Today’s Reading: Dan 4:1–37, 1 Thess 4:13–5:11, Job 41:1–9

Today’s Theme: Live Ready

Today’s theme is that we need to live ready. Nebuchadnezzar is given warning by God to live in humility before Him as the Most High God, the King of Heaven. Paul encourages us to live ready for death or the Lord’s return.

Don’t be deceived by the Dragon, trust God and live in a way that if He comes or calls you will go to be with Him with the confidence that you are not destined for Hell but eternal rule with Christ.

Daniel 4:1–37

The Most High God

It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has done for me. (Daniel 4:2, ESV)

It is wonderful to read about this pagan king acknowledging the greatness and power of God above all the other so called gods.

The kingdom of God

How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion endures from generation to generation. (Daniel 4:3, ESV)

God had revealed this very truth to the king in the dream. God’s kingdom though now and not yet, will someday be fully realised as an eternal kingdom in both the spiritual and physical world. We look with bated hope towards that great consummation of the love pact of the Trinity… the kingdom of God.

Empowered by God not demons

At last Daniel came in before me—he who was named Belteshazzar after the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods—and I told him the dream, saying, (Daniel 4:8, ESV)

This is the king’s own misunderstanding, as it was not demons but YHWH who empowered Daniel.

Empowered by the Holy Spirit

“O Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you and that no mystery is too difficult for you, tell me the visions of my dream that I saw and their interpretation. (Daniel 4:9, ESV)

Daniel was the greatest of the wise men because of the Holy Spirit and his trust in God.

Watchers

“I saw in the visions of my head as I lay in bed, and behold, a watcher, a holy one, came down from heaven. (Daniel 4:13, ESV)

DC Comics depict watchers as powerful, benevolent aliens, they stole it from the Bible, these are actually angelic beings.

God’s government

The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, the decision by the word of the holy ones, to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men.’ (Daniel 4:17, ESV)

Within the sovereignty of God there appears to be a governmental structure and these watchers who may be associated to the four beasts who are full of eyes are the ones who pass sentence for the sake of God’s glory in this case.

God will bring down and judge the proud to prove and make clear that He alone is God.

The unrepentant king

This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw. And you, O Belteshazzar, tell me the interpretation, because all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation, but you are able, for the spirit of the holy gods is in you.” (Daniel 4:18, ESV)

In his heart it is possible that the king knew, that is why he sent for his own wise men first and it explains him first avoiding Daniel and then buttering him up with praise. It also shows an unrepentant heart or he would have given God the praise not the name of his god or the demonic spirits regarding Daniel’s gift.

A bold call to repentance

Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you: break off your sins by practicing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, that there may perhaps be a lengthening of your prosperity.” (Daniel 4:27, ESV)

Daniel had no fear of man and spoke the truth. He went on to implore the king to repent of his sinful ways that would lead to this judgement

God’s providence

and the king answered and said, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?” (Daniel 4:30, ESV)

Anything we do is only by God’s providence and power.

God’s freedom

all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?” (Daniel 4:35, ESV)

This is what we mean when we say God is sovereign. He has the true freedom to do whatever He wants to do.

The king of Heaven

Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble. (Daniel 4:37, ESV)

Our understanding of the sovereignty of God is wrapped up in the idea of Him as king.

The ancient Chinese also picked up on this idea of the king of heaven, he was called Shin-Tu.

So we should walk in humility before our king.

1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:11

With the Lord in spirit form

For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. (1 Thessalonians 4:14, ESV)

When we die as Christians we go to be with the Lord in spirit form as we come with Him at the second coming.

Our new bodies at the rapture / resurrection

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17, ESV)

This is the rapture, it used to cause me such confusion but is so much clearer now, we are with the Lord in spirit form when we die but only get our new bodies at the resurrection / rapture.

Those alive are just raptured.

Live ready

While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. (1 Thessalonians 5:3, ESV)

Jesus will return when we least expect it so just live ready.

Be sober

But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. (1 Thessalonians 5:8, ESV)

We must be sober in our thoughts and conduct, always ready for the Lord’s return. We should have our armour on at all times.

We are not destined for hell

For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, (1 Thessalonians 5:9, ESV)

Hallelujah, we are not destined for Hell.

Encourage each other

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11, ESV)

Let’s encourage each other to live and die for the Lord.

