Bible Reading Reflection from 1 Thessalonians 1-5

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (KD) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible] 

1 THESSALONIANS 1:5

"For our gospel did not come to you in word only but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance,"

Without the hearing of the gospel, no one is saved, but the gospel alone does not save anyone, we need the work of the Holy Spirit. Otherwise, almost everyone on earth would have been saved by now, because almost everyone has somehow heard the gospel. Even most of the hearers of our Lord Jesus Christ weren't saved. O, to depend on the Holy Spirit!

When I read the Bible, when I listen to a sermon, if it doesn't convict me of my sins, if it doesn't make me tremble before God and cause me to amend my lifestyle, I am reading the Bible and hearing a sermon 'only in word'. The Thessalonians repented unto God from their sins (1:9).

Lord, make me read Your word in power. Make me listen to sermons in power. I want to be like the Thessalonians and Paul— always transforming into the likeness of You, Amen!

 

1 THESSALONIANS 2:8

“So, affectionately longing for you, we were pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our lives, because you had become dear to us.”

Relationship in a ministry is important. But we don't build a skin-deep deep relationship with flattering words (v5) but as parents. GENTLE as a mother (v7), and INSTRUCTIVE as a father (v11). Meanwhile the gospel as the bedrock. It occurs to me as I think about this passage, and look into Christian ministries around us, that a ministry without a gentle relationship is a prison, and a ministry without accurate instruction is a house on the sand.

I have been reading this passage every year of my Christian life, and have listened to a fair share of sermons on this passage over the years, but only today, it occurs to me that: A pastoral ministry is not only modeled after a servant leadership but a parental shepherding!

Am I the first one to come up with this term "parental shepherding"? I think not, but I don't remember hearing or seeing it before. Of course, countless preachers have often said ‘shepherd them as a mother or as a parent’, but "parental shepherding", not heard, ever. 🙂

 

1 THESSALONIANS 3:7

"Therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress, we were comforted concerning you by your faith."

Apostle Paul was so distressful about the spiritual condition of Thessalonian Christians to the extent that he could no longer endure (v1). He was forced out of there on his last visit, and the church was heavily persecuted. The news of spiritual growth came to him as great comfort.

 # Do I (as an ordinary Christian) take delight in sharing with my spiritual leaders about my walk with the Lord?

 # Am I (as an under-shepherd) taking delight in knowing the spiritual condition of God's flock?

 

1 THESSALONIANS 4:11

"And to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you."

It is far easier to talk about others’ mistakes and very difficult to even admit our own mistakes. Paul wants us to be quiet (not to meddle) with others’ business, but to be busy with our own business.

Oh, to work on personal sanctification first and far more than anybody's sanctification, my Lord, Help, I pray. Even as a pastor, personal sanctification is far more important than corporate sanctification (church as a whole). For he who is not personally sanctified disqualified himself to lead the church! Mercy, Lord, that I be not disqualified!

 

1 THESSALONIANS 5:14

"We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone."

The family of God has old and wise people, young and energetic ones, many children, and many infants. Sometimes, even the mature acts like a child or an infant. That's why we must bear with one another in patience, not repaying evil for evil, but maintaining the peace which Christ has given us when God has adopted us to be His children in the family of God.

"Patience," that's the word! The greatest antidote for all frustration. To be known for patience, Amen!

Bible Reading Reflection from Colossians 1-4

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (KD) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible] 

COLOSSIANS 1:15

 "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation."

Has anybody seen God? Jesus is the exact representation of God in personal (bodily) form. A mere man is created in God's image, but in Jesus dwells the fullness of God.

O what an amazing grace that my glorious Creator had laid aside His glory to come to earth in a bodily form that I may know Him and enjoy Him in His kingdom!

My life is for Him, living for His glory, to please Him, to know Him and cherish Him evermore, and to delight in the cause of His fame, Amen!

 

COLOSSIANS 1:3-4

TODAY IS SUNDAY, See you all in the Church! As Apostle Paul rejoiced in hearing how Colossians were growing in their faith and in their love for one another, may we hear from one another how we are growing in faith and in loving one another!

We cannot hear unless somebody speaks up. Also, we cannot hear unless we listen. So, let our Sunday Meeting be a time of talking and listening to others. In other words, Sunday fellowship is not just about singing, praying, and listening to a sermon, it is also about having a CONVERSATION with one another. Do not underestimate the power of conversation in the church!

 

COLOSSIANS 2:8

“Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.”

The word of God is the supreme authority above all ideas. This is a perfect verse to counsel a schizophrenic person.

