The halfbaked Bard

Therefore encourage each other with these words. 1Thess:4:18 According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive who are left till the coming of the Lord will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the arch angel and with the trumpet call of God and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Self explanatory. I don't have anything more to comment. Just look forward to the hope we have with Jesus coming back to take us home. No more tears. No more fears. No more sadness. Only joy meeting Him in person. Look forward for that joy. It is this hope with which you are asked to endure. The hope of the beloved is mine and I am His. He is coming in person to rescue me and I will be in His bosom f...

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life. 1Thess:4:11 Being ambitious is to do something great in life. To do magnificent things. To achieve great goals. Paul's brotherly advise is to lead a quiet life and be ambitious to lead a quiet life. Doing great things will actually bring up the pride scale. If God brings it to your way, well and good. But desirous of being someone great in the world is a little bit dangerous. Be careful. Small is good. Little is good. Better a little with the fear of the Lord Thanq great wealth with turmoil. Pro:15:16. Image credit: https://www.vecteezy.com/free-photos/nature-window?page=95

It is God's will that you should be sanctified. 1Thess:4:3 For God did not call us to be impure but to live a holy life. 1Thess:4:7 The opposite of holy life is not unholiness. It is a routine, mundane living, because of the fallenness and corruption. Just live - that will be the opposite of holy living.  But you have been called to live a holy life. To take proactive steps to not look at those tempting billboards. To take proactive steps not to be angry today. To take proactive steps to feed yourself with the Word and nothing else. If not proactive, you will be swept away. If not proactive, you will be under the heavy weight to dance according to what the world says. That is unholy. God's plan is to sanctify you. To make you holy. Image courtesy: https://wallpapersafari.com/plain-white-wallpapers/

1 Thess:1:3 We continually remember before our God and Father, your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. A work produced by faith - All your works are like filthy rags. Then what is the need of all these good works that we are supposed to do. Bible also says, faith without works is dead. Though all our good deeds are like filthy rags and unpleasing to God, not enough to gain us salvation, works that come out of our faith reflect that we are indeed saved. Your labour prompted by love - let love motivate you to do the things you want to do. Love to that person and love to God. God so loved you that He gave His only Son for you. God loved you proactively. Your endurance inspired by hope - patience. Your decision not to react adversely which is inspired by the hope you have in God's ultimate redemption. That God is on your side. He is your protector and your provider. This is the foundation of Chr...

Devote yourself to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Col:4:2 This is how prayers should be - watchful and thankful. Watchful for all the needs. Praying not just for you and your immediate needs. Praying for all. Then time won't be enough. Look at Epaphras (v:12-13). He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodecia and Hierapolis. How thin is your prayer list? Not just physically. Content wise. Even when you pray for others. what is it that you pray for them? Their physical needs are important. But their spiritual growth do you pray? Be thankful - God has been gracious to you - first of all, in plucking you from the very gates of hell. Secondly, every moment, there are only reasons to thank Him. How He has led you, how He has guided you, how He has protected you.  It is worthwhile to take a break from your frantic running. Take y...

Husbands love your wives. Col:3:19 Is it that difficult. You are asked to just love. In fact it is much simpler than submitting and obeying. You don't create love. You feel love. You have loved her before. Passionately, selflessly. You found time for her. You cared for her. Where is your first love? You don't love her when all is well alone. When life is difficult. that is when you love. Whe she is indecisive, that is when you love. When she is confused, that is when you love. Do not be harsh with them (v:19). Be considerate (1Pet:3:7). Treat them with respect (1Pet:3:7). They are the weaker partner. You are strong - mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually. You are the one to support. You are the one who cares. You are the one who provides. But heirs with you of the gracious gift - equal with you but weaker. So that nothing will hinder your prayers (1Pet:3:7b) Love her - emotionally, spiritually, mentally, in every aspect. Lord, fill me with your endless love...