Life with Lucas April-June 2024 by Life With Lucas

Jeff makes me laugh out loud and then cry. He’s honest and real about pain and disappointment, but keeps us close to Jesus DEBRA GREEN OBE

WITH LUCAS APPLYING GOD’S WORD TODAY

APRIL – JUNE 2024

Hope forever!

A WORD FROM JEFF

WELCOME TO LIFE WITH LUCAS!

VIDEO INTRODUCTION lifewithlucas.co.uk /intros

I know. I’m weird. I’m an avid reader – of church newsletters. I’m privileged to have the opportunity to preach in a variety of different congregations and denominations. One of the best ways of finding out about the church I’m with is to scan their news sheet or online bulletins, especially if there’s a ‘Word from the Minister’ section, which usually reveals a lot about where the church is at in their journey. As we turn to Paul’s two epistles to the Thessalonians (an epistle is simply a message or dispatch), think of them as letters from a minister to their congregation. Paul wrote, not as a local pastor at Thessalonica, but as the apostle who founded the church there, and endured opposition in that city. Resistance came from opponents to the faith, and sadly, some elements within the congregation caused Paul grief too. As we read Paul’s mail, we’ll find instruction that is passionate and immensely practical, as the great apostle writes as a father to his children (1 Thess. 2:7,11). This church, planted in the middle of the first century, lived in a culture very different from our own. But the challenges and opportunities of being human remain the same. Paul urges the Thessalonian believers towards faithfulness to Christ. As we journey together, may we be inspired to stay true to the risen Jesus. He will be faithful to us to the end. God bless you,

© Son Christian Media (SCM) and Novio Published 2024 by SCM/Novio – PO Box 3070, Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN17 6WX, UK All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission in writing of SCM/Novio. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version® (US version), The “NIRV”, “New International Reader’s Version”, “Biblica”, “International Bible Society” and the Biblica Logo are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc. The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the Publisher. Design by Piero Regnante – Rogfog Creative | rogfog.co.uk Printed by Halcyon

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INTRODUCTION

GETTING THE MOST OUT OF LIFE WITH LUCAS! CHOOSE A TIME Find the best time that works for you, ideally the same time, same place every day, when you can concentrate and have the least number of distractions. PAUSE AND TALK TO GOD Take a moment to focus on God and ask Him to speak to you as you read and reflect on His word. READ GOD’S WORD Read the daily passage from your Bible. Don’t be tempted just to skip this part. It’s important: who knows how the Holy Spirit might speak to you as you read the actual text? MAKE NOTES

ONLINE VIDEO INTRODUCTIONS, AND GOING DEEPER When you see the video icon, this points you to a brief Video Introduction to the subject. Make the most of the occasional Going Deeper resources when you see this icon. They will help you delve further into the passage. GIVE YOUR DAY TO GOD Thank God for what you’ve learned and ask for help if the day’s notes brought to light anything especially applicable to your life at the moment.

Writing slows you down and helps you focus. Write in your Bible, a notebook, or in the white space in the devotions. Don’t hesitate to underline, write in the margins, or circle words. 5

MON 01 APR

BEGINNINGS

READ Acts 17:1-2 Romans 9:1-5 FOCUS Paul went into the synagogue as he usually did. For three Sabbath days in a row he talked about the Scriptures with the Jews. Acts 17:2

GOING DEEPER

lifewithlucas. co.uk/goingdeeper

As we trace the beginnings of Paul’s work in Thessalonica, we see him operating totally ‘on mission’. Paul was called to go to his own Jewish people first with the message that their Messiah had come. His heart burned with Holy Spirit-fuelled passion to reach his own people, even saying that he would be willing to give up his own salvation if only his people could respond to the gospel. But Paul was a tactician; he knew that Thessalonica was a strategic city. Located on some important trade routes, it had a bustling harbour, and was a thriving business centre. Let’s also notice that Paul usually launched his pioneer works by speaking in local synagogues (see Acts 14:1, 17:10). When on his way to Thessalonica, he didn’t stop to preach in Amphipolis or Apollonia, probably because those cities had no synagogues. Those who attended the synagogues were already immersed in the big story of Scripture. They worshipped the one God, and had expectations of Messiah’s coming. It was entirely logical to begin with people who already had a grasp of the truth. And so, starting with where they were at, Paul reasoned with the synagogue goers – the word used here means dialogue. Paul didn’t just preach at people, but talked with them. When sharing our faith, let’s follow his example. Let’s work hard to listen as well as talk, and not ignore or discount the spiritual experiences of others. Let’s start where people are. Prayer: Dear Father, when sharing You with others, help me to hear, see and respect them. Amen.

TUE 02 APR

WHAT REALLY MATTERS

READ Acts 17:3 Luke 24:13-35

FOCUS He explained and proved that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. Acts 17:3

I am terribly forgetful. I mislay my keys, sunglasses, wallet and phone daily. Helpfully, I am married to Kay, who has a remarkable gift of remembering where she last saw those items. But being delayed for a few minutes while something is recovered is a trivial irritation. We can all be forgetful about what really matters in life – that Christ has suffered, been raised, and is alive today and always. Our faith can degrade into a vague habit, a rationale for morality, or a belief system that we declare on Sunday, then forget on Monday. As Paul begins his teaching ministry to the Thessalonians, and while Luke doesn’t report his sermons, he makes sure that we know the heart of Paul’s message – the Jesus who suffered, died and is now raised from the dead. This was entirely consistent with the emphasis Jesus had in His own teaching ministry. Speaking to His disciples, He said, ‘The Son of Man must suffer many things... He must be killed and on the third day rise from the dead’ (Luke 9:22). This was His message when He met the two on the road to Emmaus. And the cross and empty tomb formed the heartbeat of Peter’s and Paul’s teaching. Our faith is not just about embracing the right way to live now – that’s not worth giving everything for. Countless martyrs, however, have been found faithful for the truth that Jesus is alive. Today, let’s remember, whatever our circumstances: Christ lives! Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are greater, stronger and larger than life itself. When faith is low, help me affirm: Jesus is alive. I will never be alone again. Amen.

WED 03 APR

HEALTHY CHURCH

READ Acts 17:4 Acts 2:42-47

FOCUS A large number of Greeks who worshipped God joined them too. So did quite a few important women. Acts 17:4

It had been a full day of speaking, but I’d enjoyed the conference. I was heading back for a break when one of the delegates approached me. ‘The church you’re part of – it’s big, isn’t it?’, he asked. ‘One of those mega churches, is it?’ The tone of his voice made it obvious that he wasn’t terribly pleased that Timberline Church is a large church in a relatively small community. He managed to make ‘mega-church’ sound like a disease. As Luke describes the first three weeks of missional work in Thessalonica, he reports, without apology, on the growth of the congregation there, mentioning not only ‘a large number’, but also recording that ‘quite a few important women’ believed in Christ. Unconcerned by the potential charge that he was too interested in numbers, Luke was delighted to report the church was growing. Not every church can, or should, be large. That’s especially true in rural communities where an incredible impact can be made when there are just thirty or so people gathering in a village church – possibly half the local population! What primarily matters is the health of a church, rather than its size. But let’s not disparage larger churches, writing them off as superficial entertainment centres, only good for pulling a crowd. If we’re missionally focused and live in a metropolitan area with a large population like the Thessalonians, then we should pray, work and hope for numerical growth. Prayer: Lord, bless the church that I call home. May we be effective in reaching people in our community. Amen.

