. We pray this in Jesus' name.  Amen. 

 II Timothy 1 Paul is writing to his “son” in the faith… who is working in Ephesus on behalf of Paul.  Paul gave Timothy the authority to command those in the church.  He is concerned about the false teachers who were teaching “myths.. genealogies..” and “controversial speculations”  Their words were becoming “meaningless” 

“ The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.”  Paul is saying that anything that diverts our message from the truth interferes with what is most vital.. love, purity, faith.. 

The teachers who were trying to use the Law, weren’t even using it properly.  Paul said they didn’t know what they were talking about.. The Law was given “for lawbreakers and rebels”.  It was given to school us on what sin is.. ungodliness, unholiness:  murder, immorality,  lying.. “ and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine”. And yes, Paul includes “those practicing homosexuality.”  The Word of God is clear about this.. 

Paul doesn’t hide his own past.. he admits that he also was “once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man..”  It was only because God showed him mercy and poured out His grace on him “abundantly” that he came to faith in Christ Jesus.  “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.. of whom I am the worst.” ( v15)

This is such a contrast to the false doctrines.. it is the true message that must be preached!  Paul uses himself as an example of how Jesus changes lives!   Our Lord Jesus has “immense patience” with us.. all of us.. and His desire is to show us mercy.. that is why He came.. to save a world of sinners.  “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” 

Paul tells Timothy to hold on.. hold on to this faith.. hold on to a good conscience..  We also are encouraged in this to do likewise.. 

Father in heaven ,  we need Your Presence in our lives.. pouring out mercy and grace that we might hold on to faith.. hold on to love.. hold on to Jesus.  Thank You for such a great salvation.. for Your immense patience with us. Be glorified in our lives and You sanctify us more and more by Your Spirit. We as this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

 II Thessalonians 3  Verse 1 "Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you.. " 

The same Word that brought the church to Jesus.. with power.. and was transforming them more and more as they excelled in faith and love.. the same Word that was preparing them for the Day when they would stand before the Throne of God.. this Word of Truth.. Paul pleads for his readers to pray that This Word would spread rapidly across the world.  

E. M. Bounds writes this:

"The Revised Version has for 'free course' ( or spread rapidly in our translation)  the word run. 'The word' means doctrine, and the idea conveyed is that this doctrine of the gospel is rapidly propagated, a metaphor taken from the running of a race, and is an exhortation to exert one's self, to strive hard, to expend strength. Thus the prayer for the spread of the gospel gives the same energy to the Word of the Lord as the greatest outlay of strength that gives success to the racer.  Prayer in the pew gives the preached word energy, facility, and success. Preaching without the backing of mighty praying is as limp and worthless an effort as can be imagined. Prayerlessness in the pew is a serious hindrance to the running of the Word of the Lord." 

Verse 5 is also a call to prayer.. " And may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ."   Paul prays this for his readers.. and may we pray it for ourselves and others in the church. Oh may we go deeper and deeper into His great love!  May we be steadfast in Christ!

The rest of this final chapter to the Thessalonians has to do with the one issue that seems to be plaguing the church.. those who won't work.  Paul addressed this in his first letter, and again here.  He instructs all believers to live disciplined lives.. not unruly.. not being a burden to others.. not being lazy or being a busybody..  ".. we command and exhort ( these people)  in the Lord Jesus Christ to work in quiet fashion and eat their own bread".  Those who still refused to take responsibility for themselves or their families were to be "admonished".  The church was to "stay aloof" of such a person. Yet, Paul also tells them to "not grow weary of doing good." 

Father in heaven, we do pray that the Word of God would run across our land.. rapidly.. with the power to change lives.. to bring light to the darkness.. hope to the hopeless.. and help to the needy.  We need this Truth that brings life.. for our land is weary and lost. So many have already been deceived by the lies of Satan.. Father, send Your Spirit to open blind eyes and deaf ears.. to hear the gospel that brings salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, our wonderful Savior.  Let the Word of God be glorified! These are the only words that bring life! Thank You for calling us through this Good News. Do it again, Lord!

