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

2 Thessalonians 3 - Warning Against Idleness

So many directions and thoughts are flooding my mind with chapter 3 of 2 Thessalonians. Most versions of the Bible highlight the majority of this chapter as a “Warning Against Idleness.” This seems a little odd going back to the central message of this letter is correcting and clarifying The Day of the Lord…

2 Thessalonians 2 - Winners

Jesus wins! We will walk through trials; we will be persecuted and challenged while here on Earth, that’s just part of it. But again, let me say Jesus wins. We know then end of the story, we know who wins, and we are on the winning team. I am walking away again with action items to do all that is possible to grow the winning team. Be encouraged with these closing words today…

2 Thessalonians 1:6-12 - Facing Eternity 

God is Just, there is a Why, even when we might not see it at the moment. Yesterday we covered the first part of 2 Thessalonians chapter 1. Today we will cover the second part, less comforting and a bit uncomfortable. The challenging and uncomfortable part happens in the transition of God’s justice.

2 Thessalonians 1 - Why God?

Opening 2 Thessalonians this morning, the sequel to 1 Thessalonians. From some research, I found that this letter was written quickly after the first letter, maybe just a few months. Many theologians believe Paul was trying to correct some misunderstandings. The NIV introduction tells us Paul was trying to correct a false report…

1 Thessalonians 5 - Purpose

As I mentioned in the introduction, 1 & 2 Thessalonians are Ecological epistles. This is a huge word that just means letters about the end times. We jumped into that in chapter 4, and we are deep into it here in chapter 5. The Day of the Lord is coming, and Paul is laying that out clearly to the Thessalonians. In very plain language, Paul is telling them not to worry.

1 Thessalonians 4 - Deceived and the Dead

This is an interesting chapter. Sexual sin, love others, work hard and be a good influence, and don't worry about your dead Christian friends or family, they are just fine. There it is, in only a few words. I read this many times this morning and jumped to a few commentaries and devotionals...pretty fascinating.

1 Thessalonians 3 - Fruit on others trees

Leaders who are called and made to be leaders of others walk through a natural process. This process of shifting from individual contributor to leader or manager can produce many speed bumps and even roadblocks along the way.

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.

1 Thessalonians 1 - Echo

The gospel came to them and then went through them. This is the central mission of being imitators of Jesus, evangelists. We are transformed and changed by the Gospel and are compelled to share that with others.

Holy Week - Easter Sunday

Jesus here, claiming I have authority from inside death, as a dead man, to take life back again, when I please. Possibly the greatest claim ever made, landing us in a place to read this and be faced with the liar, lunatic or the Lord question.

Today, Easter Sunday, we celebrate the most significant expression of love.