DECEPTIVE THOUGHTS

Deceptive thoughts that trick the mind
Like flies caught in a spider's web
Try hard to shake its silken grip
Before its venom finds its mark.

How troublesome this rude disguise
Intriguing lures that bate its prey
While offering music that delights
In tones discordant to the heart.

Yet in this net of hopelessness
Like blowing winds that blind the eye
The only path through desert storms
Is standing firm against the night.

When naked truth reveals its worth
Life's phantom thoughts will take their flight
And like a dance in springtime rains
The heart will rise to sing again.
--B. Pent

THE CHURCH'S PRIORITY - I Thessalonians 2:17-20

Paul saw the Thessalonian Church as being on the cutting edge of service! The imminent return of Christ built a fire in their hearts as they served with passion and vision. They had their priorities in order. They became lights in a dark world. They were filled with passion and compassion.
I wonder what Paul would think of our churches today? What does God really desire for the church of the 21st century? Our text might help us to rediscover our priorities in the light of this new year and new decade.

I. Motivation For Kingdom Ministry - (vs.17-18)
Things were not perfect at Thessalonica. There were some who were gossiping, complaining and even some who refused to work because of Christ's imminent return. Like a nursing mother and a protective father he had helped them in their spiritual growth. His motivation was 2-fold:
1. Commitment - "out of our intense longing, we made every effort to see you"
We often tend to lose interest in serving Christ because of a lack of passion. Service from
selfish motives leads to lukewarmness. Paul not only had an "intense longing" but he
put forth "every effort." His priorities were right because his commitment was real. He
was committed to the will of God, the Word of God and the people of God. That must be
our motivation if we are to serve faithfully this new year!
2. Conflict - "but Satan stopped us"
With whole hearted commitment comes conflict! Paul kept up the fight even in the face
of opposition. The Enemy of our soul doesn't want us to serve Christ, so he will put every
possible obstacle in the way. What should be our response? First, we need to put on the
whole armour of God (Eph. 6:11-18) "with this in mind, be alert and always keep on
praying." Secondly, be aware of Satan's subtle trap (I Peter 5:8-9) and "resist him, standing
firm in the faith." Thirdly, remember it is "not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit
says the Lord Almighty" (Zach.4:6). He is our Victor and through Him we gain the victory!

II. Participation In Kingdom Ministry - (vs.19-20)
Too often we stop at motivation. God wants us to become participants; to get involved! Note
what happens as the process unfolds:
1. The Bridge Of Hope - Hope is built by following the will of God, living in the light of eternity,
and daily being filled with His Spirit (Eph.5:18). Hope is the certainty that God will fulfill
His promises. Involvement guarantees fulfillment of hope in His time.
2. Experiencing Real Joy - Joy is not only the "fruit of the Spirit" (Gal.5:22), but as we serve
together, Jesus promises "the one that sows and the one that reaps rejoice together"(John 4:36). Joy spelled out, reads: Jesus, Others, You!
3. Receiving The Crown Of Glory - Paul's real joy came from seeing people come to new life
in Christ. They were his crown of joy! But Scripture makes it clear that all those who
serve faithfully and love His appearing will receive the victor's crown.

Conclusion: The time is short! God has given us another year in which to serve. In the light of His soon return, I want to be found walking with Him; living for Him; serving Him. Together we can make a difference! That's my goal! Is it yours?

THE NEW YEAR BEFORE US

The New Year stands before us
The signs speak loud and clear
The end-time is upon us
The choice you make is here.

The prophets tell of trouble
Of nations in distress
With war and famines growing
Of death and loneliness.

Ten nations, Daniel tells us
Will form a single head
And one will try to charm us
By rising from the dead.

The Beast will form a treaty
With Jews and Arabs, too
And all the world will wonder
"Can lasting peace be true?"

Then from the Temple throne
The anti-Christ will speak
As Armageddon forces
Around Jerusalem meet.

The sun will then grow dimmer
The moon will hide its face
As angels pour out judgment
Upon the human race.

A choice demands an answer
You cannot neutral be
It's either Christ or Satan
That marks your destiny.
--B. Pent

GOD'S GIFT

A thousand gifts may come your way
To bring you joy this Christmas day
With brilliant lights around the tree
For every boy and girl to see.
Yet if you miss the One who came
No other joy is there to claim.

Sweet carols fill the ethereal sky
Like angel choirs once sang on high
With peace on earth to every man
The Christmas story fills the land.
Yet fear can only be a part
If Christ no longer rules the heart.

As busy shoppers seek to find
The perfect gift with love in mind
A voice breaks through life's empty space
"Give Christ a chance to fill its place."
For if you fail to crown Him King
There is no lasting peace within.

God's greatest gift came down to earth
So man can have redemption's birth
He is enough, so please take heed
Receive His Son, that's all you need.
Then you will find fulfilled in Him
Life's deepest joy without, within.
--B. Pent

THE MYSTERY OF JOY

How vain man searches for a way
Through earthly toys that soon decay
And thinks these things bring happiness
Yet find, its only emptiness.