In Jesus' name we ask this. Amen. 

 II Thessalonians 2 Paul is teaching this church more about the  coming of the Lord Jesus.  They were worried that they had missed it! But, Paul assures them that there was more that would happen before the final day of judgement. 

What they ( and we)   really should focus on is being ready for that day..  Since the "lawless one" would come to deceive.. we must be sure to know the truth.  The truth is what keeps men from perishing.. from being deceived and deluded by the lies. And the lies will be very persuasive.. coming with "signs and wonders".  We need to be aware of this.. and know that many  perish because "they refused to love the truth and so be saved." 

Paul was thankful that the church loved the Lord and were loved by the Lord.  He was thankful that they had been chosen "from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth." (v13) 

"It was for this He called you through our gospel the you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ."  When the good news.. the message that Paul brought to them was received by these men and women.. they were called into the holiness and glory of Jesus Christ. They were brought into the Truth.  This is what Paul exhorts them to  hold on to firmly! 

"Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word." 

Father in heaven, we have heard the Gospel.. the Good News about Jesus.. and have received it with joy. We love the Truth and desire to stand firm.. We pray for Your eternal comfort.. for ourselves and for the many who suffer great persecution because of their faith in Jesus.  Fill them and us with Your good hope. Strengthen us and them in all we do and all we say.. for the glory of Your Great Name.  Thank You for loving us and giving us such a great salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ who died for us that we might be called and chosen!  Hallelujah!  Thank You . Amen. 

 II Thessalonians 1  This church was going through a time of persecution and affliction. Paul gives them two things to think about.. 

First, he was thankful because they were being “enlarged” in their faith and love.  They were enduring.. he writes, “This a a plain indication of God’s righteous judgement so that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which indeed you are suffering.” (V5)  Perseverance is a key character trait of a true believer.  James wrote that the testing of our faith produces perseverance or endurance.  He also said that the work of perseverance is to make us mature or complete.  Jesus wrote to the churches in Revelation the “He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death”.  The writer of Hebrews wrote, “For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.” ( Heb. 10:36) 

In a time of trouble and uncertainty.. which seems to be constantly these days..  we need this quality of perseverance or endurance.  We need to stand firm in Christ!

Paul also told the church that there was another side to what God was doing.. Not only would He strengthen them and bring them to eternal life as they persevered.. but He would also bring those who were evil to judgement. 

“For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you.” (V6)  Jesus shall come, Paul says, “with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.” (V7-8)  The penalty is severe… : “eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power.” (V9)

Two realities.. two paths.. two outcomes.. 

These truths put all of our life choices in perspective. Do we choose to keep on following Christ when things are difficult?  Or do we turn away and face the consequences of a life outside of His Presence for eternity?

In light of this, Paul prays.. “ .. we pray for you always that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power; in order that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” ( v11-12) 

Father, enlarge our faith and our love. We have need of endurance.. and confidence.  Fill us again with Your Spirit who brings us to maturity and completion in Christ Jesus. Amen. 

  1 Thessalonians 5   We are reminded here that the "day of the Lord"  is coming..."like a thief in the night."  It will be unexpected by the world.. but not by those who follow Jesus.  

We are "sons of light and sons of day"..  We are not in the dark!  We are aware.. alert.. sober; self-controlled and watchful.  We have faith and love as our "breastplate" and the hope of salvation as our "helmet".  We are destined for salvation in that day when God pours out His wrath upon sin.  Our Lord Jesus Christ "who died for us" did so that we might be with Him forever!  Hallelujah!

So let us be encouraged! Let us build up one another.. as Paul teaches here. 

Let us encourage our pastors and teachers by appreciating the things they do. 

Let us live in peace with each other.. 

Let us "admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak.. and be patient with all men."  (v14)

Let us never repay evil with evil, but "always seek after that which is good for one another and for all men." (v15)

Let us "Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; [and] in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for [us] in Christ Jesus." (v16-18)

May we not "quench the Spirit"  or despise prophecy; but  let us "examine everything carefully" and "hold fast to that which is good". 

