Bible Commentary & Daily Devotional

 1 Thessalonians 5 - So Let it Grow!           So Jesus will return.  It’s true.  It’s good news, spectacular news.  This amazing chapter gives clear instructions for how we Christians ought to live.  It’s a good compare and contrast against the modern church - and I believe an admonition for us to get it right.           We are prone to forget God’s grace.  We are prone to pride.  Understanding who Christ is and humbly recognizing that everything is His - not ours - is contrary to our human nature.  But make no mistake.  That is not an excuse.  We need to get it right.           We see ourselves and the truth about human nature in Scripture.  When the Prophet Isaiah confronted King Hezekiah about pridefully showing off all the kingdom treasuries to the Babylonians we see a sense of entitlement.  It is no different than the modern entitled Christian aristocracy.  Those who fly first class using other peoples' money - or beyond that - on private jets.  Those who could give a rat'

 1 Thessalonians 4 - The Bucketlist           We are so pleased when our kids do well.  When they get older it is a blessing to see them mature, make good decisions, and especially when you see them follow and trust God.           The One True God wants us, His kids, to live in a way that pleases Him.  God’s always had a plan.  A good plan.  God loves relationships.  It is part of His character.  It is togetherness and unity.  Brotherhood.  Sisterhood.  The family of God.  In this chapter, we glimpse this aspect of God’s character - His deep love for His children.  When Jesus returns to earth He will bring his family with Him.  His kids, from every generation.  The family of God.           Cherish your family this Christmas season.  Be kind.  Plan good gifts.  And good food.  Give your time, your ear, and your resources.  Life is short.  But eternal life - that’s our hope in Christ.           To accept God means living well within His rules and ways.  You can’t read the Gospels without

 1 Thessalonians 4 - Self Control & Goals           If you are like me you start each day - the second you roll out of bed - with the Lord’s Prayer.  Good.  Great.  But as we say, “Your will be done” what do we know for sure what that means for the Christian man?  The Bible gives us clear insight into this passage and what that means.  “God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin” (4:3).  As our Southern Baptist preacher from Clearwater Florida, Willy Rice, constantly says with his folksy southern accent, “All means all and that’s all all means.”  Stay away.  Keep away.  Run away.  Stay away from what tempts us, from anything that leads us to sexual sin.  That’s God’s will for Christian men.           It is really encouraging to know for sure that as Christian men God can and does give us self-control through the power of the Holy Spirit.  We can control our bodies.  Just as He gives us the power to control our tongues.  Seems simple.  But as you and I know v

   1 Thessalonians 3 - Good Reports - And Good Intentions           Give credit where credit is due.  There are a lot of churches out there that are healthy, transparent, and follow the Way of Jesus Christ as shown in the New Testament.  Those churches have elders that meet Biblical standards, have regular fellowship meetings, are ordered, preach the truth of God, care for what Jesus cares for (the lost, the sick, the jailed, and the poor), and take holiness and righteousness seriously.           Similarly, many organizations today are transparent, and work hard week after week to honor God, to encourage and motivate fellow employees, to get the right people in the right seats, and to be accountable to their stakeholders; but, far more importantly, to God.           I love working in business.  Most of my career has been in finance and energy.  But companies of all sizes intrigue me.  Every company of every size can be improved.  It’s a Christian principle of good governance and contin

 1 Thessalonians 3 - God’s Kingdom - Growing with Love Overflowing           The Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed.  It starts small and grows large.  That’s exactly what has happened with the Church over the last 2,000 years.  From the tiny church shown here in Thessalonica through the centuries.  And that is one of the overarching messages of the Bible.  The Kingdom of God advancing.           The Bible assures us to be strong and not to fear.  We see the message Isaiah gave about 2750 years ago that Jesus would come and destroy God’s enemies and save God’s people (Isaiah 35:4).  And that’s exactly what happened.  Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, to rescue us from this evil world in which we live.           Jesus is our Rescuer.  He is the one who has rescued us from the troubles and terrors of eternal judgment.  The final judgment is the day the Lord returns.  In the first century, Paul and Silas and the church were to go through terrible trouble

 1 Thessalonians 2:7-13 - Be a Great Mentor           It matters greatly how we mentor in our homes, businesses, and in our churches.  How we live shows whether or not we have accepted Jesus’ gift of new life.  Jesus promised that anyone who believes in Him will receive the Holy Spirit.  New life.  A life transformed.  That's great news and the key to how we function well as mentors.  But the Bible also says that by our actions we show if we are in fellowship with God or if we disobey and reject God (4:8).           So, do we have fellowship with God?  The Bible says that it depends.  It depends on whether or not we are living in the light and practicing the truth or if we are living in spiritual darkness (1 John 1:6).           So yes, as we see from Genesis to Revelation (and as any kindergarten teacher will tell you) each of us decides each day what we will do.  Let's decide well today.           If we decide to practice the truth and live holy lives we will gain not only th

 1 Thessalonians 2:1-6 - Failure and Success           How do you define failure?  And success?  People who have full assurance of the message of Jesus Christ, who are known for serving Him, and who are growing in Him.  Men and women, boys and girls who hear and accept new life through the Good News of salvation.  Success.  More than that.  We will all stand before God our Father when Jesus Christ returns to earth (3:13).  God willing, we will have victory in Christ and have hearts that are strong, blameless, and holy on that day.  Success indeed.           And failure?  Well, that is fruitless ministries, useless activities, and worldly achievements that ultimately mean nothing.  It is cowardly earthly men who preach with deceit, impure motives, or trickery.  Those who try to win others with flattery.  Those that only pretend to love others to get their money.  Failure includes those who hold back the Good News.  Those who persecute the messengers of Jesus Christ and who hold back the