Old Greenbrier Baptist Church

Blog for Week of January 28, 2018

The Right Way

Psalm 1

The old saying goes, “There are three ways to do anything: the right way, the wrong way, and my way.” In reality there are only two ways: the right way and the wrong way. In Psalms the right way is that of the righteous (Hb., zedeqim), and the wrong way is that of the wicked (Hb., resaim). The right way is God’s way, and the wrong way is the fallen world’s way. The right way leads the one following it to ultimate blessing and happiness, and the wrong way leads the one following it to ultimate destruction and unhappiness. We all make choices each day about which path we will follow.

Psalm 1 is a wisdom psalm that serves as an introduction to the entire Psalter. The Book of Psalms stands at the head of the Writings and the first Book of Psalms (Pss 1-41). Writings are filled with wisdom sayings in Psalms, Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs. The first word or words of a Hebrew Bible book often serves as a title or theme for the whole book. The first words of Psalm 1 are “Blessed is the man” (Hb., asre haish). “Blessed” can also be interpreted as “happy” just as in the Beatitudes of Jesus.

¹ Blessed is the one
    who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
    or sit in the company of mockers,
² but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and who meditates on his law day and night.
³ That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
    which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
    whatever they do prospers.

⁴ Not so the wicked!
    They are like chaff
    that the wind blows away.
⁵ Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
    nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

⁶ For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
    but the way of the wicked leads to destruction (Psalm 1:1-6 NIV).

A Message to the Righteous (1-3)

The Negative (1) - The psalmist begins with a declaration of what the blessed, happy, wise, righteous person DOES NOT DO. He/she does not: 1) “walk (Hb., halak) in the counsel of the wicked (Hb., resaim – a general term for evil persons)”; 2) “stand (Hb., amad) in the way(path) of sinners (Hb., hattaim – those who miss the mark of God's law)”; 3)  “sit (Hb., yasab) in the seat of mockers (Hb., lesim – arrogant ones unwilling to take instruction).” The three verbs (i.e., walk, stand, sit) show the progression of sin becoming a way of life. Walk is acceptance of the world’s advice. Stand is accepting or sharing in the world’s ways. Sit is adoption of the world’s ways/attitudes as one's own. Following the wrong path begins with thinking which affects behavior and ultimately belonging.

The Positive (2) - The psalmist then declares what the blessed, happy, wise, righteous person DOES DO. First, his/her “delight is in the law of the Lord” (2). The happy person seeks to understand and follow the totality of God’s revelation. The word “law” (Hb., torah) generally refers to the “instructions” or “direction” of God to human beings for living life. In context here it refers to the whole of scripture. This is not close-minded legalism but openness to receive and follow God’s Spirit-illumined word on a daily basis. The law and instruction of the Lord stands in opposition to the counsel of the wicked. Remember that whatever shapes our thinking shapes our lives and actions.

As Joshua took up the mantle of leadership from Moses, God counseled, “Do not let this book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful” (Joshua 1:8). God gave similar instructions concerning the future Israelite king when he said, "When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the Levitical priests. It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the Lord his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees and not consider himself better than his fellow Israelites and turn from the law to the right or to the left. Then he and his descendants will reign a long time over his kingdom in Israel (Deut 17:18-20 NIV). These instructions to the leaders of God's people were an early form of What Would Jesus Do (WWJD). We must read God's word and listen to the Holy Spirit, the Living Word of God, for guidance in each decision and action of life.

The Application (3) – Next, the psalmist describes what the blessed, wise, righteous person IS LIKE. “He is like a tree planted by streams of water” – We have a chance to live and do what God wants. These words echo those of Jer 17:7-8: “But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” The phrase “which yields its fruit in season” places emphasis on the righteous person bearing fruit in his/her life. The normal progression is planting, appearance of foliage, production of fruit. The tree, here the blessed one, absorbs water and nutrients, which are God’s word, and makes something good. Paul said, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Eph 2:10). We are saved by God’s grace to do good works. As God’s people we are constantly to bear good fruit for God. As we yield to God, we have His promise of success and eternal life since God promises that "the leaf does not wither" for the one who bears fruit through him. We are free from drought since God’s word never runs dry. It is an ever-flowing, refreshing spring.

