January 30, 2012 Monday Message:
We’re looking at Paul’s instructions for Christian living, in chapter 5 of 1st Thessalonians.
•Always be joyful.
•Never stop praying.
•Be thankful in all circumstances (for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.)
•Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.
•Do not scoff at prophecies.
•Test everything that is said.
•Hold on to what is good.
•Stay away from every kind of evil. (1 Thess. 5:16-20 NLT)
The 3rd point, be thankful in all circumstances, may seem difficult at first. Life isn’t always fair. But when things seem to be going the wrong direction, God could be using that to teach you a valuable skill to use in the kingdom. That makes being thankful the right thing to do, though it may not seem like it at the time. God is still on the throne, even when life seems to have dealt you a crummy hand.
Don’t miss the point that remaining thankful in all things isn’t so much a command; it’s a privilege! It’s not that you HAVE to do it because God said so. It’s that you’re ALLOWED to give thanks in all things, knowing that God is still in charge and that he will use everything for good. Giving thanks in all things is God’s idea, and He only has good ideas!
About these first three points, Spurgeon writes, “When joy and prayer are married, their firstborn child is gratitude.”
May the Spirit fill you this week.
Norton Lawellin
Monday, January 30, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
Prayer - Sincere, Real, Authentic
January 23, 2012 Monday Message:
Last week we started examining the instructions for Christian living, near the end of Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians.
•Always be joyful.
•Never stop praying.
•Be thankful in all circumstances (for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.)
•Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.
•Do not scoff at prophecies.
•Test everything that is said.
•Hold on to what is good.
•Stay away from every kind of evil. (1 Thess. 5:16-20 NLT)
The 2nd point, never stop praying, is about state of mind. Obviously you can’t pray all the time. But we ALL could pray more than we do.
When a situation comes up, do you:
1. grit your teeth and go after the problem by yourself?
2. gossip about it, getting others involved?
3. pray, and let Father God be your strength?
You get the idea – talking a problem over with God is never a bad idea. In fact, God truly wants to hear from the real you. He likes to be thought of as your Father, and appreciates dialog that’s heartfelt, real, sincere and authentic.
Matthew 6:7a says, “When you pray, don’t babble.” Don’t repeat prayers written by someone else, over and over and over and over. The prayer time you spend with God should exude QUALITY, not quantity. Pray from the heart. Pray like David.
May the Holy Spirit walk beside you this week.
Norton Lawellin
Last week we started examining the instructions for Christian living, near the end of Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians.
•Always be joyful.
•Never stop praying.
•Be thankful in all circumstances (for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.)
•Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.
•Do not scoff at prophecies.
•Test everything that is said.
•Hold on to what is good.
•Stay away from every kind of evil. (1 Thess. 5:16-20 NLT)
The 2nd point, never stop praying, is about state of mind. Obviously you can’t pray all the time. But we ALL could pray more than we do.
When a situation comes up, do you:
1. grit your teeth and go after the problem by yourself?
2. gossip about it, getting others involved?
3. pray, and let Father God be your strength?
You get the idea – talking a problem over with God is never a bad idea. In fact, God truly wants to hear from the real you. He likes to be thought of as your Father, and appreciates dialog that’s heartfelt, real, sincere and authentic.
Matthew 6:7a says, “When you pray, don’t babble.” Don’t repeat prayers written by someone else, over and over and over and over. The prayer time you spend with God should exude QUALITY, not quantity. Pray from the heart. Pray like David.
May the Holy Spirit walk beside you this week.
Norton Lawellin
Monday, January 16, 2012
Joy of the Lord!
January 16, 2012 Monday Message:
As Paul, Silas and Timothy counsel the church in Thessalonica, they conclude with a summary of how Christians should live, which is as applicable nowadays as it was back then.
•Always be joyful.
•Never stop praying.
•Be thankful in all circumstances (for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.)
•Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.
•Do not scoff at prophecies.
•Test everything that is said.
•Hold on to what is good.
•Stay away from every kind of evil. (1 Thess. 5:16-20 NLT)
We’ll look at all these bullet points in the coming weeks, starting today with the Joy of the Lord.
The Joy of the Lord is much more than simply pasting a smile on your face. It reflects a confidence that God is in charge, that He will use everything for good, even when circumstances look bleak. With God on His throne and our trust placed fully in Him, we know that everything will be all right in the end, no matter how it looks right now. Therefore, even though we feel like we got beat up in the world today, we can still be cheerful, be kind to our families when we come home, and be eager to begin tomorrow as a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ.
The Joy of the Lord is your strength!
Norton Lawellin
We’ll move on to “Prayer,” Friday night, 7pm at New Hope Center.
As Paul, Silas and Timothy counsel the church in Thessalonica, they conclude with a summary of how Christians should live, which is as applicable nowadays as it was back then.
