1 Thessalonians 2
3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. 4 On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. 5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. 6 We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. 7 Instead, we were like young children among you.
Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, 8 so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. 9 Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. 10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. 11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.
13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.
14 For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from the Jews 15 who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone 16 in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.
17 But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. 18 For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way.
19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes?
Is it not you? 20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy.
The Scripture is usually chosen before knowing what this will be. Sometimes from the Daily Liturgy Reading. Sometimes an older Post. We studied 1 Thessalonians 2 on March 22, 2 days ago. And this Post has me reading the Post to find what is new in the Living Word of God.
Reading the continuation of our March 22nd Post, when we look to see how millenniums fall away and we understand the people of 1st century A.D. and the Living on earth years of Jesus. Today is now. Just as The Word is Living.
We find Paul discussing how his faith impacts his walk and relationship with Jesus. Why would Paul do this? We really can't dispute the actual events of our faith, describing our lives. My oldest son was relating being told to read Revelations to people and they will turn to faith and Church to find out Revelation. We both did agree this is doubtful. Revelation is hard to know in our generation, as it was to Isaiah and the Magi. We will find out exactly when we find out. We will have thoughts and wonders causing us to trust our relationship with the Lord, but we will know when the mirror isn't just dimly and the Glorious Day we meet Jesus as promised.
Another reason Paul tells about his life, John tells us, and the Gospels tell us to love one another. We are supposed to be the Body of Christ and care about one another and our lives.
The purpose is to unite and forge forward as Love. Paul expects to be cared for.
Waze is a wonderful App for direction. Sometimes Narrated by Arnold Schwarzenegger shouting things like, "Get dooown, Police ahead." The current narrator says, "Ride with me, you will hit major bumps, not talking about potholes." "It's going to be a bumpy ride, fasten your seat belts." Outrageous things will be spoken.
We need humor and real life outrageousness when the wild winds of life are shifting. Paul shifts right away. Just like our days during Pandemic. Outrageous things happen. Paul rides in a basket over a city wall to travel freely away. And Paul is invited into homes and given tents to live in near people he hardly knows. Paul is stoned for proclaiming his beliefs, people think Paul is the new baseball game. Why would anyone tell this? Paul relates this to his childlike faith in verse 7. Paul doesn't have to worry about being Homer Simpson's howdy dowdy neighbor, Paul is original. As Original as St Patrick deciding to tame the snakes. Or have the Druids move out. These men wrote the book. Literally.
Paul says tell your life as your life is moving along. And Paul is His Own Narrator. Really.
The times God has chosen for Paul's life? Strong Opposition. Towns screaming their favor and disfavor. Why? Paul loves people. He wants to see them believe, be saved, experience Heaven on earth, see the blessings, and have Hope and a Future. To be like Hebrews 11, to experience the outrageousness of faith overcoming strong opposition. Like SNL Church Lady views.
What's outrageous today...
Oh yesterday, today and tomorrow...
They displease God and are hostile to everyone 16 in their effort to keep us from speaking
And the Pandemic?
Accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.
How will we keep this new faith alive in outrageous times?
A Good Question. And the question has an answer.
We pray for one another and rejoice in good.
Abba, Father,
Fatherm we have been treated outrageously. 2 Days on the phone to the insurance
to try to understand the new insurance rules for an eye operation. Just the same as when Isabelle died. Tell the whole situation and be forwarded to the next person, and this will continue for a day, until names and extensions and employee numbers are taken. Strong Opposition.
In a State where the Attorney General is accused of Insurance laws and ways done. May 24th is the day to Vote Attorney General in Texas.
With the Help of God, we had the fourth operation date for cataract surgery for me, put in place. Thanks to God.
Telling people the truth of experiences of faith from storm, wind and tornado. And having to work to assure the events are not springing from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you.
Telling our stories of faith.
We hope to be understood to speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. 6 We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. Instead, we were like young children among you.
Today, at surgery, laughing with the front desk, if someone has to be jittery and nervous before surgery, you want it to be the patient, not the staff or doctor. Sharing your lives as well. Hearing toil and hardship; of hospital staff as they worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while they preached the gospel of God to you.
You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless these who help in hospitals in the Pandemic were among you who believed.
For you know that we dealt with each of you and insurance, as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.
Watching the neighbors work together to help get Waste Management down the crowded street today. Seeing workers carry away the mattress set, my mother would stay on, carrying this down the entire street. Seeing those who struggle, help others who struggle. Seeing good prevail. The gratitude of one for another in the effort.
Having the electrician show up the same day when the new fan turns the light on in the middle of the night and the fan won't turn off. With humor and dedication.
And we also thank God continually because, when you received Jesus and the word of God, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.
And we also thank God continually because, when you received Jesus and the word of God, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.
Finding people working hard to prove mankind isn't growing cold as in the Book of Revelation.
Prayers for our lovely Poodle girl, age 3, having a seizure with worry, fever on her nose, medications, for the first time. The care we know is there for her. The help of God to make her fine again. Just as the anesthesia wore off. Edward, grumpy, ceases to help her. To see her recover.
Prayers given:
Prayers given:
For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from the Jews who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone 16 in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. We are all waking up to the truth of compassion. And hope The wrath of God has come to free us from lack of compassion.
Compassion prayers asked for eye healing.
Today, to be able to see like a 12-year-old child. Glory. Tears. Thanksgiving. Then eye swelling, pain, dilation from 16 drops, discharge of yellow, pain in the tear gland. and our dog having such a seizure. Prayers for 2 sets of healing. Prayers on life to proceed seeking Him first, dwelling in us and those we love. Finishing well in Jesus Christ. Peace. Love. Joy.
Compassion for Ukraine,
brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. 18 For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way.
For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when Ge comes?
Is it not you? 20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy.
Because Your Word is True.
Your Plan and Promises are Good.
And You alone are God.
Yes thank God
Your Kingdom come
Your Good Will be done
on earth,
and the fullness thereof
as in
Your Perfect Kingdom,
Jesus Christ.
Bless those we know and pray for.
Bless those far away we remember and pray for.
Ukraine and the world hoping.
Bless what is Tender and Good.
Thank You for what is Strong and Enduring.
And care for what is beyond us and we hope for.
And the Body of Christ
Rebuilds
again
in
Your Love.
Amen Amen Amen
in Jesus Christ
Amen.
Yes Amen.
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