A Message to the Wicked (4-5)

Next the psalmist describes the wicked who “are like chaff” (4). There are two verses on the wicked and three on the righteous. The emphasis of Psalm 1 is on affirming the righteous not on condemning the wicked. Like chaff, the life of the wicked person is totally useless and good for nothing. Chaff, the husk around each grain of wheat, is rootless, essentially weightless, and has no nutritional value. It is useless. The wicked cut themselves off from God and His word. The resulting curses/unhappiness are not sent from God upon the wicked but are the natural results of the choice of their way of selfishness over God’s way of self-sacrifice.

The “wicked will not stand (Hb., qum) in the judgment” (5). Unlike the righteous, the wicked have no foundation, no rootedness in God and His word. They will not be able to stand before God but will be led away to judgment. Furthermore, the psalmist declares, “nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous” (5). Those who claim to follow God but who don’t will not stand with the righteous in the judgment. This saying reminds me of Jesus' Parable of the Sheep and the Goats related to the end time judgment.

³¹ “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. ³² All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³ He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

⁴¹ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. ⁴² For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, ⁴³ I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

⁴⁴ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

⁴⁵ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me’ (Mt 25:31-45 NIV).

Our good works do not save us but are evidence of our salvation.

Summary (6)

The psalmist promises, “For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous” (6). The word “Lord (Hb., Yahweh)" is God’s covenant and relational name. It is God who “watches over (Hb., yada)" and has an intimate, personal relationship with the righteous. God knows the  “way (Hb., derek)" of righteousness because he, himself in Christ Jesus has been down the road we follow and helps us overcome all that we face. Certainly, “the way of the wicked will perish” (6). Only the things done for God’s kingdom will last. Everything else will perish.

Are you happy in life? Do you enjoy being a Christian? If not, why not? How do you measure your happiness? Maybe you are using the wrong measure or looking at it wrong. We tend to measure happiness by how much we enjoy ourselves; our achievement of goals; self-actualization; self-fulfillment; prosperity; attaining what we want; feeling good about ourselves and our actions (self-righteousness).

True happiness is not found within oneself but in the delight of believing and doing what God teaches. Our goal is not self-fulfillment but selflessly praising God in our words and deeds. Prosperity is not getting what we want but being connected to God, the source of true life. Righteous actions do not come primarily from our choices but flow out of knowing that we truly belong to God and are secure in our relationship with Him both now and in the future.

Walking the path of righteousness is not always easy. The Psalms are filled with laments from righteous ones who are persecuted, threatened, and abused by the world. Being connected with God and secure in Him is what sustains life and gives hope in every situation of life. Jesus said to some of his first disciples, “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Mk 1:17 NIV). Jesus still calls us to follow him and his way; the right way; the way that leads to the blessing of true happiness and fulfillment in him. Each day we have a fundamental choice to make. We daily face forks in the road before us. Which path will you follow?

Blog for the Week of January 21, 2018

In the Fullness of Time

Galatians 3:26-4:7

Have you ever wondered why God sent Jesus, his son, when he did the first time? Why did God not send him right after Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden? Why did God not send him when Solomon ruled Israel at the height of her glory? Why did God not wait to send him today when we have instant, worldwide communication? Why was over 2,000 years ago the right time to send Jesus into the world? Was it the Pax Romana, a common world language, good means of travel, urban civilization? On this topic John Calvin said, ". . . the time which had been ordained by the providence of God was seasonable and fit. . . Therefore the right time for the Son of God to be revealed to the world was for God alone to judge and determine" (Calvin's New Testament Commentaries 11,73). What can we conclude about God's timing in sending Jesus? It was the perfect time because God is perfect and so are his ways and timings even when we don't completely understand them.

A more important question than when God sent his son is why he sent his son. Jesus came in God's timing on a mission to redeem us from slavery to sin and adopt us as sons and daughters of God.

²⁶ So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, ²⁷ for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. ²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ²⁹ If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

¹What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. ² The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. ³ So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world. ⁴ But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, ⁵ to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. ⁶ Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” ⁷ So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir (Galatians 3:26-4:7 NIV).

His Timing (4a)

"In the fullness of time" (Gk., to pleroma tou chronou) is a key phrase in this passage. Prior to this time humanity had lived in a condition of slavery to "the basic principles of the world" (Gk., stoicheia) (3). Were these "basic principles of the world" the pagan religions which man had created? Were they as Paul described them to the Ephesians "the powers of this dark world . . . the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Eph 6:12)? Perhaps these basic principles were the realities of law, sin, and death in this fallen world. We all fall short of the glory of God and so are due the wage of eternal death (cf., Ro 3:23,6:23).

