Today is the first day of Advent. Hurry! Let the crazy chaos begin.
And wait. Wait for the Lord. Wait for the coming of the Christ Child. Wait for Christ’s return.
Revelation 22:20 (NIV)
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Add “wait on the Lord” to your Christmas to-do list.
1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 (MSG)
Pray all the time;
thank God no matter what happens.
Prayer and thanks. Better together. All the time.
“Prayer and Thanksgiving are the two wings of the soul by which it rises upward to God.”
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges, 1883
George G. Findlay, Thessalonians
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges is a Bible commentary first published in the 1880’s by Cambridge University Press. The general editor, Anglican Bishop John Perowne, allowed the writer of each individual commentary “the unfettered exercise of his own judgment.” George G. Findlay (1849-1919) was a Professor of New Testament Language and Literature at the Wesleyan College, Headingley, Leeds (the oldest school of theological education for the Methodist Church of Great Britain).
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (CEV)
Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ. This is what God wants you to do.
Thank God for:
Yes and no
More and less
Uncommon and common
Practical and spiritual
Past and present
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLV)
In everything give thanks.
The Greek work for “everything” is pas. In simple terms, the whole thing–each and every part. Not just the dessert, but the whole meal–including the vegetables and salad.
Not just the happy endings, but our whole life story; in short, all of it.
“Thanks for everything.” You say it to your host and hostess when you leave. What does it mean?
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NASB)
In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you.
Thanks for everything–it’s God’s will for you.
FARMS International strives to fulfill the call of this verse:
Galatians 6:10 (NIV)
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
FARMS focuses their efforts on Christian families living in dire poverty and involves their local churches.
” FARMS International follows a biblical approach to releasing families from poverty. We combine Christian stewardship with interest free loans to help families give and work their way out of poverty. Our unique and refreshing approach to microcredit has helped thousands of families and their churches in places of great need and persecution for over 58 years!”
It is easy to be so focused on the spread of the gospel that we fail to see the needs of distant brothers and sisters in Chirst.
Lord, give those of us living in comfort your eyes for the needs of believers around the world. Let us use our resources, as FARMS does, to preserve dignity and prevent dependency. May we all be good stewards of our work, wisdom and wealth, in Jesus’ name.
Matthew 28:19 (ESV)
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.
Not “Please, when you have time, go.”
Not “If and when you feel up to it, go.”
Not “Somebody else will go.”
“Go. Make.”
Matthew 13:52 (CEV)
So he [Jesus] told them, “Every student of the Scriptures who becomes a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like someone who brings out new and old treasures from the storeroom.”
New and old treasures–some think this means the New and Old Testaments. I wonder if it isn’t new and old wisdom. That is, a disciple doesn’t depend on old knowledge alone, but continually gathers new insights.
Dear Lord, keep adding new treasures to the old ones stored in my soul. And don’t let me be a hoarder. Teach me to share.
Paul and Barnabas set an example for us to follow:
Acts 14:21-22 (NIV)
They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith.
Making disciples isn’t one-and-done. It’s not short and simple. It’s on-going work. 
