1 Thessalonians 4

16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

So I'm not a scholar, so a verse like this made me wonder about timing of going to heaven.  Is my Dad there now?  I would say yes but this made me wonder.  

Well Google it and turns out lots of others have the same wondering, in some cases concern.  Not a concern for me, not a faith rocking question just something I don't understand.  People site other versus to the contrary including Jesus on the cross saying today you will be with me in paradise--not you'll be with me when I return thousands of years later.

So some interesting reads, people theorizing about God living outside of time, so this only pertains to those of us still living in time.  Oh and if Jesus said today you will be with me in paradise does that mean he wasn't in hell for 3 days?  all interesting small human mind questions, but not something I'm going to be losing sleep over.

rambling today---later,
knut

1 Thessalonians 3

7 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. 

No big take away but I just take note how Paul is never concerned about his circumstances.  He is always focused on others and how they are doing in their faith journey.  No matter how bad things are for him he finds encouragement when he hears and sees others who are strong or becoming strong in their faith in Jesus.

He is truly on a mission for God's Kingdom.  A guy that works for me is a Mormon.  His son just got word where he is going for his 2 year mission.  For two years he will be gone, they are not allowed to see him.  I know the Mormon faith has serious flaws but I also see they have incredible dedication to their mission.  I can't honestly say I would be willing to let Luke leave for 2 years knowing I don't get to see him, letters only, so he could do a mission for our church.  But I should be willing to do so or do it myself if it could help grow the Kingdom.  Its a little convicting.

knut

1 Thessalonians 2

We are not trying to please people but God, 

speaks for itself.  
Challenge to myself:  Who am I trying to please?  


friday quick-take I guess

tp

1 Thessalonians 1

8 The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere....


This is an example of the way they were living their lives and the changes they made when they became Christians was unmistakable and made everyone take notice.  Could I say the same, would my faith be known by all who come into contact with me?

knut

Colossians 4

2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

this is a long copy/paste, but I really like it's tactical approach.  This is a different kind of request to make of God.  This "ask" is completely meant for someone else.  Help me talk clearly.  Help me be wise toward others.  Let me be graceful in my approach.  So often, I'm praying and asking for what I want....to benefit me or someone I love.  This is a prayer to ask for things that will benefit others, and ultimately give the all the glory to God.

tp

Colossians 3

5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature:sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.[b] 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander,and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other,

Bad.

clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Good.

Seems easy, right?


23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,

This verse keeps me going at work, when it becomes a slog!


Quite a smattering this morning. 
tp

Colassians 2

I have to keep reminding myself that Paul is writing these letters to cities/churches that are brand spanking new christians.  He sometimes reverts back to telling the story of Christ....which is COMPLETELY understandable considering where the letters were being sent.

8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy,which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces[a] of this world rather than on Christ.

I pulled this verse out today.  It seems like everyone has a logical reason why,  what I believe in, isn't true.  I can come up with reasons myself......but this verse warns of that kind of thinking and of that kind of philosophy.  

It always makes me laugh to think about people that use "science" as an argument against Christianity.  If you were a supreme being capable of speaking worlds into existence.....don't you think you would be smart enough to come up with the set of rules by which that world works?  Its like believing in the pie, rather than the baker that made it.  hahaha!

tp

Colossians 1

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

I love how Paul always starts his letters.
Todd, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Chris his brother.....haha

15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation....

Sometimes its good for me to read something like this paragraph that starts with the above verse.  Because I believe in the relationship I have with Christ, he can become small to me.  I know that sounds bad, but I don't mean it that way.  Sometimes I lose sight of the fact that the same Christ that I have a personal relationship with, is the same Christ that is the supreme being in all the universe.  Its crazy to think that I have access to that!  And that he deems me important!

Mind blown!  hahaha

tp

Philipians 4

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

I needed this today.  I tend to worry, I have gotten so much better over the years.  I do trust God to take care of me and things, but my tendency is still under the surface.  I need His Peace now more than ever.  I ask you God to remove my worries an anxiousness about situations and replace it with my trust in you.


knut
p.s. --off to Daytona next week!

Philipians 3

7-9  ....I’m tearing up and throwing out with the trash—along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ. Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung....

For me its convicting.  I can't say of done this in my life.  I'm not too focused on material things these days, I drive a 10 year minivan we live in a house that is well inside our means, we don't buy expensive clothes or buy exotic stuff.  We do spend big bucks racing, but its not something I take 'credit for' as it says here

But I do stay on the treadmill at work.  In a job that pays a lot but doesn't fill me, but I'd hate to walk away or accept something I'd perceive as lower.  Why?  I think I have a certain amount of pride in the level I've achieved and wouldn't want peers to think I'm not worthy or capable, its not something I talk about but deep down its there in my feelings.  

I wouldn't want to throw out this status thing 'I take credit for' in my mind even though its only earthly and has no long-term value.  I'm not going to sit here and tell you I'm going to take any action on this thought I'm having because I don't think I'm there mentally.  But it is a convicting thought running through my head as I read his willingness to put aside anything whether it be physical stuff or status to follow Jesus.

I'm being kind of a Debbie downer this morning, not trying to be.  Just reflecting on his maturity in following Christ is at a really high level compared to me.

knut

Philippians 2

 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.


Not much color commentary needed on this one.  Living it is much more challenging than reading it.  Its a good check for me tor read this today.  I can easily become self absorbed and blind to the needs and wants of others.

knut

Philippians 1

13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard[c]and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.

I really didn't have any huge takes from this after reading it a few times.  But I note that through Paul's challenges both the foundation he laid with others and his actions while incarcerated resulted God's kingdom growing.  His circumstances never caused him to say, once I get past this then I'll take time to invest in others for God.  He was never too busy.  He used every opportunity to keep sharing the Good News.

side note, I also thought it was interesting that sharing of the message of Jesus has a positive impact no matter the motive of the person sharing.  good, but seemed odd to me.  sometimes in today's culture I think a corrupt TV evangelist has a negative impact but this might suggest as long as they are sharing the message God will do good things with it.  idk

knut