Category Archives: Evangelism

Child Raising, Child Rearing, Disciplemaking, Evangelism, Family, Fatherhood, Inspirational, Mentoring, Ministry, Modeling, Motherhood, Parenting

NOW THAT’S LIVING


1 THESSALONIANS 3:8

“for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord.” 

I heard a joke once about a very, rich man who had in his will that when he died, he wanted to be buried in his Cadillac. The day arrived, and all his friends and family gathered around the gravesite, which was huge. As they lowered the Cadillac, with him inside, into the grave, one of his friends said, “Now, that’s living!”

Well, really that’s dying. How do you enjoy a Cadillac in the grave? You can’t! In fact, you can’t enjoy anything once you are dead UNLESS you are living in Christ. The word “live” in this verse is the word that means real life. It means to experience God’s gift of life. Now, that’s living.

APPLICATION

But Paul goes on to say in this verse that real living depends on us standing firm in the Lord. How do you teach your children to stand firm? Get your little Johnny or Susie to stand up. Place them on a stool or ottoman in the middle of the room. Now shove them off the stool. Wait! I didn’t mean for you to actually do that. But grab their shoulders and act like you are going to. Ask them if they think they could stand if you shoved them. Probably not.

Now, get someone else to help you. This time stand behind your child and hold them snugly around the shoulders. Ask your helper to try to shove them off while you hold them. Now ask your child if they think they can stand there. Yep, I bet they can.

You see, our standing is not dependent on us. It’s the Lord who keeps us standing firm. We just have to trust Him. We have to relax in His firm grip. No matter what shoves us, He’s got us. We may move a bit, but we are in His arms. Stand firm today and live!

Father God, I can feel Your arms around me each day. I know I can depend on Your capable hands to hold me up. Help me stand firm in You today and always.

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Alone, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Disciplemaking, Evangelism, Family, Fatherhood, Inspirational, Mentoring, Ministry, Modeling, Motherhood, Parenting, Suffering, Witnessing

THAT’S A RELIEF


1 THESSALONIANS 3:7

“for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith;” 

Upon hearing the good news from Timothy (yesterday’s verse), Paul was relieved. He had been waiting to hear how the Thessalonians were doing and was overjoyed at the report. Paul had invested time and energy to plant the church and teach them. He did not want all that effort to be in vain.

Have you ever had that same kind of relief? Today we get news almost instantaneous through text, phone calls or social media. Can you imagine having to wait weeks for someone to arrive to give you the news? Messages were hand delivered. We could learn a lot from Paul about. He waited patiently, praying for the Thessalonians and Timothy and Silas. 

APPLICATION

Are your children patient? Probably not. They are used to instant gratification. They can’t imagine waiting. So, the next time they complain about waiting for something, read them this verse and explain that Paul had to wait on Timothy to arrive to get the news. Paul was in the total dark about what was happening in Thessalonica until Timothy arrived with the report.

We are blessed to have access to information so quickly. Take advantage of that. Don’t let someone you love wait on the good news. Call them, text them or send them a private message. However you do it, do it today. Don’t let the excuse you don’t have time get in the way. It takes seconds to send a message. Relieve them with the gospel. It is the ultimate relief.

I bet as I wrote that someone came to mind. Send them a message like this: “I’ve been thinking about you today. We’ve been friends for a while, and I can’t bear the thought of not spending eternity with you. God loves you and wants you to know and love Him. Can we talk today about this?” Who knows what may happen?

Lord God, You are the deliverer of the best news. Your news of salvation certainly gives me comfort. Even in the midst of suffering, the assurance of my salvation gives peace.

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Child Raising, Child Rearing, Disciplemaking, Evangelism, Family, Fatherhood, Inspirational, Mentoring, Ministry, Modeling, Motherhood, Parenting, Witnessing

GOOD NEWS


1 THESSALONIANS 3:6

“But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you,” 

They say no news is good news. I’m not sure where that expression began, but it was not with me. I don’t like not knowing. Even if it’s bad news, tell me something. Not knowing drives me crazy! Can I get an amen?

Paul has received good news from Timothy about the Thessalonians. They are growing in their faith and love. They have good thoughts and comments about Paul. AND they want to see him as bad as he wants to see them. That is good news. Don’t you know Paul’s heart was glad and full of joy?

APPLICATION

Ask your little Gertrude if she likes good news. I bet she does. Ask her what the best news was she has ever received. That might surprise you. It could be the news that she was going to be a big sister. Or it could be that she got picked for the ball team.

Then tell her about the best news you ever got – the gospel. It IS the GOOD NEWS! There is no better news. Jesus died for US! He intercedes for us right now in heaven. He is talking to the Father about US! He knows our name! Now that’s good news. 

If you know this good news, tell someone. If it is really good news, don’t you want to? Maybe today someone you share it with will receive it and make it their good news. The more who know this news the better it is. Bring some folks along with you to celebrate this good news today.

The good news of Your Son Jesus is news worth sharing to everyone, Father. Give me the opportunities today to do that. Let me share the joy of knowing You and living for Him.

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