THU 04 APR

JEALOUSY

READ Acts 17:5 James 3:13-18

FOCUS But the Jews were jealous. So they rounded up some evil fellows... they started all kinds of trouble in the city. Acts 17:5

GOING DEEPER

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A close friend of mine says it is one of the sins that he fears most, because it has such a power to destroy. It leads some Christian leaders to launch vitriolic attacks on each other, volleying Scripture-laden accusations around, courtesy of the internet. It motivates sniping about that more successful church across town. Corporate boardrooms, sports teams, and marriages can all succumb to it, and it creates chaos wherever it rears its ugly head. Courtrooms will be busy today because of it. The sin is jealousy. Apparently bitter because some potential synagogue converts were choosing to follow Christ, some of the Jews in the city decided to launch an attack on the church. It wasn’t a doctrinal dispute, or an argument over money that sparked opposition – but envy. Some believe the jealousy might have been fuelled by Jewish teachers who were envious of the response Paul had received. Jealousy is where we become bitter because others have what we want. It is the soil in which terrible weeds grow – ‘all kinds of evil things’, according to James. The jealous will accuse unjustly. As Shakespeare put it, ‘For oft, my jealousy shapes faults that are not.’ James gives a blunt warning to those who succumb to it: ‘Then your life will be a mess’ (James 3:16). May God give us grace when others succeed in areas where we have failed, or prosper beyond what we have enjoyed. May we recognise jealousy for what it is, and resist it. Prayer: Lord, save me from envy. Help me to celebrate others’ success – especially when they are more successful than me. Amen. 9

FRI 05 APR

THIN DISGUISE

READ Acts 17:6-9 Mark 15:1-15

FOCUS ‘They are all disobeying Caesar’s commands. They say there is another king. He is called Jesus.’ Acts 17:7

When religious people get jealous, they rarely come out and admit it. Instead, they usually resort to pious carping, using inflammatory language to veil their real motives. The Jews who attacked the young believers in Thessalonica were jealous of the success Paul and his team were enjoying – but they phrased their complaint with insincere words that implied they were deeply concerned about allegiance to Caesar as king. The original Greek of their accusation uses a word that can describe a terrorist leading a revolt. This was an accusation of high treason, and one that could have placed the lives of the new Christians at risk. Treason was a capital offence. It’s tough when we’re attacked by people who act like sanctimonious hypocrites, but that was one of the first obstacles the church at Thessalonica had to overcome. Early in their history they learned that being slandered is part of the deal when you’re a follower of Christ. And sometimes innocents get specially singled out for attack, like Jason here – who is mentioned nowhere else in the New Testament, so we have no idea who he was. The apostolic team, who were bringing good news of peace with God through Christ, were maligned as troublemakers. Is someone attacking you, and making it sound as though they are being full of integrity as they do so? That’s tough to take – but you are in good company: it was what new converts had to cope with in Thessalonica. Prayer: When I am criticised by religious people, help me to be gracious, gracious God. Amen.

WEEKEND 06 - 07 APR

LIFE IS A MIXTURE

READ Acts 17:10-14 1 Thessalonians 2:17-19

I’d like a perfect life. I sometimes catch myself dreaming about waking up one day with no mortgage, totally up to date with all my emails, rested and at the peak of physical condition. Stepping on the scales, I discover I’m at my ideal weight. Oh, and the sun would be shining in a brilliant blue sky – but, it being the perfect day, I wouldn’t get sunburned. Life isn’t like that. Paul and his team had enjoyed great success in Thessalonica, as some key people in the city were won for Christ – but at the same time they faced terrible opposition. So fierce were Paul’s opponents in that city, they would travel far and wide to harass him (see 17:13,14; 21:27). Notice that Paul showed practical wisdom when the rabble were running around town looking for blood – he and his companions hid, escaping by night and heading 45 miles or so to Berea, where they found a more open-minded reception. But this must have been a difficult day, both for the brand new Thessalonian Christians, and for Paul. He writes about being ‘torn away’ from them. The word he uses here is strong, (and only used once in the NT) and means ‘orphaned’. Paul felt like he’d been ripped away from his family. Great joy and deep sorrow were mingled here. Let’s not wait for perfect days to dawn in order to be content – in reality, they are rare. May the Lord help us all to be thankful to Him in the midst of life as it is, not as we’d like it to be. To ponder: The suggestion is that ‘perfect’ days are rare. How would you describe the current season that you are in? 11

MON 08 APR

FRIENDSHIPS OF DEPTH

READ 1 Thessalonians 2:17-19 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13 FOCUS He has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have happy memories of us. 1 Thessalonians 3:6

GOING DEEPER

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When you care about people and you know they are suffering, you will worry about them. The same was true for Paul. His hasty departure from Thessalonica meant he was concerned about what trouble he might have left behind. Knowing that Jason had been hauled out by that angry mob must have preyed on his mind – and so he sent young Timothy to find out how things were. Timothy’s reunion with Paul (by now in Corinth) and message from the Thessalonian church were revealing: ‘He has also said that you long to see us, just as we long to see you’ (1 Thess. 3:6). Timothy was bubbling over with enthusiasm about the faith and love of the Thessalonians, and their warmth towards Paul. The word used here literally means ‘he came back evangelising about you’. It’s the only time in the New Testament that the idea is used not in connection with sharing faith. I’m challenged by all this: would my love and faith cause someone to want to boast excitedly about me? As I write this today, my wife Kay is navigating some very serious health challenges, but the difficult pathway of the last few weeks has been lit by dear, precious friends who have prayed, supported and daily expressed care for us. Their commitment to us has been quite wonderful. May our love for God – and each other – be of such depth that we’re worth shouting about. And if that is to be true, we’ll need to be intentional, sacrificial and faithful. Prayer: Father, may I be a friend worthy of celebration. Amen.

TUE 09 APR

WHEN WE ARE HURT

READ 1 Thessalonians 1:1-2 1 Thessalonians 2:17-35

FOCUS To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you. 1 Thessalonians 1:1 (NIV)

From time to time, a spiteful email arrives, loaded with generalised criticisms that are difficult to respond to, but laced with the clear message: the sender does not like me. I’m blessed to receive plenty of encouragement, but I’m still disappointed by my vulnerability to unkind words. Constructive criticism is helpful: acerbic attacks are hurtful. It messes up my day – sometimes my week. When I’m on the receiving end of spiteful words, I (usually) try to respond with warmth and grace, but sometimes I wonder if that’s the right way. Sometimes unkind people need to be told firmly their behaviour is unacceptable. But on the basis that ‘A gentle answer turns anger away’ (Prov. 15:1), I try to take that approach. Paul had been heavily criticised in Thessalonica. Some of the believers there were hurt because, following his hasty exit, he’d not been able to return. His motives were questioned. But he responded with words of grace and peace. His opening words were the accepted form of the day, but let’s look beyond the protocol and see him reaching out in warmth to some who had been unkind. Notice that he includes Silas in the greeting – this is probably the same Silas who had joined Paul in his midnight hymn-singing. Perhaps it’s true that when you have endured what might have been Death Row, a little criticism doesn’t bother you too much. So, when we find ourselves under attack, let’s ask for grace to respond gently. Prayer: Father, help me to respond, not to react, in tough situations where I’m unjustly criticised. Amen. 13