COLOSSIANS 3:17

"And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

Thankfulness is one of the repeated themes in this book of Colossians (1:3, 12; 2:7; 3:15, 17; 4:2) Oh! How God wants us to be thankful people!

The root meaning of 'giving thanks' is gratefulness. It is a response to the grace of God. Since we have received and built our life upon His grace, we are to be thankful people at all times, in all places, and in every work.

I am commanded not only to do everything for the glory of God (1Cor.10:31) but also to do everything giving thanks to God. Lord, help me be thankful!

 

COLOSSIANS 4:3

"meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word"

Paul, a godly and prayerful man doesn't rely on his prayer alone. He seeks out the prayer of others. Whose prayers? The ordinary Christians of Colossae. No matter who or what, everyone needs the prayers of others. No matter how immature one may be, if one is a Christian, his prayer is effective, because it comes up to the throne of Grace.

When was the last time I sent out prayer requests? And how often have I offered to pray for others? I am afraid they are as little as a drop of water in a thirsty man's cup!

Lord, humble me to always fall before Your throne of Grace, Amen!

Bible Reading Reflection from Philippians 1-4

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (KD) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible] 

PHILIPPIANS 1

I was reading PHILIPPIANS 1 this morning. Pastor ______ had explained the significance of the word "bond-servant" (v1) as a demonstration of humility in last Sunday's Sermon when he was going through the last section of Colossians.

So, I decided to meditate on the word Grace and Peace (v2) today. Oh! How often must I think and talk about God's grace in my life! A wretched sinner, redeemed by the grace of God! May I be gracious to others too, as my Lord has been to me!

 

PHILIPPIANS 2:30

My meditation for today is PHIL. 2:30: "for the work of Christ, he came close to death"

Paul commended Epaphroditus for his work for Christ. What Epaphroditus did was serving Paul to the point that he got sick almost unto death.

Working for Christ is not just reaching out to lost people. It includes meeting the needs of a brother/sister in Christ. It may be even the daily chores. Whatever I do to build up the body of Christ is a legitimate work for Christ!

Am I delighting in any work of ministry I come across like Epaphroditus? Or do I want to have pre-eminence among all like Diotrephes?

 

PHILIPPIANS 3:20

"for our citizenship is in heaven"

I often considered this a relief that I'm not a citizen of Bangladesh or Myanmar but a citizen of India. But many times, I wished I were a citizen of the USA or UK, which is far better than being Indian. Yet, the Bible says that our citizenship is above and beyond the prestige of any nation on earth— ours is of Heaven. Oh! To live like that, in holiness and righteousness in anticipation of the return of Christ, help, Lord!

 

PHILIPPIANS 4:5

"Let your gentleness be known to all men"

How often it is easier for me to choose to be tough over gentleness! 😔

How often have I chosen the path of humor, sarcasm, and satire at the expense of gentleness in my speech, writing, and conduct!!!??? 😔

How tempting it is to look witty in the eyes of man when I am commanded to be known for nothing else but gentleness!

My prayer, my desire, my commitment is this: Lord, help me to always look for an option of gentleness in all tough situations, Amen!

Bible Reading Reflection from Ephesians 1-6

 [Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (DG) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]

𝔼ℙℍ𝔼𝕊𝕀𝔸ℕ𝕊 𝟙:𝟛

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ."

It doesn't say, "will bless us," or "would've blessed us." It says "has blessed us"

It doesn't say, "a few blessings" or "some blessings" or "many blessings." It doesn't even say "abundant blessings" but "every blessing"

Indeed, what to do with such an act of such blessings! How am I to respond!? Yes, to bless the Lord!  This word/phrase, "blessed be God” means to praise God. To speak well of God. To be happy with God!

𝓨𝓮𝓼 𝓛𝓸𝓻𝓭, 𝓫𝓵𝓮𝓼𝓼𝓮𝓭 𝓫𝓮 𝓨𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓝𝓪𝓶𝓮 𝓯𝓸𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻! 𝓐𝓶𝓮𝓷!

 

𝔼ℙℍ𝔼𝕊𝕀𝔸ℕ𝕊 𝟚:𝟛

"among whom we all also formerly conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest."

I am no better than any sinner around me because:

1. I was once like them.

2. I am changed not by my desire, plan, knowledge, or doing; it's solely by God.

3. I would still do the same things if not being preserved by the power of God

4. Sometimes, I find myself doing identical things like them.

5. Sometimes, I could be falling into a specific sinful situation more than them.

Therefore, I cannot glory myself over them, nor look down on them. I cannot congratulate myself nor despise any sinner.

I am to glory in the grace of God, to give Him all the praise and delight in Him.

Also, I am to be merciful to non-Christians, and proclaim to them the grace of the Gospel!

