In 1 Thessalonians 2:17 and 18, Paul remembers being forced to leave Thessalonica—their time cut short by a mob that attacked, abused, and jailed some of them (Acts 17:5-9). Paul talks affectionately of their desire to return but says satan hindered them. Acts 17:13-15 tells the full story: Paul and co. went to Berea after…
Category: Discipleship
Copycats
For you, brothers, became imitators of God’s churches in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, since you have also suffered the same things from people of your own country, just as they did from the Jews who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets and persecuted us” (1 Thess. 2:14-15). For the second time,…
Repackaged Lie
We all fail in many ways, as James chapter three points out. Some flaws persist for years with only modest change. Recently, I was praying about one of my ongoing flaws. I have told the Lord more than once I never want to fail in this particular way again. I was telling Him this again…
Freely Owned
As famine worsened in Egypt, people came to Joseph seeking food. The grain Joseph stored up for Pharaoh over seven years was the only food in the land. For awhile, people paid money for grain. “Joseph collected all the money to be found in the land of Egypt.” Eventually, people ran out of money (Gen….
Another Spirit
The following is by my friend, Randy. It is longer than my typical posts, so what follows is an excerpt. You can read the full article here. *** “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be…
Budget Christianity
“And you, in your turn, followed the example set by us and by the Lord; the welcome you gave the message meant grave suffering for you, yet you rejoiced in the Holy Spirit; thus you have become a model for all believers….” (1 Thess. 1:6-7). Today in America, one can become a Christian with relatively…
My Passion or His?
Often I read or hear people recommend that we find our passion and engage it. This is especially recommended when it comes to what we do for work. Forbes recently cited a Gallup poll showing that the percentage of employees who are passionate about their job is at a lowly 34%. The solution is for…
Crack Pots and Dogs (Part 2)
Please read part one *** Thirty-two thousand men answered Gideon’s trumpet-call, a promising number. But God said, “You have too many men for me to deliver Midian into their hands. In order that Israel may not boast against me that her own strength has saved her, announce now to the people, ‘Anyone who trembles with…
Crack Pots and Dogs (Part 1)
The following is from my booklet, “Crack Pots and Dogs” *** Gideon was a judge of Israel, whom God raised up to deliver His people when the Midianites were raiding and oppressing them (Judges 6:1-6). Gideon began his ministry by demolishing an altar of Baal and hewing down an Asherah pole (Judges 6:28). When this…