WED 10 APR

HOW TO BLESS OTHERS (1)

READ 1 Thessalonians 1:2 Romans 1:1-8

FOCUS We always thank God for all of you. We pray for you. 1 Thessalonians 1:2

GOING DEEPER

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Production schedules demand I write these notes months ahead of time, and so today is the Thanksgiving holiday in the USA. Kay and I spent some time this morning listing some of what we are so grateful for. But according to countless references in Scripture, God calls us to make thankfulness a year-round practice. When we look closely at Paul’s letters, we find that he begins most of them by expressing gratitude for people – for him, people mattered more than things. And Paul’s valuing of people is further demonstrated by his practice of praying for others regularly. When we spend time being thankful for others, it makes us focus on their positive traits, which will in turn help strengthen our relationships with them. As we’ll see tomorrow, Paul lists some of the traits that he is thankful for as he thinks about his friends in Thessalonica. And when we pray consistently for others, we are more likely to be empathetic to their struggles, while we ask God to bless them with His peace and power. I know people who operate a prayer list which they work through daily. It helps them to be disciplined in prayer. It’s a practice that I’ve avoided because it seems mechanical. But as I reflect on the way Paul prayed grateful prayers for those he loved, I’m challenged to change my mind. He uses phrases like ‘we always thank God for you’, and ‘we never forget you when we pray.’ I think it’s time to start that list. Prayer: Help me to bring to mind that which I am so very grateful for, Father. May my day be punctuated with thankfulness. Amen.

THU 11 APR

HOW TO BLESS OTHERS (2)

READ 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

FOCUS Your strength to continue comes from your hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 1:3

We Christians can be a strange lot. Thanking a minister for a well-delivered sermon, a lady was surprised when he hesitated to accept her kind words, and even responded with a mild rebuke. Pointing heavenward, he blustered, 'No, madam, please, give God the glory. It was the Lord.’ Wrinkling her nose, the would-be encourager replied: ‘Actually, it wasn’t that good...’ We all need encouragement. I’ve been to churches where people serve quietly and faithfully for years, but rarely does anyone take a moment to thank them. Perhaps it is assumed they do what they do for Jesus, and therefore no human appreciation is needed. But that’s wrong – Paul praises his friends in Thessalonica for their work, faith, hope, service and love. Paul frequently talks about faith, hope and love together. Surely we are all going to meet people today who are carrying heavy burdens – and not just within the family of the church. A kind word of thanks, or a note of appreciation can bring strength to the struggling. Why not aim to sincerely encourage two or three people today? If we’re unsure of what to say, Paul’s beautiful sentence, ‘I thank God for you’, is a great place to start. Bringing encouragement is a responsibility all of us are called to share. If someone brings thanks and encouragement to you, accept their words with grace. We do what we do for the glory of God – but that same God knows we all need to be cheered on once in a while. Prayer: Lord, help me to use the opportunities that I have to strengthen and encourage others today. Amen. 15

FRI 12 APR

CHOSEN

READ 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5 1 Peter 2:1-10

FOCUS Brothers and sisters, you are loved by God. We know that he has chosen you. 1 Thessalonians 1:4

The doctrine of election – God’s choosing of us – was an idea that blew a fuse in my brain. The church has been arguing about it for centuries, and I’m not going to resolve the issue here! But at first glance, it seems that if God has ‘picked’ some people to be saved, then He has picked others not to be saved. Some are effectively ‘selected’ for eternal rejection. I don’t buy that. If the gospel offer is made to all to come, then the door is wide open – whoever wants to, can enter into salvation. I believe the key to this mystery is found in the background to the idea of election: God chose Israel as an elect people, as Chris Wright says, ‘not at the expense of the rest of the world, but for the sake of the rest of the world.’1 In other words, God decided to use a people for His purposes – not individuals, but a people together. This truth is beautifully outlined in Deuteronomy 7. We tend to individualise Scripture – so when it talks to us, using the word ‘you’, we think ‘me’ rather than ‘us together’. What God has done is to call the church, the people of God, to be a lighthouse to the world, just as He intended Israel to be a beacon people. Just as they were ‘set apart’ for God, so we too are set apart for His usefulness. God has chosen the church and everyone is invited to join that chosen people. All are loved by the Lord – and discover His love as they share in the colourful adventure of the people of God together. Prayer: Father, I’m grateful to be part of the people of such purpose and calling. Amen.

C J H Wright, Living as the People of God: the relevance of Old Testament Ethics, (IVP: 1983), p45

WEEKEND 13 - 14 APR

IMITATION

READ 1 Thessalonians 1:6-7 1 Corinthians 4:1-16

Some years ago, out shopping with my toddler grandson, I sat with him on a bench. I folded my arms. He folded his. I put my sunglasses on. He followed suit. In our development as humans, so much is done by copying. Paul was able to make a marvellous statement: 'We and the Lord were your examples’ (1 Thess. 1:6). The apostle was able to use his own life as an example of what the Christian life should be. And he even puts himself first in the sentence – because the first introduction to Jesus the Thessalonians had was through Paul’s life. Ultimately the model is Christ, as Paul clarifies in writing to the Corinthians: ‘Follow my example, just as I follow the example of Christ’ (1 Cor. 11:1). Nevertheless, Paul was able to use himself as a model for others to emulate. Challenged? Me too. And the Thessalonians in turn became a ‘model’ for others to follow – the imitators become the imitated. We all have influence. The way that we respond to criticism, use our money, treat our friends and spouses, or handle conflict – all of this surely makes a mark. But we make the greatest impression as we respond to trials. The Thessalonians became a model because they had welcomed the gospel and ‘suffered terribly’ as a result. Perhaps you’re in a season of terrible suffering right now. I pray that you’ll be encouraged, and not exhausted, by this truth: as you’re faithful, you’re not just surviving – you’re making a mark. To ponder: Can you think of a person who has made an impression on you? How?

MON 15 APR

RING THE BELLS

READ 1 Thessalonians 1:8-10 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 FOCUS They tell about how you turned away from statues of gods to serve the living and true God. 1 Thessalonians 1:9

GOING DEEPER

lifewithlucas. co.uk/goingdeeper

I love the sound of church bells, but my joy is usually tinged with a little sadness when I hear them in our village on Sunday mornings. The bells are rung as a call to worship – but sadly, few respond to that invitation. What can we do to help reverse this trend of indifference towards Jesus? The answer is that our lives can make an impact. As Paul celebrates the Thessalonians' faith in God – ‘which had become known everywhere’ – he uses a term which means ‘pealing’. So the NiRV version says, ‘The Lord’s message rang out from you’ (1 Thess. 1:8). As we read this passage carefully, we see the Thessalonians had turned to God from dead idolatry. They lived in a city with a very religious atmosphere, with shrines and temples to Greek, Egyptian and other gods everywhere. They lived just fifty miles from Mount Olympus, believed to be the home of the principal gods of the Greek culture, like Zeus, Hera, Athena, and Apollo. Notice there is not just a turning away from – but a turning to God himself. Not only had they turned, but now they were serving as well. Their faith was more than a shift in a belief system: it involved them rolling up their sleeves to serve the Kingdom. They had an eternal perspective, waiting ‘for his Son to come from heaven’ (1 Thess. 1:10). Turning, serving, waiting – all because they knew the truth: ‘God raised him from the dead. He is Jesus’ (1 Thess. 1:10). As we turn, serve, and wait, trusting the living God, the bells ring. Prayer: When I’m standing at life’s critical junctions, help me to make the right turn that my life might ring clear for You. Amen.

