Category Archives: Witnessing

Advice, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Christianity, Disciplemaking, Evangelism, Family, Fatherhood, Inspirational, Love, Mentoring, Ministry, Modeling, Motherhood, Parenting, Thanksgiving, Witnessing

MORE THAN ENOUGH


1 THESSALONIANS 3:12

“and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you;” 

Paul is making a wish here – that the Thessalonians would increase and abound in love. Now, even though this was a wish he hoped to see come true, it was a pretty, sure wish. Paul had confidence that they would do just what he hoped. Why? Because he knew their love first hand. He had experienced  their love. He knew they were quite capable.

These two words, “increase” and “abound,” mean very similar things. They can both mean more than enough, overflowing or abundant. Paul was simply trying to overemphasize the point to them. But it is important to remember that they could only “overflow” what was in them. This love came from an unending source – God.

APPLICATION

Tell me this – do you ever run out of love for your children? Of course, not. And let me tell you, it’s even more true with your grandchildren. I have four (as of this writing), and the love I have for them just gets stronger each day. I don’t have that capacity in myself. Any love I feel for anyone comes from the love the Father has shown me.

I want to challenge you to let that love you have for family extend to your church family, to your neighbors and even to strangers. Teach your children to love abundantly. Teach them to overflow with love. Show them what that looks like, not just to them but with others. 

If you will commit to love like that, you will experience an even deeper love of the Father. I know the Lord is well pleased when we love well. When He sees His love poured out on others through us, He smiles. After all, He still uses us to spread His Word and His love on this earth.

God of love, thank You for using me to love others. Help me to love those whom I find it hard to love. You can love them through me.

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

I‘M NOT DONE WITH YOU YET


1 THESSALONIANS 3:10

“as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?”

Paul’s training of the Thessalonians wasn’t done yet. He had so much more to teach them. That’s why he longed to see them again. He wasn’t just desiring fellowship. He wanted more time to complete his teaching, so they could walk with Christ with more confidence.

I love to teach. Being able to share what the Lord has taught me gives me joy. I understand Paul’s heart here. When someone sends me a note or tells me after I get through teaching that they learned something new, that just blesses my heart. Not because I taught – NO! Because the Holy Spirit spoke through me.

APPLICATION

When do you get through teaching your children? Never! I learned from dad up until the day he died. In the last few years of his life I asked him for advice. I pray I can continue to advise my son and daughter as they get older. But I know any wisdom I impart is not mine. It all comes from the Lord.

But I also learn from my children. Don’t you? Think about a time when your child has said or done something which gave you a new insight into something. Encourage your child when that happens. Tell them that they just helped mommy or daddy to learn something new. 

Is there someone in your life right now to whom you go for advice? Does someone seek you out for advice? Advice is just advice unless it is bathed in prayer and is centered upon His Word. As you receive or give it make sure that is your source. That kind of advice will last for a lifetime.

You are the perfect advisor, God. Your words are always right. Your advice is holy and righteous. I can always trust it.

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

PAYBACK


1 THESSALONIANS 3:9

“For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account,”  

Most of the time when you hear the term “payback” you think about getting back at someone for something they have done to you. That is NOT what Paul meant in this verse when he said “render to God.” The word “render” means payback. So, what did Paul mean?

Paul was caught up in a moment of praise and thanksgiving to God for these Thessalonians. As he is reflecting on his memories of them and on the report he had received from Timothy, he erupts in thanks to God. He is literally paying back God for all He has done in and through the Thessalonians. Paul just lost it in praise!

APPLICATION

Have you ever seen your children “lose it” when they got overjoyed about something? They get so excited they can’t even talk, and then they scream and yell and shout! Right? Maybe you have surprised them with that long, awaited trip to Disney World. They can’t put the words together to thank you. They want to “render” to you the thanks they feel, but they don’t know how.

The next time that happens, stop and get them to calm down. Then lead them in thanking God for the blessing they have received. Make sure they know that all praise goes to Him. He is the only one who deserves it. Paul knew that. So should we.

Who are you thanking? Who are you giving praise to today? Point all your praise to your heavenly Father. When we do that the Word says He inhabits it. Now that is incredible. He loves our praise so much He lives in it. What are you waiting on? Praise Him!

I praise You, O Lord. There is no other one I can thank for all that has come to me. I give You the glory!

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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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