Job 41:1–9

The dragon

Lay your hands on him; remember the battle—you will not do it again! (Job 41:8, ESV)

The leviathan was a dragon, these creatures were later called dinosaurs and were great and fierce creatures of reptilian nature. The devil is also compared to the leviathan… Don’t mess with the devil you will get burned, and won’t forget the battle… because of the chunks he will no doubt bite out of your arm.

Thank God that we have the victory in Jesus.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on 1 Thessalonians 4 and 5

Today’s Reading: Dan 2:17–3:30, 1 Thess 3:6–4:12, Job 40:13–24

Today’s Theme: Humility, Holiness & Love

Today we see three strong themes, humility before God, living a holy / sanctified life before God and man and abounding in love for one another. All of this is underpinned by one of the main themes of the bible and the book of Daniel in particular which is the Sovereignty of God.

Daniel 2:17–3:30

Humble reliance on God

Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.(Daniel 2:19, ESV)

Daniel knew he had no wisdom in himself to answer this dream, but he sought God’s mercy in revealing it to him and in his grace God did this for Daniel.

This was not a magic power or gift Daniel had, he sought God for wisdom and mercy and God answered his humble request.

God is sovereign

He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding;(Daniel 2:21, ESV)

A great declaration of the Sovereignty and providence of God.

God knows everything

he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.(Daniel 2:22, ESV)

We can ask God anything, because he knows everything.

There is a God in heaven

but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream and the visions of your head as you lay in bed are these:(Daniel 2:28, ESV)

How awesome is that, this is epic… But there is a God in heaven, hallelujah, oh yes when men can do nothing, there is a God in heaven, our help comes from him….  I just want to shout out on this room now….. There is a God in heaven… Glory to His name.

To God be the glory

But as for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because of any wisdom that I have more than all the living, but in order that the interpretation may be made known to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your mind.(Daniel 2:30, ESV)

Daniel walked in true humility and made it clear that he was no special man with special powers, he gave all the glory to God.

Jesus, the true king of kings

You, O king, the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, and the might, and the glory,(Daniel 2:37, ESV)

Jesus is the true King of Kings and truly receives all the power, might and Glory.

Unnatural union

As you saw the iron mixed with soft clay, so they will mix with one another in marriage, but they will not hold together, just as iron does not mix with clay.(Daniel 2:43, ESV)

There appears to be a reference to the Nephilim here, although it could be speaking of political alliances that can not hold too.

God’s Kingdom

And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever,(Daniel 2:44, ESV)

Christ’s kingdom is opposed to, not rising out of the kingdoms of this world.

God is Sovereign over history

just as you saw that a stone was cut from a mountain by no human hand, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold. A great God has made known to the king what shall be after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure.”(Daniel 2:45, ESV)

The nature of reality means there are fixed events in the timeline of history, this is one of them, God is sovereign and has seen it all.

God is great

The king answered and said to Daniel, “Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery.”(Daniel 2:47, ESV)

This is a great statement to the greatness of our God which proves itself as true when tested.

Victory through humility

Then the king gave Daniel high honors and many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon.(Daniel 2:48, ESV)

This is a great victory for God and his people, through the humble faith and service of Daniel.

Peoples, nations and languages

And the herald proclaimed aloud, “You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages,(Daniel 3:4, ESV)

Not races or colours, this is new and wrong way of distinguishing people, notice the terms peoples, nations and languages are used

Music, worship and idolatry

that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up.(Daniel 3:5, ESV)

Music, worship and idolatry are linked so music can be both dangerous and wonderful

The challenge answered

Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?”(Daniel 3:15, ESV)

Answer – The true God YHWH!

Radical faith

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.(Daniel 3:16–17, ESV)

This is radical faith, they know and trust God, they saw Daniels faith which must have been a great inspiration to them in the matter with the meat and the dream, now their own faith was put through the fire and it proved to be genuine and strong.

Faith is heartfelt trust not stroppy demands

But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”(Daniel 3:18, ESV)

This is biblical faith, not a demand to God but a heartfelt trust that he is sovereign and a resolve to honour and worship him no matter what.

Jesus can deliver in the middle of the fire

He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.”(Daniel 3:25, ESV)

Jesus came and set them free in the middle of the fire, sometimes we do go through the fire and the Lord delivers us in the midst of it.

The fire has no power over us

And the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men. The hair of their heads was not singed, their cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of fire had come upon them.(Daniel 3:27, ESV)

The fire of trials has no power over us, we are in God’s hands.

