Daily Bread 8-1-17
1 Thessalonians 2:19,20
19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
20 For ye are our glory and joy.
ref. - 1 Th 3:13 - To the end he may establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
Rev 1:7 - Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
He is coming again Brothers! And when he does God's will is for us all to be ready! In this scripture Paul had been very truthful and kind of tough on these people, but he wanted them to know that his goal was to see them leaving with Jesus when he comes. Paul knew that he had been given these people to lead and guide into eternity and he wanted them all to know that he would do whatever it took to get them there. Today, we hear something that hurts our feelings a bit and we run or we cry foul, but what we need to do is listen. True men of God are not in it for their own selves but for the people. They have to give us what we need, whether soft or hard, in order to sharpen us and get us ready for the day we meet our maker. They have been given many children(not carnally, Spiritually) and they, themselves do not receive satisfaction or blessing unless those that they have been given are doing well. But truly well in within the will of God, not an earthly well that masks the true inner being. This is the Spirit that God put in Paul and it dwells in the souls of many others now as well. Even though the word of God may pierce our souls, it is for our own benefit to listen and find the pathway to where and who we need to be. Sometimes it will be a soft blessing and we will bask in the glory of his presence, and other times it will come in like a tornado and turn our worlds upside down. If it is the scripture and it is divided rightly it will do both. But what we must realize is that if we get in line with what we are taught the whippings will come less and less, and they will be less brutal. What once tore us apart will now confirm our beliefs. So, it is all about moving forward and drawing closer to God. The men that god has put in front of us to show us the way will be used by the Holy Ghost to reach into our inner depths, where no one else can get, and clean out the dirty corners of our lives. This being the inner most parts of our souls and heart, and minds. All the rest will come in it's own due time. But know this, The Church, men of God, and Christ himself do not benefit from us being comfortable and settling in, telling us things that make us feel better even though they are untrue. No, the benefit and the blessing comes when we endure to the end and come out of it a clean, holy, unblemished soul in the eyes of our Lord! So take the correction, listen to the teaching, improve day by day, and as according to this gospel, be taken to be with Christ when he comes!!! Have a great day!!!