In every life a God-shaped void
Is built within the heart of man
So he can know down deep inside
Redeeming grace that will abide.

But joy is not made up of things
That bid one soar on eagle wings
The power is found in knowing Him
And helping others bound by sin.

The fruit of joy one can express
Is helping widows in distress
Or helping orphans find a home
So they no longer need to roam.

So as you seek help from above
Let Jesus fill you with His love
Then through the service you impart
Real joy will overflow your heart.
--B. Pent

I WONDER AS I WANDER!

My thoughts move once again to this incomprehensible mystery! I follow the shepherds from Bethlehem's hillside after hearing the announcement by angels of Christ's birth. I try to comprehend a virgin birth as I look at Mary's new born son: deity and humanity interwoven. He had no halo or visible marks of divinity I am aware of. Just a normal baby who cried, drank mother's milk, burped and needed wiping several times a day. Yet, He was God incarnate who pre-existed from eternity past: spoke the universe into being; created the world and everything in it; and even pre-arranged His visit to planet earth.

The pungent smell of an animal shelter disturbs my thoughts. I would resent spending even one night there! Where was the eastern culture of hospitality for traveling strangers? Was there no righteous family in Bethlehem available? Yet, even more disturbing is that God was coming to visit earth and all we offer Him is a dung infested stable.

It's Christmas time again and its mystery still boggles reason. Why is our King in rags? What is this covering of flesh? What was God thinking when He sent Jesus into this sin-cursed world? I sure wouldn't have risked it! Would you?

I guess the wonder of it all is that He did come. Wrapped in this indescribable Gift Paul talks about in 2 Corinthians 9:15 is the one thing every person seeks: LOVE. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son" (John 3:16).

So I find myself once again metaphorically picturing God coming into this sinfully dung-infested heart of mine, cleaning it up, and living in it forever. Jesus stands at every heart's door and continually knocks (Rev.3:20) waiting for our response: "There is room in my heart for Thee!"

Why He chose me is a question I can't answer. That is what makes Christmas so mysterious to me. I am lost in the wonder of His grace as I continually rejoice in His great salvation. So should you be!

SIGNS OF MATURITY - I Thess.2:7-16

"A dynamic Church is not built on soft seats and subdued light, but on strong courageous leadership; not tall towers with chimes and bells, but a lofty vision of its people; not big budgets, but big hearts; not what it has done in the past, but what it is doing now and is willing to invest for tomorrow."

The strength of today's Church must be visually seen in its equipped change-agents. The Thessalonian Church turned the world upside down because it was changed inside out! We seem to be spending more time on the outside than on the inside. We have beautiful structures for a church but anemic Christians to model after. The Thessalonian Christians became models because they saw themselves as participators, not just spectators.

What are the signs of a maturing people? Paul seems to indicate a three-fold stage in this passage:
I. The Childhood Stage - (vs.7-9) "as a mother caring for her little children"
Scripture is full of illustrations/metaphors of God's loving care for His children:
Isa.66:13, "as a mother comforts." Psalm 103:13, "as a father has compassion."
Ezek. 34:12, "as a shepherd looks after." Deut. 32:11, "as an eagle hovers over its young"
Matt.23:37, "as a hen gathers its chicks."

A new convert to Christ needs a lot of tender loving care. Note how Paul describes those
needs: gentle among you (v.7); caring like a mother with her children (v.7); loving to
share our lives (v.8); working night and day (v.9). Unfortunately, a large majority of
Christians are still in this infant stage. They need constant pampering; are looking for
an emotional high through music, preaching, worship; they are easily slighted and seem
to always move from church to church looking for self satisfaction.
II. The Adolescent Stage - (v.10-12) "as a father deals with his own child"
The metaphor of a father dealing with his child is a beautiful picture of a son or daughter
beginning to gain maturity in the Christian life. The adolescent is stronger, more
dependent, even taking some responsibility though he/she may have ups & downs.

The Thessalonians could see how the Apostle Paul and his staff lived. "You are witnesses
and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you" (v.10) Then
he urges them as a father would his children: "encouraging, comforting, and urging them
to live lives worthy of God who called them into his kingdom and glory" (vs12). The
sign of a maturing Christian is one who not only listens to instructions but puts them into
practice. James 1:22 states: "be doers of the word and not hearers only."

III. The Adult Stage - (vs.13-16) "you heard; you accepted; you became
imitators"
Paul bursts forth into praise for the progress these Thessalonians demonstrated as they
matured in faith: "we thank God continually because, when you received the word
of God....you accepted it" (v.13). Note how they demonstrated their faith:
1. They receive the Word of God - (v.13).
2. They Modeled the Word of God - (v.14)
3. They suffered for the Word of God - (v.14)
4. They shared the Word of God -
Where are you in your Christian walk? Are you maturing in your faith? God is looking
for growing, maturing Christians who model Christ likeness each day. Don't remain a
spiritual infant but as 2 Peter 3:18 reminds us, "grow in grace and in the knowledge
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."