1 Tim. 2

1. Supplications -specific, detailed requests
2. Prayers – the continual, resident active communication between you and the Lord
3. Intercessions – become God’s advocate and point of contact between the need and the answer
4. Thanksgiving – an act of faith and gratitude to God BEFORE He actually moves on your behalf
5. Lift up holy hands – surrender of will and body posture to God above. Say a prayer with hands down … then say one with hands up! Sense the difference?!?

Paul’s prayers were effective. Here he’s giving us valuable tips on how we can likewise conduct a prayer life that “avails much.” Prayer is a dynamic source of spiritual power that can change the course of life for those we focus upon. We are not wise to forego this opportunity to have an Godly effect upon those who are our prayer targets.

Make a list and unleash the POWER!!!

1 Timothy 1

Jewish zealots wanted every Gentile convert to conform to the requirements of the Old Testament Law to get right with God. Paul was clearly shown by the Holy Spirit the error of this doctrine. Grace and faith in Christ Jesus were the necessities for New Testament conversion. Paul spent much of his ministry attempting to right this wrong.

He said the law should be used properly.The law identifies WHAT SIN IS. When hearers find out how they have violated God’s Commandments, they more clearly see their need of a Savior.

The Law can help bring a sinner to Christ, but ONLY CHRIST can bring a man to God.

2 Thess. 3

This must be the work chapter in the Bible. Paul challenges the believers to be hard workers, giving himself as an example. He is so adamant on this point that he even encourages them to withdraw from disorderly saints, hoping to shame them into better work habits.

I must admit, I’ve been a better worker in my younger years. (Is there a relief clause for retirees?) My wife is a different story. She STILL can work circles around many. Paul would be proud of her.

Think about it … don’t you greatly respect those who have a strong work ethic? Their testimony rings true from a life committed to “not being weary in well doing.”

2 Thess. 2

Amos said, “Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.” [Amos 3:7] God made it clear to Paul by His Spirit what would happen in the end time. This chapter deals with the anti-christ and his role.

One great benefit of hearing ALL of God’s Word is that we embrace the whole counsel of God. It’s been said, “A scripture taken out of context is nothing but a pretext.” We must view all God has said on any subject to have a firm, truthful foundation for living. For instance, the Jews refused the teachings of Paul, holding ONLY to the Old Testament Law and the Prophets. My how they lost out on Christ.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: [2 Tim. 3:16]

2 Thess. 1

My mentor, Pastor Moses Vegh, used to say, “God doesn’t always pay on Fridays, but He ALWAYS PAYS.!”

To the Church at Thessalonica which had suffered persecution from zealous religious Jews, Paul assured them that God would avenge their persecutors “When the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from Heaven with His mighty angels.” [v. 7b]

Naturally, we prefer to see vengence upon our adversaries immediately. That’s the way our carnal mind works. With God, everything can be in the present. He observes the injustices and makes a note in His memory … or has a transcribing angel record it … or however He wants to do it. He then considers the ramifications of the lives He will deal with. I’m so glad He didn’t zap Paul when he held the cloaks of those who stoned Stephen to death. Remember, God is not willing that any perish.

What should we do? Do what Jesus advised … pray for your enemies and those that despitefully use you. [Matt. 5:11, 44] Leave the paying to God.

1 Thess. 5

The longer I live as a Christian, the more I see our need for grace and the power of God it gives. It is God working IN US both to will and to do His good pleasure. [Phil. 2:13] If we happen to be suffering, God will give us the strength to go it WITH His power to assist.

I know my dad is doing some suffering right now as he is groaning to be conveyed to his Heavenly home. We consider Christ Jesus Who suffered greatly in His final hours and minutes before He entered eternity. Yet, the Heavenly Father’s grace was upon Him to finish His course and fulfill obedience to pay the price for our sin. I don’t know what is going through dad’s mind, but I know God is giving him the strength through grace to endure. He is actually experiencing the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings. God will get glory from his life and witness. He is impressing his son.

1 Thess. 3, 4

To be a Christian does not mean that all sexual temptation ceases. What does the believer do? They employ Holy Ghost assisted self control. God is not willing that any perish (or be overwhelmed with temptation.) He does WITH the temptation make a way to escape that we may be able to bear it. [1 Cor. 10:13] So we bear it, we kill it, we mortify any evil desire lurking within us.

Evil desires become stronger when we feed them … watching or thinking upon morally impure material … but the Holy Spirit within us becomes more dominant when we feed our inner man with God’s Word and fellowship with God through prayer and praise.

Blessed is the man (or woman) who HEARS ME, watching daily at My gates, waiting at the posts of My doors. [Proverbs 8:34]

They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary. They shall walk (in moral purity) and NOT FAINT (yielding to sexually sinful thoughts or actions.) [Isaiah 40:31]

1 Thess. 2

my father is 97 years old and really wants to go to heaven. He has Covid so he is enduring a sore throat and other Covid annoyances. I flew up the other day to help my brother and two sisters to care for dad. When the apostle Paul says his care for the church springs up from love, I know what that means. It’s much easier to care for people when you love them.

You may be required to care for someone that is not a close relative. Ask the Lord to give you a love deep in your heart for them. While we were yet sinners God so loved us that he gave his son to die for us. That’s the ultimate of care.

1 Thessalonians 1

Prayer is not always a one-and-done act. In fact, it rarely is for the mature Christian. God hears it all and can respond to any cry from our heart. But, he desires a continual communication from us.

it’s like this … you want your children to make their beds in the morning. Once is not enough. You want it to be a daily habit. God wants our prayer to be a daily habit.

The longer I search the scriptures, the more I see this. Persistence is a BIG KEY to effective prayer.

The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man accomplishes MUCH. [James 5:16b]

Col. 4

Salt added to food gives flavor. Without it, food can be bland and tasteless. Too much salt actually makes it almost unbearable.

In common English, how can we describe this element if applied to our communication with other humans? How do we craft our words to add flavor?

Firstly, we speak truthfully so that our words don’t decay and become lies when found out. Our speech is preserved and worth hearing. Our speech provides insight and clarity to the hearer. We use wisdom and share words that are well thought out to create interest. People want more conversation with us rather than to avoid us.

To me, integrating God’s Word and Kingdom truths in our speech adds the flavor that will most accurately fulfill Paul’s challenge to the early Christians.

Personal note: The high school principal at Trinity Christian does this. Mrs. Kim Jones always includes a Godly element in her communication whether its a reference to a verse or a mention of the Lord’s name.