Enjoying I & II Thessalonians and Timothy

This is day 57 in my reading through the Bible.  It takes 60 days at 20 chapters a day.  I just read this morning the last two chapters of Colossians, and then I read I Thessalonians, II Thessalonians, I Timothy, and II Timothy.  I even read ahead for tomorrow and read Titus and Philemon (four extra chapters).  These books are a real blessing to read.  You need your pen out to constantly be underlining verses, phrases, or words.  You can see the love the apostle Paul has for these churches and individuals.  He pours out his heart and prays for them by name all of the time.  The Thessalonians were a dear people to Paul.  When he preached to them, they received the preaching for what it was, the Word of God.  They heard the Word, they received the Word, they became followers of the Lord and Paul, they were examples to others, and finally they themselves "sounded out the word of the Lord".  These verses are found in chapter one, verses 5-8.  I call this: "Full Cycle Christianity".  It starts with hearing the Word, and it ends with preaching the Word.  We are to fulfill our cycle and preach and teach what once we heard and were taught as well.  I Thess. Chapter 4 deals with the rapture of the church.  What a glorious day that will be!  One of these days Jesus is coming for His children… in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye… Jesus will come for us!!  Chapter 5 verses 12, 13 say to "know them which labor among you" and "to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake".  I'm glad to say I pastor a church that does that to their pastor and others faithful workers in the church.  It is a blessing when God's people do things God's way.  I Tim. 2:4- "Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."  This is God's will… for people to be saved.  What a blessing to know God wants people to trust Christ as their Savior and be saved!!  We are the messengers to carry out that good news.  Let's be faithful to do so.  In I Tim. 3:15 this verses talks about "the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth."  The church is far under rated by our society, but it is exalted in the Word of God.  God uses the tool of the local Church to carry out His Will and we all need to be actively a part of it and to follow its leadership for our lives.  I'll end with this thought in II Tim. 3:16-"All scripture is given by inspiration of God".  Wow!  This word means "God breathed".  Thus, the Word of God came "right from the mouth of God", literally!!  For all of those liberal skeptics, they are missing the boat thinking it has been corrupted by man, because God not only inspired His Words, but says He will Preserve His Words.  I'm glad we have a Bible that is preserved.  My KJV Bible is still the Word of God in its entirety!!  Well, I've only had one cup of coffee this morning, and I'm going to get another and then start my day.  Hope you have a blessed day!!  Pastor Mike Mutchler

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