⏳At The Present Time⌛️

 Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence. ~Vince Lombardi~

1 Thessalonians 3:11 (KJV) Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.

I like that word “Now”  . It simply means at the present time. “Now God himself ” not someone else but our God in the present.   Now “our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ” what are they all doing? Well we are told  Paul is saying that “our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ” as we pray for you will direct our way to you. It’s strange that today I read this verse. Why? you may ask. Well as I was listening to the radio as I was about my business. I was listening to a preacher and he was teaching about praying about everything before he did it. I have a friend that does that if it’s a car he thinks he needs he asked his Heavenly Father about it. That’s what the Apostle Paul is saying: I need God my Father to direct my path at this present time. Just think our Heavenly Father is a “Now” God. Oh it’s great to read in our Bibles how God did things for His children just in the time of need. It’s much better to know that the same God will do the same in this day and time for His children. Have you ever experienced what God can do? I like to walk cemeteries and read the epitaphs on the gravestones. I like looking for our veterans, maybe because I’m one and know some of the heart aches they may have felt and the horrors that never leave that can only be known by a veteran. Well one day not long ago I was walking in a cemetery where my grandparents were buried and the strangest thing happened. In the neighborhood I was raised in, we knew everyone on the block. Our next door neighbor moved away after I left and went into the military and I had not seen them nor heard anything about them for many years. They had moved to this part of town where my grandparents were buried. I said to myself that maybe they were buried in this cemetery; I know it's strange but I remember people and think of them from time to time. I said Lord if they are buried here help find their grave. It 

were as if I was led to their grave. You may be thinking what a nut, I will agree I do some crazy things at times. That’s not the way I looked at it. I asked God to help me find their grave if they were buried here and God in the present time did. That is a small thing but nonetheless it reminds me that our God is concerned about the small things too.  Philippians 4:6 (KJV) Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. If God would answer that kind of prayer don’t you think that God would be just as concerned about the big prayers we need answers? 

💪Be Strong Stand Firm🇺🇸

 Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid 

1 Thessalonians 3:8 (KJV) For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 3:9 (KJV) For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;

1 Thessalonians 3:10 (KJV) Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

We live if “ye stand fast in the Lord.” Remember the football we wrote about? What was the principal that Coach Lombardi taught his players? He taught his players the fundamentals. Knowing the fundamentals, the Green Bay Packers began to win. Can I say it’s always better to win than to lose. Winner or Loser? In our Christian life we are one or the other.  The Apostle Paul said one of the fundamentals is to stand fast in the Lord. 

“stand fast in the Lord.” Stand Fast means to be FIRM, FIXED, SETTLED to MAINTAIN POSITION. The question is how are we doing as Christians standing fast in the Lord? How are we doing in standing fast in His Word? How are we doing standing fast in Prayer? How are we doing in standing fast in our Walk with the Lord? The questions could go on but it’s not questions, it’s are we Firm, Fixed and Settled in what we believe? So much so that if we were to die today that we aren’t worried about where we are going? If not then we must “might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?” Don’t let weak or non Christians influence you to the point that you yourself become weak in your faith. The fundamental fact is you and I are closer today than we were yesterday to our final day here on earth. Stand Firm one learns to do that by doing it. I go to Sunday school and worship services and sometimes it may seem like a big waste of time. The surgeon yesterday that was operating on that 10 year old little girl thought the same thing when he was going to college. On other days we both learned the things that helped us today. May I say it was all well worth our time. One becomes weak by not using their muscles. Staying home is not an option if we are going to stand firm and be strong in the Lord.

🤠Living🥶

 Without The Dark We Would Never See The Stars. Make the most of living or let the living pass you by.

