"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE WILL OF GOD FOR OUR LIVES"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE WILL OF GOD FOR OUR LIVES"

1st Thessalonians 4:1 “Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God;”

1st Thessalonians 4:2 “for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.”

1st Thessalonians 4:3 “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality;”

(Taken from today's reading in The One Year Bible 10/11/14)

Some explanatory thoughts, application, questions and a prayer:

Paul had founded this church, but was only able to be with them for 2-3 weeks, and had to leave for his safety because of persecution.
He gave them a very good grounding in the Word of God while he was with them, but they had questions about living the christian life which made their way to him, and this letter contains the answers to many of those questions. These 3 verses deal with an aspect of the will of God. It's important to remember that the converts in this Greek city of Thessalonica had lived in a culture where immorality was the norm, not the exception. But now as believers, God called them to live as citizens of heaven, and to behave accordingly. May these verses help you understand God's will for your life, and maybe you can help someone else understand the will of God also. We live in a culture that encourages what the Bible calls sin.

1. Believers can be exhorted and encouraged in the Lord Jesus.

1st Thessalonians 4:1 “Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God;”

Paul was speaking as a christian to christians.
He was urging or encouraging them in their walks.
He was doing so in the name of the Lord, or in accordance with the will of God
He was encouraging them to live in such a way that it was pleasing to the Lord.

2. Believers are to abound more and more just as they have been taught.

1st Thessalonians 4:1 “Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God;”

1st Thessalonians 4:2 “for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.”

Once we come to faith, we are alive in Christ.
We are like newborn babies full of life but needing to grow.
As newborn babies in the Lord, we feed on the Word of God for our growth.
Growing is something that ought to keep on keeping on until we leave this world.
That's what Paul was encouraging them to do.
To abound yet more and more.
Meaning to continue putting into application what You have been taught and learned.

3. The will of God also includes our sanctification (or being holy), and abstaining from sexual immorality.

1st Thessalonians 4:3 “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality;”

God wants us to be holy.
Being holy means to live our lives for God.
Being holy means to be set apart for God's will and purposes.

God's will and purposes include our avoiding sexual immorality.
In other words we should steer clear of all sexual sin.
The world's way of living does not reveal the will of God for our lives.
One thing we can learn about the world's way of living is that it's generally the opposite of God's will.

The world does not look on sexual activity as immoral for the most part.
The Lord knows what is moral and what is immoral.
Sexual immorality only gives momentary pleasure at best.
Sexual immorality will most assuredly bring pain, sorrow, and destruction in it's wake.
That's why God wants us to avoid it, and live our lives for Him, where we find true and lasting pleasures.

Questions:

1. Have you been a believer long enough to see the truth of what is said in these verses?

2. Can you see how God wants you to keep on growing, and that it will bring him pleasure?

3. Do you know why God is pleased when you live in accordance with His will?

4. Do you think its because He knows what is best for you and how His will brings blessing into your life?

A Prayer:

Father, we are so delighted to even be able to call You Father. What a joy You have brought into our lives. We are not orphans, nor are we under the control of the evil one any longer. You have graciously and with rich mercy changed our lives. Thank you for the new life You have given to us. We want to abound more and more just like You have said in these verses. We also want to avoid what is harmful and wrong. Please help us to live in a way that is pleasing to You. And thank You for knowing what is best for us and wanting what is best for us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE BLESSING OF TRUSTING IN THE LORD"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE BLESSING OF TRUSTING IN THE LORD"

Jeremiah 17:7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD.”

Jeremiah 17:8 “For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.”

(Taken from today's reading in The One Year Bible 10/10/14)

Some explanatory thoughts, applications, questions and a prayer:

Jeremiah the prophet was sent by God, as were all the other prophets, to deliver God's message to His people.
The message of the prophets was always an exhortation or invitation to return to the Lord, and to forsake their wicked ways.
It was also a message of what would happen to the people if they continued in their stubbornness and rebellion against God.
But, as with the ways of the Lord there were also very consistent bright spots in these messages.
Much like the one we are looking at today.
These verses speak of the blessing that comes to the man or woman, boy or girl who will put their trust, their faith in the Lord.

1. Blessings come to the man who trusts in the LORD.

Jeremiah 17:7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD.”

Blessings and trust always go together in the Bible.
God promises to bless the man who trusts in Him.
Trust of faith is always said to be "in the LORD”.
We are called to put our faith in God.
It means we believe Him, and take Him at His Word.
It means that we seek to apply His Word as He shows us how to.

2. Blessings come to the man who hopes in the LORD.

Jeremiah 17:7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD.”

