💡Light Not Dark 🌑

There is a crack in everything that’s how light gets in. 

1 Thessalonians 5:5 (KJV) Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

Back in verse 4 we read God’s children are not in darkness. Well if we are not in darkness where does that leave us? Well some are in light. No that’s not so we read “Ye are all the children of light” one day we were all in darkness until  

2 Corinthians 4:6 (KJV) For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Light overcomes darkness. Then we read has shined in, that’s past tense which means there was darkness but light has overcome the darkness. Then we are told what the light does “to give the light of the knowledge.”   KNOWLEDGE comes how?  Webster says knowledge is A clear and certain perception of that which exists. Learning; illumination of mind. 

Where do you think the best place to get learning, being taught would be? Learning comes first by being taught and then by experience. The more you do what you have been taught the better you become. Paul says we are all the children of light. Hallelujah! Then he goes on to say who we are “the children of the day” because “we are not of the night” What could change that? Three things.

1. 1 Thessalonians 5:6 (KJV) Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; Going to sleep there is no learning or experience 
2. but let us watch People get overtaken when they aren’t watching.
3. and be sober. When people are not clear in their thinking they can’t think straight.

1 Thessalonians 5:6 (KJV) Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. Don’t become inactive. In other words don’t keep quiet about what you know. Don’t go to sleep at the switch!

👨🏾‍🦯Not In Darkness🏃🏿‍♀️‍➡️

 Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that.

1 Thessalonians 5:4 (KJV) But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

“But ye,” then we are told who the ye are “brethren” brethren born of the same womb. The Apostle Paul is saying brothers you are not living in darkness or in other words you have a relationship with Christ Jesus. Brethren you know what is coming because you know who Christ is. You and I live in a different time and you and I have a the guide book of life the Bible to read and learn, so you and I should know more than these in Thessalonica. Therefore we too should not be walking in “darkness” that the day of the Lord should overtake us like a thief in the night. We have got the Book and it’s plain to what’s a head. I would be the first to say I don’t know it all, I can’t comprehend it all, it is way too big for my tin cup thinking mind. Now that being written I believe what I read. The Lord Jesus Christ is coming back. We can read about that in I Thessalonians 4 starting in verse 13 and how it will take place. It really doesn’t matter where I believe it or not although I do but either way believe it or not it is going to happen. Today I’m not walking around in darkness, I know because my Bible tells what’s ahead of me. It’s great to know what is ahead. I was stationed for a time in Fairbanks Alaska and back in those days with sports you saw the games on TV a day late. In other words if the Giants played the Rams we wouldn’t see the game until the next day, but you could listen to it on the radio the same day they played. One day as we were watching a football game that had already been played, one guy spoke up and said the Giants are going to win, they are playing great. Another guy spoke up and said no the Rams are going to win. The other guy said do you want to place some money on that? The other guys who already knew the Rams had won the game  yesterday said sure how much. That’s the confidence we have so therefore we are not in darkness to this future advent. No matter what you see going on today we KNOW there is a better day coming. Therefore we are not in the dark.

🏃‍➡️Running Toward The Back Wall🏃‍♀️‍➡️

 All should strive to learn before they die, what they are running from, and to, and why.

1 Thessalonians 5:3 (KJV) For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

As I read that verse the word “escape” caught my attention. Webster said this about the word “escape”  To flee from and avoid; to get out of the way; to shun; to obtain security from; to pass without harm; as, to escape danger. 

When I was young my Daddy had me helping him rebuild the back porch. It was 12 or 15 feet from the ground. It was about 14 steps up to a small porch about a 3X3 with rails around 3 sides. I was on the ground when I heard my Dad yelling for me to run. I just took off running without looking to see why. As I ran I heard this loud crash behind me. Somehow the porch had come loose from the house and fell to the ground and it hit hard and loud. Had  I first looked around to see why I was to run I would have been hit by the falling porch. I had escaped danger and avoided harm and a trip to the ER thanks to my Dad. Sometimes as I’m thinking back over my childhood and the protection and the many escapes, I often think why did I so quickly listen to my Dad without question? Was it because I knew he loved me and if he said run there must be a reason for saying such. I’m not sure. In the verse before us we read of no escape. Before we read of the no escape we read this “as travail upon a woman with child” that’s an interesting word picture. First we read about the thief in the night, then about peace and safety. Then Boom, destruction❗️🗯️ It comes so fast like a thief and like a woman giving birth. What is this verse teaching us? The day of the Lord cometh and cometh fast. It would be nice if this world had peace and safety but it’s not going to happen no matter how hard we work at it. 