"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ"! ( v23)

"Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass." ! (v24)

 Hallelujah and Amen!

 I Thessalonians 4   Paul prays that this church will increase and abound in love and be established in holiness ( 3:12-13)  In this chapter he exhorts them to "excel still more"..  Excel in walking with the Lord.. excel in holiness.  " For this is the will of God, your sanctification... " 

In particular, Paul talks about abstaining from immoral behavior, from transgressions against each other, and from defrauding others.  Again, Paul talks about loving one another.. "excel still more" he says.   Paul also instructs them to make it their ambition "to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you; so that you may behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need." (v11)

Paul also comforts his readers about those who died.. so that they would not grieve.. "For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus."  He teaches about the coming of Jesus.. " For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord." ( v16-17)

Holy Spirit.. come and fill us.. give us understanding..  of these truths! Help us to excel in love and holiness. Sanctify us through and through. Father, we want to live in a way that pleases You.. we want to excel.. in living for You. We want to live quiet lives.. and also lives that shine forth Your glory and grace.  We are thankful that we have been given Your Spirit.. that Christ is being formed in us.. that Your love and holiness have been poured into our lives.  Let Your will be done.. as we hallow Your Name and proclaim Your Kingdom. We are waiting.. anticipating that great Day.. when we will be caught up in the air to be with You forever!  Come Lord Jesus! Come! amen. 

 I Thessalonians 3   Paul loved the people so dearly.. just reading through chapter 2 again.. we hear the depth of his love and concern for them.  He wanted to come to them, but when he couldn't he sent Timothy.  O how he rejoiced when Timothy returned with the good news that the church was standing fast! Their faith was sure.. Their love was abounding.. and they loved and yearned to see Paul just as much as he did them... 

Paul offers another wonderful prayer.. " Now may our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord, direct our way to you; and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all men, just as we do for you; so that He may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints."  ( v12-13) 

Without love.. Paul wrote in I Corinthians 13.. "I am nothing".. We cannot please God no matter how large or small our church is.. no matter how many programs or projects we endeavor to do.. no matter how many mission trips we go on.. or how much money we give...   

Jonathan Graf writes about this in his book  Praying like Paul.. comparing a physical heart to a spiritual one..    "In the spiritual life, we need a healthy heart as well. But our spiritual heart does not pump blood - it pumps love. Love is crucial for growing a healthy believer - love for God and love for those around us." 

In the letter to the church at Ephesus in the book of Revelation Jesus says, " But, I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen and repent and do the deeds you did at first... " ( Rev. 2:4-5)  The church was persevering.. they were dealing with false teachers.. they were working.. but they did not have a "healthy heart" that was pumping out love.  Without love.. we are nothing.. 

We need to pray this prayer for our church... even if we think we are doing ok in this department.. may our love for God and our love for each other increase and abound!  May all we do and all we say come from that love that God causes to overflow in our lives. 

Fill us Lord! Let Your love overflow in our hearts that we might walk before You in holiness.. ready.. without blame..  for that day when we stand before You at the coming of our Lord Jesus. Amen. 

 I Thessalonians 1-2 This church was steadfast. They were occupied with doing works of faith and love. They were full of hope and joy. (v3,6)  They had received the Word of Christ with "power"  - abundant and miraculous  power... they had "full conviction"...  complete assurance.. fully persuaded in the truth of the Gospel. (v5)  They also experienced much persecution. 

Despite their troubles.. the testimony of these believers had spread over the entire region.  They had left their idols.. and served the "living and true God." (v9) 

The church stood ready and waiting for Jesus to return from heaven. (v10) 

Paul was so thankful for this church. He called them his "glory and joy". (2:20)  They had received the Word, believed the gospel, and became imitators of Paul.. like children who imitate their fathers.  There is a love and devotion evident in Paul's letter to this church.  He desired more than anything to return to them. 

This seems like a good measurement for any church.. are we in any way like this early church?

Are we steadfast?