To the glory of his name

Therefore I make a decree: Any people, nation, or language that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins, for there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way.”(Daniel 3:29, ESV)

A great victory for the glory of Gods name.

1 Thessalonians 3:6–4:12

Build disciples

as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?(1 Thessalonians 3:10, ESV)

Paul always wanted to build up his disciples, Ask God that your gift would be used to help build believers.

Abound in love

and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you,(1 Thessalonians 3:12, ESV)

We should seek to increase and abound in love, if we increase and go on to abound in love our hearts will be established in blamelessness and holiness before God.

Christian behaviour

Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.(1 Thessalonians 4:1, ESV)

There is behaviour prescribed for Christians, there should be no confusion, we should live lives to please God though our walk which includes attitude, thinking, actions and motives.

God’s will revealed

For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality;(1 Thessalonians 4:3, ESV)

The will of God is not a mystery, God wants us to walk in sanctification and not in sexual sin, this verse alone deals with all debates on sex outside of marriage, homosexuality, cohabiting and anything other than the biblical model of marriage between one man and one woman for life.

The will of God is here revealed.

Called to holiness

For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.(1 Thessalonians 4:7, ESV)

God has not called us to keep walking in impurity but has called us to holiness, this is it, there is no confusion, those against the lordship of Christ, repentance and discipleship are enemies of the cross.

Don’t stand against God

Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.(1 Thessalonians 4:8, ESV)

Those making a stand against holy living, are actually making a stand against God.

Love each other

Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another,(1 Thessalonians 4:9, ESV)

God The Holy Spirit will naturally lead us out of a holy life to love one another, we must urge one another on as Paul does to do this more and more.

Life and work

and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you,(1 Thessalonians 4:11, ESV)

The godly call to life and work, we should work hard and live righteously, we should not cut ourselves of from society but work and live not as dependants but free men, able to freely share the gospel and leave no room for reproach as anything less than men… the monk idea was just plain WRONG!

Job 40:13–24

Dinosaurs, created by God

“Behold, Behemoth, which I made as I made you; he eats grass like an ox.(Job 40:15, ESV)

I think this is a dinosaur / dragon, God’s quip to the future theories around these creatures is that yes He made these great majestic creatures too… Not evolution

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition  on 1 Thessalonians 3 and 4

Today’s Reading: Dan 1:1–2:16, 1 Thess 2:1–3:5, Job 40:3–12

Today’s Theme: Be Holy, Make Disciples

Today’s reading is rich, with so many important lessons. The two main ones are about us living holy lives and working to make true disciples as Jesus commissioned us. We labour to win hearts, minds and lives for God.

Daniel 1:1–2:16

Be resolved to be holy

But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself. (Daniel 1:8, ESV)

We need to be resolved about walking in holiness and being separate from the world. We should not swallow or be sustained by the things of the world.

Ask God for favour

And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs,(Daniel 1:9, ESV)

Ask the Lord to give you favour in whatever mission He has called you to today.

Have faith in God

“Test your servants for ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. (Daniel 1:12, ESV)

This was a miraculous act of faith proving their trust in God and God’s ability rather than a reason to be vegetarian.

Don’t eat rubbish, be wise

As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. (Daniel 1:17, ESV)

I believe there is a direct correlation between their stand to not eat anything from the king which in a spiritual way speaks of bad teaching etc. This resolve made them not stuffed with rubbish and so open to God’s wisdom.

Don’t fill your mind with the garbage of the world, instead be filled with God’s word and good things.

Only God is able

The thing that the king asks is difficult, and no one can show it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.” (Daniel 2:11, ESV)

They were talking about demons when they said gods, but even this is not true, only the true God Yahweh could help.

Respond with wisdom

Then Daniel replied with prudence and discretion to Arioch, the captain of the king’s guard, who had gone out to kill the wise men of Babylon. (Daniel 2:14, ESV)

Lord help us to respond with prudence and discretion.

1 Thessalonians 2:1–3:5

Be bold

But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.
(1 Thessalonians 2:2, ESV)

The Gospel must not be shared in timidity but boldness, the boldness is in context to the resistance and conflict.

The gospel, a royal charge

but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. (1 Thessalonians 2:4, ESV)

We have been entrusted with The Gospel, it should not be used lightly, changed or neglected. It is a precious treasure and should be treated with the honour it deserves as we extend it and defend it.