TUE 16 APR

FALSELY ACCUSED

READ 1 Thessalonians 2:1-2 Acts 26:1-23

FOCUS Brothers and sisters, you know that our visit to you was not a failure. 1 Thessalonians 2:1

Confession time – sometimes I don’t challenge people who wrongly criticise me, because I just don’t want conflict. In fact, I don't even want to continue the conversation. An apology is easier. But it’s not always the right way. There is a time to defend ourselves, and defend the integrity of what we’re doing. Paul was obviously insulted in Philippi, first by those from outside the church, who sneered at his sudden departure and described his mission as a failure. Those unkind words must then have infected the church, causing some to think Paul was a charlatan who had abandoned them. And so the words that we will consider over the next few days are Paul’s robust defence in the face of those unfair charges. He refuted the idea that his visit to Thessalonica had been a waste of time and without results, as obviously the current rumours were suggesting. In this situation, not only was he personally under attack, but the power and effectiveness of the Christian message was under question as well. Of course, we should be gracious when we’re falsely accused, and sometimes silence and a refusal to get further into conflict is the right way to go. Jesus Himself demonstrated that when He stood silently before His accusers. But there is also a time to give a robust (yet still gracious) reply to those who malign us. If they’re wrong, they’re wrong, and a kind but firm rebuttal might be exactly what is called for, lest those who spread lies continue the practice unchallenged. Prayer: Lord, when I am falsely accused, help me to know when to speak, and when to be silent. Amen. 19

WED 17 APR

KNOWN FOR INTEGRITY

READ 1 Thessalonians 2:2-5 2 Corinthians 11:1-12

FOCUS As you know, we never praised you if we didn’t mean it... God is our witness that this is true. 1 Thessalonians 2:5

Sometimes I struggle with Paul. He can be a little too blunt at times. I wish he’d been a little more sympathetic to the fragilities of others, like John Mark (see Acts 15:36-41). But I also admire him, both for his fearlessness (he describes his preaching as bold in the face of opposition) and his consistency of life. Look again at the words he shares and see how he could use his own life as a clear exhibit for the gospel. He was able to say to the Thessalonians, ‘You know what I am like’ and expect a positive response. Perhaps we all have areas of our lives where we would rather hide the facts. Sometimes I meet Christian leaders who are plainly living dual lives: they preach against the use of alcohol, and drink to excess; they applaud others in public, and then sneer about them behind closed doors. Paul can say that, while he was not claiming to be perfect, he was in private what he was in public. He was not looking for the Thessalonians’ approval – more about that tomorrow – but he knew they could attest that he lived the message he spoke so boldly. So much was this true, that Paul doesn’t have to present his case, but just remind them of what they knew to be true. At my daughter's wedding, she said, ‘My dad is privately what he preaches publicly.’ I cried, and still do when I remember that day, mingled with an awareness of my many failures. May we be able to say with confidence: ‘You know what I’m like.’ Prayer: Lord, only grace and the work of Your Spirit can make me into the likeness of Christ. Work in me today, I pray. Amen.

THU 18 APR

APPROVED BY GOD

READ 1 Thessalonians 2:6-12 2 Timothy 2:1-15

FOCUS We were not expecting people to praise us. We were not looking for praise from you or anyone else. 1 Thessalonians 2:6

Here’s another confession – I like the approval of others. Don't we all? Sometimes, it is for good reasons. If I go to speak at a church or a conference, I know that people have gone to considerable time and effort to make the event happen, so it’s important to me to know I have served them to the best of my ability, and something has been achieved, by the grace of God. But it is possible to become insecure, desperate for others’ approval. Their applause can become more significant than God’s approval. There are also times when we might find ourselves saying things that are unpopular – and not get a positive response. That happened to me during a visit to a church in the USA. I had been there on numerous occasions, and had always been wellreceived. But I felt I needed to preach a message about what might happen to that church – or indeed any church – that resisted mission-driven, Spirit-led change. The result was fairly blunt and confrontational, although I tried very hard to speak with kindness. The reaction was horrible. People rushed past me at the end of the service, seemingly desperate to escape – and I was never invited back. I’ve searched my heart over that experience. I may well be wrong, (I often am) but I do feel I was obedient to what I felt God was saying. Sometimes we have to make a choice: a smile and a 'well done' from God – or one from His people. The two don’t always go together. Prayer: Father, help me to be confident when criticised for doing right, and responsive when criticised for doing wrong. Amen. 21

FRI 19 APR

THE WORD AT WORK

READ 1 Thessalonians 2:13 Hebrews 4:1-13

FOCUS You accepted it for what it really is. It is God’s word. It is at work in you who believe. 1 Thessalonians 2:13

After my return from a forty-hour flight home from Australia (I’ll spare you the details) I spent a couple of days in bed recovering from dehydration. Energy drinks helped my recovery. As Paul writes about the transforming power of ‘the word of God’ in the lives of the Thessalonian believers, he talks about the ‘word’ being at work within them – the Greek word means ‘energy’. Whenever this word is used in the New Testament, it usually refers to supernatural activity. And that’s exactly what Scripture does. We don’t just read it because we are supposed to. Instead, as we read, reflect and apply it, so we are nourished, challenged, energised and transformed. In a grimy world where there are ten thousand unclean messages trying to weasel their way into our minds, and thereafter to show up in our behaviour, Scripture is the pure straight edge of God’s truth that builds the muscle of faith. The Holy Spirit is actively at work shaping us as we bring our hearts and minds to it. No wonder the writer to the Hebrews described it as being ‘living and active’. Let’s be honest, parts of the Bible are less exciting than others. But if we are to be energised to run the marathon of faith, we must make time to read and reflect on Scripture daily. Only then will we ‘run and not get tired’ and ‘walk and not grow weak’ (Isa. 40:31). Feeding on God’s truth is not just a devotional habit – in today’s world, it’s a survival strategy. Prayer: Teach me how to feed on Your word each day, Lord. Strengthen, energise and change me as I do. Amen.

