💞Tenderly Please☑️

“God uses broken things. It takes broken soil to produce a crop, broken clouds to give rain, broken grain to give bread, broken bread to give strength. It is the broken alabaster box that gives forth perfume. It is Peter, weeping bitterly, who returns to greater power than ever.” ~Vance Havner~

1 Thessalonians 2:8 (KJV) So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

What does that word “affectionately” mean? Webster said this “fondly; tenderly; kindly. ”  How does it make you feel when others treat you more than a number? The doctor that takes more time helping you, the nurse that has kind words and asks about your family. I was in a place not long ago and I would have to say they were overly kind and nice. At first I thought to myself wow these people really care. It wasn’t long until I felt like a cookie on a conveyor belt being packaged by nice people. This is not the case here in verse eight. Frist we see a loving kind courageous love toward giving of the gospel. This giving of the gospel was not in words that sounded like an old recording requiring you to do step one then 2 and so forth. Oh no these were words of care and concern of love and compassion because they cared for them. If someone can show that type of concern I’ll take the time to listen. These kinds of people are far and few between.  It was a Saturday morning as the Pastor and his wife knocked on a door. As the door opened there stood a young man who had not long ago visited the church. What this Pastor and his wife didn’t know was that this young man had just caught his wife having an affair. Over by the door was a loaded shotgun that this husband was heading out the door with when a knock came and stopped his plans. As the Pastor began with love and concern to tell this young man the gospel of Jesus Christ he listened. Before long this young man asked the Lord to come into his heart. This Pastor would not know about what the Lord had he and his wife to walk into until a few years later. That young man who had become one of the Churches best members told him. What made the difference that Saturday morning was the love and caring attitude of that Pastor and his wife. It never hurts to be kind and caring for others. Sometimes it’s best not to know. Would the same results that morning been accomplished had that Pastor known what he and his wife had just walked into? Probably not.

☕️This is Great I Just Spilled My Coffee🫟

 Winning is not a sometime thing; it's an all the time thing. You don't win once in a while... you don't do things right once in a while... you do them right all the time. Winning is habit.  Vince Lombardi

1 Thessalonians 2:3 (KJV) For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:

For our “exhortation” or our encouragement was not of  misleading words or corrupt practices, or deception.

1 Thessalonians 2:4 (KJV) But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

Look what Paul is saying “we were allowed of God ” what did God allow Paul to do? “to be put in trust with the gospel” Paul knew what the Gospel was. One afternoon as Saul (Paul) for his name had not been changed by God yet. Saul on his way to capture those who are telling others about Jesus Christ. Who had died on a cross but then rose from the dead and many were turning to God from idols.. 1 Thessalonians 1:9 (KJV) For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;

Saul was willing and ready to bring those types of people bound back to Jerusalem Acts 9:2 (KJV) And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. Paul’s trip was interrupted  Acts 9:3 (KJV) And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: Thank God for interruptions when life is going in the wrong direction. Have you ever thought that what we do always affects others? Well it does. That day as Saul traveled toward Damascus God changed his life and by doing so many were kept safe. You know what? They probably didn’t know it. Like the morning everything was going wrong, you couldn’t find your keys, before you could get out the door you spilled coffee on your clothes and had to change, the tire pressure was low and you had to put air in your tire. Wow you are 15 minutes late leaving the house. As you turn the radio on you hear of a 10 cars pileup on the highway you would have been on. God may have delayed you for your safety. Just a thought! How many times has our Heavenly Father protected you without you knowing it? I would say daily. 

1 Thessalonians 2:5 (KJV) For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:

God had placed the trust of Paul Preaching the Gospel to those at Thessalonica. Paul didn’t use “flattering words” preaching the Gospel will convict us of our sin that’s why many won’t go to Church. They don’t want to be reminded that what they are doing is sinful and displeasing to God so they make excuses. Like “you don’t have to go to Church to go to heaven. No and you don’t have to know how to speak Spanish to go to Peru but it would help tremendously if you did. Why is biblical preaching so important?  The very first time we read the word “Preach” in the New Testament it’s in the Book of Matthew and Jesus is doing the preaching.

Matthew 4:17 (KJV) From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Jesus is saying “Repent” To feel sorrow. Well there you go, that's why I don’t want to go to Church. But wait preaching does more than convict

1 Corinthians 1:18 (KJV) For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. Preaching also encourages and teaches us to walk in this present evil world..