Blessings and hope also go together in the Bible.
A man can make the Lord his hope.
A man can make the Lord his confidence.
There are many things to hope in in this life.
The Lord is always here for us to hope in.
Hoping in God, being confident in God brings great blessings into our lives.

3. Blessings consist of both being fruitful, not anxious, and a promise of continued fruitfulness.

Jeremiah 17:8 “For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit”

The blessings of God are described for us.
Like trees planted alongside a riverbank.
With roots that reach deep into the water.
These trees (or people who trust in God) will not be bothered by the heat or the long months of drought.
People who trust God will be fruitful.
Their fruit will remain, and they will continue to be fruitful.

Some Questions:

1. Do you know that God wants you to trust in Him?

2. Do you know that God invites you to trust in Him?

3. Do you know that as you trust in the Lord blessings will evidence themselves in your life?

4. Do you know that your trust in God will result in lasting and abundant fruit in your life?

5. Can you think of anyone, or anything better to hope in than God?

A Prayer:

Father, we thank You for the many promises You make to us. We thank You that You are faithful to keep Your promises.
And, we thank You that You invite us to trust in You, and to place our hope in You. You also promise us that we will experience fruitfulness as we trust in You. We trust You and You make us fruitful. How wonderful and simple.
You have created us to bear fruit, much fruit and fruit that would remain and abide.
That fruit is Love. Lord, there is no one like You, and we honor and praise You for Your goodness and Your mercy, grace, and love.
In Jesus’ name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT A HEALTHY CHURCH AND A HEALTHY CHRISTIAN"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT A HEALTHY CHURCH AND A HEALTHY CHRISTIAN"

1st Thessalonians 1:9 “For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,”

1st Thessalonians 1:10 “and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”

(Taken from today's reading in The One Year Bible 10/9/14)

Some explanatory thoughts, applications, questions and a prayer:

Paul was writing to this very young church, but a very healthy church, and seeking to encourage them in their walk and at the same time defend Himself against false accusations that were being leveled against him. One of the interesting facts of this letter is that the coming again of Jesus Christ is mentioned at least once in each of the five chapters. These two verses are a summary of this church, and a great example for you and I who are seeking to follow Jesus Christ.

1. Believers have turned to God from idols.

1st Thessalonians 1:9 “For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,”

Prior to being saved, these people in Thessalonica had worshipped idols.
They were what we would call idolators.
But upon hearing the gospel, they turned to God.

Turning to God is also called repenting.
So, they turned from their idols to God.

These people became saved as they turned to God.
When someone repents and believes, they become saved.

2. Believers can and ought to be serving the living and true God.

1st Thessalonians 1:9 “For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,”

Not only did these people become saved, but they became servants of God.
They had formally been enslaved to serving idols made by hands.

Now they were serving the living and the true God.
Not all christians are serving God.

But all christians are called to and invited by God to serve Him.
It's the most logical thing in the world to do.
To serve the One who has saved your soul.

3. Believers while serving God are also waiting for His Son from heaven.

1st Thessalonians 1:10 “and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”

Along with having turned to God and now serving God there was something else.
They were waiting expectantly for Jesus to return from heaven.

Jesus Himself said He would return.
He is in heaven at this time preparing a place for us.
He has promised to come back and receive us to Himself so that we can be with Him forever.

4. Believers have been delivered from the wrath to come.

1st Thessalonians 1:10 “and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”

Here is the wonder of our salvation.
We once were headed for wrath because of our sins.
But we now have been delivered from wrath because of God's salvation.
When we believed we were also delivered from the judgement to come.

Questions:

1. Can you remember when you were changed by God?

2. Do you remember what it was like to go from serving idols to now knowing God?

3. Do you rejoice in the hope of seeing Jesus face to face?

4. Do you know that He is coming again to get you and keep you with Himself forever?

5. And wonder of wonders, do you rejoice in the fact that you will not face the judgement of God, but will enjoy the pleasures of heaven forever and ever?

A Prayer:

Father, thank You for sending Jesus. And Jesus, thank You for dying for our sins on the cross. Thank You for rising from the dead and calling us to Yourself. We have made the most important decision we could make. Deciding to receive and follow the very Son of God, the Savior of our souls. Thank You, Lord, for the glorious freedom You have given us, and thank You for the incredible future we have in Christ.
In Jesus’ name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT WISDOM, TIME, THE LOST, AND OUR SPEECH"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT WISDOM, TIME, THE LOST, AND OUR SPEECH"

Colossians 4:5 “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.”

Colossians 4:6 “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”

(Taken from today's reading in The One Year Bible 10/8/14)

Some explanatory thoughts, application, questions and a prayer:

Again, we are in the practical, i.e how to live the christian life part of the letter to the Colossians. These two verses cover many areas of our lives, and have to do with daily areas of our lives. May these very words from God in these verses exhort you, comfort you, and encourage you to live your life in a way that brings honor and glory to your creator and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

1. We are to live wisely among those who are not yet saved.

Colossians 4:5 “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.”