Are we busy with works of faith and love?

Are we full of hope and joy?

Are we eagerly awaiting the coming of Christ?

Are we standing firm in the full assurance of the gospel?

Are we able to bear troubles or persecution?

Is the power of Christ at work in us?

If this is true.. in our church.. in your church.. are you thankful?    I am!

Father in heaven, I do thank You for working in us.. for giving us the gospel of Jesus Christ with power and joy! Fill us to the full, Lord God!  Do all that You desire in us that we might walk in "a manner worthy of the God who calls [us] into His kingdom and glory." ( v12)  In the name of our risen Savior, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen. 

 Obadiah 1  One chapter.. one message.. Edom will be judged and ultimately erased as a nation.  Edom came from Esau's descendants. They continually hated Jacob's people.. Israel.  When they should have been on Israel's side.. they stood by and gloated at their distress. They were arrogant... thinking they would never be conquered because of their mountain strongholds... but they were wrong. 

Verse 15 is a powerful word.. "For the day of the Lord draws near on all the nations. As you have done, it will be done to you. Your dealings will return on your own head." 

This is Truth that our nation needs to remember.  How we treat Israel.. matters.  How we deal with other nations.. matters. The Lord our God will judge every nation according to His standards. 

This truth applies to all of us individually too.. How we treat others.. matters.  How we deal with our family, our friends.. and even our enemies.. matters.  For our God still holds us accountable for what we do.. As Jesus taught.. " For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you." (Matthew 7:2)  And, "Therefore, however you want people to treat you, so treat them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." (7:12) 

Edom never learned to love Israel.  It is still true about the nations in the Middle East today.  I pray that our country will continue to stand firm in its commitment to the Land that God loves. 

Father in heaven, we pray for the peace of Jerusalem. We pray for release of the prisoners, for healing of the hurting, and for wisdom that is pure and peaceable, gentle and reasonable.. full of mercy and good fruits. We pray that our nation will not continue to be arrogant and prideful.. but will seek You as never before. Let the Word of God sweep through this nation, Lord. We need You so much! Please bring revival.. Light into the darkness, once again.  In the Name of Jesus the King we pray. Amen. 

 Amos 9  The first 4 verses of this chapter remind me of Psalm 139 where David writes about the fact that no matter where he goes.. God sees him.  Here the Lord tells Israel that they cannot hide from Him.. they can "dig into Sheol".. they can "ascend to heaven".. they can hide on the mountain top or on the bottom of the sea.. there is no place to hide from Him.  

Verses 5-6 describe the greatness of God, " And the Lord God of hosts, the One who touches the land so that it melts, and all those who dwell in it mourn, and all of it rises us like the Nile and subsides like the Nile of Egypt; the One who builds His upper chambers in the heavens, and has founded His vaulted dome over the earth, He who calls the waters of the sea and pours them out on the face of the earth, the Lord is His name." 

Verses 7-10 once again describe the coming judgement on the sin. 

But, Amos ends his prophetic book with the good news.. there will come a day, when God will restore His people. A remnant will remain.   The city will be rebuilt.. the vineyards and gardens will once again produce. The people of God will inhabit the city of God. 

This is what we long for. 

Father, we understand that the Day of the Lord is coming.. all sin will be judged and all those who have rejected Jesus will perish..  We also understand that those who call on the name of Jesus and have been saved.. will see the new Jerusalem and will dwell with You forever.  We pray for those who are lost.. that they might repent and turn to Jesus for salvation.  We pray for those who are believers.. to remain steadfast and faithful until that day. We pray.. knowing that You have called us to pray and to go.. to share the good news of salvation.  Use us as You desire.. to do Your full will today. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. 

 Amos 8  Amos is given another vision.. the Lord shows him a basket of "summer fruit".. ripe fruit.. and the message is that the time is ripe.. the day has come.. " The end has come for My people Israel, I will spare them no longer." 

