Coming to the Still Waters

Today's verses are 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16, which reads, v.13 - For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe. Paul was a compassionate mother and also an instructive father to them.  The Thessalonians not only heard their words but they realized and accepted those words as from God.  Paul, Silas, and Timothy were just the messengers of the message. The word of God is to perform something in us.  As we read it, as we hear it, as we study it, and as we sing it the word of God should continue to work in our lives to see further transformation to be Christ-like.  When the word of God gets "dry" in our lives we need to take notice very seriously.  Don't excuse this away.  Something has crept in that is robbing what the word of God is suppose to do. v.14-16 -

Today's verses are 1 Thessalonians 2:9-12, which read, v.9 - For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. Paul had a trade of tent making.  In the start of a new church, he provided his own living so that the group could get off the ground and running.  Stephanie and I know this procedure.  When we were called by God to start a church, we picked up our tools of trade to supply much of our living expenses for the task that was at hand.  There came a day when the church was on its feet and we could go back to what is the biblical norm of the church supplying the needs of the minister.  While Paul was working night and day, he was also proclaiming the gospel to the Thessalonians.  v.10-12 - You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers; just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging a

Today's verses are 1 Thessalonians 2:5-8, which read, v.5,6 - For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed--God is witness--nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority. Paul gives the Thessalonians and us the warning signs of a false teacher.  The first is "flattering speech," the second is "greed," and the third is "seek glory from men."   These signs are still signs today.  But let's take the opposite view.  What are the characteristics of a true teacher?  The true teacher does not use "flattering speech" but speaks the truth in love.  The true teacher is not fueled by "greed" but is sacrificial and generous with what God has provided.  The true teacher is not looking to "seek glory from men" but is kneeling daily at the feet of Jesus. v.7,8 - But we proved to be gentle am

Today's verse are 1 Thessalonians 2:1-4, which says, v.1, 2 - For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain, but after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition. As our son Abraham said to me one time, "Dad, you can't keep a good man down."   He was playing goalie in a recreational soccer league as a 5th or 6th grader.  He hated the position and the game wasn't going well but that was his resolve to keep going. Paul had just suffered with Silas in the town of Philippi.  He was physically beaten, mistreated, falsely accused, and thrown into jail.  In spite of all of that, he and Silas lifted their voices to God in praise and God brought not only the earthquake but also the Phillippian jailer to ask, "What must I do to be saved?"  An open invitation that propelled Paul forward to the next town beca

Today's verses are 1 Thessalonians 1:6-10, which read, v.6, 7 - You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. Paul is pointing out to the Thessalonians that a visible transformation has been taking place in their lives.  Other people are seeing it and hearing about it.  That transformation is Paul-like but more importantly Christ-like.  How are they changing?  They are changing to be like Christ, imitating Him.  His words, His actions, His will, etc.  This transformation and hearing of the gospel has also stood up in the midst of tribulation.  Tough times have not made them waver from the faith but walk more diligently in the faith.  v.8-10 - For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have

Today's verse are 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5, which read, v.1 - Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:  Grace to you and peace. We have the author of the letter but we also have a couple other people mentioned.  This is important because Paul is pulling alongside of him others who he is discipling or mentoring who will carry on the gospel message after he is gone.  Does this sound like the process that Jesus used with His disciples? Silvanus was with Paul on his second missionary journey and later was a writer and companion for Peter.  Timothy was with Paul on his second and third missionary journeys. Paul gives the definition of the church in this opening.  The church was "in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:..."   The church was based on God "and" Jesus.  Jesus was more than just a physical man by His name but also Lord and Christ. v.2-5 - We give thanks to God always

We finish the book of Galatians.  Today's verses are Galatians 6:11-18, which read, v.11 - See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. Just a note to let the readers know that Paul is writing this letter himself.  He didn't have someone write this letter for him through dictation.  Also, the large letters could be an indication that his ailment may have affected his eyes and eyesight.  A larger issue is that Paul wanted them to know that what he was sharing was coming directly from him.  He did not want to deceive them in any way. v.12, 13 - Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.  For those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh. The false teachers were compelling the new Christians to do something in addition to the gospel (a

