Advent:Our Hope

 1 Thess 2:19
For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

As we approach the 1st Advent  of Christmas, we take time to prepare our hearts with the expectation of hope that Christ brings to the world. For many, Christmas is a time that families gather together, exchange gifts, partake together with food and pleasant conversation. This may not be the case in every home, but as a general consensus this is the picture we conjure. A time of goodwill and promoting peace on earth. Unfortunately, in the homes of many families, this is all it means. There may be a word or two about the celebration of the birth of Jesus giving lip service to His coming. To the true believer, the coming of Jesus is the hope that fills the heart. It is a hope that allows us to live each day knowing that He came not only to bring peace to earth, but to bring peace to the heart. We hope not as making a wish, but our hope is built on nothing less that Jesus Christ our redeemer, a hope and faith that He will someday return. As in His first coming, our hope is not in vain. His promises are true, Hope will someday burst the eastern sky, and He shall appear, and we who are in Christ will be caught up together in the air and be with Him forevermore. For this is our hope, joy, and crown of rejoicing as we enter this Christmas season.

The Feebleminded

 1Thess 5:14
…comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, and be patient toward all men.
There are those around us that don’t have the ability to make good judgment. They may have been born with a disability, or they may have a lack of education and training to make good decisions. The feebleminded can easily be confused and disoriented. They often need someone to help guide them in making a good decision. It is easy to lose patience with someone who does not understand things that are common sense to most people. It is our duty and responsibility to help and support those who struggle with mental illness or depression, and give them the guidance they need to do what is needed. Patience is a virtue that does not always come easy for most people, especially those who don’t understand the nature of disability orders. The concept of equity, to give everyone the opportunity to be what God wants them to be is demonstrated in our love and patience to help all men regardless of their human weakness, or position in life. Follow that which is good and put aside your biases and reach out to those who need your help.

The Children of Light

 1 Thess. 5:5,6
Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
We are either children of light or darkness. Being a child of darkness implies that we have yet to walk in the light. It is not God’s will that we live in darkness. He desires that all obtain salvation through Christ, who is the light. Those who live in darkness cannot see the thief that comes in the night. Like the drunk who drinks at night, their minds are lucid and cannot think straight. The children of light are sober, watchful, and mindful of the deceptions of Satan. Stay in the light, live in the day so you may be able to detect the enemy of your soul. Put on the armor and pick up the sword of the word to stand against the evil works of today. He has promised that if we stay in the light we will live with Him forever who died for us. Don’t give in to the devil! Jesus is able to keep us until the day of His return if we remain children of light. 

Love Others-1 Thess4:11

 1 Thess 4:11
… for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another…And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you.
God, in the person of Jesus, taught mankind to love others as you would want to be loved. When his disciples complained about others doing things in His name, they were critical and fault finding. Jesus told them to mind their own business and focus on what was important. Following Jesus, implies that one follows His teachings. Jesus was kind and compassionate, sin was never tolerated and excused, but love never closed the door of people who were in need or people who had a different opinion. There is too much to do for the Kingdom, and no time to stick our nose in other people’s affairs. Loving others does not mean that you condone others behavior in regard to God’s commandment, but it does mean, that even though others are not doing what is right, that we need to show God’s love by sharing with others that Jesus loves them.

Through the Eyes of Grace

 1 Thess 5:15
See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

The old saying, “I don’t get mad, I get even” is what Paul was referring to when he wrote down the word, see that none renders evil for evil. The human reaction to being wrong is to strike back. That is the carnal and natural man's response, but the spiritual man sees people through the eyes of grace, and follows that which is good. “Do good to those who persecute you.” The words of Christ, as He preached on the Sermon on the Mount. Turning the cheek towards those that despise and hate you because you stand for truth and seek to live as Christ lives is made possible because the Holy Spirit empowers the believer to love and forgive. This is not to say that we should not defend ourselves and our family from being hurt, but when situations are out of our control, we trust God to take care of us. Most people render evil because they have hate in their heart and sin causes them to hurt others. It is the grace of God that is able to change this heart, and we are the light of the world to show others there is another way to live. We can live to show love and kindness to all men, even in times when evil is being rendered to us.