 

𝔼ℙℍ𝔼𝕊𝕀𝔸ℕ𝕊 𝟛:𝟙

"For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles—"

Did Christ have a prison? Did Christ arrest Paul? Then why did Paul say that?  The Jews arrested him. Handed him over to the Romans. And kept in a Roman prison. But all these because Paul preached the Gospel of Jesus so that the Gentiles may be freed from the enslavement of sin and bondage of Satan.

Paul exchanged his physical freedom for the spiritual freedom of the Gentiles. Jesus exchanged His life for our life; He died so that we may have eternal life.

Furthermore, Paul recognized that it pleased God to suffer for the sake of the Gospel. He knew that God can release him anytime from the prison, and even if he died, he knew God was in charge, and therefore, he would still rejoice in the Lord in all situations!

—𝔾𝕠𝕕 𝕀𝕤 𝕀𝕟 ℂ𝕠𝕟𝕥𝕣𝕠𝕝—

 

𝔼ℙℍ𝔼𝕊𝕀𝔸ℕ𝕊 𝟜:𝟛𝟙

"Let all bitterness and anger and wrath and shouting and slander be put away from you, along with all malice."

Bitterness, oh the unhappiness with others.

Anger, oh the revengeful attitude

Wrath, oh the uncontrollable temper

Shouting, the untamed tongue

Slander, the backbiting, accusations, criticism, jealousy.

These aren't the virtues of a new life in Christ. They must be crucified, put away, forsaken.

𝓛𝓸𝓻𝓭, 𝓗𝓮𝓵𝓹 𝓜𝓮!

 

𝔼ℙℍ𝔼𝕊𝕀𝔸ℕ𝕊 𝟝:𝟙-𝟚

"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and walk in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma."

Children imitate their parents; that's a fact!  If we are children of God, so must we imitate God. We became His children by hearing the gospel from His word and seeing the changes in us. Similarly, we can only see Him through His word to imitate Him, and in applying in our life, transforming day by day!

The standout attribute of God that this wicked world needs is love, and is still the virtue we need to demonstrate in loving others. Not to be selfish. Not to think only for self, but to think for others as well, for the good of others too!

 

𝔼ℙℍ𝔼𝕊𝕀𝔸ℕ𝕊 𝟞:𝟞-𝟟

"not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, serving with good will as to the Lord, and not to men."

Ultimately, everything we do anywhere, BPO, Hospital, Industry, any Company's work, we are doing to please God. We do righteously, sincerely, and with integrity.

Not for money, not to please men, not for promotion, though these are also part of our objectives of what we do, but most importantly, we do, knowing God is in control, and that God looks after those who are faithful!

Bible Reading Reflection from Galatians 1-6

 [Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (DG) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]

𝔾𝔸𝕃𝔸𝕋𝕀𝔸ℕ𝕊 𝟙:𝟚𝟜

"And they were glorifying God because of me."

𝙸𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚢𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚠𝚑𝚘 𝚒𝚜 𝚐𝚕𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚏𝚢𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝙶𝚘𝚍 𝚋𝚎𝚌𝚊𝚞𝚜𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚖𝚎— 𝚖𝚢 𝚝𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚘𝚗𝚢, 𝚖𝚢 𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚢𝚕𝚎, 𝚖𝚢 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚎𝚛, 𝚖𝚢 𝚋𝚎𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚒𝚘𝚛? 𝙾𝚛 𝚑𝚘𝚠 𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚢 𝚙𝚎𝚘𝚙𝚕𝚎 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚒𝚗𝚜𝚞𝚕𝚝𝚎𝚍 or 𝚊𝚋𝚞𝚜𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚗𝚊𝚖𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝙶𝚘𝚍 𝚋𝚢 𝚖𝚢 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚍𝚜, 𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜, 𝚘𝚛 𝚜𝚝𝚞𝚙𝚒𝚍𝚒𝚝𝚢?

𝙰𝚗𝚍 𝚘𝚏 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚜𝚎, 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚢 𝚠𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚐𝚕𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚏𝚢𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝙶𝚘𝚍 𝚋𝚎𝚌𝚊𝚞𝚜𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚜𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚙𝚘𝚠𝚎𝚛 𝚘𝚏 𝙶𝚘𝚍 𝚒𝚗 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚒𝚗𝚐 the 𝙿𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚎𝚌𝚞𝚝𝚘𝚛 𝚂𝚊𝚞𝚕 𝚝𝚘 the 𝙰𝚙𝚘𝚜𝚝𝚕𝚎 𝙿𝚊𝚞𝚕.