A minister of The Gospel must meet God’s standard of approval. We are His royal emissaries and should conduct ourselves as such.

Sharing The Gospel brings God pleasure and should never be about pleasing men.

Gentle discipleship

But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.
(1 Thessalonians 2:7, ESV)

Alongside the boldness must be the gentle care of the souls we seek to disciple. Ask the Lord help you to be like that nursing mother when you are discipling others.

Making disciples

So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us. (1 Thessalonians 2:8, ESV)

There was a genuine affection and care in the delivery of The Gospel. This is not like the men who set up a tent, preach and move on, this was the real deal, disciple making.

Work hard

For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. (1 Thessalonians 2:9, ESV)

We are to work, and work hard in the delivery of The Gospel and making disciples.

Our lives should match the message

You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. (1 Thessalonians 2:10, ESV)

Their lives matched the message they proclaimed.

A call to a holy life

we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. (1 Thessalonians 2:12, ESV)

True disciple making and gospel preaching involves a call to a holy life. A life worthy of the God who makes the glorious call into the kingdom which gives rise to and is at the core of this Good News.

We must make this call as a father would to his children. Our affections must be this deeply rooted and affected that we see those we are making into disciples like our own children.

The transforming power of the Bible

And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. (1 Thessalonians 2:13, ESV)

This backs up the doctrine of divine inspiration. God’s word is God’s very word and revelation to mankind.

God’s word is active and supernatural, as we receive it and meditate upon it, it gets to work inside us, transforming us from the inside out…. Hallelujah!

Paul is not Anti Semitic

who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last! (1 Thessalonians 2:15–16, ESV)

Some would say this is anti semitic, but it was true and just a statement of truth. There were large sections of the Jewish community that were bitterly opposed to The Gospel, it was an offence to them.

Part of the problem was the unbiblical teaching of many of Israel’s leaders that taught it was a virtue to hate the Gentiles when God actually taught them to reach out to the Gentiles with the Old Testament gospel.

Just because God had blinded their eyes does not mean they are not responsible for being against the purposes of God. Their judgement and all of mankind’s judgement is just.

The Devil, a real enemy

because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us. (1 Thessalonians 2:18, ESV)

The devil is real and powerful, he has the power to resist the purposes of God. We must not underestimate his power and influence and must be prepared, pray and realise that regardless of God’s sovereignty, we are in a fight for the kingdom of God.

Make disciples with joy

For you are our glory and joy. (1 Thessalonians 2:20, ESV)

Our disciples are our glory before God and our joy. We should make disciples with joy.

Labour to see growth

and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, (1 Thessalonians 3:2, ESV)

With Paul it was not a one hit show, he would labour with the churches to see them grow in the faith and sent Timothy to that end.

Destined to suffer for God’s sake

that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. (1 Thessalonians 3:3, ESV)

As Christians we are not destined to win… What rubbish, we are destined to suffer for the sake of the Gospel.

The battle for hearts and minds

For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain. (1 Thessalonians 3:5, ESV)

Paul was conscious of the spiritual battle he was in, but this was not esoteric. It was a battle regarding beliefs and convictions, the battle for hearts and minds.

Job 40:3–12

Man’s “rights” are not above God

Will you even put me in the wrong? Will you condemn me that you may be in the right? (Job 40:8, ESV)

We should never exalt our own rights or goodness above God. This is often the mistake of anti reformed theology like liberal theology which exalts man’s choice above all else.

God is clothed in glory

“Adorn yourself with majesty and dignity; clothe yourself with glory and splendor. (Job 40:10, ESV)

God is clothed in His own glory and splendour.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on 1 Thessalonians 2

Today’s Reading: Ezek 47:1–48:35, 1 Thess 1:1–10, Job 39:24–40:2

Today’s Theme: Evidence of Salvation

Today’s theme looks at the evidence of salvation and transformation in the life of the believer. We look at the three qualities of those with saving faith (work of faith, labour of love and steady hope), as well as the four elements of Gospel delivery (Word, Power, Holy Spirit and Conviction).

Ezekiel 47:1–48:35

Rivers of living water

And wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish. For this water goes there, that the waters of the sea may become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes.(Ezekiel 47:9, ESV)

I believe this is both literal and symbolic of the Spirit of God. Jesus said out of our belly will flow rivers of living or life giving water, in John 4:14.