WEEKEND 20 - 21 APR

RACISM

READ 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16 Galatians 3:23-29

As Paul launches a tirade against the Jews in Thessalonica, he seems to be indulging in an anti-Semitic rant – an issue very current today. Some have suggested Paul did not write these words, and they were inserted later, but there’s no evidence for that. Paul had suffered considerable persecution, and had nearly lost his life at the hands of hostile Jewish agitators. He states that Jews were involved in Jesus' trial and execution. Obviously the Romans played an enormous part as well, but it was the Jewish religious leaders who did everything in their power to get rid of the Christ. And so Paul speaks of this plainly. He says what is true. But he is not condemning a whole race because of the actions of some of its members. Racial prejudice is evil, and the church has been guilty of it. Martin Luther is lauded as a hero of the Reformation, but as John Stott points out, Luther’s work, On the Jews and their Lies (published in 1543) is intemperate. ‘It is true that his health was declining, not long before his death, and that he was disillusioned over his earlier hopes for the conversion of the Jews. Yet these things do not exonerate him for his diatribe against them, or for his call to set fire to their synagogues, destroy their homes, confiscate their Talmudic books and silence their Rabbis.’2 Too many lives have been damaged by racism. May not the slightest hint of prejudice be found in us. To ponder: How does prejudice form and grow in us?

John Stott, The message of Thessalonians: Preparing For The Coming King (The Bible Speaks Today New Testament) (IVP, 1991)

MON 22 APR

SATAN HINDERED US

READ 1 Thessalonians 2:17-18 Ephesians 6:10-20

FOCUS We wanted to come to you. Again and again I, Paul, wanted to come. But Satan stopped us. 1 Thessalonians 2:18

It was an exciting, occasionally frightening day. On safari in the eastern Australian rain forest, we narrowly avoided stepping on a red-belly black, a very poisonous snake. We were also nervous of cassowaries, which are ostrich-like creatures that charge and then disembowel you. The day was almost over, and our jeep was skidding along a remote mountain track, when suddenly we realised getting home might take a little longer than anticipated. A tree had fallen across the track, completely blocking it. I was grateful for the chainsaw our guide had strapped to the roof. Thirty minutes later, we were on our way again. As Paul writes of his longing to see the Thessalonians, he mentions that Satan hindered him: the word used here means to ‘block a path’. Something had happened which had prevented Paul from revisiting the city. It is interesting that the man who had been ‘prevented by the Spirit of Jesus’ from going into the city of Bithynia, was now experiencing a devilish roadblock. The exact nature of the block isn’t shared – some say the Thessalonian authorities had placed a legal injunction upon Jason, making a further visit from Paul impossibly precarious. Others say fresh attacks were planned if Paul returned. Whatever the reason, Paul’s route through life was not without interference. It’s possible to give Satan too much credit for our difficulties – but we should be prayerfully aware that we continue to live on a battlefield. Prayer: Lord, help me to recognise that You never said life would be easy. May I be mindful of the battle that rages. Amen.

TUE 23 APR

HEAD IN THE CLOUDS?

READ 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 2 Timothy 4:1-8

FOCUS What is our hope? What is our joy? When our Lord Jesus returns, what is the crown we will delight in? Isn’t it you? 1 Thessalonians 2:19

It’s been said that some Christians are too heavenly minded to be of any earthly use. I don’t think it’s possible. There are some who get sidetracked into foolishness, like those who taught education was unimportant, because Jesus’ imminent return meant studying was a waste of time. Other Christians believe environmental responsibility is unnecessary because ultimately the earth is going to be burned up anyway. In fact, the earth will not be scrapped, but renewed. But true heavenly mindedness stirs us to action and love. Paul speaks with such tenderness to his brothers and sisters in Thessalonica – because one day he will share amazing joy with them when Jesus returns. And he longs to see them, whatever the risks. The bright future ahead stirs him into action now. There’s one other important detail: as Paul speaks of a day of joy together to come, in the presence of Jesus, this clearly suggests we will be able to recognise each other when we’re in the presence of God for eternity. There’s so much we don’t know about what that eternity will look like, but I’m comforted by the reality that, in Christ, the relationships birthed here will continue forever. It’s been said that eternity in Christ will be about unending togetherness. And as Paul speaks of the Thessalonians being ‘his crown’, we once again see the depth of his love for them. May God help us to build significant sustaining relationships – that will truly go on forever. Prayer: Help me to build relationships of depth and commitment, Lord – that will last forever. Amen. 25

WED 24 APR

LIKE A PARENT

READ 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5 1 Corinthians 4:14-17

FOCUS We couldn’t wait any longer. So we thought it was best to be left by ourselves in Athens. 1 Thessalonians 3:1

Most parents go through agony when their child, making the wonderful, awkward transition into being an adult, goes out on their first date. The hands of the clock have passed the agreed time for their return, and now, as each minute ticks by, your anxiety grows, and you imagine terrible things. When they return safely, you experience a mixture of relief and frustration. As Paul speaks of ‘not being able to wait any longer’, it’s obvious he was really tormented by the uncertainty of not knowing how his dear friends in Thessalonica were faring. We’ve already seen how he likens himself to a parent to the Thessalonians – now he experiences the pain that parental love brings. Even though it would mean Paul being left alone in Athens, he was willing to endure solitude in order to allow Timothy to travel and report back on how the Thessalonian believers were doing. Paul was not only an evangelist and apostle – he was a true pastor. Truly good shepherds don’t just count sheep – they are willing to lay down their lives for them. Pray for those who lead the people of God: sometimes the concern that leadership brings is overwhelming. When you really care about people, there’s plenty to be anxious about. But perhaps there’s someone you know who is likely to be anxious about you, simply because you haven’t taken time to let them know how you’re doing. Why not relieve their agony by making contact today? Prayer: Father, may I not cause others pain, because I leave them uncertain about me. Amen.

THU 25 APR

LIFE IS TOUGH

READ 1 Thessalonians 3:2-4 1 Peter 4:12-19

FOCUS We sent him so that no one would be upset by times of testing. You know very well that we have to go through them. 1 Thessalonians 3:3

If there’s one truth we need to hear repeatedly, it’s that life is hard, and Christians suffer along with the rest of the world. Sometimes, we suffer more because we follow Christ. Paul’s language to the Thessalonians makes it clear he continuously reiterated this sober warning to them. So why don’t we want to believe it? Most of us have not bought into the prosperity teaching that promises riches and freedom from sickness for those who have enough faith. It doesn’t take too much biblical study to realise that was not remotely the experience of the disciples in the New Testament. Yet still we get ‘surprised’ when ‘painful sufferings’ come upon us, to borrow Peter’s language. Why? Do we believe we should be protected from all harm, and get frustrated or angry with God when we aren’t? Does our theology echo the basic human conviction (at least in the Western hemisphere) that bad things happen to other people, not us? That because God loves us, He will ensure we don’t have to experience any endurance tests? Or do we cling to the ridiculous idea that if storm clouds arrive, God has either left us or, worse still, is judging us? Sometimes we state that life is good, and therefore God has been good to us. Does that mean if life is rough, God is not being good to us? Of course not. Like the Thessalonians, let’s remember: we will suffer. God loves us. Life is tough. Difficulty doesn’t mean desertion. If we’re suffering, let’s trust, God is helping us. Prayer: Loving God, help me to trust You when I don’t understand, and to pray when life threatens to silence me. Amen. 27

FRI 26 APR

FAITH WARS

READ 1 Thessalonians 3:5 Luke 22:7-38

FOCUS I was afraid that Satan might have tempted you in some way. Then our efforts would have been useless. 1 Thessalonians 3:5

