Scripture

Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever.

Observation

The day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly. When people are saying that all is well, disaster will fall on them.

We are not in the dark. We won’t be surprised when the Day of the Lord comes. We are the children of light, not of darkness. Let is live in the light, putting on faith and love like armour.

God chose to save us through Christ. He died for us so that we can live with Him forever.

Application

A lot of so-called prophecy experts release new alarming theories every day about the end times. We do not know the day or the hour – nobody knows.

The important thing is this – we are saved by faith in Christ.

Every person faces one of two fates- either eternal joy with God through faith in Jesus, or eternal punishment in what the Bible calls the second death.

If you have never made Jesus your Lord, then you are heading towards eternal suffering. If this is you, then ask Him to forgive you today. Turn your life around and put Jesus at the centre.

This is not only for so-called “fire insurance” to deliver you from hell, it also gives you a better life in the present age. Living God’s way is the only way to be joyful in this life and the next.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for saving me through Jesus Christ. Please help me to walk in your ways and to obey you in every part of my life. Amen.

Scripture.
The Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God. First the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. We will be with the Lord forever.

Observation
We should make it our goal to live a peaceful life, working for a living. Then non-Christians will respect our way of life.

Just as Jesus was raised to life, so those who died in Christ will also be raised to life when Christ returns.

The Lord will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, the voice of an archangel, a blast from a trumpet. Then the Christians who have died will rise from their graves, and those who are still alive will be caught up on the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.

Application
There is a lot of speculation about the so-called Rapture, based on this passage. In this reading of the end times, the church is basically snatched out of a world run by the Antichrist.

In reality, this passage is about a resurrection of all the saints, dead and alive. The language used by Paul suggests royal procession. As the king enters a town, people go out to welcome him and accompany him into the into the town which he already which he already reigns over.

Many Christians believe that Jesus will return to a world in which the church has faithfully completed its mission, in which the vast majority of the human race is saved and Jesus returns to take possession of His world.

Whether we are alive or dead at this time, it is an exciting time to look forward to.

Prayer
Thank you Lord for the assurance that you will reign over a new heaven and a new earth. Hallelujah! What a Saviour you are! Amen.

Scripture

May the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows.

Observation

Unable to return to Thessalonica himself, Paul sent Timothy to them while he remained in Athens. Timothy was to strengthen and encourage them and to keep them from being shaken by the troubles that were soon to come against them.

Timothy returned with good news about their faith and love. Paul has been greatly encouraged because they remained strong in their faith.

Paul prays that the Lord will grow their love for one another and for all people.

Application

As disciples of Jesus, who is the embodiment of God’s love, we are to be people who overflow with the love of God.

God’s plan for the church is that we should be an open community of love. Relationships within the community are meant to be as close as the relationship between God the Father, God the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Jesus prayed that we would be one as He and the Father are one.

Sadly, the church often falls short of this ideal. Personality clashes, political power games, and false gospels result in congregations being less than they should be.

The church is not only meant to be a close community, it is also meant to be open to newcomers – visitors, new believers, and so on. A church that is exclusive is no church at all.

This goal is only possible by the grace of God. So we need to pray to love one another and to love all people with the same extravagance that God has given us.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, please help my church to overflow in love for one another and for all people. Amen.

Scripture

As apostles of Christ, we certainly had a right to make some demands of you, but instead we were like children among you. We were like a mother feeding and caring for her own children.

Observation

Paul, Silas, and Timothy had been badly treated in Philippi. They were beaten and thrown into jail (Acts 16:19-40). Despite this, they came to Thessalonica and preached the gospel boldly.

They do not preach to win favour or from any impure motives. They are messengers approved by God and entrusted with the Good News. They did not flatter the Thessalonians or pretend to be their friends in order to get their money.

No, it was the opposite. They came as apostles of God, with gentleness. They were like a mother feeding her children. They loved them not just with the gospel, but they shared their lives with them also.

Application

With the rise in awareness of the ministry of apostles in recent years, many people have falsely taken the title of apostle.

People want to be the”big man” in control and able to push people around. Some take advantage of ordinary Christians in order to gain power, money, or status.

This is not the way of Jesus.

The apostles came to Thessalonica in gentleness and with a servant heart. They preached with boldness, but not with impure motives.

Rather than seeking gain from the converts, they gave themselves to them, like a mother who feeds her children.

When assessing christian leaders, we we must look beyond their words, their style and the content of their message, to see how their actions line up with the example of Jesus or the apostles.

Prayer

Lord, please help me to serve your people rather than looking to be served. Amen

Scripture

They spoke of how you are looking forward to the coming of God’s Son from heaven – Jesus, whom God raised from the dead. He is the one who has rescued us from the terrors of the coming judgement.

Observation

Paul, Silas, and Timothy are writing to the church in Thessalonica. They thank God for this faithful group of believers. The Thessalonians are faithful in their work, deeds of love, and enduring hope.

God loves them and has chosen them to be His people. When Paul and the others took the Good News to them, it was not just with words, but with the power of the Holy Spirit. The Thessalonians responded with the joy of the Holy Spirit.

The word of the Lord is going out from them to people everywhere. People are talking about how they turned from idols to serve the living God how they look forward to the return of Christ.

Application

There is a judgement coming that every person must face. For those who live separately from God, it will be a time of terror. They will suddenly realise their sin as they are thrown into the fires of Hell.

There is a God who is alive. He is the one who created all things for His glory. He created every single person that has ever lived. We rebelled against him and worshipped false gods – whether literal idols or things such as wealth, success, and glory.

On the Day of Judgement, the Lord will divide everybody into two groups – sheep and goats. The sheep will enter eternal joy and fellowship with God. The goats will be separated from God for all eternity.

The only way into salvation is through faith in Jesus, whom God raised from the dead.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for saving me from Hell. You lifted me out of the kingdom of darkness and into the Kingdom of your dear Son. I pray that everybody reading this reflection will give their hearts to you. Amen.