Trees of life

And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.”(Ezekiel 47:12, ESV)

These trees of life are mentioned by John in revelation too.

There is a reward for you

This shall be for the consecrated priests, the sons of Zadok, who kept my charge, who did not go astray when the people of Israel went astray, as the Levites did.(Ezekiel 48:11, ESV)

If we remain faithful, there is a reward for us and we read about this in Revelation 2-3.

Prince Jesus

“What remains on both sides of the holy portion and of the property of the city shall belong to the prince. Extending from the 25,000 cubits of the holy portion to the east border, and westward from the 25,000 cubits to the west border, parallel to the tribal portions, it shall belong to the prince. The holy portion with the sanctuary of the temple shall be in its midst.(Ezekiel 48:21, ESV)

Jesus is the long awaited Messiah and Prince.

The New Jerusalem

The circumference of the city shall be 18,000 cubits. And the name of the city from that time on shall be, The Lord Is There.”(Ezekiel 48:35, ESV)

The new Jerusalem in Revelation is parallel with this.

1 Thessalonians 1:1–10

An encouraging greeting

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.(1 Thessalonians 1:1, ESV)

A common greeting from Paul, it is a shame that another common greeting from James has been used to make an excuse for the prosperity gospel. We should greet each other with encouraging words like this.

Three essential qualities

remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labour of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.(1 Thessalonians 1:3, ESV)

There are three essential qualities in the life of these believers; their work of faith, labour of love and steady hope.

Work of Faith

All the work we do in the kingdom of God must be done through faith in God’s person and His word. Anything we do aside from faith in God is sinful. We have work to do.

Labour of Love

We go beyond just believing and working on those beliefs, we go on to hard labour, going the extra mile, pushing boundaries and doing what is not possible in human strength, all motivated and powered along by the awesome, magnanimous love of God.

Steady Hope

While we work we know we have hope, a steadfast hope in our God who cannot lie and will reward us for the work rendered in His name.

Chosen by God

For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you,(1 Thessalonians 1:4, ESV)

It is so overwhelming, and comforting to know that we have been chosen by God in His unfathomable grace.

Four elements of Gospel Delivery

because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.(1 Thessalonians 1:5, ESV)

Notice the four elements of the delivery of the Gospel message:

Word

The fact that Paul says ‘not only in word’, means that it did come in word but did not stop there. The gospel must be spoken and that which is spoken must be the unchanging word of God.

Power

The word here speaks of ability in delivery of the word of God. Those who preach the gospel have been anointed by God to preach it with accuracy, authority and ability.

Holy Spirit

The supernatural power of the Holy Spirit is the one that brings life and proof to the gospel message, causing it to find its way to a man’s heart and not just his head.

Conviction

All of this is backed up by the earnest heartfelt conviction of the one delivering the gospel message. If we are not convinced, no one else will be convinced.

Live before God in joy

And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit,(1 Thessalonians 1:6, ESV)

Paul and the brothers’ way of life, caused the saints to become imitators of their conduct and behaviour. As ministers, we lead not only in sharing the word but in living our lives out before God and man.

Do we receive the word of God with joy despite the afflictions that surround us? Notice this is not natural joy, but the joy of the Holy Spirit.

Preach and believe the word

For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.(1 Thessalonians 1:8, ESV)

These believers are good fruit, they did not only receive the word, they preached the word that they had received themselves. This is the biblical model of church planting and discipleship.

Along with the preaching of the word, this church was known for its faith in God which was  demonstrated by its acts of faith.

The evidence of saving faith

For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,(1 Thessalonians 1:9, ESV)

This preaching of the word and lives of faith, were evidence of the salvation of these believers and proof of the effective ministry of Paul and the others.

The evidence that we have repented by turning from idols, to serve God instead of idols, should be very clear. God is the only living God.

Wait for Jesus and warn everyone

and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.(1 Thessalonians 1:10, ESV)

Waiting for the return of Christ is an essential part of our faith.

There is great wrath yet to come upon the earth and in the judgement of the afterlife. Jesus is the only one who can deliver us from God’s just wrath, we must warn others to flee the wrath to come.

Job 39:24–40:2

God deserves the credit and glory for creation

“Is it by your understanding that the hawk soars and spreads his wings toward the south?(Job 39:26, ESV)

How dare we, as men, take the glory and credit from Him in creation.