While we are all created in the image of likeness of God, we are also born subject to the curse of sin that comes to each of us through the original sinful choice of the first Adam/man. God sent Jesus, the second Adam, to recreate humanity and to free each human from slavery to sin. Before Jesus, sinful humanity was only an heir to the promise of truly being sons and daughters of God.

An heir does not fully realize his inheritance until, as Paul said, ". . . the time set by his father" (2). A human parent may set an age (e.g., 21) or a life event as the trigger for receiving an inheritance. The time set by God for humanity to receive its inheritance as his sons/daughters was Jesus' birth. It is a date so significant in our history that we divide our time BC and AD around his birth.

His Condition (4b)

Jesus' coming was a supernatural intervention. "God sent (Gk., eksapesteilen) his son" is a strong sending formula indicating intention and purpose. Jesus was God in flesh. "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us" (Jn 1:14a). Jesus came not by accident but intentionally and with a purpose or mission. " For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16 KJV).

When we send troops on a mission, we want them to have all that is necessary to get the job done. The Father equipped the Son with two important conditions necessary for him to achieve his mission. First, Jesus was "born of a woman" (Gk., genomenon ek gunaikos). Jesus was born of Mary as we read in the familiar passages of Luke 1-2. Jesus was the fully divine Son of God sent from heaven, yet he was also fully human, born of woman. Job said, "For man born of woman is of few days and full of trouble" (Job 14:1). The condition of humanity was important to Jesus' mission. Jesus, God in flesh, would personally and fully face the finitude, fears, trials, and temptations of being human and show the way through it all.

Second, Jesus was "born under the law" (Gk., genomenon upo nomon). This is a condition that follows naturally after the first. As a Jewish male, Jesus was circumcised on the 8th day as prescribed by the Law (cf., Lk 2:21-40); He went to the temple (cf., Lk 2:41-52); He read the Torah (cf., Lk 4:14-30). But unlike every other Jew and every other human, Jesus obeyed his Father perfectly in every way. While Jesus was "under the law," he was not under sin. "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin." (Hb 4:15). "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Cor 5:21). To achieve his divine mission, Jesus, God himself in flesh, had to experience the human condition in it raw reality and yet remain without sin.

His Mission (5-7)

Jesus completed the twin objectives of the mission given to him by the Father. First, he completed his mission of redemption. Paul said, Jesus was born "to redeem (Gk., eskagorase) those who are under the law" (5a). He was born under the law yet was not subject to the judgment of the law because he was without sin. Therefore Jesus was the only one who could submit himself to the punishment due us under the law. He became cursed for us. He took on not only our humanity but also our responsibility for sin.

Second, Jesus completed his mission of adoption. Adoption of a child is a beautiful and wonderful gift. I was adopted at birth. My adoptive parents chose me intentionally and welcomed me fully into their family as their own. God has intentionally chosen us to be his sons and daughters and welcomes us into his family through the redeeming work of Jesus. Jesus was born "that we might receive the full rights of sons (Gk., huiothesian)" (5b).

God gives us evidence of both our redemption and our adoption. "God sent (Gk., eksapesteilen) the Spirit of his Son into our hearts" (6a). The verb "sent" is the same one used in verse 4 when Paul said, "God sent his son." As God sent his son into the world with intention and purpose, so he sends his Spirit into our hearts with intention and purpose. As the Father sent Jesus into the world on a mission of redemption, he sends his Spirit into our hearts on a mission of adoption. Paul explained it this way to the Ephesians, "And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory (Eph 1:13-14).

The Spirit is the seal, the deposit guaranteeing that we are redeemed sons and daughters of God. The Spirit "calls out (Gk., krazo), 'Abba, Father'" (6b). Abba and Father are the Hebrew and Greek names for daddy. The use of both names indicates that Jesus came to adopt both Jews and Gentiles, all humanity, as sons and daughters of God. The name Abba is patterned after the sounds of an infant's babbling, but it is not simply a name of infancy. It is the name of intimacy. "Abba, Father" is the cry of a heart giving testimony to adoption as a child of God.

We must give thanks for the first coming of Jesus and look forward to his second coming. As we wait, we should give thanks for God's timing in sending Jesus "in the fullness of time" into the world "born of a woman, born under law." As we wait, we should give thanks that Jesus completed his mission of redemption and adoption for us. As we wait, let our hearts cry out with joy, "Abba, Father" in our daily walks with God.

Blog for the Week of January 14, 2018

Work!