When the enemy uses temptation, we tend to think the aim is to draw us into sinful behaviour or addiction. But I think the main target is not our integrity, but our faith in Christ. Paul’s thinking went like this: trials may have surprised and unsettled the Thessalonians, and so Paul was worried about their faith. Timothy was sent to strengthen their faith (1 Thess. 3:2), and to report back on it to Paul. Peter was warned by Jesus at the Last Supper that Satan was after him, and the focus of Jesus’ praying for Peter was that his faith might not fail. Just as the tempter whispered in Eden, ‘Did God really say?’, the enemy wants to undermine our confidence in God’s goodness and trustworthiness. Let’s realise the enemy really wants to erode our faith in God – that’s why he goes after our integrity. If he wins, our shame taunts us, hopelessness begins to take over, and we end up wondering if we’re really followers of Christ at all. We can be overwhelmed by our own failings – or disappointed with the immaturity of other Christians – and the tempting question comes: ‘Is God at work anywhere?’ If Jesus is so active, how come so much pettiness and stupidity continues in our lives? Our faith comes under threat. If we’re battling crippling doubt at the moment, we need to realise this is normal, and part of our spiritual warfare. A faith crisis is not a sign we are not truly in Christ, but a reminder we are in a battle. Prayer: Strengthen my faith, Lord, especially when the battle is heavy. Amen.

WEEKEND 27 - 28 APR

FAITH AND LOVE

READ 1 Thessalonians 3:6-10 Galatians 5:1-6

Faith and love: Calvin called this sentence the ‘total sum of all godliness’. And with just three words, as he hears good news from Thessalonica, Paul gives us a great description of what healthy Christianity looks like. He goes even further when writing to the churches in Galatia: ‘The only thing that really counts is faith that shows itself through love’ (Gal. 5:6). Some people insist they have great faith, but they’re intolerant of others who don’t share their vision, and delight in pointing out the church’s many shortcomings. True faith is shown by not only diligent prayer and hopeful expectation, but by kindness, servanthood and humility. Faith means we’re not only trusting God, but we’re walking with him. And we get to become like those with whom we spend a lot of time: their character rubs off. God’s primary character trait can be summed up in three words: ‘God is love’ (1 John 4:16), so it follows that those who spend a lot of time around Him will become loving, like Him. Timothy’s report warmed Paul’s heart, because these new disciples were growing fast, in their relationship to God (faith) and in the depth of their commitment to each other (love). Earlier in the letter, Paul had used the two terms together: ‘We never forget you when we pray to our God and Father. Your work is produced by your faith. Your service is the result of your love’ (1 Thess. 1:3). Faith and love: one without the other just won’t work. To ponder: What examples are there in the New Testament of people who professed great faith, but were terribly lacking in love? 29

MON 29 APR

I LOVE YOU

READ 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 John 11:17-37

FOCUS May your love for one another increase. May it also increase for everyone else. May it be just like our love for you. 1 Thessalonians 3:12

The more I read Paul’s words to the Thessalonians, the more convinced I become that he was not the stern, focused apostle, as he’s often portrayed. His words are tender, vulnerable, and effusive – he wants his friends to be in absolutely no doubt that he loves them very much. All this talk of overflowing love, coupled with his repeating that this is exactly how he feels about them, show us Paul certainly knew how to say, ‘I love you.’ The apostle frequently celebrates loving, faithful friendship in his writings – he uses the term, ‘beloved/loved ones’ no less than 27 times in his epistles, and five times he names specific people as his dear friends. At every opportunity, I try to let my family know how much I love them. I occasionally worry this might get redundant, and become meaningless. But I want them to be in absolutely no doubt. Obviously words only count when they are backed up by action. Paul’s affectionate language was endorsed by his willingness to risk his life for the Thessalonians. However effusive we might be, let’s remember our profession of love must always be followed by actions and choices that prove the words to be authentic. Love is primarily an action word in the Bible, not an emotion. When we read through Paul’s description of love in 1 Corinthians 13, we hear all about actions, not words or emotions. All that said, if we love people, let’s make sure that they know it. Often. Prayer: Loving Father, with words and actions, with listening and empathy, let Your love flow through me to others today. Amen.

TUE 30 APR

PLEASING GOD

READ 1 Thessalonians 4:1-2 2 Corinthians 5:1-10

FOCUS Finally, brothers and sisters, we taught you how to live in a way that pleases God. 1 Thessalonians 4:1

There are some things that are just beyond me. I could never sing an opera, paint a portrait, or crack a complicated mathematical problem. Praise the Lord for calculators. Some things are just seemingly impossible. Here’s something else that I used to think was impossible: pleasing God. I assumed that no matter how much I prayed, it would never be enough. My holiness would never be unblemished, and my love for others never untainted by selfishness and false motives. Quite simply, whatever I did, I could not imagine bringing a smile to God’s face. When you believe you’re living with someone who is ultimately impossible to please, you soon lose hope, and give up trying. If our best efforts are going to be met with a frown, what’s the point? If God is never delighted, then life becomes an endless trudge, heartbreaking as well as backbreaking. As Paul speaks to the Thessalonians about living in such a way that pleases God, I realise how wrong I have been. I don’t have to wait for perfection in order to bring pleasure to His heart; He knows my fragilities, but offers a welcome ‘well done’ as I choose well, look for His purposes, and do my best. Eric Liddell, of Chariots of Fire fame, described the sense he had that God was delighted by his athletic skills: ‘When I run, I feel His pleasure.’ Perhaps you’re working hard today, and feeling unappreciated. Know that there is one who is pleased: God Himself. Prayer: Lord, help me to live in a way that pleases You – and, as I do, may I tangibly sense Your pleasure. Amen.

HOLY LAND TOURS 11TH-18TH NOVEMBER 2024

Join Jeff and Kay Lucas on a very special tour of Israel that will transform and inform your Bible reading time. Sharing practical, biblical insights as they travel, they will take you to the famous biblical locations, including Galilee, Nazareth, Bethlehem and Jerusalem. Register your interest now and look forward to a well-organised and informative visit. And there will be lots of fun too! Some highlights of the visit will be to biblical locations where Jesus walked such as the Sea of Galilee, Caeserea Philippi, Capernaum, the Mount of Beatitudes, and the garden of Gethsemane. We will also visit the Dead Sea, Masada and Qumran, the Garden Tomb, walk the streets of the old city of Jerusalem, and visit the Western (Wailing) Wall. Professional local guides share their wealth of historical and archeological knowledge; Jeff offers teaching as we tour, and Jeff and Kay host the entire experience – one that some travellers have enjoyed so much they have returned to do the same trip a second and even a third time! With excellent hotels, amazing food, and the unforgettable experience of exploring the stunning old city of Jerusalem (with markets where you can haggle for a bargain) this trip will delight and inspire. Come with us! 32

To register your interest so that you are among the first to get all the information you need, visit: www.jefflucas.org

Please join in prayer with us for Israel and Gaza at this time... - that lasting peace and reconciliation will emerge - that evil will not prevail - that all who mourn will be comforted - that leaders within the Middle East and beyond it will be granted wisdom - that all innocents will be protected Please pray.