•Always be joyful.
•Never stop praying.
•Be thankful in all circumstances (for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.)
•Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.
•Do not scoff at prophecies.
•Test everything that is said.
•Hold on to what is good.
•Stay away from every kind of evil. (1 Thess. 5:16-20 NLT)
We’ll look at all these bullet points in the coming weeks, starting today with the Joy of the Lord.
The Joy of the Lord is much more than simply pasting a smile on your face. It reflects a confidence that God is in charge, that He will use everything for good, even when circumstances look bleak. With God on His throne and our trust placed fully in Him, we know that everything will be all right in the end, no matter how it looks right now. Therefore, even though we feel like we got beat up in the world today, we can still be cheerful, be kind to our families when we come home, and be eager to begin tomorrow as a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ.
The Joy of the Lord is your strength!
Norton Lawellin
We’ll move on to “Prayer,” Friday night, 7pm at New Hope Center.
Monday, January 9, 2012
All Things Work Together for Good
January 09, 2012 Monday Message:
“We know that for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose, all things work together for good.” Romans 8:28
If everyone could look into the future, we would clearly see and understand God’s purpose for what falls into our lives. But as we’re living life day-to-day, God’s intent is not always easily discernible.
For example, there is much suffering in the world. The suffering did not come from God. God will not give you what he does not have, and there is no pain, suffering, sickness, illness, disease, famine or poverty in heaven. So God did not cause the suffering, but He can make good come out of it.
God works these things together for his purpose; all things together – not in isolation. God isn’t only worried about a single incident; he has his eyes set on the trend. God’s superior vision can see the big picture, the fully realized completed creation.
We have become experts at handing God our lemons; God has become an expert in making lemonade! God won’t just make lemonade out of SOME of the lemons. The Bible says that ALL these things work together for His good purpose. This is God’s gift to those who love Him, those who are called by Him, according to His purpose.
Some days lemonade tastes a lot like the living water…
Norton Lawellin
“We know that for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose, all things work together for good.” Romans 8:28
If everyone could look into the future, we would clearly see and understand God’s purpose for what falls into our lives. But as we’re living life day-to-day, God’s intent is not always easily discernible.
For example, there is much suffering in the world. The suffering did not come from God. God will not give you what he does not have, and there is no pain, suffering, sickness, illness, disease, famine or poverty in heaven. So God did not cause the suffering, but He can make good come out of it.
God works these things together for his purpose; all things together – not in isolation. God isn’t only worried about a single incident; he has his eyes set on the trend. God’s superior vision can see the big picture, the fully realized completed creation.
We have become experts at handing God our lemons; God has become an expert in making lemonade! God won’t just make lemonade out of SOME of the lemons. The Bible says that ALL these things work together for His good purpose. This is God’s gift to those who love Him, those who are called by Him, according to His purpose.
Some days lemonade tastes a lot like the living water…
Norton Lawellin
Monday, January 2, 2012
Christmas = Jesus
January 02, 2012 Monday Message:
Now that we’re in the New Year, take some time to reflect on Christmas. Did you spend time with Jesus this Christmas? I don’t mean, “Did you go to church?” Most of us did that. But did you spend a few quiet moments committing or re-committing yourself to the one who came to rescue you?
Christmas is a busy time, with trees, ornaments and presents with colorful paper and bright ribbon. We cook big dinners, invite friends and family, and over-indulge. There are bright lights, carols on the radio and manger scenes almost everywhere. Kids wear funny costumes, and we applaud as they act out the Gospel of Luke.
There’s so much going on during the holiday season that I believe we need to be very intentional about spending some time with our savior. So I encourage you to take a couple of minutes during your quiet time to thank the redeemer. At Christmas, he’s a baby in a manger. But someday, he will clothe you in garments of white!
May you grow closer to the Lord during this special time of year – Happy New Year!
Norton Lawellin
Now that we’re in the New Year, take some time to reflect on Christmas. Did you spend time with Jesus this Christmas? I don’t mean, “Did you go to church?” Most of us did that. But did you spend a few quiet moments committing or re-committing yourself to the one who came to rescue you?
Christmas is a busy time, with trees, ornaments and presents with colorful paper and bright ribbon. We cook big dinners, invite friends and family, and over-indulge. There are bright lights, carols on the radio and manger scenes almost everywhere. Kids wear funny costumes, and we applaud as they act out the Gospel of Luke.
There’s so much going on during the holiday season that I believe we need to be very intentional about spending some time with our savior. So I encourage you to take a couple of minutes during your quiet time to thank the redeemer. At Christmas, he’s a baby in a manger. But someday, he will clothe you in garments of white!
May you grow closer to the Lord during this special time of year – Happy New Year!
Norton Lawellin
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