In society we refer to marriages as unions. Not like a trade union, but not totally unlike a trade union either. Union is a way to talk about intimate relationship in which two or more become one, in pursuit of a unified goal. Christians, therefore, have union with Christ. Do you have union with Christ?Continue reading “Do you have union with Christ? – 1 Thessalonians 5:5-11, Part 4”
Tag Archives: 1 thessalonians 5
Three actions that Christians should be known for – 1 Thessalonians 5:5-11, Part 3
What do the choices of your life say about what you believe? Observe your word choices. Observe your tone of voice, your body language, your spending habits, your food intake, your time alone, your media habits, your clothing. We make loads and loads of choices every day. Those choices are writing your biography. And notContinue reading “Three actions that Christians should be known for – 1 Thessalonians 5:5-11, Part 3”
What Paul means when he says Christians are not people of the night – 1 Thessalonians 5:6–8, Part 2
Nighttime is for drinking and sleeping. At least that is when those two activities frequently occur. Let me explain. Nighttime is for sleeping. Unless you’re like me and sometimes can’t sleep at night. Insomnia is no joke. When my brain starts racing, thinking about all kinds of thoughts, especially if I’m anxious about something, IContinue reading “What Paul means when he says Christians are not people of the night – 1 Thessalonians 5:6–8, Part 2”
My church building ripped my shirt (and what it taught me) – 1 Thessalonians 5:5-11, Part 1
I have attended half-day prayer retreats with Open Hands Ministries for the last six months or so. If you live in or near South-Central Pennsylvania, you might really appreciate an Open Hands prayer retreat. Each of the retreats has a different topic, and a couple months ago, the topic was The Dark Night of theContinue reading “My church building ripped my shirt (and what it taught me) – 1 Thessalonians 5:5-11, Part 1”
The bread that almost got me fired – 1 Thessalonians 5:5–11, Preview
In the nine months before October 2002, the date I began ministry at Faith Church, I worked at my denomination’s then seminary, Evangelical School of Theology, as the Director of the Annual Fund.* I had heard of the denomination, the Evangelical Congregational Church, and I had heard of the seminary, but this was the firstContinue reading “The bread that almost got me fired – 1 Thessalonians 5:5–11, Preview”
How to focus on Jesus’ mission so we don’t have regrets – 1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:4, Part 5
My friends remodeled their kitchen, and it turned out beautiful. A few months later they went on a mission trip. When they returned, they couldn’t stop talking about what they saw, experienced, and how it changed their life. They told me that if they had gone on the mission trip before they remodeled their kitchen,Continue reading “How to focus on Jesus’ mission so we don’t have regrets – 1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:4, Part 5”
Jesus’ return might be a very bad thing for Christians – 1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:4, Part 4
Is it possible that when Jesus shows up, it might be a very sad moment for Christians? Can’t be, right? When Jesus returns, it will be glorious celebration. Except that’s not what the Bible says. In 1 Thessalonians chapter 5, verses 1–4, Paul writes, “Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do notContinue reading “Jesus’ return might be a very bad thing for Christians – 1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:4, Part 4”
Did Jesus return last year? – 1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:4, Preview
I just googled it and found that people are predicting that Jesus will return in 2024, 2030, and 2033. Yes, I mentioned 2024. Yes, I know that was last year. Did Jesus return last year, and I missed it? Remember the hype of Y2K, or the end of the Mayan Calendar, or 2012? Remember rapture-bombing? HereContinue reading “Did Jesus return last year? – 1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:4, Preview”
How the quality of your work creates a picture of Jesus – 1 Thessalonians 4:11–12; 5:14, Part 3
This week in our study of 1 Thessalonians, we are learning what the Apostle Paul teaches about work. In the previous post, we studied Paul’s principle of working hard. That principle of hard work, Paul says, is for a very important reason. Notice in verse 12 that working hard and not being dependent onContinue reading “How the quality of your work creates a picture of Jesus – 1 Thessalonians 4:11–12; 5:14, Part 3”
What kind of workers (and retirees) does God want us to be? – 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12; 5:14, Preview
When I was working on my doctoral dissertation in 2020-2022, I began writing about organizations. My goal was to examine what the Bible has to say about organizations. One of my first hurdles was to define organizations. When you think of an organization, what comes to your mind? I think about an organization as aContinue reading “What kind of workers (and retirees) does God want us to be? – 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12; 5:14, Preview”
Engaging Scripture 