seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
1 Thessalonians 1:1 Paul, Silas and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace and peace to you.
2 We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
4 For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. 6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, 9 for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.
In case you want to read it for yourself, here's the commentary I read this morning.Well, it's the first day of the "Holiday Season". I used to park at the Walmart at about 2AM and join the line of others who wanted to get the cool stuff while it was cheap. Most of what I bought would go to the family... but some were for me... but all was at a really good price. I used to say "I'm celebrating Jesus' Birthday". God gave us a gift, so in kind... We give gifts to others. That's what I was taught and that's what I did.... until I read the Bible a couple times.
There are a couple of new little children in the family this year. My granddaughter has a roommate who has two children. They are 2 and 4 years old. I'm so excited for them. I'm excited for me too... because I make dolls and critters... and these kids will get lots of hugs. It reminds me, though, of when I was a single mom with three babies and the church refused to help. This time, this mom and her children will get help. They will know love this season.
I was also taught that this season is for children. They have been through so much over the past few years. They survived COVID and RSV only to be shot down in cold blood at school. They deserve some "peace", don't you think?
When Jesus was born, children were hunted down and murdered. The human king in charge of the government heard that one of those children would grow to replace him on the throne. So, that miserable man decided to "kill them all". He didn't count on Jesus escaping to Egypt. Wait... aren't children [gentile children] ... trying to escape to Egypt this "holiday season"?
Some parents will not be able to buy a little Barbie or GI Joe for their babies. Some parents are living in the streets with their children. Some children will be shot down in their own neighborhoods this "holiday season". We'll get the news and we will shake our heads and go on with life. We are so used to it.
I wonder... back in the days when babies were being murdered.... Did people just shake their heads and go on with life? Sure, they did... after all, ... the government knows what it's doing... right?
I'm grateful to the church for refusing to help me. I might have blindly followed what they said the Bible says... even though it's obvious they don't really believe what they preach. I'm grateful to my Lord who gave me the "Spirit" to interpret what the Bible really tells us.
Yes, God did give us the most wonderful gift of all when He allowed His Son to come to earth and be our Savior.
God gave that gift to ALL CHILDREN not just the rich white babies. God gave us the chance to be "God's adopted Children".
If you are Human... You are invited.... Christmas has so much more meaning to the "Children of God".
All you have to do is Believe!
Paul, Silas, and Timothy were grateful for the Thessalonians. They Believed! The Thessalonians weren't perfect models of Christianity... but they Believed and they spread the word about Jesus.
It's the first day of the Holiday Season. Can we make it about "Children"?
I'm grateful for "children".