2 Timothy 3:13 (KJV) But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. The race for power is a strong addiction and no matter who or what gets in the way it must go.  This world is in a destruction mode and is gaining momentum everyday. The Apostle Paul is telling us today to wake up, look around, what do you see? The Lord is Coming! He is our only escape. If you were in a building that somehow it caught on fire and there was only one door out what would you do? Hopefully you wouldn’t run toward the back wall. Oh no you would run to the only door there was to escape. Now with that word picture in your mind read this.  

John 10:7 (KJV) Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

John 10:9 (KJV) I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

Are you running toward the back wall?

⏳Time Where Did It Go⌛️

 My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon?

1 Thessalonians 5:1 (KJV) But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.

1 Thessalonians 5:2 (KJV) For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

The time or season we have no idea of when the Lord will return and call His people away. Then Paul goes on and says but you know that the day of the Lord is coming and the way He comes will be like a thief. A thief doesn’t let you know when he is coming. A thief makes sure you aren’t aware of his showing up. Well when this world is not thinking or paying  attention, thinking all is well He will come. The problem is that this world just keeps getting further and further away from God so that when He comes it’s like a thief in the night. Many will scratch their heads and say “what happened.” Then Paul goes on, he says but you know, the Lord is not going to be a surprise because you know The Lord is coming, you are looking for His return. I’m afraid that many Christian look at the return of Christ as their death. They know it’s coming but not today I have plenty of time. 

1 Corinthians 15:51 (KJV) Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

1 Corinthians 15:52 (KJV) In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

We may not have as much time as we think! When it happens it will be fast.

🕵️‍♂️Without Doubt 🦮

 Grieving hearts need comforting words from a truthful source.

1 Thessalonians 4:18 (KJV) Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 

Paul tells his readers to “comfort one another” You yourself may have heard these words at a graveside of a loved one or friend right before their body is lowered into the ground. The first thing the Apostle Paul writes about is the assurance of those that have placed their trust in The Lord Jesus Christ. Even though their body is in the grave they are ok and with the Lord. Then Paul tells those that are still living and grieving the loss of their loved one, it’s ok, you’ll be together again. Then Paul goes on to tell those with broken hearts to “comfort one another with these words.” Words from the scripture will always comfort the broken hearted. Better than that, words from the scriptures will continually comfort those that believe they are true. Day after day I write of the truth from the scriptures. Truths I have put my trust in because I know they are true. Let me share one. My dad, my hero, the man that taught me so much, the doctors gave him little time to live. They said it like this “your dad will seem all is well but it’s not and when his time comes it will happen fast, and it did. Oh my! I was really concerned about what they said. First, I was about to lose my dad, my hero. Second, I was concerned about his salvation. He was a good man without doubt but good isn’t enough to get one to heaven. He was in the hospital and on a day in October I sat down and wrote him a letter that I would deliver to him that night. First I apologize for things I did without consulting him and mom thinking it wouldn’t trouble them. Like going and joining the military with a war going on where almost 60 thousand were killed, more than that were wounded and yet way more than that were mentally wounded for the rest of their life. Maybe being a World War II Vet he could have given me something to think about. Then I ran off and got married without a word to just name a few. Then I began to write and tell him about the day that The Lord Saved me. Then I finished up by telling him I was concerned about his salvation. I left that letter with him that night as I left his hospital room. At 11:30 that night he called me. He said he had read my letter and trusted Christ as his savior and two months later he was in heaven. It’s not what we have done, it’s who we have trusted. So when my Dads body was lowered into the cold grave I knew according to the scriptures that I have learned to trust in I would without doubt see him again. Those scriptures have not only assured me but have comforted me over and over again. 