Galatians 1:4 (KJV) Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: So when we convince ourselves that it’s not all that important to attend a Bible teaching and preaching church we have just been wounded by the enemy and you can rest assured it is going to affect you and others as well. On the way to Church on Sunday I pass two Churches. One I know about the other I really don’t know anything about. The one I know about is a bible teaching and preaching Church. As I drive by there’s not very many there. As I drive by the other Church there are those showing people where to park their cars and they are everywhere. What makes the difference? I don’t know for like I said I don’t know much about the second Church. What I do know is that the one church with fewer people all have Bibles in their hands as they walk toward the Church. The other where there are so many as they walk toward the Church they have no Bibles. They could all be using their phones or ipads I don’t know.  In order to know I would just have to go. Both Churches might be doing a great work for the Lord which is what I hope. How do we view the preaching to our the Cross? Foolish or Powerful?

🙆🏻‍♂️Giving Up🤷🏼‍♂️

Giving up is always tempting in challenging situations. Sometimes we find ourselves facing so much adversity, we’d do anything to escape it. That may mean giving up on ourselves, our dreams, or even our principles. Get the understanding of what the Apostle Paul is teaching..

1 Thessalonians 2:1 (KJV) For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:

1 Thessalonians 2:2 (KJV) But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.

As you have heard how we suffered rough and treated in Philippi. We were beaten, placed in jail but we never gave up nor were willing to quit. We prayed and then we sang so all could hear of the goodness of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Then somewhere around midnight God shook everything loose and we were free. The doors of the cells opened, we could have ran and been free. We didn’t for God had opened up the door in the jailer’s heart and before daylight the jailer and his family believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior. Quitting Can be easy to do. I personally don’t like quitting. Just yesterday my wife and I were in the grocery store. I was looking on the shelf for an ídem. It appeared as they were out of what I was looking for. I started to walk away but turned again to look one more time, once again I didn’t see it. Then I just stood there looking and started to quit and walk away when I saw what I was looking for. It was pushed to the back and you really had to look to see it; I just hate giving up. Paul said we could have quit for there was much contention but “we were bold in our God to speak unto you” there’s no time for quitting.    

The words of Vince Lombardi

Winners never quit, and quitters never win.

🤗RU Returning or Ru Not 🥱

It is impossible to say enough or be grateful enough for God’s amazing love.

1 Thessalonians 1:9 (KJV) For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;

1 Thessalonians 1:10 (KJV) And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

Those that we have read about in veres 7 “ensamples” that sounded out the Word of the Lord. 

“how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;” Turning to God from idols may cause problems sometimes.  It could cause contention from others, maybe persecutions, could they endure? Oh yeah for we read in verse 9 “how ye turned to God” not only did they turn, we read that they “serve the living and true God” but wait don’t miss the very first part of verse 9 “they themselves shew” One can talk all day but showing is putting your feet to what your mouth is saying. First there was a turning to God but then there was a waiting for Jesus Christ God Son they were grateful and returned. Yes they returned, they told others of Jesus which had delivered them from (hell) the wrath to come. That my friend is something to talk about once I was lost, then I was found, now I am serving and I looking for His return. You know what? They kept looking but He never came and still today those who serve the true and living God are still looking. Many say He will never come. I do agree that every day it looks more grim than it did the day before. I think many are like those in Noah’s day as he built a giant ship and talked of water that would fall from the sky. I'm sure they talked of the man with crazy ideas of water that would fall from the sky. They had never seen such for the earth was watered from coming up from the ground not falling to the ground. 

Genesis 2:5 (KJV) And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground.

Genesis 2:6 (KJV) But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.

Jesus went up from the earth but very soon He will be coming down to get His children. Don’t be fooled like those of Noah’s day there Salvation from the rain to come was simply get on the boat. Our day is just as simple: trust Jesus Christ the Savior of our soul.

❓Can I Be Happy🤗

 Don't worry about what you can't do; focus instead on what you can do... and then do it.

~ Billy Graham ~

1 Thessalonians 1:8 (KJV) For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.

That’s what “ensamples” do: they sound out what they believe to be the truth. In this case it’s God's truth about salvation. These Thessalonians sounded out the truth in Macedonia and then in Achaea then in every place. They watched as the effects of God's wonderful salvation for mankind took its effects on those that believed “so that we need not to speak any thing.” 