What was ahead for Israel was devastating.. .there would be corpses everywhere.. too many to even bury.  The sins of Israel brought about their destruction:  They trampled the needy. They were so greedy that they couldn't wait until the sabbath or feast days were over so they could make more money.  They cheated people by using false measurements.. they made "the bushel smaller and the shekel bigger.. " In other words, they sold a smaller amount for more money.. even using altered scales. They cheated poor people so they could have a bigger profit.. "So as to buy the helpless for money and the needy for a pair of sandals." 

Does this sound familiar?  Do you go to the store and find that the package you used to buy has shrunk and yet costs more?  Do the salaries of big business CEOs  seem extravagant? America has more and more homelessness.. more and more people who cannot afford food to feed their families. We  seem to be in the same situation that Israel was in .. way back in Amos' day. We need to take heed!

The Lord was about to carry out judgement upon Israel.. darkness was coming, mourning was coming, famine was coming, "And the people will stagger from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east; They will go to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, But they will not find it."  This final punishment is the worst.. God would be silent.  There would be no hope.

Father, we hear Your voice now.. but we know that many do not and a time will come when Your word will become scarce. There will be a hunger and thirst for it.. and yet it will not be found. This is true in some countries around the world already.  Will it be true of America too?  Again we pray that Your word would spread rapidly and run freely across our nation before it is too late. Let ears be opened to receive the wonderful truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Do not be silent, Lord. We pray this in the powerful name of Jesus. Amen. 

 Amos 6  Amos gives us a picture of Israel.. "at ease... " feeling secure..  and very, very arrogant.  They thought themselves better than the surrounding nations.  They sat back on their "beds of ivory".. eating the best foods.. making music for themselves.. drinking sacred wines and using sacred oils.   They had no concerns about anyone but themselves.. 

"The Lord God has sworn by Himself, the Lord God of hosts has declared: 'I loathe the arrogance of Jacob, and I detest his citadels. Therefore I will deliver up the city and all it contains." 

Their wealth and power could not save them from judgement.  They had "turned justice into poison and the fruit of righteousness into wormwood."  The Lord would send an army that would smash "the great house... to fragments." 

What must the Lord think of our nation? We have been arrogant.. we have sat back on our own "beds of ivory" and forgotten justice and righteousness.  When will the Lord have enough of this?  When will He decide to bring judgement on America?  Or has it already begun?

Chapter 7

Amos was given a vision.. the Lord was "forming a locust-swarm"  that would devour the crops. But, Amos prayed, "Lord God, please pardon! How can Jacob stand, for he is small?"  And the Lord changed His mind. 

Then the Lord gave Amos a vision of a great consuming fire.  Again, Amos prayed, "Lord God, please stop!"  And again the Lord changed His mind. 

But, the Lord gave Amos one more vision.. "the Lord was standing by a vertical wall, with a plumb line in His hand."  Because Israel did not.. measure up.. God would no longer tolerate their sinfulness.  The sword would come against them. They would be taken into exile. 

Father in heaven, give us ears to hear!  The sins of our country are piling up and we need to see that You  will not tolerate this much longer.  We pray for revival.. for repentance.. for justice to "roll down like waters" and "righteousness like and overflowing stream."(5:24)  May the Church rise up and proclaim the Truth with boldness.  May the Love of Christ overflow every believer's life so that others will be drawn to You.  May Your will be done.. on earth as it is in heaven! In Jesus' name we ask these things. Amen. 

 Amos 3-5  The message of the Lord is like a roaring lion.. " The Lord God has spoken! Who can help but prophesy?" Amos preaches.  The people of Israel "do not know how to do what is right, declares the Lord, those who hoard up violence and devastation in their citadels."  Therefore.. punishment will come. 

These words could be spoken in our own country.. right now! Violence and devastation.. oppression.. greed.. drunkenness... and no regard for God or His Word. 

Our God is holy, Amos reminds us, and He gives every opportunity for people to return to Him. Five times in chapter 4 the Lord says, "Yet you have not returned to Me.."   He caused a famine.. (v6); He held back the rain.. (v7-8); He sent destruction upon their gardens (v9); He sent a plague...(v10);  He "overthrew" them.. (v11).. and they never called upon Him through it all! They seemed to have forgotten their God! So, Amos reminds them.... 