2 Thessalonians 3:6-18

When on my annual hunting expedition this past fall, I lost my sole. Be sure to read that last word carefully. I lost my s-o-l-e not my s-o-u-l. While walking out of the woods the first evening, the sole came off of my right shoe. It was time for a new pair of boots because this pair was worn out. Sometimes I feel like a worn out pair of hunting boots. How about you? Do you ever feel tired, worn out, like you've lost your purpose in life? I think all of us have been there at one time or another whether we would admit it or not. Sometimes we give up; sometimes we sit back and critique others who are working; sometimes we buckle down and keep going with the strength that God gives us day-by-day.

Paul wrote to encourage the Thessalonian church to not give up, but to keep working with the Lord. The church faced persecution from the outside. They also faced interference from some who were no longer working for good and the glory of God. Paul exhorted the idle to work and encouraged those still working to keep on doing good with the Lord.

⁶ In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. ⁷ For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, ⁸ nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. ⁹ We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. ¹⁰ For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”

¹¹ We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. ¹² Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. ¹³ And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.

¹⁴ Take special note of anyone who does not obey our instruction in this letter. Do not associate with them, in order that they may feel ashamed. ¹⁵ Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer.

¹⁶ Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.

¹⁷ I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand, which is the distinguishing mark in all my letters. This is how I write.

¹⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all (2 Thessalonians 3:6-18 NIV).

If You Are Idle, Get to Work! (6-15)

Paul gave a warning about those in the church who are idle (6). Paul had given a similar warning and command in 1 Th 5:14 - ". . . warn those who are idle . . . ." The word idle (Gk., ataktos) was used to describe the chaos before God ordered creation and of a disorderly military retreat. Here Paul uses the word idle to refer to those who are "out of order; unruly; insubordinate; working at odds with God's command and will." The idle ones are not only failing to do what they should to help the church but they are also hindering the Lord's work by their negative words and actions.

Paul began with advice for the faithful about not falling into the trap of idleness/disorderliness (6-10). First, stay away from (Gk., stellesthai) the bad, negative influence of those who are not focused on doing as the Lord commands (6). Second, follow the example of those who, like Paul, are doing the will and work of the Lord (7-9). Third, keep busy doing the Lord's work, and remember that doing the Lord's work is not easy, and it takes everyone in the body doing his/her part no matter how large or small that part may be (10).

Paul encouraged the church to confront those who were idle and get them working and making a positive contribution once again (11-15). After his advice about how to avoid being caught up in idleness, Paul returned to the issue of how to deal with those who are idle: "We hear that some among you are idle (Gk., ataktos)" (11a). In a play on words, Paul described the actions of the idle in more detail: "They are not busy (Gk., ergazomenous)" doing productive, positive work. but instead ". . . they are busybodies (Gk., periergazomenous)" working outside the sphere of constructive work as disruptive influences either by being passive or by working against the Lord's will (11b, emphasis mine).

Friends, there are some in the church today who believe that either by withholding their help or by sowing negative words of discord that they can hinder the progress of God's work in the church. Often those who are disruptive justify their unchristian behavior and obstructionism behind a mask of cooperation or of simply seeking what is best in their opinion. They are wrong. We will follow God and work as he leads and not as others may dictate or desire. Paul said, "Such people we command (Gk., paraggellomen - strong command) and urge (Gk., parakaloumen - softer encouragement) in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down (Gk., meta esuchias ergazomenoi - "working with quietness") and earn the bread they eat" (12). Paul gave a strong word of command tempered with a word of encouragement. He spoke not from himself but with authority from the Lord Jesus. The idle ones were to stop being disruptive busybodies stirring up trouble for those who were working and doing good. They were to get busy making positive contributions to the common good in the Lord's work.

The church has a responsibility to address those who are idle busybodies  (14-15). The disruption and disorder of the "idle" is ignored at the peril of the church and the Lord's work. The disorder of the idle must be addressed by the positive action of the entire congregation. Paul commands, ". . . take special note of him" (14a). Those who are not doing their part in the Lord's work must be openly identified by the church. They must not be allowed to rob the church or necessary resources or to discourage those who are doing the Lord's work. "Do not associate with him in order that he may feel ashamed" (14b). Their idleness, busybody actions, and negative influence must be called to account by the church until they are ashamed of their actions. Shame (Gk., entrape) is the beginning point for recovery. Until pride is broken and actions are acknowledged as wrong, there is no hope of forgiveness and restoration for the idle ones. "Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother" (15). The church disciplines the idle not with hatred as an enemy but with loving concern as a brother.