Wouldn’t that be great to see in our day? God’s Holy Word spreading upon our land like a fresh cleansing rain. I have only seen that happen once and then it was only in the community I lived in. It started out as a revival meeting at my Church. The Pastor was Raymond Gray and the Evangelist was Mike Hendon. The meeting started off on Monday night with plenty of room to find a seat. By Friday night the church was full and people were standing everywhere to hear God's Word preached. Altars were so full that people were spread out everywhere. There’s no telling how many were saved during that meeting but God’s Word swept through like a fresh cleaning rain and many lives were changed for eternity. Oh in the day and hour we live with so many looking for happiness and joy but they are looking in the wrong places. Some look to religion but there’s little happiness to be found there. Others look to excitement in drugs, alcohol, gambling thinking all this will for sure bring happiness only to find too late it only brings misery. Then if I could just find that one person I could talk with that would understand. They soon do and before long their home, marriage and family is destroyed and they are no closer to their goal than before. Just remember the grass that looks so green on the other side of the fence will also turn brown. Remember this, life has its ups  and downs. I remember these words my father n law spoke to me one day as we rode down the road. I was so depressed because our work had been almost nothing for a while. I needed a paycheck, I had a family to support. My father n law was acting like he had a boat load of cash to draw from, but I knew he didn’t. Then in a soft voice he said these words I have never forgotten “the sun will shine again.” You know what? He was right the clouds will come and many have but the sun also returns and there are more sunny days than rainy days. The truth of God’s Word never fails. The truth of salvation for those who place their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. The promise, He will never leave us no matter the storms this life brings. Our future home in heaven for all the redeemed. I hope you, like me, rejoice in the day that someone told you about the Lord Jesus Christ. Did you like me discover the goodness of our Heavenly Father? Oh my what a day, so much so I’m still rejoicing in the goodness of God. 

👩‍🏫Examples✍️

Faith grows when it is planted in the

fertile soil of God's Word. ~Billy Graham~

1 Thessalonians 1:7 (KJV) So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.

ENSAMPLE “to shew by example”  you became followers of the Lord, having received the word with joy of the Holy Ghost: That’s what happened after you received the Word of God you became followers of Jesus Christ. Remember the joy that the Holy Ghost brought. Remember, you now wanted everyone you knew to have the joy of salvation. Man, how simple this is surely once everyone sees what Christ has done and how this salvation has changed your life completely they too will want it. Oh but that’s not what happened did it? Oh you were an ensample and others were happy for you but they didn’t want what you have, or not at this time anyways. It has been a few days since the day I got saved and what friends of long ago that haven’t died I’m still wanting to reach. I love the way that verse reads “ye were ensamples to all that believe” The clock on the wall is ticking, time is running out and sooner than you think time will be up. The word came to my friend. The doctor said you have cancer and a year to live. When he told me, this is what he said. I have bad news and good news. Bad news: I have cancer and I’m dying. Good news is it’s not today. He slowly began to get weaker, he stopped walking, then he went to a recliner then to a bed and then he died. A year they told him but that wasn’t the case it turned out to be a year and a half. In that year and a half he kept telling others of Christ and many believed. Like Carl in the ER when he helped do an awful job with an enema, need I say more? After all was done Carl was asked where he went to Church? Carl told him then Carl was asked was he going to heaven? Carl said yes to which my friend smiled and said that’s great Carl. Carl's face beamed with joy. Then Carl was asked how he knew that for sure? Carl, still beaming with joy said “because I treat people with respect, I also help others, I have never cheated on my wife and I’m not too bad of a person. All those things are admirable without doubt, but if that is what it takes for us to go to heaven then Jesus' death, burial and resurrection was not needed. Then Carl was told about what Jesus really did for him and right there in that ER Carl asked Christ to come into his heart and forgive him of his sin. I wrote all that to say that my friend was a great example of what Christ has done in his life. He never quit telling others until time stopped for him and he opened his eyes in the land he had told so many about. 

😷Joy in Affliction🌤️

No matter who you are or what your life has been like so far, the rest of your life's journey can be different. With God's help you can begin again.

~ Billy Graham ~

1 Thessalonians 1:6 (KJV) And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:

Not always but sometimes “affliction” brings people to Christ. God forbid that I would wish any type of affliction on anyone but oftentimes it changes mindsets. In Mark chapter 5 we see that in the life of a man named Jairus. His daughter is at the point of death and he comes to Jesus asking Him to come to his home. This affliction in Jairus life has caused him to do something he would not have done months earlier.  Why? Jairus was a ruler of the  synagogue. That would be like an atheist going to a Baptist Pastor asking for Godly guidance. When afflictions come things change. Jairus came to Jesus and asked for help and Jesus went with him. Mark 5:24 (KJV) And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him. All was going well until a woman who had been sick for 12 years stopped them. Time is of the essence couldn’t this lady wait. I mean she has been sick for 12 years. What's a few more hours? That’s the way we think our problems seem to be of greater importance. Then the word came to Jairus

Mark 5:35 (KJV) While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? It now looks as if there is no hope.  But wait. Mark 5:36 (KJV) As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.

Never give up, believe in the hopeless, believe when others give up, keep trusting in the Lord. That’s what Jairus did not at hopelessness, not at his religion, not in his church or synagogue, not at those laughing at him but in Christ Jesus. Jairus could have given up and buried his daughter and received what little comfort his friends and loved ones could have given him but he didn’t. Too many times we give up too soon and we believe it can’t be done. Oh no, sometimes God uses affliction in our lives to draw us closer to Him. That’s what God used in my life and I’m so glad He did. Sometimes affliction is a good thing “much affliction, with joy”