I Thessalonians 4-5 & II Thessalonians 1 (Saturday July 12)

Hello fellow Bible readers. Two weeks ago I put a challenge question out and congratulations to Ana Killian for correctly answering... you will get your winning prize tomorrow at church!

Here are my highlights and thoughts from today's scriptures:

I Thes. 4 tells us to abstain from sexual immorality, lead a brotherly and orderly life, and to realize that Christ is coming back:

• Regarding sexual immorality, verse 6 says that "no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter."
• Verse 8 says that he who rejects this teaching does not reject man, but God. 
• Verse 9 says "you yourselves are taught by God to love one another." How is this possible? How does God teach us? 
• Verse 11 says to "aspire to lead a quiet life, mind your own business,"
• Verse 12 ends with "that you may lack nothing".
• Verse 13 states that we should not be ignorant about those who have died.
• Verse 16: "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first." Verse 17: Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air." That's going to be a wild scene!

I Thes. 5 talks about how our thoughts and actions should be concerning Jesus coming back, various exhortations and encouragement:

• Verses 1-4: Don't worry about things you have no control over. God is in control.
• 6: "Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober."
• 11: "Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you are also doing."
• 13: "Be at peace among yourselves."
• 14: "Be patient with all"
• 16: Rejoice always.17: "Pray without ceasing." How is this possible. How can I bow my head and shut my eyes and pray without ceasing? This isn't possible when I'm driving or riding my bike. What does this verse mean and how can I do this?
• 23: Let God sanctify you completely. How do we do this? Do we have to stop sinning? What if I sin? How do I move forward? How do I strive to do what God is asking me to do without it becoming works?

II Thes. 1 teaches us about God's final judgment. It took me reading verses 3 through 12 several times to start to comprehend what's going on here:

• 4: "patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure,
• 5: which is the manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you might be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer."
• 6: "since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you."
• 8-9: Read these a couple of times. Is God mad at mankind? How can a loving God do this? I believe that God is so much more in love with us than any of us can comprehend and that we need to focus on that and try to get a revelation and understanding of His love. Many religious groups focus on the wrath and punishment, and it turns away the very people they are trying to save. God has so much love for us! He's righteous and just, and He will not let evil exist with us in heaven. Jesus loves you and died for YOU!