When You Are Tired, Keep Doing Good! (13)

Sandwiched within Paul's exhortation for dealing with idle busybodies is a small but important word of encouragement for those who are still working to keep on working, to not give up, and to not burn out. "And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right" (13, NIV).  The King James Version translates Paul's word this way, ". . . be not weary in well doing" (13, KJV). When your old boots wear out, it's time to get new boots. Sometimes we need new boots for ministry. We need encouragement and renewal from the Lord. We must not grow weary (Gk., enkakeo - "to grow weary physically or to despair emotionally") in doing what is right. When we see the hungry, we must feed them. When we see the children, we must care for them. When we see the discouraged, we must encourage them. When we see those ignorant of God's love, we must teach them both with words and actions about the love God has for them. When we hear God calling us into new and perhaps uncomfortable ministries, we must follow obediently as we trust him to work his will through us. God gives us many opportunities to join him in doing good every day of the year, if we will only open our spiritual eyes and ears to see and to hear what he is showing and speaking to us.

God's Peace is Yours to Share (16-18)

Paul closed his letter as he began it (1:2) with a wish for peace (3:16). The word peace (Gk., eriene) when used by Paul carries with it the additional weight of the Hebrew word for peace (Hb., shalom). The peace that Paul promised is not simply an absence of conflict. Shalom peace is a wholeness, a sense of completion, a knowledge that we are right with God and working for what is right with him each and every day. The reality is that we will have conflict in our world and in the work of the church until Christ comes. However, in spite of this reality, we must be sources of peace and not idle discord. We must bow before the Prince of Peace as he brings his peace to earth, to our church, and to our community through us. We seek peace in the church as idle busybodies turn from their own agendas back to the will and work of the Lord. We seek peace in the world as we continue to work together to share the love of Jesus with those to whom he leads us in shared ministry. Keep working with the Lord. Keep sharing his peace in word and deed. Keep working 'til Jesus comes.

Blog for the Week of January 7, 2018

Pray!

1 Thessalonians 3:1-5

Do you remember June 23, 2016? It was the day that torrential rain storms chained over us and led to devastating flooding in our area, especially in White Sulphur Springs and the Rainelle area. My wife Deborah, her friend Judy Stacks, and Judy's grand-daughter Dessie were trapped in Judy's and Dave's old pick-up on high-ground near Charmco for three days. Fortunately, they were not injured and the truck was not damaged.  However, many people's homes were completely destroyed and many lives were lost.

In the aftermath of disasters such as this one, people often ask, "Where were you God?" The answer is that he was and is here with us in all that we face. "The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth" (Ps 145:18). In response to this devastating flood, One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS), an annual offering which our church supports, provided $10,000 of financial assistance. Baptist churches and volunteers also gave money, supplies, time and energy in clean-up/rebuilding. People who have been helped by OGHS frequently say “you were here” after the flood, the earthquake, the fire. That is the answer that we must give as members of the body of Christ in difficult times. In times when people ask, "Where are you God?" We say, "We are here as the body of Christ. We are his feet going to meet the need. We are his hands reaching out to share and to comfort." While we may not always be able to go personally to assist those in the process of recovering from the devastation of storms and other disasters, we can give, and we can pray as our response of God-like love to their needs.

Paul had been separated from the Thessalonians by unknown circumstances (cf., 1 Th 2:17-18). However, he continued to care for them by sending Timothy, writing letters, and praying for them. Both 1 & 2 Thessalonians are filled with Paul's prayers for the Thessalonians. In 1 Th 1:3, Paul gave thanks for the Thessalonians' "work produced by faith . . . labor prompted by love, and . . . endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." In 1 Th 1:7, he gave thanks that the Thessalonians had become "imitators of us and the Lord" (6), and "a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia." In 1 Th 2:14, he gave thanks because they had "received the word of God" (2:13) and "became imitators of God's churches in Judea" as they also suffered for their faith in Jesus. In 1 Th 3:9, he gave thanks for the joy that he had before God because of the Thessalonians. In 1 The 3:11-12, he prayed to be present with them and for an increase and overflow in their self-sacrificial love for all people, both believers and unbelievers. In 2 Th 3:3, he gave thanks for their growing faith and increasing love for each one another. The over-arching theme in these prayers is thanksgiving for the fact that the Thessalonians continued to increase in their love for others as they imitated the love of God. Again, Paul prayed for the Thessalonians.

