Terry Storch

Writing about life, leadership, faith, and anything else I find interesting.

1 Thessalonians 2 - Opposition

 

1 Thessalonians 2  - Opposition 

I just have to imagine that Paul got wore out defending himself. All of his writings I have read so far this year, it seems he is always defending himself from slander, gossip, and lies. In a commentary I was studying this morning, it highlighted the theologian William Barclays thoughts on Paul's false charges here in Thessalonians.

  • “Paul has a police record and is therefore untrustworthy” (1 Thessalonians 2:2, suffered before referring to his imprisonment in Thessalonica).

  • “Paul is delusional” (1 Thessalonians 2:3, error).

  • “Paul’s ministry is based on impure motives” (1 Thessalonians 2:3, uncleanness).

  • “Paul deliberately deceives others” (1 Thessalonians 2:3, in deceit).

  • “Paul preaches to please others, not God” (1 Thessalonians 2:4, not as pleasing men).

  • “Paul is in the ministry as a mercenary, to get what he can out of it materially” (1 Thessalonians 2:5, 2:9, nor a cloak for covetousness).

  • “Paul only wants personal glory” (1 Thessalonians 2:6, nor did we seek glory from men).

  • “Paul is something of a dictator” (1 Thessalonians 2:7 we were gentle among you).

I read this, and reflect this morning on how real our spiritual opposition is. What I personally deal with and walk through seems so small compared to Paul, and what he was navigating. However, I think it's important to remember who our real enemy is. Our current struggles, issues, battles, and areas that cause us to stumble. Let us not forget this:

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” - ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6:12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Our battles are real, and we must remember who our enemy is and stay focused in the right direction. Our struggle and enemy is not or this world, it is not that driver who cut us off, not our boss or our spouse or our teenage kids. We might have issues with all of those, but the war we face is a spiritual one. 

For me, and an area of prayer and petition to God just jumped out of the text this morning. It is a bit out of context, but I believe this is a message God is delivering to me. 

“And you know how affectionately we treated each one of you like a loving father cares for his children. We comforted and encouraged you and challenged you to adopt a lifestyle worthy of God, who invites you into his kingdom and glory.” - ‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭2:11-12‬ ‭TPT‬‬

A father comforts, encourages, and challenges. It is evident in my life and my relationships that one of these three is the dominate in me. Anyone who knows me lives with me, works with me will by default roll with the challenger. My Enneagram 8 is alive as the challenger, and a distant second would be comfort...and barely showing up on the pie chart would be encourager. This was at the center of a long “conversation” with Robin last night, my lack of encouragement. It’s a problem, and an area that my real enemy works in fights me on and wants me to believe lies. Don’t believe the lies! 

“I admit that I haven’t yet acquired the absolute fullness that I’m pursuing, but I run with passion into His abundance so that I may reach the purpose that Jesus Christ has called me to fulfill and wants me to discover. I don’t depend on my own strength to accomplish this; however, I do have one compelling focus: I forget all of the past as I fasten my heart to the future instead. I run straight for the divine invitation of reaching the heavenly goal and gaining the victory-prize through the anointing of Jesus. So let all who are fully mature have this same passion, and if anyone is not yet gripped by these desires, God will reveal it to them. And let us all advance together to reach this victory-prize, following one path with one passion.” - ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3:12-16‬ ‭TPT‬‬

No, I have not arrived or become all that I desire, but I press on. I run with purpose and passion toward what I know Jesus Christ has called me to, and who he has called me to be. I can not and will not do this in my strength! My past does not define me; it does not limit me, and it is not a factor in my future equation. I have a divine invitation and opportunity to gain a glorious prize...we all do. Run the race, press on in the name of Jesus. 

Whatever the struggle is today, no matter how small or how big the fight is, know who the real enemy is. And at the same time, know who is in your corner, who is fighting with you, and recognize the ultimate war has already been won. Press on, forget the past, and run straight for the victory prize that Jesus has in store for you. Claim victory over your struggle today in Jesus' name. 

other writing
John 20 - The Gospel

John 20 - The Gospel

The Gospel, the Good News! Jesus, Son of God, was born of Mary, lived as the Son of Man, died, and rose to life to rescue the world and bring about a new life. The central message of the gospel. Jesus, the centerpiece! John 19 & 20 cover the brutal death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

In this scene, I can not imagine how the disciples felt. John describes them as overjoyed...but those words just fall short of what I can imagine this moment was like.