WED 01 MAY

PURE

READ 1 Thessalonians 4:3-10 1 Corinthians 6:12-20

FOCUS God wants you to be made holy. He wants you to stay away from sexual sins. 1 Thessalonians 4:3

We please God by living in purity. This was a real challenge for those living in Thessalonica, where it was normal for a married man to have a mistress, or participate in religious cults that used sex as part of their ‘worship’. Here’s a potentially startling statement: purity can be especially difficult in the context of church, because it’s an ideal place for immorality to develop. In a healthy church family, we talk openly about our struggles, making ourselves vulnerable. We frequently express our love for one another. We hug as well as shake hands. All of this is good – although caution is advisable around anyone who seems to enjoy hugging a little too much... Not only are we quite intimate with each other, but in opening ourselves spiritually and emotionally, we potentially open ourselves up sexually. Anyone who has worked at a youth camp knows the night when people are moved to respond to a genuine work of the Holy Spirit is also when the leaders need to be especially diligent in their late-night patrolling. Those very same young people who just responded to God might be being a little too enthusiastic in their response to each other. Paul warns the Thessalonians against taking advantage of each other as they shared and cared daily. We need to be wise and alert. Let’s not allow even a hint of immorality to ruin the beautiful, unsullied purity that pleases God, and can turn the heads and hearts of others who don’t know God too. Prayer: May I love with absolute purity, through Your mighty power, Lord. Amen. 35

THU 02 MAY

A QUIET LIFE

READ 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 Ephesians 4:17-32

FOCUS Do everything you can to live a quiet life. 1 Thessalonians 4:11

Sometimes I’d like a quiet life. I’m blessed with a ministry that involves plenty of variety, and I’m grateful for the opportunities for challenge, travel, meeting new people, and learning from the experience of reaching across the different denominational traditions. But there are moments, when I come under attack from fellow Christians, yet another flight misconnects, or I’m battling to write these Bible notes, and I wonder what it would be like quietly to do little or nothing – or just do some work that ended at 5pm, every weekday. I could be tempted to use Paul’s encouragement to live a ‘quiet life’ in defence of my occasional fantasy. But my infrequent but vivid dream is not what Paul is talking about at all. He is talking about the pursuit of an inner calm; and the word ‘ambition’ (1 Thess.4:11, NIV) is energetic – making every effort to be peaceful. How do we do that? The answer is simple: let’s shun gossip, mind our own business, and find pleasure and satisfaction from the ordinary things in life, like everyday work. Paul knew some epic moments in his life, but even for him, most of life wasn’t exciting – it was more about faithfulness. What was true for him is true for us. May we know calm today as we go about what might be just another ordinary day. Just as the Thessalonians were promised, people who are discreet, trustworthy, and hardworking will always find respect from those who are not Christians. Prayer: Dear Father, please teach me how to live calmly, quietly, and faithfully. Amen.

FRI 03 MAY

RAPTURE?

READ 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 1 Corinthians 15:51-54

FOCUS The Lord himself will come down from heaven. We will hear a loud command. 1 Thessalonians 4:16

These scriptures are used to support the ‘rapture of the church’ doctrine, in which all followers of Jesus are suddenly snatched up into the sky, but I don’t interpret them in that way. I believe that Jesus is coming back to fully establish His Kingdom rule on the earth, and He will come gloriously – but not in a ‘rapture’. Fuelled by the Left Behind series, the rapture idea has become increasingly popular in many church circles, over the last few decades. But the idea is only around 200 years old – prior to 1830, (when the doctrine was popularised by J.N. Darby) teaching on the rapture did not appear in the church at all. In writing to the Thessalonians, Paul indulges in his usual love of metaphors – which have then been taken literally, hence the rapture idea. Taking Scripture literally is not the same as taking it seriously. For example, Revelation talks about a lamb on the throne, but that doesn’t mean that Jesus is a sheep! We’ll look at those metaphors over the next couple of days – and reread this portion of Scripture. As we consider this idea that is popular in many churches, let’s do so without fear. God wants us to be able to consider what we believe, debate it with kindness, but most of all, allow our beliefs to be held up to the light of Scripture rather than popular opinion. After all, the church used to believe that slavery was acceptable because the New Testament seemed to condone it and didn’t condemn it. And we got that terribly wrong. Prayer: Lord, thank you that Your Word assures me You are the coming King. Help me to live by that truth. Amen. 37

WEEKEND 04 - 05 MAY

THE TRUMPET SOUND

READ 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Exodus 19:20-20:21

When we suffer, as we have seen, we can be tempted to think God doesn’t care, we've been abandoned, and life is meaningless. When Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Torah – the law – the fickle people of Israel slid quickly into hopelessness and then, later, idolatry. The very loud trumpet blast, and the Lord coming down in a dense cloud, made it clear: God wasn’t absent at all. And Moses came back down the mountain to see what had been going on. Wanting to affirm the truth that Christ will come again, Paul uses language that connected with the Thessalonian Jewish Christians, letting them know they were not abandoned in their sufferings. The mention of trumpets would have stirred images of Mount Sinai and the moment when Moses came down the mountain. A trumpet was also used for warning and as a military signal. The ‘loud command’ (sometimes translated ‘shout’) is a word used to describe a military officer giving an order to his soldiers. Jesus is coming back as commander and King of kings. This is the very same one who gave the Ten Commandments – which, as broadcaster Ted Koppell noted, were not the Ten Suggestions... The imagery of clouds also connects with the vision of the Son of Man in Daniel 7, and refers to Jesus’ ascension to heaven, not His coming back to earth. Just as Jesus suffered but was then vindicated and received into glory, so we too will be welcomed into an eternity, forever with Christ. Thank God, we have not been left alone. To ponder: Why does suffering so quickly prompt us to think we have been abandoned?

MON 06 MAY

EVEN SO, COME LORD JESUS

READ 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Revelation 21:1-4

FOCUS After that, we who... are left will be... taken up in the clouds... And we will be with him forever. 1 Thessalonians 4:17

Based on this metaphor, the idea has developed that we will ascend into the sky, wait there for seven years (while terrible tribulation envelopes the earth) and then return later to the earth with Christ. But Paul teaches that we will welcome our coming King back to the earth – he refers to the protocol in New Testament times when an emperor visited a province. The citizens would go out to meet him and then escort him back into the city. It is not that we are heading for the clouds, but Jesus is heading back to earth as glorious King, ultimately to establish His Kingdom, fully and finally, in a renewed heaven and earth. What we believe about this matters. The prevalence of ‘escapology eschatology’, where our ultimate aim is to get out of here, can lead to environmental irresponsibility, in the mistaken belief, as we have seen, that the earth is going to be destroyed anyway. But God has not finished with the earth, and the earth will be renewed as Jesus fully rules the planet with His people. Chick Yuill puts it like this: ‘Discipleship is not membership in an emergency plan for the safe evacuation of the faithful to a “better place”. Rather, discipleship is enlisting in God’s resurrection project for the world that he created. It is a world that he sustains by his word of power, that he loved enough to die for, and that he will one day heal from every hurt and wound.’3 Let’s be faithful today, and look forward to the glorious future! Prayer: Lord, the earth is Yours, and will play a vital part in Your strategic eternal plan. Help me to care for it as a steward. Amen.