We are alive in Christ.
We are alive in this world.
We are surrounded by people who do not yet know Christ and need to, or they will perish forever.

God can and will give us wisdom as we live our lives.
He expects us and calls us to live our lives in a wise way among the unsaved.

Remember, God used Christians who were living wisely to affect you for salvation.
Now, the Lord wants to use you in the same way.
Your wise living is a powerful tool in the hands of God to reach the lost for Christ.

2. We are to make the most of every opportunity that comes our way.

Colossians 4:5 “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.”

Our time here on earth may seem long, but it's actually like a vapor.
Vapors appear ever so briefly, and then vanish away.
That's what our life is like, it's short.

However, what God says is for us to make the most of every opportunity that comes our way.
He is talking about being aware of those who are not yet saved, and seeking to be used of God for their sakes.

We have Jesus as our example.
He worked tirelessly to reach people because He loved them, and knew their fate apart from Him.
We ought to follow His example and pray for, look for, and use each opportunity to help others that comes our way.

3. We are to live our lives in a gracious way, so that we will have the right answer for any and everyone.

Colossians 4:6 “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”

Paul helps us here with some detailed how to type of instruction.
Our speech can be seasoned with salt.
Imagine that for a moment.
Your speech seasoned with salt.

Let's look again at the verse.

Colossians 4:6 “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”

What he is saying is put this way in the NLT:

Colossians 4:6 “Let your conversation be gracious and effective so that you will have the right answer for everyone.”

We are to speak with grace. We are to live graciously.
We are to live in a way that is effective.
So that we can truly help give the right answers to those that need them.

Some Questions:

1. How aware are you of the unsaved around you?

2. Do you know that once you were in their shoes?

3. Can you imagine for a moment how God had planned to send people into your life to bring the good news of Jesus to you?

4. Have you considered that God wants to use your life to effect others with His saving grace?

5. Will you take a moment to re-read these two simple but powerful verses and ask God to help you live them out?

Colossians 4:5 “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.”

Colossians 4:6 “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”

A Prayer:

Father, we grow day by day more in love with You as we learn of You and experience Your work in our lives, and rejoice in the everlasting hope You have given to us in and through Jesus Christ. You have us here on earth for more reasons than we can imagine. Some of those reasons are in the verses we have looked at today. We want to say to You this morning, yes, Lord. Yes, we want to follow You and obey Your Word, and ask that You use our lives to bring blessing to others, and to bring glory to You. Your love for them is the exact same love You have for us. May we be sensitive to Your leading today, Lord, and be effective servants of God. In Jesus’ name.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT WHAT TO SEEK"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT WHAT TO SEEK"

Colossians 3:1 “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.”

Colossians 3:2 “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”

Colossians 3:3 “For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”

Colossians 3:4 “When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”

(Taken from today's reading in the One Year Bible 10/7/14)

Some explanatory thoughts, application, questions and a prayer:

These verses are from a very practical part of the letter to the Colossians. Normally Paul will start a letter with explaining doctrinal truths as he has done in this letter, and then towards the middle or end of the letter teach on a very practical level. How to live the new life that we have in Christ. And that is what he is doing here. In fact, he is telling us here what we are to be seeking. These are wonderful verses directing us to the God who loves us, and has promised to reveal Himself to all who seek Him in sincerity and truth.

1. Christians have been raised with Christ.

Colossians 3:1 “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.”

The word "if" here actually means, "since" So, Paul is stating a fact that is true of every truly born again believer in Jesus Christ.
Believers have been raised into a new life with Christ.
Our old lives are over and all things have become new now that we are born again.
This first part of verse 1, becomes the platform that Paul is going to build on as he instructs us about what to seek and how to live.

2. Christians are called to seek those things that are above.

Colossians 3:1 “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.”

As Christians there are many things we can seek
Paul is directing us as to what to seek.
He calls it seeking those things that are above.
Or to set our sights on the realities of heaven.

3. Christians can, and are, called to set their minds in a certain place.

Colossians 3:2 “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”

Paul gets a little more specific here.
He make a comparison about what to seek, and what not to seek.
He is encouraging us to let heaven fill our thoughts.
And, he is encouraging us not to only let the things of this earth fill our minds.
Look up and seek what is above.
That's where God wants us to place our thoughts.