Today's verses are Galatians 6:6-10, which read, v.6 - The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him. Paul has turned a corner with his readers.  It has been a sharp rebuke for following after "another" gospel and a point by point explanation again of the "true" gospel of Jesus and Jesus alone.  In the last study and this one, Paul is focusing on how we are to live in light of the gospel. The first instruction here is to share with others what God is doing in your life, specifically to the one or ones who are teaching you.  I think in our time we also do not do this enough.  Jesus could definitely be more a part of our conversations with each other.  Is it that we think we need something really "big" to say about Him?  Is it worthy to talk about what He has been speaking to you to pray about?  What about that random thought that He planted in your mind when you saw something or heard something?

Today's verses are Galatians 6:1-5, which says, v.1, 2 - Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.  Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. This is so hard to do.  You see a brother or sister in Christ "caught" in a sin.  You see them sin and it quickens in your heart that you should say something.  It might be right at that moment or it might be later.  Most likely it would be later when you are one on one, you have had time to pray about the situation and your heart is humbled to gentleness to speak the truth in love. What is also hard to do is to be the person on the receiving end of this.  You, who have a relationship with Jesus Christ, know this scripture so it shouldn't be surprise to you that someone who was spiritual in your life brings up something they saw you do or

Today's verses are Galatians 5:22-26, which read, V.22, 23 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. What a different list than yesterday!  What is the result of one who is walking by the Spirit and being lead by the Spirit?   "...love..." - standing at the altar type of love, vow driven "...joy..." - happiness based on unchanging divine promises   "...peace..." - inner calm based on your relationship with God "...patience..." - the ability to endure even in painful situations   "...kindness..." - tender concern for others   "...goodness..." - an act of moral kindness toward others   "...faithfulness..." - loyalty and trustworthiness   "...gentleness..." - a humble attitude toward submission to God's ways   "...self-control..." - ability to restrain

Today's verses are Galatians 5:16-21, which read, v.16 - But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. Paul tells the Galatians the overall principle first and then will divide out what happens when we walk by the Spirit and when we do not.  The word for "walk" is a continuous action or a habitual lifestyle and also an emphasis on progress.  When we walk by the Spirit, we are moving forward as a way of life that encompasses all areas of our lives.  As we submit all areas of our lives over to being Spirit led then we are more inclined to say "no" to the temptations of the flesh and continue to say "yes" to God's way. v.17, 18 - For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. We go from "...walk by

Elisabeth Mae - our new granddaughter - what a blessing to see our children have children... Adam

Today's verses are Galatians 5:13-15, which read, v.13 - For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. What do we do with this freedom that we have in Christ?  What do we do with the knowledge and reality that Christ has done the work of salvation on the cross and through the empty grave?  What do we do with what has been "given to" us?  Paul tells his readers to use their freedom not in a selfish way but an unselfish way, to serve one another. Are we very selfish with the message of the gospel?  Are we keeping it to ourselves?  Are we not allowing the message of Christ to come out of our lips and through our hands and feet? v.14 - For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" is the ruling principle of this Christian freedom because of

Today's verses are Galatians 5:7-12, which read, v.7-9 - You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?  This persuasion did not come from Him who calls you.  A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough. Stephanie is a bread maker.  She used to bake 50+ loaves every Friday to sell at the local farmer's market on Saturday's.  I built a bread stand for her and we would spend the early hours raising some extra money to help with our children's college education.  On Friday, there were bowls of dough all over the kitchen.  We bought yeast by the block.  The yeast was the agent that made the dough rise and the amount of dough that rose was so much more than the little bit of yeast we added to the mix. Leaven (yeast) is associated with sin in the Bible.  A little sin grows.  That is the point here.  Paul is saying that they were following Christ but then the sin of a false gospel came in and it grew.  The sin of the false gospel was th

Today's verses are Galatians 5:2-6, which read, v.2 - Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. Paul has just got done saying that we are of the free woman, of Sarah, of the covenant that Christ settled on the cross and it is sufficient and not deficient.  Paul is not against the act of circumcision but he is against the thought that the circumcision made you right with God.  Nothing makes you right with God other than the belief in the faith of who Jesus Christ is as Savior of your life.  If you put your faith in something else (circumcision in this case) then Christ's death and resurrection have been set lower than what you have elevated.  It is like giving an apology and then you say the word "but."   "I'm sorry, but..." When you say "but" you just erased all that you apologized about before the word.  What comes next after the "but" is declared by you as more