1 Thessalonians 3:8 (KJV) For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.

The rut is real! It’s an everyday thing We get up so we can go to work, so that we can come home, so we can go to bed, so we can get up, so we can go to work, so we can come home, so we can go to bed. We turn on the radio so we can hear bad news, sad stories and what we should be doing with our 401k so we will have enough to retire and live comfortably. I’m not sure about you but that doesn’t sound like “For now we live” The year was 1959 when a new coach for the Green Bay Packers began his coaching. Green Bay's record  for the past 11 years wasn’t good, you might say “LOSERS.” In 1961 after the heartbreaking loss of the NFL Championship Game. Coach Vince Lobardi walked into the first day of training camp in July.  The 38 players on his Green Bay Packers football team expected to immediately begin where they left off and work on ways to advance their game to start working on plays.  Coach Vince Lobardi stands before them and says “Gentlemen, this is a football!” The rest is history. I’m afraid we as God’s children get into a rut and miss out on the living part of our Christian life. It’s time someone stood up and said “ladies and gentlemen this is a Bible” so it might turn us around so we can say “For now we live.” Everybody wants to go to heaven but the question is how many of us know much about heaven? In 1985 I went to Brazil, got into a car with a Missionary and drove 6 hours. When we arrived in the city where he lived, what I knew as a language was useless. Because they were speaking Portuguese and I knew nothing about what I was hearing nor anything else. Had it not been for the Missionaries I would have been in trouble. Many may be on their way to heaven that know little to nothing about where they are going. You may say big deal, for we aren’t told much about what heaven is like. That’s right but we are told as we read our Bibles about many that are there. How many of them will we know?  Don’t get so caught up in the rut of this life that you miss out on the living.  The knowing about the place and the people  that are already inside Heaven. Don’t just sing about it on Sunday, keep singing those songs during the week. Ephesians 5:19 (KJV) Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Colossians 3:16 (KJV) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 

“Now that we live Stand fast in the Lord.”

🗣️Tell ☃️💦

1 Thessalonians 3:6 (KJV) But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:

The reason Timothy was sent unto those in Thessalonica was to establish, to comfort concerning their faith. Paul goes on to write about what young Timothy said when he returned.  Timothy came back and told us the good news about your faith and love. He also told us of the fond memories you have for us and are wanting to see us again. I remember 4 men that helped me tremendously although I’m not sure any of them knew the magnitude of their advice and teaching. They have all gone to their reward now, but as for me, I’m still here telling the grand and glorious story that never gets old. I’m not sure how many people those men encouraged in the faith of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ but I would say many. How can we not share the good news to others? For that’s what the Scriptures tell us to do.  

Matthew 28:19 (KJV) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Matthew 28:20 (KJV) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Go, Tell, Teach.  

🤝Thanks👊🏻

THANKS IS THE ONLY WORD I KNOW AND THAT SEEMS SO SMALL FOR ALL YOU GAVE

DUST

We were young, strong and fool hearty.
We were men of steel who rode iron horses.

But steel and iron rust away.

Soon we shall all fade, as did the life we led.

And we shall return to the dust from whence we came,
leaving only a fleeting memory and a name upon a wall.

One Charlie Niner Hotel (1C9H)

Gentlemen, prepare to defend yourselves!  

U. S. Army PFC Wayne J Stokes KIA 2 December 1967

PFC - E3 - Army - Selective Service
9th Infantry Division
Length of service 0 years
His tour began on Nov 22, 1967
Casualty was on Dec 2, 1967
In LONG AN, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
GUN, SMALL ARMS FIRE
Body was recovered
 Panel 31E - Line 26

U.S. Marine Thomas Craig Richard Jr. PFC KIA 8 February 1968

PFC - E2 - Marine Corps - Regular
Length of service 0 years
His tour began on Dec 27, 1967
Casualty was on Feb 8, 1968
In QUANG TRI, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
OTHER EXPLOSIVE DEVICE
Body was recovered
Panel 38E - Line 24

U.S. Army Neil Kroger KIA November 1965

2LT - O1 - Army - Reserve
Length of service 0 years
His tour began on Aug 18, 1965
Casualty was on Nov 15, 1965
In , SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
MULTIPLE FRAGMENTATION WOUNDS
Body was recovered
Panel 03E - Line 59

U. S Army Tom Metsker KIA 14 November 1965

CAPT - O3 - Army - Reserve
Length of service 4 years
His tour began on Aug 6, 1965
Casualty was on Nov 14, 1965
In , SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
GUN, SMALL ARMS FIRE
Body was recovered
 Panel 03E - Line 49

U. S Army Jack Geoghegan KIA

U. S Army Phillip Nixon

U.S. Army Stanley DeCastor

U.S. Army Jimmy Johnson

U.S. Army Jerry Barns

U.S. Army Ted Beck

U.S. Army Jerry Pinson

U.S. Army Larry Keown

U.S. Army Stanley Richardson

U.S. Army Clinton Ayers

U.S. Army Ted Taylor

U.S. Army Terry Booth

U. S. Army Bill Dowis

 Joe Marion Morgan Sr. KOREA  1957-1959

U.S. Marine David Savage

U.S. Marine Keith Allison

U.S. Marine Ryan Sosebee

U.S. Marine Wayne Baker

U.S. Marine John Kerr

USAF Richard Ford

USAF Wayne S Sosebee  

USAF Thomas Burns

USAF Ronald Lamp

USAF Randy Fawn

USAF Steve Sparks

USAF Clinton Sexton 

USAF Luke Sosebee

 

Army Air Force John H Sosebee WII; Thanks Dad; Passed away December 27, 1986 age 65

U.S. Marine Thomas Henry Roberts I knew him well; we all thought he was strange when we were kids. Then I found out why! He was a Corporal in the Marine Corps, serving as a Rifle Sharpshooter and member of the Mortar Platoon, a survivor of Iwo Jima. He passed away July 14, 2007 at the age of 86. 