¹ As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. ² And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith. ³ But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. ⁴ We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. ⁵ May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance. (2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 NIV).

Pray for the Spread of the Good News (1)

Paul asked for the prayers of the Thessalonians, but his request is not selfish. Paul and the Thessalonians shared common bonds in the Gospel and in persecution for their faith. Prayer was one means by which they could support and participate with one another even when apart. This is true for us when others in the body of Christ suffer, like the members of First Baptist Sunderland Springs. We can pray for them and send them cards/letters of encouragement. Paul specifically asked for the Thessalonians to pray for two things concerning the Gospel. That it will "Spread rapidly" (Gk., trecho - literally "run rapidly without hindrance"). That is will "be honored" (Gk., doksadzo) by those who hear it. It is one thing for the gospel to spread rapidly and another for it to be received and glorified in the lives of those who hear it. Paul wanted the Gospel to spread and to be honored/glorified as it had been among the Thessalonians.

Pray for Deliverance from Evil (2)

Paul asked for prayer that "we may be delivered (Gk., ruo) from evil and wicked men" (2). This is not a selfish prayer. Note that Paul asked that "we" not "I" be delivered. He was remembering those who travelled with him. Their deliverance from evil was related to the rapid and glorious spread of the Gospel message. Paul himself had once been an "evil and wicked" man who had persecuted the church and hindered the spread of the Gospel. Now Paul faced opposition from both unbelieving Jews and Gentiles as he preached the Good News. He and those with him suffered much for the gospel Paul's focus was not on his own pain/suffering but on the spread of the Gospel to the glory of God. Paul knew that God was always faithful no matter what he faced.

Remember the Lord is Faithful (3-4)

"The Lord is faithful (Gk., pistos)" and shows his faithfulness to us in at least two ways. First, He "strengthens" (Gk., sterikso) us by his presence and care in all that we face. Second, He "protects" (Gk., phulakso) us and guards us by his might. We are secure in his hands. The Psalmist declared,

I will lift up my eyes to the hills--where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. . . . The Lord will keep you from all harm--he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore (Ps 121:1-2,7-8).

Recently, our brothers and sisters in Christ in Puerto Rico faced the devastating one-two punch first by Hurricane Irma and then by Hurricane Maria. While much of the island is still without power and many Baptist churches have been destroyed, the Lord has been and continues to watch over them as he strengthens and protects them. As OGHS responded to needs of brothers and sisters closer to home in Rainelle, so a response has begun through OGHS to the needs of our brothers and sisters farther away in Puerto Rico.

Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, Exec. Dir. of our ABHS, states, “'Rebuilding, Restoring, Renewing Puerto Rico' seeks to raise $1 million within the next three to six months through One Great Hour of Sharing to support rebuilding the homes, churches and lives of our brothers and sisters in Christ. ABHMS has pledged $25,000 to launch this major renewal effort, matching OGHS funds already earmarked for Puerto Rico recovery. . . . Within the next three to five years, we will work with our American Baptist partners to restore all 114 churches and nine missions in the Iglesias Bautistas de Puerto Rico as well as Corporacion Milagros del Amor and Seminario Evangélico de Puerto Rico.”

Rev. Dr. Lee B. Spitzer, our ABCUSA General Secretary, says, “I wholeheartedly endorse this denomination-wide effort to come alongside one of our regions. I hope every American Baptist will give generously to rebuild the Iglesias Bautistas de Puerto Rico. In the midst of all the calamities that have hit Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Puerto Rico, the Caribbean and Mexico City, God demonstrates his loving presence through the prayers and deeds of God’s people. We stand in solidarity with those struggling to rebuild their lives.”

What is our response to God's faithfulness? Paul had "confidence" and prayed that the Thessalonians would continue to do three things. First, they would "continue to do the things we command" (4) - They would walk according to Christ. Second, they would allow God to "direct your hearts into God's love" (5) - They would continue to show God's self-sacrificial kind of love to others. Third, they would allow God to "direct your hearts into Christ' perseverance" (5). They would continue to persevere and be patient as they awaited God's ultimate deliverance at the coming of Christ.

May God direct our hearts to love the people of Puerto Rico as we pray and give; May God help them and us to persevere in the manner of Christ in spite of every obstacles that we face. May we count our blessings and remember God's faithfulness in strengthening and protecting us. God has been there for us, and is still here for us. He calls us to join Him in ministry as through Him we strengthen and protect our brothers and sisters in Christ at home and around the world.