4. Christians have died, and are now alive in Christ and have a glorious future ahead of them.

Colossians 3:3 “For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
Colossians 3:4 “When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”

Christians are said to have died, and yet they live.
We died when we placed our faith in Christ.
And we were born again when we placed our faith in Christ.
We are now alive in Christ.
In fact our lives are hidden with Christ in God.
We are safely in Christ and in God as it were.

And, here's the best part.
It's what's coming to those who are in Christ.
Jesus is coming back.
And when Jesus comes back and appears, we will appear with Him in glory.
We will then reign and rule with Him on the earth for 1000 years.

What a glorious new life we have in Christ.
What a glorious location to focus our thoughts on.
What a glorious person we are to look at.
What a glorious future awaits all true Christians.

Some Questions:

1. Do you ever wonder what to do with your mind and your thoughts?

2. Do you ever wish your mind was stronger and more filled with joy and peace?

3. Do you realize that God is inviting you to set your mind on Him?

4. Do you know that Jesus Christ views you as His friend and He wants to commune with you?

A Prayer:

Father, thank You for what You have done in giving us new life. Our old life is over. All of our sins have been forgiven. We are now in Christ, and in God and are bound for heaven. We are not only bound for heaven itself, but when Jesus returns we are going to be returning with Him. What glory awaits all true believers. Lord, You want us to behold Your glory, and one day we will. We love You, Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT GOING FORWARD IN THE LORD OR GOING BACKWARDS"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT GOING FORWARD IN THE LORD OR GOING BACKWARDS"

Jeremiah 7:23 “But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.’”

Jeremiah 7:24 “Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but followed the counsels and the dictates of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward.”

(Taken from today's reading in The One Year Bible 10/6/14)

Some explanatory thoughts, applications, questions and a prayer:

These are God's Words through His prophet Jeremiah to the Southern Kingdom of Judah. God was seeking over and over again to call the people back to that right relationship with Him. So, He would send them one prophet after another, yet they rejected out of hand the Word of God, and eventually suffered greatly for it.
These two verses give us the way forward and also describe what can happen if God's Word is rejected, men go backwards away from God.

1. God does give commands to His people.

Jeremiah 7:23 “But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.’”

Here we have the message of God through Jeremiah to the people of God.
It's a simple message. And it's a message that is connected with a promise.

Jeremiah 7:23 “But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.’”

God was calling His people to obey His Word, and He promised that He would be their God. Very simple.
But there was more.
God also said they would be His people
And through their obedience they would walk in His ways, and it would be well with them.

What a loving God we have to tell us what we ought to do, and why, and what will happen as we do.

2, God's people can choose to obey God's command or go their own way.

Jeremiah 7:24 “Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but followed the counsels and the dictates of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward.”

The Bible records the truth.
The truth here and at this time, and so often in the lives of people today, is found in this verse.

Jeremiah 7:24 “Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but followed the counsels and the dictates of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward.”

God was calling the people to obey Him, and they did not.
God was calling the people to incline their ear to Him but they would not.

Instead of obedience and listening to God and going in His ways, the people listened to the counsels of their own hearts and the dictates of their evil hearts, they wound up going backwards and not forward.

Here's how these two verses read in the NLT:

Jeremiah 7:23 “This is what I told them: ‘Obey me, and I will be your God, and you will be my people. Only do as I say, and all will be well!’”

Jeremiah 7:24 “But my people would not listen to me. They kept on doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil hearts. They went backward instead of forward.”

In short summary all would have been well if the people had simply obeyed God. The fellowship between the people and God would have been restored. All would have been well if they would have merely obeyed God.

However, the people chose to disobey, they would not listen to God, that was the choice they made. They were stubborn and listened to their own evil hearts. The result, they went backwards away from God.

Some Questions:

1. Do you ever think about the truth contained in these verses?

2. Obedience to God brings blessing, and disobedience leads one away from God?

3. Do you ever consider the difference between a pure and holy God's Words and ways, and the evil desires of your own heart?

4. What a difference there is, wouldn't you agree?

5. Do you know that there is hope for the person who has gone backwards, it's called grace, and goodness, and it leads one to repentance and back into a fruitful relationship of blessing with God. God will receive you if you are away from Him, and turn back to Him.

A Prayer:

Father, You speak and we can hear. You speak and direct us into Your ways. We choose to listen and obey or not listen and not obey.
No wonder You taught us to pray, "lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil” (literally the evil one). There is evil within our fallen natures and there is the devil and his angels who love nothing more than for us to not listen and not obey You. They encourage us to go our own way, and they know full well what will happen. O Lord, forgive us for any sin in our lives and lead us in Your ways, Lord. May we hear, listen, obey, and enjoy the blessed life You have for us. We pray for all those we know this very day who have gone backwards and ask that Your goodness will lead them to repentance, turning back to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.