8/27 - 1 Thessalonians 2

Wow, it's been quite a few days since I've blogged. I could run down plenty of excuses but instead I'll ask for your prayers that I remain diligent in study & I'll pray the same for you. Our own personal study is an expression of our love for the Savior. Taking the time to get to know Him & to know what pleases Him so we can then go forth and actually do it. I've been studying in the morning but haven't been able to get up in time to blog also. Kinda falling back into this love affair with the snooze button & not getting to bed at a decent hour, so please keep me in prayer on that.

This chapter spoke the same thing to me this morning I felt was revealed to me last night in Bible study, something for which God has placed a serious conviction on my heart. We looked at Isaiah 9:2 and talked about Jesus as a Light. As we began to share & discuss this passage and what it means for us beyond the surface-level understanding that Jesus was a light to the Jews and Gentiles, we concluded that this same spirit that was in Jesus was also in us and that we ought to reflect a light as well. The obvious question, then, became "are you a light?" I tried my best to take an honest, introspective look at myself and I think that in some situations I am a light, but also that I have some blind spots. I call them blind spots because unless you look at them carefully & intentionally, you might not even notice they are there.

Most Christians have a heightened level of spirituality in certain environments, whether it be Sunday morning, bible study or any gathering of believers. In these environments we find it easy and very comfortable to be a strong representation of Christ. But what about at home - are we displaying Christ to our family? Or at work - do we shy away from mentioning Christ? Or amongst old friends - do we avoid uncomfortable conversation in hopes of avoiding being considered "lame"? Well, these are my blind spots. I could show my wife more of that light that resides in me and do more to lover her as Christ loved the church (that might be an understatement...). I struggle with the corporate culture which says faith is never to be discussed. I also often pass on opportunities to share Christ with friends because it may be uncomfortable. In these few areas I see an opportunity for vast improvement so that in all situations I might be able to say, as did Paul, that I walked worthy of God who called me (v.10-12)

So none of this has actually been about 1 Thessalonians 2 yet. Sorry, sometimes I have no idea where the keystrokes will lead....Verse 2 of this chapter actually brought all this back to the forefront of my mind.

"You know, brothers, that our visit to you was not a failure.We had previously suffered and been insulted in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition"

Paul suffered real persecution, yet in spite of this he still carried out the purpose God called him for. He didn't let it deter him one bit. I thought back to those blind spots and realized that, for me, this is my "strong opposition." For Paul it was external but for me, and maybe even some of you, my opposition comes from within. In spite of these internal fears & trepidation, I can "dare to tell the gospel" and in doing so, fulfill my call. That same Spirit that was in Christ and was in Paul, abides in me (1 John 2:27, John 14:16). Consider today what your 'blind spots' are. Where do you not allow your light to shine? And if you find yourself to be consistent, glory be to God. Pray for God to sustain that spirit within you and pray for those of us who struggle & sincerely wish to be an accurate reflection of God to the world.

8/3 - Colossians 1

Worthy of Worship

OK I'm back to my normal format for now, picking up at Colossians. Last week I deviated a bit but wherever the Holy Spirit takes me, I'll go. In this chapter Paul admonishes the church in Colosse to continue in the faith they had received through the preaching of Epaphras, another faithful minister of the gospel. He encourages them to walk worthy of the Lord, do good works, increase in the knowledge of God and to exhibit patience with joy. Then he suggests they ought to be "giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." (v. 12-14).

Paul's audience here is one of primarily a Gentile background, as the city of Colosse was a Roman province of Asia and predominantly Gentile. When Paul talks about sharing the inheritance & being rescued from darkness, I'm reminded of a passage we've been studying in Bible study:

"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned" (Isaiah 9:2).

God spoke hundreds of years ago that this people who, in God's view, were obscure, unimportant & unchosen, would one day be shown a great Light. Understanding the Colossians verse (12-14) in this context, knowing that this Gentile nation who historically had been without hope and without God, and knowing that even my heritage is Gentile, it becomes obvious that this God is worthy of my worship. This is an awe inspiring thing: "the mystery which had been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to his saints. To them God willed to make known the what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory" (v. 26-27).

I encourage you to offer God praise today because the Word makes it evident that He is worthy. Before Christ the destiny of the Gentiles was total separation from God (Ephesians 2:11-12). But here is hope, and a point of reflection:

"For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight" (v. 19-22)

Where would we be without Christ today?