1 Thessalonians, A Walk of Faith: Part 17, Always With the Lord

16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

Always is a very sketchy word in today’s culture. Very few things in this life rank the term always. “I will always love you … I will always be there for you … I will always be your friend.” I have heard and believed these phrases only to be disappointed on several occasions. The promise is only as dependable as the one who utters it.

God promises there will come a day when we will be always with the Lord. Faith will become sight, no more death, no more sin, no more sorrow, and no more shame. The separation will be over and we shall forever be always with the Lord. The promise is only as dependable as the One who utters it.

To find our more about Always With the Lord, please click on the link below.

1 Thessalonians, Part 17: Always With the Lord

Short & Sweet: She Gave

Short and Sweet Nourishment for the Soul

41 Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. 42 Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. 43 Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. 44 For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.

Mark 12:41-44

She gave everything.

Many would say the widow’s story is one of generosity. Undoubtedly, the nameless widow was generous. But I think more than generosity, the widow’s story is about faith; not faith in the church or faith in neighbors, but faith in the Savior. Her faith was big, so her gift was big. Even when giving something meant giving everything, she gave. Her bank account was small, but her faith beyond measure.

Widow, by the Greek definition, refers to elderly “widows” whom the synagogue supports. Note to reader: the poor widow had two mites (3/8 of a cent) to live on. Makes one wonder about synagogue support. However, the widow gave everything to a synagogue who gave her, by all appearances, nothing. Ironically, Jesus praises her gift, but lets slide the gifts of the rich. She gave … they made contributions. There’s a difference. Giving: gut level stuff – blood, sweat and tears. Contributions: skin deep – neat, tidy, and easy.

Rich/poor … wealthy/widows … millions/mites.

Isn’t it wonderful that the widow’s greatest gift came during the season of her greatest need? And her Savior saw. He knew her need and her gift. He was right there, within reach when she gave her gift. Did she know? … did her heart burn inside her as she gave her gift?

Why do we give anything? … or better yet, why don’t we give everything? Because our faith is small. The widow’s gift gives us great hope that we can give out of our poverty and smallness. I have given something, I have given nothing, but I have never given everything. Maybe it is only when we are deeply needy that we truly give.

Action Points:

What is God calling you to give?
What have you already given, but still need to give more … everything?
Pray for God to give you the courage to give your two small coins. Ask Him to multiply them and use them for His kingdom.

Life is sweet.

Short & Sweet: She Believed

Nourishment for the Soul

“And blessed is she who believed that there would be

a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

Luke 1:45

Mary was a young Jewish girl who lived in the city of Nazareth. She was just an ordinary girl who lived an everyday life in an obscure town in Israel, but she believed.

One day an angel came to Mary and told her she had been chosen by God to bear the Christ Child. Despite her circumstances, despite her marital status, despite her social standing, Mary did an extraordinary thing: she believed.

Her faith was not based on the conditions or approval of man. Her faith was based on the Word of God. She completely trusted God’s will for her life. She did not waiver or worry. She did not ask questions or ask God to change one facet of His will for her life. She believed. She believed what God said to her.

What are some things God has spoken to you that you need to believe?

… your sins are forgiven, go forth and sin no more …

… white as snow, though your sins are like scarlet, you are white as snow …

… I know the plans I have for your, plans to give you a hope and a future …

… come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy burdened and I will give you rest …

Mary fulfilled her destiny because she believed. You will too. Blessed is she who believes what the Lord has said to her is true. She Believed.

Action Points

What has God said to you that you need to believe?
Name one thing you will do today to show God you believe Him.
Beliefs are not based on feelings but truths. Memorize a Bible verse that speaks to the point 1.

Life is sweet.

by Mary Kane

Short & Sweet: She Follows

Nourishment for the Soul

15 “And she [Naomi] said, “Look, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” 16 But Ruth said:

“Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you;

For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge;

Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God.

17 Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried.

The LORD do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me.”

Ruth 1:15-17

Ruth is a daughter-in-law of Naomi and Elimelech. During a time of famine, Naomi followed her husband from the land of Israel to the land of Moab; a very controversial move. In Moab, Naomi’s two sons married Moabite women; another controversial move.