Job’s error exposed

“Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it.”(Job 40:2, ESV)

Now we know for sure by this statement, that Job was wrong in his later speeches.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on 1 Thessalonians 1

Today’s Reading: Ezek 45:1–46:24, Rev 22:1–21, Job 39:11–23

Today’s Theme: The Source of Life

God is the source of all life, from Him flows the river of life, He is the creator and sustainer of the entire universe, this is the God we worship. He has a plan and it will come to pass, so we look forward to the return of Jesus and the restoration of creation.

Ezekiel 45:1–46:24

God takes care of our needs

Another section, 25,000 cubits long and 10,000 cubits broad, shall be for the Levites who minister at the temple, as their possession for cities to live in.(Ezekiel 45:5, ESV)

God is good and so takes care of the needs of His ministers.

There will be peace in Israel

“Thus says the Lord God: Enough, O princes of Israel! Put away violence and oppression, and execute justice and righteousness. Cease your evictions of my people, declares the Lord God.(Ezekiel 45:9, ESV)

The tumult in Israel will end one day and Israel will dwell securely in the land according to this word.

Fulfilled by Jesus

It shall be the prince’s duty to furnish the burnt offerings, grain offerings, and drink offerings, at the feasts, the new moons, and the Sabbaths, all the appointed feasts of the house of Israel: he shall provide the sin offerings, grain offerings, burnt offerings, and peace offerings, to make atonement on behalf of the house of Israel.(Ezekiel 45:17, ESV)

If this is symbolic then Jesus fulfilled all of this on the cross. He is the ultimate offering and every one of the feasts and sacrifices point to Jesus the Messiah.

Press forward

“When the people of the land come before the Lord at the appointed feasts, he who enters by the north gate to worship shall go out by the south gate, and he who enters by the south gate shall go out by the north gate: no one shall return by way of the gate by which he entered, but each shall go out straight ahead.(Ezekiel 46:9, ESV)

Our lives of worship with the Lord require that we set our faces like flint and always push forward, never looking or going back, by God’s grace.

Daily devotion

Thus the lamb and the meal offering and the oil shall be provided, morning by morning, for a regular burnt offering.(Ezekiel 46:15, ESV)

This is symbolic for daily devotional time with God. Just like you need to eat every morning, you need to spend time in the word and in prayer each morning.

Revelation 22:1–217

God is the source of life

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb(Revelation 22:1, ESV)

God is the source of all life and reality itself.

12 fruits

through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.(Revelation 22:2, ESV)

This is no ordinary tree but again points to the symbolism of perfect government, we should be like little trees of life, bearing much and varied fruit in our lives (the fruits of the Spirit).

God’s purpose is to heal the nations.

We look forward to this day

They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.(Revelation 22:4, ESV)

We look forward to that glorious day Lord.

We will reign

And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.(Revelation 22:5, ESV)

We will reign forever with Jesus! Hallelujah!

Angels do not receive worship

but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”(Revelation 22:9, ESV)

No true angel will receive worship from man, this is why we know that Jesus and certain theophany’s in the old testament were not angels, Jesus is God.

Repayment is coming

“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.(Revelation 22:12, ESV)

Jesus will repay everyone for what they have done, so we need to watch our works before God.

Jesus both root and offspring

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”(Revelation 22:16, ESV)

Jesus is both the creator of the Davidic line and a result of it, in His incarnation.

Come and drink

The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.(Revelation 22:17, ESV)

Yes Lord, stir up a great desire in us to come and drink of Your gracious life.

Jesus is coming soon

He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!(Revelation 22:20, ESV)

This was written 2000 years ago so the “soon” that Jesus speaks of is not as men understand it, but we should always be ready and eager for His return.

Job 39:11–23

Don’t be an ostrich

She deals cruelly with her young, as if they were not hers; though her labour be in vain, yet she has no fear,(Job 39:16, ESV)

Lord, keep us from being ostrich like parents that leave our children to be exposed to suffering and hurt, it is our holy and joyful privilege and responsibility to protect and care for our children.

Ostrich’s, created fast

When she rouses herself to flee, she laughs at the horse and his rider.(Job 39:18, ESV)

Even though God made ostriches stupid, they sure can run! 🙂

Horses, created brave

He laughs at fear and is not dismayed; he does not turn back from the sword.(Job 39:22, ESV)

God has made horses brave and fit for battle, how awesome is our God.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Revelation 22