Next time we start in Chapter 5 where Paul writes of the thief in the night.   

🎩It’s Not Magic 🐇

 It’s not the events of our lives that shape us, but our beliefs as to what those events mean.

1 Thessalonians 4:15 (KJV) For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

After The Apostle Paul says “others which have no hope” Then he says “For if we believe” he says here in verse 15 “For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord” Where do you think Paul is getting all of his understanding? He tells us “by the word of the Lord” Now the reason many don’t know is because they know little or nothing about God’s Word. Acts 1:10 (KJV) And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

Acts 1:11 (KJV) Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

This same Jesus not another, not a look Like, not an imposter but this same Jesus “which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner”

The Jesus we read about in our Bibles is coming back. We hear that Jesus is coming; I know you have seen someone holding a sign that reads “Jesus is coming soon.” Maybe someone said the words “Jesus is coming soon.” Maybe you have heard the word “Rapture.” Maybe someone has told you that the word “Rapture” is not in the Bible. Well you heard right it’s not but what if I told you the principal of the word “Rapture” is. The word Rapture means  “A seizing by violence or by force.” 

1 Thessalonians 4:16 (KJV) For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: The dead? Where are the dead? Many are 6 feet underground. If you have ever been to the cemetery and watched a casket being lowered into a concrete vault then a lid placed on the vault, then dirt packed on top of all that. Here we read that “the dead in Christ shall rise first” I don’t think it will be a quiet happening in the graveyard. Why do I say that? Because the Bible says this 1 Thessalonians 4:17 (KJV) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Afterwards people who are alive will follow suit. I think all those that are alive one minute and gone the next, well I believe it will be noticed by those left behind. You are talking to someone and then they are gone. An airplane pilot is suddenly gone, oh my! Don’t you think it’s going to be a notable event? I think so. 

🥷Hurt People, Hurt People 🤷🏼‍♂️🤷‍♀️

If you want the rainbow you gotta put up with the rain.

1 Thessalonians 4:14 (KJV) For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

Do you remember the last few words in verse 13? “others which have no hope” Now that word “hope” is not a word meaning maybe or not sure of. Oh no it carries a very positive meaning of  expectation and confidence. The Apostle Paul is saying I don’t want you to be unlearned neither do I want you to be uncomfortable about your loved one or   yourselves. Then Paul starts off the next verse with “For if we believe” I know we all know what the word “believe” means but I always like to refresh my mind so I look up those words that I know. Here is what Webster says: “To have a firm persuasion of any thing”  Jesus told His disciples this 

John 14:1 (KJV) Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. Could unbelief bring on a heart that is troubled? I think so. If all I had was this life to look forward to it would be easy to become missable and depressed. Now don’t get me wrong I love living this life with all of its heartbreaks. Because I can’t forget the joy it has brought me. Now my belief in the God that I serve must or has to go further than this life.  If I based Christianity on my Church life and the way others have treated me I would have a poor respect of Christianity. This I had to learn, I can not base God’s character on those who say they are God’s children. Neither can I follow or believe everything I hear. That's why I love my Bible and why I want to know what it teaches for myself.

1 Corinthians 15:19 (KJV) If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. Yes, our confidence has to go way beyond this life. Paul says don’t be ignorant for if we have confidence that Jesus died and rose again. The question is do we have that kind of confidence? Do we have confidence in Jesus? Do we have confidence that there is a real place called heaven? Do we believe? Do we have confidence? Oh if I were to write of the way I have been treated, just at Church you might say something to me like this “why even go.” My answer would be two fold 

#1~If I let hurt people hurt me then I’m being hurt when there are many other good people who are all around me.

#2~Am I going because of the people? No! I’m going because this is the place I will learn more about Jesus. Confused soldiers are in great danger of the enemy overtaking them.  

If you and I let hurt people hurt us then we might get confused. John 14:1 (KJV) Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. That means you are going to have to work at it. Never forget you have an enemy.