John 19 - The Magnitude of the Cross

John 19 - The Magnitude of the Cross

The day of Jesus' crucifixion fulfilled 28 Old Testament prophecies. Scripture was fulfilled! Beyond that, trying to wrap my mind around what happened this day, on the cross, and fully grabbing the magnitude of the cross is mind-boggling.

Sure, we can dumb this down or simplify it to a place where I just don’t believe it is anywhere near accurate. We can get into penal substitution and argue over was God full of love or was God full of wrath and hate that he killed his son. To me, John 3:16 is pretty clear on the love part.

John 18 - Jesus levels an army

John 18 - Jesus levels an army

In John 18, we come to the great betrayal. Judas came with the soldiers, officials, and chief priest and Pharisees. We know the scene. But this morning, I saw something I don’t remember reading and surly don’t remember learning about.

“So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.” - ‭‭John‬ ‭18:3-6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

John 17 - The Lords Prayer

John 17 - The Lords Prayer

John 17 is Jesus looking heavenward and praying to God the Father. So much beauty and mystery in this prayer. One thing that jumps out to me is that Jesus, fully God, and fully man prayed. Jesus is God fully. Why did he need to pray, He was One with the Father, He was God...and yet he prayed. This is so powerful;

“And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.” - ‭‭John‬ ‭17:5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

John 16 - What does it take to believe?

John 16 - What does it take to believe?

By the end of John 16, Jesus had done countless miracles, preached some amazing sermons, transformed so many lives, and developed a close and personal relationship with his disciples. So, when reading these verses, I am just utterly confused on so many levels.

“I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.” Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.” “Do you now believe?” Jesus replied.” - ‭‭John‬ ‭16:28-31‬ ‭NIV‬‬

John 16 - Undervaluing God in Spirit

John 16 - Undervaluing God in Spirit

Jesus’ time on earth is quickly coming to a close, and he finishes up his last sermon or teaching to his disciples as they walk to Gethsemane. This final teaching was a heavy one that no doubt left his disciples with a heavy heart. Jesus said it this way;

“...None of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ Rather, you are filled with grief because I have said these things.” - ‭‭John‬ ‭16:5-6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus goes on to say;

John 15 - Constant Growth

John 15 - Constant Growth

We were built for growth, constant growth. From birth, all the way until our death, we were designed by God for constant growth. The problem is, we often can find ourselves stuck in a belief, a phase, or a part of life where we stop growing.

One of the most brilliant investors embodies this understanding. Charlie Munger, at 96 years old, is still learning and growing as a person. I love this quote:

“Knowing what you don’t know is more useful than being brilliant.”
- Charlie Munger

John 14 - The Gift of Peace

John 14 - The Gift of Peace

John 14 opens with Jesus, saying, Don’t let your hearts be troubled. And the chapter closed down with Jesus saying Don’t be troubled or afraid.

A message that needs to resonate with our spirit and our inner self. This was such a good reminder, reading through John 14 over and over. This passage lifted off the screen.

“But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart…

John 14 - Troubled Hearts

John 14 - Troubled Hearts

The world today seems so volatile and chaotic. Everywhere you look, whatever we read and see on TV just seems to be troubling. Last night, I noticed my lovely wife Tweeted this;

“I can’t be the only one who watches the news and is simply embarrassed right now, right? (Dear Jesus, we tap out. Come on back.)”

I find this first humorous, but then I also find it sad. It’s true, watching the news as a Christ-follower is pretty embarrassing. In John 14, we see Jesus…

John 13 - Unselfish Concern

John 13 - Unselfish Concern

Summarizing John, chapter 13, looks like this. The Lords Supper takes place. Jesus washes the disciple's feet. Jesus calls out Judas, and Satan enters him. Night comes, Judas leaves, and Jesus says he must go, and where I am going, you can not come. To cap it all off, Jesus also calls out Simon Peter and tells him that he will deny and completely disown Jesus three times. Whoa, a really full chapter, and historical day.

Nestled in the wrap up of the day is the parting message Jesus leaves his disciples, a message Jesus is sharing with us right now.

 
thoughtsTerry Storch