After the deaths of all three husbands, Naomi decides to follow the stirring of the Holy Spirit and return to Israel; a smart move. However, perhaps fearing racial tensions in Israel, Naomi tells her daughters-in-law to return to Moab. Orpah quickly turns back, but Ruth … she follows.

She follows whom?

At first glance it appears she follows Naomi. When we follow the progression of the verses,

1. Where you go, I go,

2. Where you live, I live,

3. Your people, my people,

4. Your God, my God,

however, we learn she follows Naomi right to the heart of God.

In the eyes of the culture, Ruth has little future in Israel.

1. She’s a woman.

2. She’s a widow.

3. She’s a foreigner.

4. She’s a Moabite.

Despite the strikes against her, Ruth risks everything and she follows. The daughter-in-law of Naomi would rather live as an outcast and follow God in Israel than live in comfort in Moab. Ruth chooses her soul over her flesh.

Thankfully,

God uses anyone who’ll answer His call to follow Him,

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even a foreign widow from a pagan land. In God’s perfect timimg, Ruth marries Boaz, the most eligible man in town and becomes part of the family line of Christ; a scandalous move … the scandalous love of God.

Can we be like Ruth and fly in the face of public opinion and follow God?

She follows.

Action Points:

What steps do you need to take today to follow God?
What do you need to leave behind so you can follow Him?
Are you willing to follow without the approval of others, even the approval of close friends and family members?

Life is sweet.

Short & Sweet: She Sat

Nourishment for the Soul

38 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.

39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word.

40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”

41 And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.

42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10:38-42

I am a list maker; a task oriented kind of girl.

I like getting things done. But, I also know how to take a break and rest. Mary of Luke 10, is that kind of woman as well. She also had her priorities straight – Jesus.

Mary didn’t always have it together, her past is kind of sketch. Her name literally means “their rebellion.” After meeting Jesus, however, she gained a new reputation: the One Who Sat at Jesus’ Feet. She sat.

She sat.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be so connected to Jesus that in order for people to describe you they’d have to mention, “Oh, that’s Mary-who-sat-at-Jesus’-feet. She sat. What did Mary do while she sat? She heard the Word. She heard the Word from The Word.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God, and the Word was with God.

Can you imagine?

Martha tells on her.

Martha is busy with much serving …on her feet … distracted.

Mary is busy with God … at His feet … filled.

She sat.

“Mary has chosen the good part, and it will not be taken from her.”

We get to choose too.

Action Points

The key to life is spending more time at His feet than on your feet. How can you make time to sit at His feet?
What gets in the way of spending more time at His feet?
What phrase characterizes your life now? _______________ How would people describe you? She/He ____________.

Life is sweet.

Short & Sweet: Shadow of His Wings

Be Merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me!

For my soul trusts in You;

And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge,

Until these calamities have passed by.

I cry out to God Most High,

to God who fulfills his purpose for me.

He will send from heaven and save me;

he will put to shame him who tramples on me. Selah

God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness!

Psalm 57:1-3

David wrote this Psalm while he was fleeing from King Saul. Where did David take refuge? In the shadow of God’s wings. It is very comforting to me to know that I am safe in the very shadow of His wings. Think of it … He is so powerful and holy, His shadow keeps me safe.

What does it truly mean to hide in the shadow of His wings? I was talking this over with God earlier this week. What does hiding in the shadow of Your wings look like? God’s answer came to me: obedience. Obedience leads to protection; it is taking the truth of God’s Word and acting on it. When I am obedient, I follow exactly in the footsteps of Jesus, so close that I walk in His very shadow… the shadow of His wings. When I am in the shadow of His wings, I can live my life boldly and courageously because I know my God has me covered.

What do we do when we are in the shadow of His wings? We continue to live, breath, serve, minister, fight, stand, pray, love, and rejoice.

Action Points:

What calamities are you facing right now? Are you hiding in the shadow of His wings or are you just hiding?
What steps of obedience do you need to take today?
Pray and ask God to help you access the strength and power He has already provided for your victory over this situation.

Life is sweet.