"Therefore, thus I will do to you, O Israel; because I shall do this to you, Prepare to meet your God, O Israel. For behold He who forms the mountains and creates the wind and declares to man what are His thoughts, He who makes dawn into darkness and treads on the high places of the earth, The Lord God of hosts is His  name." (v 12-13) 

This God.. is the only one who can save them.. "Seek Me that you may live.." He calls to them.  "He who made the Pleiades and Orion and changes deep darkness into morning, who also darkens day into night, Who calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out on the surface of the earth, The Lord is His Name." (5:4-8)

The Lord knows every transgression, Amos reminds them.. He knows the greatness of your sins.. and He calls you to seek Him.. "Seek good  and not evil, that you may live; And thus the Lord God of hosts be with you."  Later He says, "But let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream."  He calls all of us to seek Him so that we can have a changed heart.. a changed life.. a changed nation.  For unless we change.. we will also be taken away. 

Father in heaven, our world needs to know Who You are.. the Creator and the Sustainer of life.. the only source of Life.. We need to know Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life.. sent as the Light of the world.. to overcome the darkness.  It has felt lately.. like the darkness is spreading.. but we are so thankful that it can never overcome the Light.. for Jesus has overcome it all!  We serve a risen Savior who still calls for men and women to seek You.  We pray that today will be the day of salvation for many who are ready to seek good.. seek life.. seek Jesus.  We pray this in His powerful Name! Amen.

 Amos 2  Amos continues to  speak the Word.. judgements that the Lord would bring upon nation after nation. 

Moab was judged because of their cruelty.. they desecrated the grave of the king of Edom and rebelled against God in every way.  Their punishment would be a great battle that would bring about their end. 

The Gentile nations would be judged because they rebelled against God's will for all mankind.. but Judah and Israel would be judged because they broke God's Law that was given through the Mosaic Covenant. 

Judah's sin was idolatry.  They believed the "lies".. the deception that idols were real and not false gods.  Their punishment would be the destruction of Jerusalem and exile into  Babylon. 

Israel also practiced idolatry, but the list of their transgressions goes on... they preyed upon the poor.. callously selling them into slavery; they practiced sexual immorality; they abused and took advantage of those in need; and they would take sacred wine and drink to heathen gods..  Despite all the God had done for the nation of Israel.. they rebelled against Him and against His Word. 

The punishment for Israel was severe.. they would be crushed. They would be overcome.. their army would not be able to run away.. not have the strength or the courage to fight.. and not have any way to escape the coming judgement. 

The Words of the Lord to Israel in Amos 3:2 are chilling, "You only have I chosen among all the families of the earth; Therefore, I will punish you for all your iniquities."  To those who have been given much... much is required. ( Luke 12:48)  Israel had every resource.. every opportunity.. every blessing that God gave them.. yet they chose to turn away. 

I know people who once claimed to be Christians.. and yet now they have walked away from Jesus.  It is heart-breaking.  It is not always easy to be a faithful follower of Christ. We get discouraged.. we get distracted.. we get rebellious.. or angry.. or.. whatever.  But.. life without Jesus is a life without hope.. a life without purpose.. a life without truth.  May we learn from the experiences of Israel and Judah.. let us stay faithful and committed to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength!

Father in heaven, we hallow Your Name for You are the great I Am.. our Creator and King. We ask that Your Kingdom come and Your will be done on this earth.. in every nation. We pray for the Truth to be proclaimed among all people and that many more will turn to Jesus Christ and find forgiveness for their sins.  Draw us closer to Your heart today, Lord God. Fill us with Your Spirit. May Jesus Christ be glorified in us.. Your children.. today. We ask this in His Name. amen. 