⌚️It Takes Time 2 Teach Others 👨‍🏫

 Nothing is easy, but who wants nothing?

1 Thessalonians 3:5 (KJV) For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.

The Apostle Paul couldn’t wait to know about their faith; he sent Timothy to help them. Why? Paul understands the enemy, the tempter. When I was in the military I was taught about an enemy, some of his tactics and the awful results. Now pictures and words only make you aware but seeing explains and teaches. Yes many had accepted Christ as their savior but these young believers needed to be taught for the tempter is coming with his temptations. Now just because you have been taught doesn’t mean you will never fail. One of my best friends was a pastor of a growing Church. The church could sit 700 or 800 and it was beginning to fill up. It happened, the attack from the enemy, the temptation and he failed. It cost him way more than he wanted to pay, the pleasure only lasted a short while but the wounds a lifetime. Paul sends Timothy so the learning can begin. One would think that in the day we live this tactic would be way out dated. One comes to Church to a revival meeting,  a special day, or maybe a friend has asked. It really doesn’t matter, they are there. During the service they ask the Lord to save them. They are so excited but as time goes on they really don’t know what to do. Maybe it’s like going to visit the school and being so excited but no one cares enough to help you get there. Why is that? The enemy hinders by getting the Church so excited about what God has done that they never go to the homes of the ones God has reached. Then those who have given their heart to the Lord are easy prey for the enemy. 

If only I took a moment to share, the works of the God who really cares. 

If only I would have taken the time to show what great love He has for you.

Oh I meant too but to make the time I never did so you my friend drifted away ever so slow. 

Many years have now passed and the troubles you’ve had are all so many.

Oh I wish I would have taken the time but I too was deceived by the enemy lures. 

🌄Don’t You Want To Go😎

 The more I study science, the more I believe in God.  ~Albert Einstein 

1 Thessalonians 3:4 (KJV) For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.

Paul writes letting the Thessalonians know by remembrance of his words “when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation.” It doesn’t matter about the tribulations of this life we all have them. Troubles will come, sad days, lonely days, bad news, bad health, broken hearts and the list goes on and on. When one accepts Jesus Christ as their personal savior that will not change. Sometimes, like here in Thessalonica it may increase but may I say the reward will be far better than the troubles. Paul, knowing this has sent Timothy to teach and comfort. We all need a Timothy in our lives, one that will encourage in the times of sorrow and also teach us that we might grow in the knowledge of Christ our Savior. Shouldn’t that just come naturally? The desire yes but the knowledge no! The Apostle Paul had to learn himself he said this;

Philippians 3:10 (KJV) That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

Philippians 4:11 (KJV) Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. So accepting Christ as your Savior is not a life of no more sorrow, troubles and disappointments. Oh know, not by far but what it does mean is you and I have help from the God who made us. When I read my Bible I read of many that have troubles and fears but I also read of one who shows up to comfort and that someone is Jesus. Peter on a dark night with raging wind and waves, cries out in fear of death and Jesus reaches out and brings him to a safe place. My father in law had pain and was disabled for a few years. I watched the expression of pain on his face more than once but he never complained. On a afternoon in June 2022 he asked to be placed in his bed. My wife and brother in law placed him in his bed. He then laid back and then he left this world and went to a place he had only read about. One may ask why does God allow such suffering to one of His children? I don’t know but just maybe it’s for those left behind for us to see there’s no fear in dying. As one man said “we get to die.”  My friend told me this after 5 years of dialysis, many falls and a broken hip. He is lying in a bed in a facility where others are taking care of him. He told me these words “I’m done, no more.” The next day they came to do his dialysis and he said no I have had enough. He soon was gone. Oh you say that’s awful. One day your words might change to please come Lord Jesus; we get to die. There is a place far beyond the skies and soon we will die and get to go. Arriving on that sunny day we will get to see the ones we love. Oh, don’t you want to go.