1 Thessalonians 1 [The Message]

Christians have lived in hopeful anticipation of Christ’s Second Coming for many years now. Let’s face it … if Paul talked about it when he wrote, how much more is it true today.

They were “awaiting” Christ’s arrival. Think about it … there’s a difference between “waiting” and “awaiting.” When a child knows he is going to get a spanking when Dad gets home from work (I remember those days), he is waiting (and sweating). When a child is looking forward to opening Christmas gifts, he is AWAITING.

A Biblical word for awaiting is “Maranatha.” I[1 Cor. 16:22] It means, “O Lord, come!” It was a watchword among the Christians of the Early Church. This could be a good word for us to begin using.

Col. 4 [The Message]

Paul knew, probably through experience, that opportunities for evangelism increased because of prayer.

I am not throwing rocks at making decisions to witness to be obedient to the Great Commission, but I personally know how energizing and fluid it is to share Christ when it is clear He created the Divine Encounter.

Luke Butler is an impressive young man who was a strength and conditioning coach at Auburn. He and his wife and young son responded to a Facebook Marketplace ad I placed to sell a fridge. As a result of our Divine Encounter, he is now on staff at Trinity Christian School and has a profound opportunity to impact our young athletes. How else can that happen except through God’s providential working and our prayers?

Psalm 46:1

God IS our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Regardless of the trouble your are experiencing, you can hide in God’s presence and get through it. Don’t expect to be pulled out of it, but find the strength to endure and come out victorious on the other side. You can’t have a testimony without a test.

Can you imagine the fear and anxiety Molly (Anthony) Wickes experienced when her youngest son walked right into a hanging fishing hook which punctured his eye and lodged there. (You know how mothers are) He was rushed by ambulance two hours away to a good hospital in Grand Rapids Michigan. When the doctor was ready to examine him. he lifted the eyelid and the hook miraculously popped out. Glory to God. They have a fabulous testimony now.

Col. 3 [The Message}

Hove you ever given your very best to a task? Maybe yes, but sadly, maybe not.

My cousin Diane has a daughter who bakes cookies. I guarantee you’ve NEVER seen a cookie like Lydia’s cookies. The beauty and detail of her frostings are unbelievably perfect. It’s almost as if she uses a microscope to apply the ornate decorations of multi-colored frostings to her works of art. Yes, they are good enough tb be shown in an art gallery, She does her BEST. When she gets married, her family will be in the 99th percentile of pampered loved ones.

Paul says “Give your best as unto Christi.” He gave us HIS BEST!

Here are two of Lydia’s cookies.

Col. 1 [[J.B. Phillips]

since we are in Colossians chapter 1, I simply cannot move past a key verse at the end of this chapter. JB Phillips, to me, says it most clearly.

So, naturally, we proclaim Christ! We warn everyone we meet, and we teach everyone we can, all that we know about him, so that, if possible, we may bring every man up to his full maturity in Christ. This is what I am working at all the time, with all the strength that God gives me.

There you have it! If we all take this verse to heart and become obedient to it, the job will get done

Colossians 1 [The Message]

From the Word, communion through prayer, and from experience with God, we learn how He works. Moses knew God’s Ways but the children of Israel only saw His acts.

After 52 years of marriage I can just about predict what my wife will do or say in certain circumstances. I know her and she knows me. I’ve discovered what’s truly important to her … what pleases or displeases her.

We were created for God’s pleasure, not our own. As we learn His ways, we set our hearts to please Him with our everyday lives.

Phil. 3 [The Message]

Praying about everything is pretty much the opposite of worrying about everything.. Much of life is beyond our control, but through prayer, we can see the God of Heaven intervene in our lives and the lives of those we love. In fact, impossibilities become challenges when we pray. I hereby challenge you to begin praying about a worthwhile issue regardless of how impossible it seems. Then, keep praying about it until you see evidence of change.

Philippians 2. [The Message]

Eugene Peterson uses the word corrupted when the King James says blameless and harmless. This is how we are to conduct ourselves in our daily lives. Corruption too often means taking financial gain to alter or debase your responsibilities. Be careful when you are offered financial perks or advantage when asked or tempted to do the wrong thing. The wrong thing is NEVER the right thing.

Eph. 5 [The Message]

How is a husband to love his wife? As Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for it.

It’s a wonderful coincidence that my oldest grand daughter, Sydney, is getting married Sunday afternoon to an outstanding young Christian man named Cameron. There’s a good chance that this scriptural concept will be shared in the minister’s message. (Cam’s dad is performing the ceremony)

How can we imagine a love greater than that of Christ to His Bride, The Church? In my mind, this is the greatest and highest standard of love conceivable. This should be the constant goal of every man who is married … a pinnacle of love for his wife, and especially if she has bore him children.

Paul says the man who loves his wife like this actually loves himself, or is doing himself a great favor. This will be a great marriage.

Eph. 3 [The Message]

We absolutely cannot bypass this chapter which includes one of the Bible’s key verses on prayer:

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or THINK, according to the power that worketh in us, [Eph. 3:20 KJV]

You MUST memorize this verse.

I generally THINK through my prayer list. I definitely believe in praying out loud … Ps. 5:3; Ps. 61:1; Ps. 55:17] … but it’s not always convenient or socially apropos to aurally verbalize your prayers. But, hey, Eph. 3:20 says we can not only ask (out loud) but we can “think” our prayers.

It’s another way of praying in secret.