𝙿𝚊𝚞𝚕 𝚍𝚒𝚍𝚗'𝚝 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚙𝚕𝚒𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚍𝚒𝚝. 𝙷𝚎 𝚑𝚊𝚍 𝚗𝚘𝚗𝚎. 𝙸𝚝'𝚜 𝙶𝚘𝚍 𝚠𝚑𝚘 𝚒𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚊𝚞𝚜𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚐𝚘𝚊𝚕 𝚘𝚏 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚙𝚛𝚊𝚒𝚜𝚎𝚜.

𝙱𝚞𝚝 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚙𝚎𝚘𝚙𝚕𝚎 𝚍𝚒𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚗𝚘𝚛 𝙶𝚘𝚍 𝚋𝚎𝚌𝚊𝚞𝚜𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜, 𝚠𝚎 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚙𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚒𝚋𝚕𝚎, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 must 𝚐𝚎𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚋𝚕𝚊𝚖𝚎!

 

𝔾𝔸𝕃𝔸𝕋𝕀𝔸ℕ𝕊 𝟚:𝟙𝟘

“Only they asked us to remember the poor—the very thing I also was eager to do.”

"To remember the poor"

There are some people richer than us, and some poorer than us. We can always practice generosity, especially with those who are less privileged than us.

Helping the poor is not a gospel. Even if you give up everything and lay down your life for the poor or anyone, it will not save them or even yourself. Only the Gospel saves. So, we must realize the uniqueness and quintessential of the Gospel. The poor, the rich, all, need the Gospel to be saved. And the poor also need physical food and material goods for their earthly survival, which the rich are having in abundance!

Maybe a good exercise to think through how many people in our circle are poorer than you and me, struggling for a living!

 

𝔾𝔸𝕃𝔸𝕋𝕀𝔸ℕ𝕊 𝟛:𝟠

"And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, proclaimed the 𝕘𝕠𝕤𝕡𝕖𝕝 beforehand to Abraham, saying, ‘ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU.’"

God's plan of salvation has been from a long time ago. It was before my birth. It was before Jesus's birth. It was before the calling of Israel. It was proclaimed to Abraham. It was before the birth of anyone. It was before the foundation of the world!

Therefore, Gospel had never changed, has never changed, and will never change.

To hold firm to the old gospel. To continue to believe in the gospel. To proclaim the same gospel. To delight, cherish, and glory in the same gospel is my goal, resolution, and life!

 

𝔾𝔸𝕃𝔸𝕋𝕀𝔸ℕ𝕊 𝟜:𝟜

"But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law"

Why did Jesus come to earth 2000 years ago? Why not come earlier or later than that? Well, this verse reveals that He came at the perfect time.

Surely, God is neither in hurry nor slow in action. He is completely in control. He doesn't forget. Nor is He impatient!

This is the God who watches over me, my life, my future, and my career!

 

𝔾𝔸𝕃𝔸𝕋𝕀𝔸ℕ𝕊 𝟝:𝟙𝟛

"For you were called to freedom, brothers; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."

Truly free people are Christians. The rest of humanity are the slaves of sin, under the yoke of Satan. Hey, btw, we are also under the yoke of Jesus, remember Matthew 11:28-30? We are also the slaves of Jesus.

It's just a change of Master, a change of allegiance.

While anything we do on earth as non-Christians heaps upon one another for judgment, as Christian we are free from judgment. We are already free from the judgment to come. Jesus Christ has taken that judgment for us. However, we shouldn't take this freedom from judgment as a license or as an opportunity to do as we like, rather, we must make use of it to serve one another.

As Christians, we can do what we can't do as non-Christians:

▪️We are able to do things that please God.

▪️We are guilt-free and our work will be rewarded.

▪️We are ultimately working for the Lord, and therefore doesn't matter much whether humans appreciate it or not!

▪️We are working with the love of Christ to endure all situations.

▪️We are heaping treasures for eternity.

▪️We are helping family members who will be with us for eternity.

See! How we ought to be rich in good works because of this freedom we have by changing our allegiance to Christ from Satan. Praise be to God!

 

𝔾𝔸𝕃𝔸𝕋𝕀𝔸ℕ𝕊 𝟞:𝟙

"Brothers, even if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, each of you looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted."

Confronting a sinning brother is a must. It's hard, it's difficult, because we don't want to be hated, but true love cares for holiness.

We don't want to be a hypocrite either because we, ourselves, could be in a sin worse than what we see of others. But if we hesitate to confront others, and if others hesitate to confront us, will there be any growth within us individually and as a church?

However, we confront with gentleness. Loving the brother. Longing for his repentance.

At the same time, knowing our own weaknesses: with compassion, humility, and holiness. As a pastor, I have to confront people in that way. And there are some every now and then.