Christian Chat Network

This version of the message boards has closed.
Please click below to go to the new Christian BBS website.

New Message Boards - Click Here

You can still search for the old message here.

Christian Message Boards


Post New Topic  New Poll  Post A Reply
| | search | faq | forum home
  next oldest topic   next newest topic
» Christian Message Boards   » Bible Studies   » Favorite Devotions   » Recognize your Progress

   
Author Topic: Recognize your Progress
Miguel
Advanced Member
Member # 47

Icon 1 posted      Profile for Miguel   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote 
David these words are like a SWORD piercing thru the HEART.

For with grace comes forgiveness and is given to someone who does not deserve it. [thumbsup]

Oh how real it is!

--------------------
Romans 9:11-24

Our Eschatology may vary even our Ecclesiology may be disputed among us but our Soteriology most assume a singularity and exclusivity which in biblical term is known as Quote; "The Narrow Way" and Quote!

Posts: 2792 | From: Stockton,Ca | Registered: Jun 2002  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
KnowHim
Admin
Member # 1

Icon 1 posted      Profile for KnowHim   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote 
The title for this is Recognize your progress Taken from 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Every day in our lives we see people that walk by us. Some are old, some are young, some have physical disabilities, some are accompanied by someone else. They may walk slow, they may run or even jog. When we see the same people over a period of time we will notice whether they have become weaker or stronger. In other words we can note their progress.

Sometimes we have a hard time appreciating our progress. Improvement can come in small, unnoticed steps and our desire to be more or better frustrates us. Paul began 1Thessalonians by thanking GOD for these believers and their spiritual progress. He cited the evidence he had seen and the growth they had shown to others. Paul was confirming their past success and encouraging them to continue on in their growth.

We too need to take a kind and hopeful look at ourselves. We are not perfect but we can celebrate the spiritual growth that has occurred in our lives. At the same time we can anticipate continued growth in the LORD JESUS. We too can give thanks to GOD because the work HE has begun in us gives us confidence HE will continue to work with and through us.

As in Paul, JESUS changed the way we did and do the everyday business of life. Paul's commitment as a believer affected even something so trivial as the way he addressed a letter. A personal letter in Paul's day normally began by naming the sender and recipients and by stating a brief greeting. Paul followed the form but with a few Christ like variations. Paul, Silas, and Timothy had established the church at Thessalonica. The word for church means assembly or to gather together. The word could even mean many types of people gathered together in different locations. So what so distinguished this church from all the others? That which is true of any church. A church's distinctive is the people who share commitment to JESUS as LORD GOD and SAVIOR. Without this the assembly is not a Believing body but a gathering of people who are playing church. In this commitment the members find unity, purpose, and power.

As we read 1 Thessalonians1:1 we find Paul and his companions probably arrived in Thessalonia in the early summer of 50AD. They planted the first Christian Church in that city. However, they had to leave in a hurry because their lives were threatened you can read that story in Acts 17: 1-10. At the first opportunity, probably when he stopped at Corinth, Paul sent Timothy back to Thessalonica to see how the new believers there were doing. Timothy upon returning to join Paul tells him that the believers were remaining firm and true to the faith and that they were unified.

Paul wrote this letter to answer the questions they had presented that he didn't have an opportunity to answer as well as the questions that had arisen during the time Timothy was there.

Thessalonica was the capital and the largest city of the Roman province of Macedonia. The most important Roman highway extending from Rome all the way to the Orient went through Thessalonica. This highway, along with the city's thriving seaport, made Thessalonica one very rich and prosperous trade center in the Roman empire. This city was recognized as a free city, therefore it was able to govern itself and was exempted from most of the restrictions that were placed upon others held by Rome. But with such freedom came many pagan religions and cultural influences that challenged the faith of the new believers there.

Many of us today live in areas that are overrun with different religions that deny our LORD and Savior JESUS. Many of you don't see the progress you have made. Many others need to ask themselves this question: How does your commitment to JESUS affect the way you conduct the simple everyday business of living?

I extend to you the same greeting May grace and peace which are both a gift from GOD to HIS children be upon each of you. For with grace comes forgiveness and is given to someone who does not deserve it. Peace implies an abiding sense of well-being, not just the absence of conflict. May you have peace even in the midst of the storm.
Serving JESUS our refuge our hiding place.

Mary at Bearer Ministries

--------------------
Video Tracts
Christian Media
LiveTracts
Friend Me On Facebook
Evangelism TackleBox

Posts: 3276 | From: Charlestown, IN | Registered: Jun 2002  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator


 
Post New Topic  New Poll  Post A Reply Close Topic   Feature Topic   Move Topic   Delete Topic next oldest topic   next newest topic
 - Printer-friendly view of this topic
Hop To:

Contact Us | Christian Message Board | Privacy Statement



Powered by Infopop Corporation
UBB.classicTM 6.5.0

Christian Chat Network

New Message Boards - Click Here