1 Thessalonians 1 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

Paul says Christ Jesus will have saved us from “the coming wrath.” We read about the end in other passages in God’s Word, but we know that the fate and doom of those who reject Christ will not be pretty.

Hence, we don’t live in fear but in hope. Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord (we know the terror of what’s coming) , we persuade men. [2 Cor. 5:11]

Col. 1-3 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

Forgiving others is a mark of spiritual maturity and reflects God’s love in action. Who do YOU need to forgive?

Those of us who are married probably have the most occasion to forgive our spouse. It would be so easy yet so destructive to keep tally of offenses against our mate. Instant forgiveness and instantly forgetting offenses is evidence of God’s love in a marriage. Remember, love suffers long and does not hold a grudge. Bears all things, hopes all things, endures all things. [1 Cor. 13]

Forgive us our sins AS we forgive those who sin against us.

Colossians 1 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

In chapter one, Paul clarifies that Christ Jesus is Who we see is God to us. Because he stated that the Father is invisible to us, Christ is God that we can see. In Christ dwelt the Fullness of the Godhead in a body.

My intent is not to do a theological exposition on Who the Savior is. We can simply and profoundly look at this chapter to give scriptural foundation to what we believe about Christ. The Word explains THE WORD.

Phil. 4 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

Paul declared that he had learned the secret of contentment. Whether he was abased or abounding, he achieved contentment. He called this a valuable secret.

Let’s face it, if God wanted to He could lavish upon us untold riches so that we would be in luxury. Or, He could wipe out everything and leave us destitute. He knows that in Heaven we will be blessed beyond anything we know here on earth. He just wants us to learn valuable lessons in trust.

You can’ really be content unless you trust Him.

Phil. 3:21 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

The aches and pains of an aging body make verse 21 very appealing. It’s a good thing that Christ will give us a glorious body like His because I certainly don’ want to spend eternity dealing with the shortcomings of the body I now have. My wife also has her share of the discomforts of arthritis etc. We have decent days and then …. other days.

Let’s face it. Our body is merely the vehicle for our soul and spirit. It’s not the real “us.” Gratefully, in Heaven we will be transformed and can all be olympic gold medal winners

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Phil. 2 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

Paul commended Timothy to the Philippian church and stated that the young man showed genuine concern for their welfare. Paul knew that Timothy’s love and care were like Christ.

It’s been said, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

Philippians 1 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

Paul declares that a goal of the Christian life is to be “pure and blameless” for the coming of Christ. [v. 10] Besides our activity of preaching the Gospel, we have the duty to keep moving towards lives that are above reproach. We are not only to do the works of Christ, but to become LIKE Christ.

Eph. 6 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

Paul says there is no favoritism in Christ’s Body. [v. 9] Respect of persons, preference, treats everyone the same, always fair when he judges people. In fact, EVERYONE is God’s favorite. There are different callings and giftings, and all have access to God’s Holy Spirit which enables us to serve Him with victory and effectiveness in our lives.

Our heavenly Father is the GIVER of every good and perfect gift. Take what He has given you and be a good steward of it. Also, there WILL BE a reckoning for us on how we use what He gave us.

Eph. 6 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

The Apostle exhorted, “Children, obey your parents. Honor your father and mother. Fathers, don’t provoke your children to wrath.” I love the Amplified paraphrase; do not exasperate them to the point of resentment with demands that are trivial or unreasonable or humiliating or abusive; nor by showing favoritism or indifference to any of them], but bring them up [tenderly, with lovingkindness] in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Parents are wise to cultivate honor for God’s Word in the home. Use scriptural principles of discipline and training. Teach and model respect for God’s Word. Keep them in church. The local church functions to make your family strong. Its ministers are there for the “perfecting of the saints.” They are there to help you be a Godly parent.

Patty and I did our best to raise a Godly family. We are VERY pleased with the results.

Eph. 5 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

Theologian Francis A. Schaeffer wrote a famous book called “How Should We Then Live.” The Apostle Paul wrote nearly two thousand years before his letter to the Ephesian church, of which chapter 5 does just that. It instructs us on how we should live.

We ARE the Body of Christ. How we live reflects upon Him. We are the only Bible some people read.