Weblog » Archives » December 2006
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“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” Psalm 119:105
The word of the Lord has been a guide for people in the past and will be a guide in the future for all who desire to submit to it. We seek guidance from sources that we trust and have confidence in. An African proverb sa… -
“And all who heard it were amazed.” Luke 2:17
What was the reason for the amazement? Could it be the source of the information? Why should anyone believe the shepherds? If this scenario were to be played out in our day, some people will ask them if they have been sl… -
“They spread the word concerning what had been told them.” Luke 2:1
Why did the shepherds decide to first go and see things for themselves before telling any one about the encounter with the heavenly hosts? I believe they did what anyone of us would have done. They did not think anyone w… -
“Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened” Luke 2:15
This is an invitation from shepherds. We do often hear shepherds seeking to leave their flock in the field for an excursion into Bethlehem. I will want to believe that they left some of their number to take care of the s… -
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth be peace.” Luke 2:14
This is the song of the heavenly host who joined the angel who brought the good news to all humankind. Giving glory to God was the only song that was fitting. The announcement of good news called for a response. It is i… -
“Do not be afraid! I am here to bring you good news which will bring joy to all People” Luke 2:10
That was the message of the angel to the shepherds who were watching their flock. I know I will be afraid if an angel appeared to me. But there was a word of assurance in the message of the angel. The angel was saying t… -
“You suffered from your own countrymen” 1Thessalonians2: 14
When one receives the words of the apostles as God’s word, one of the outcomes is suffering. It may take the form of ridicule or something worse. I remember that when I decided to commit my life to the Lord Jesus Christ,… -
“For you became imitators of God’s churches in Judea” 1Thessalonians2: 14
When one receives the words of the apostles as God’s word, something happens. They join Christians all over the world including Judea in imitating Christ. There is a common bond in the church universal and it is the inca… -
“Not as the word of men” 1Thessalonians 2:13
There are human ideas and there are words which come from God. Most people will respond to a set of ideas differently if they were convinced that those ideas were truly words of God. People have asked me: “how are you s… -
“As a father deals with his own children” 1Thess.2: 11,12
Is there a difference between the ways a Father deals with his children and the way a mother deals with her children? Some will say there should be, but I believe Paul wanted to get a message across when he uses the meta… -
“You are our witnesses, and so is God” 1Thess.2: 10
Paul is speaking of things that his hearers knew to be true. They observed the life of Paul and his companions as they lived and worked among them. We are being called to discharge our duties before God and humanity care… -
“You remember our toil and hardship” 1Thessalonians 2:9
“Because you have become so dear to us..”. The fellowship that develops between those who share and receive the gospel is so powerful that Paul can say you have become dear to us. In Galatians 3 Paul will say that all be… -
“Not only the gospel but our lives as well” 1Thessalonians 2:8
“We loved you so much”. The sharing of the Christian gospel is not a mechanical event. It is not something that we go through the motions hoping for the best. The gospel is about love and it is shared in love. Paul talks… -
“We were gentle among you like a mother caring for her children.” 1Thess.2: 7
How do we relate to other Christians? The spirit of gentleness is a gift of the Holy Spirit. Paul had to work with people who did not understand the gospel message. Most of the time what he was preaching sounded like foo… -
“A call to faithful ministry” 1Thessalonians 2:5-6
What does it mean to put on a mask in Christian ministry? It is simply an indication of insincere or unfaithful ministry. Masks prevent other people from knowing who the real person is. When we carry out ministries that … -
“People approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel.” 1Thess.2: 4
Who are the people approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. I do not think the theological school they attended is a factor. Neither do I think that the denomination they are affiliated with is of any importance.… -
“Our appeal is not from impure motives” 1Thessalonians 2:3
What is the nature of the gospel appeal that is being made today? In our satellite age, the gospel is being spread in different ways. Not all of them can be described as the way the first century Christianity moved from… -
“We dared to tell you the gospel in spite of strong opposition.” 1Thess.2: 2
The visit to Thessalonica was not a failure. Paul and his companions knew that, and the church in Thessalonica also knew that. Paul reminded them of the circumstances under which the trip to this city was made. It would … -
“And to wait for His Son from heaven” 1Thessalonians 1:10
Those who serve the Living God are waiting for His Son from heaven. That was the church in Thessalonica was doing. Waiting is not an easy thing to do in our society. We cannot wait for the elevator to come up fast enough… -
“They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the Living God” 1Thessalonians 1:9
Paul found that wherever he traveled people were already talking about the believers in Thessalonica. It seems that people were impressed with the change that has taken place in these Christians. The fact that they have … -
“Your faith in God has become known everywhere” 1Thessalonians 1:8
What do you want to be known for? What will people remember you for? What will best describe your life? Some people will be remembered for their inventions, others will be remembered for the positions they held, yet stil… -
“And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.” 1Thessalonians 1:7
When we talk about models in our days, the picture that comes to mine is very different from what the writers are thinking of in this passage. The writers are not talking about ladies wrapped in skimpy clothing being adm… -
“You welcomed the message with the joy of the Holy Spirit” 1Thessalonians 1:6
How do we know that the church in Thessalonica received the message with the joy of the Holy Spirit? The answer is simple; they became imitators of Paul, Silas and Timothy. They also became imitators of the Lord. The poi… -
“A Gospel of power” 1Thessalonians 1:5
The gospel preached by Paul, Silas and Timothy is one that they themselves have received by faith. This gospel originated from God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. The whole Trinity played a part in… -
“For we know, brothers loved by God, that He has chosen you” 1Thessalonians 1:4
Paul speaks confidently of what he, Silas and Timothy knew. There are things that we just have to know and there are other things that we admit that we know little about. One of the things that we know is that God is lov… -
“We remember your work produced by faith” 1Thessalonians 1:3
It is good to remember what God has done in others. In this verse Paul brings together three Christian graces: faith, love and hope. Some people have called these the Pauline triad. They are brought together in different…
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