 Amos 1  A shepherd from Judah, sent to Israel.. Amos had an assignment from the Lord.. to warn Israel of coming judgement. So, he went.. and he spoke what the Lord gave him.. "The Lord roars from Zion, and from Jerusalem He utters His voice; and the shepherd's pasture grounds mourn, and the summit of Carmel dries up." (v2)

The news that Amos brings is not good news. It is a pronouncement of God's judgement and punishment upon the people of Israel ... and upon Gentile nations...  who have become corrupt. Amos speaks against individual city/states or regions.. detailing their specific transgressions:

Damascus had "threshed Gilead with implements of sharp iron." Like a sledge that was used to separate grain from its husks.. Damascus had continually raked over the people and land of Gilead causing great suffering. God would punish Damascus by burning its gates; destroying its king, and exiling them back to their original homeland, Mesopotamia. 

Gaza had "deported an entire population to deliver it up to Edom."  These people were slave traders.  They captured whole communities and sold them. They took defenseless people and shipped them off. God would punish this Philistine nation by complete annihilation.

Tyre had also "delivered up an entire population to Edom." Tyre betrayed those that were part of a treaty or covenant with them. They were callous and evil in their treatment of those who were supposed to be "brothers".  For this, God would punish them severely. In 332 BC Alexander the Great conquered Tyre.. thousands were killed and many more taken and sold as slaves. 

Edom had "pursued his brother with a sword... stifled his compassion.."  and poured out anger and fury. Edom came from Esau.. and Israel came from Jacob. All these years later.. anger and hatred continued..and continues even now...  God would make Edom subject to the Assyrians and its land would become desolate. 

Ammon had "ripped open the pregnant women of Gilead in order to enlarge their borders." These were terrorists seeking to decimate their enemy. They were heartless.  They preyed on the defenseless. God's punishment would consume them. 

God will not ignore the sins of mankind.. He responds with fire.. He will "unleash" His power.. He will "consume" those who do such evil. 

We live in a world that still sees this kind of evil.. cruel, heartless, hateful people who prey upon the defenseless out of anger or out of greed.  Take note.. God sees and He will repay those who do such evil. 

Father in heaven, look at those who are suffering.. those taken and sold into slavery.. those terrorized.. those suffering just because they are Your people.  Take heed, Lord God, and move once again to deliver Your children.  May every nation bow before You and exalt You, even as Your Word has declared.. "Cease striving and know that I am God, I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." ( Psalm 46:10)  May we see You move in great ways, Lord God.. unleash Your power even now that the evil of the wicked will come to and end and the righteous will be established. ( Psalm 7:9)   We ask this in the powerful name of the One who holds all things together.. Jesus Christ. Amen. 

 Colossians 3:18-4  As we walk "in Christ".. putting on the "heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.."  and as we strive to do "all things" in His name...we are called to remember that it is the Lord Christ whom we serve.  In every relationship we have on this earth.. may Christ be honored!

Paul teaches that wives, husbands, children, slaves, and masters.. each have a responsibility to serve others as is "fitting in the Lord".  For a wife, it means being "subject" to her husband.. and for the husband it mean to "love" his wife as Christ loves His church.  For children, it means to obey their parents.. and for parents it means to raising them in a godly way. 

A slave who is called of Christ to serve.. will serve with "sincerity of heart".. working to please the Lord and not necessarily the man. The master.. who loves the Lord and walks in Christ would be just and fair.

No matter what our occupation.. no matter what are family is like.. as followers of Christ, we want to live in a way that serves Him.   Colossians 4:2 gives us the key.... "Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert with an attitude of thanksgiving;"  We serve a Savior who "holds all things together "; who "reconciled all things to Himself".. Who holds all the riches of glory.. and is our Hope.  He will give us wisdom and understanding when we keep our minds centered on Him. who is "seated at the right hand of God"!  We have an all-powerful, supernatural, perfect, and loving Lord who will help us to do all these things and be the people He wants us to be.. 

Paul leaves us with one more instruction, "Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of every opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person." (4:5-6)

 Father.. As we walk in this world.. may the love and compassion, the kindness and humility.. the gentleness and patience of Jesus be seen.. be manifested..  in all we do and in all we say. . Thank You.  Amen.