Today's verses are Galatians 4:21-31, 5:1, which read, v.21-25 - Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not listen to the Law?  For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman and one by the free woman.  But the son by the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and the son by the free woman through the promise.  This is allegorically speaking, for these women are two covenants:  one proceeding from Mount Sinai bearing children who are to be slaves; she is Hagar.  Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem for she is in slavery with her children. Paul goes back to an Old Testament event of Abraham's life.  God gave a covenant that he and Sarah would have a child that would be the start of this family that would number beyond the stars of sky and the sands of the seashore.  Also from the family would come "the" Seed, the Christ.  One problem is that Abraham and Sarah were both really old

Today's verses are Galatians 4:12-20, which read, v.12-14 - I beg of you, brethren, become as I am, for I also have become as you are.  You have done me no wrong; but you know that it was because of a bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the first time; and that which was a trial to you in my bodily condition you did not despise or loathe, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself. Paul had just got done rebuking them for straying for the truth of salvation and now he appeals to them through the affection he has for them because of the affection they had showed to him.  Paul had some type of illness that put him in that region to recover.  The people there cared for him physically and apparently when he could not take care of himself.  I am so thankful for my wife who has done that for me during my bout with cancer and the major surgery I went through.  She did things that I am sure was not fun at all. Paul does something that he

Today's verses are Galatians 4:8-11, which read, v.8 - However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods. Paul is explaining to his readers that before they came to Christ, they were slaves to something or someone but that something or someone was not God.  If our definition of God is " the creator and ruler of the universe and source of all moral authority; the supreme being" then there can only be one, otherwise He is not God.   v.9, 10 - But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again?  You observe days and months and seasons and years. Paul poses a question to them.  "To know God" and "to be known by God" are two different things.  You can know God but not be known by God.  Many people know God but they are not known or in a relati

Today's verses are Galatians 4:1-7, which read, v.1, 2 - Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father. Let's take a look at Paul's real life illustration given here.  There is a child who is the heir to an inheritance.  The child will be the owner of everything.  But the child is now a child and does not have in his hands the inheritance.  He has guardians and managers who take care of the inheritance until it is turned over and that inheritance will not be turned over until the father says to on a certain date.   The child is a privileged child and a child with great promise but still just a child and not different than a slave child at this stage.  The slave child does not have anything.  So at this point they are both just children even though one has much coming to him and the other does not. v.3-5 - So also

Today's verses are Galatians 3:23-29, which read, v.23 - But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. Paul is speaking to his readers on a grand view of the coming of Jesus Christ as the Messiah to the world, "...before faith came,...to be revealed."   Before Jesus came, the Law pointed out our need of Him and our sin. But I would like us to look at this on a personal level.  "But before faith came,..." - before I knew about Jesus.  "...we were kept in custody under the law,..." - I was guilty of sin and condemned to die in my sin.   "...being shut up to the faith..." - not knowing of the saving faith of Jesus Christ, my Deliverer from this condemned life.  "...which was later to be revealed." - until I heard and believed on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. v.24-27 - Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we

Notice the winter coat and scarf.  Stephanie would be wearing gloves too if she could play that way... 36 degrees when we started but a balmy 40 degrees when we ended...on the front lawn of the church... A great first Easter (Resurrection) Sunday at this church called Union in Oglesby, IL. Pastor Adam

Today's verses are Galatians 3:19-22, which read, v.19 - Why the Law then?  It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made. Wow, a lot of information here.  Paul asks the question, "If righteous is given to us only through faith in Jesus Christ, then why do we have the Law that can trip us up into a legalistic/works mentality about salvation?"  "It was added..." - God gave us the Law at a later time after the promise of a Seed, Jesus Christ. "...because of transgressions,..." - The Law was given to us because we needed something to point out our sin before the Seed, Jesus Christ came. "...ordained through angels..." - The angels had a role in bringing the Law. "...by the agency of a mediator..." - I believe this refers to Moses who gave the Law to the people and later prophets who spoke the La