Chick Yuill, Moving in the right circles, (IVP 2011), Kindle edition.

TUE 07 MAY

LIKE A THIEF

READ 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 Acts 1:1-11

FOCUS Now brothers and sisters... you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 1 Thessalonians 5:1

I have lived long enough to witness the hysteria that seizes some Christians when yet another prediction about the second coming of Christ surfaces. Absurd though it seems, some believers have run up huge credit card bills and even had their pets put to sleep because of a foolish and obviously false prediction about the date of Christ’s return. In the face of these pseudo-Christian speculations, it’s important that those who follow Christ stand firm. We believe the world ultimately is in the hands of Christ, the returning King – and no one knows when He will come. As the saying implies, thieves in the night don’t call ahead or warn of their arrival. Jesus made it clear to His disciples that it was not for them to know the key seasons in God’s calendar. Surely it’s futile to speculate about these things, not only because the New Testament makes it clear we will not know, but because it shouldn’t change anything about the way we live anyway. As we’ll see as we continue to reflect over the next few days, we are called to live as children of the light, living as if Jesus is returning today, but giving and blessing as if His return is in the far distance. It seems that some in Thessalonica had been asking about times and dates. Paul cuts across that and silences speculation with his ‘thief’ metaphor. Don’t be panicked or fearful about these predictions – they’ve come and gone over the years. Let’s live for Christ today. Prayer: Lord, help me to live with this affirmation and trust: my times are in Your hands. Even so, come Lord Jesus. Amen.

WED 08 MAY

SAFE

READ 1 Thessalonians 5:4-5 Romans 13:1-14

FOCUS Brothers and sisters, you are not in darkness. So that day should not surprise you... All of you are children of the light. 1 Thessalonians 5:4-5

It’s confession time again. There are times (usually in the middle of the night, when I can’t sleep) that I not only fear death, but I get worried about what’s going to happen after death. My concerns about dying are not so much about not being alive any more, but with the process. I concur with Woody Allen: ‘It’s not that I’m afraid of dying, I just don’t want to be there when it happens.’ Then there’s the issue of meeting God after death. I understand the truth of grace, being saved by faith, and the goodness and love of God. But the crux of my nervousness is this: at that point, I will be placed utterly and completely in the hands of Someone who, at that moment, will determine my eternal state. Hence my apprehension. Apparently some of the Christians in Thessalonica had similar fears, and were nervous at the thought of Christ’s coming. Paul sought to assure them that, as children of the light, they would be able to welcome and celebrate the coming of Christ, the light of the world. As we’ll see, being children of the light is not only about assurance, but is also a call to holy living. But Paul’s overall intention is to set the Thessalonians’ hearts at rest. There’s much that I don’t know about the future. It’s an unfamiliar and potentially anxiety-creating journey. But, in the night, I find myself whispering this: ‘I can trust in you, Lord Jesus, my Saviour and Friend.’ We can trust him with our past and present – and our future too. Prayer: Lord, when I am unsettled by whatever strikes fear in my heart, help me to put my trust in You, my faithful God. Amen. 41

THU 09 MAY

WIDE AWAKE

READ 1 Thessalonians 5:6-7 1 Peter 5:1-14

FOCUS So let us not be like the others. They are asleep. Instead, let us be wide awake and in full control of ourselves. 1 Thessalonians 5:6

Here’s another confession: when I’m speaking at Timberline Church, I have to be up very early in the morning, in order for final preparations, exercise, and then a team meeting at 8am. I live with a recurring concern that I’m going to oversleep, and so my solution (here I blush) is to set an alarm clock. Actually, I set three alarm clocks, timed five minutes apart. My reasoning is simple: if one fails, or I’m in such deep sleep that I snore on through it, I’ve got two backups. I want to be absolutely certain that I’ll be awake at the right time. My bedroom looks (and sounds) like a clockmaker’s shop on Sunday mornings. Using the language of wakeful alertness and sleep, Paul encourages the Thessalonians not to fear, but to be diligent and wide awake in their faith. I have discovered daily alertness is vital: it doesn’t take very long to make a foolish decision that can spell disaster, and it’s easy to do if you’re spiritually and emotionally drowsy. There are plenty of calls to alertness in the New Testament; discipleship is not a habit, but a daily choice. The trouble with sleep is obvious: it comes upon us slowly. I can be alert on the plane, but then I start to nod off... and eventually my head is back, and my mouth potentially a fly trap. Sleep is something we drift into. So is sin. Most people don’t fall: they drift. God keep us sharp and diligent today. Decades of faithfulness can be destroyed by an hour of drowsiness. Prayer: Lord, sometimes I get weary, and cruise rather than walk intentionally with You. Help me to stay alert. Amen.

FRI 10 MAY

CERTAIN HOPE

READ 1 Thessalonians 5:8-11 Ephesians 6:10-20

FOCUS Let us put on the hope of salvation like a helmet. 1 Thessalonians 5:8

‘Hope’ is a potentially misleading word. I hope my exercise programme is working, and, as you already know, I really hope that my three alarm clocks will perform, and I’ll get to church on time. Hope used in these contexts means wishful thinking and anticipation, but not certainty. But New Testament hope is not like that: rather, hope results from salvation, and because we are saved, our hope is certain. It’s interesting that in writing to both the Thessalonians and the Ephesians, Paul maintains the metaphor of salvation as the helmet in our armour; while to the Thessalonians, faith and love is the breastplate, and to the Ephesians, righteousness is the breastplate. This shows how much Paul mixes around his metaphors. And no soldier would dream of going into battle without his helmet – it was the most vital piece of equipment in his armour. The brain must be solidly protected on the battlefield. The key truth is this: in all that goes on around us, and as we ponder the future to come, what needs to guard our minds is the reality that, in Christ, we are saved – and that realisation will lead to faith and hope in our lives. Our position in Christ, as rescued people, needs to be central in our thinking when we’re tempted to fear, or the battle is heavy. And that’s another very good reason for guarding what we put into our minds. Affirm this today, by faith: we have been saved, we are saved, and we will be saved. All through Jesus. Prayer: Father, thank You for the rock solid and certain hope that is mine through Christ. The future is beautiful. Amen. 43

WEEKEND 11-12 MAY

LEADERS

READ 1 Thessalonians 5:12-14 Ephesians 4:11-16

We Christians are good at going from one extreme to the other. In some churches, the pastor, minister or whoever is leading is revered so much that it has become unhealthy. Their presence in a Sunday morning service is greeted by an undue reverence. ‘The man (or woman) of God is in the house’ seems to be the unspoken mantra. But in other churches, the pendulum has swung too far the other way. Having taken on board the biblical truth of the priesthood of all believers, church members then simply reject the idea of leadership, deeming it unimportant and even stifling. John Stott calls this the swing between clericalism and anticlericalism. Both extremes are wrong. We need leadership, not to dominate the flock of God, but to serve them. Leadership is a vital gift of God to the church. When a church does not have hard working, wise leaders who are able to give guidance (two hallmarks of authentic leadership that Paul offers here), that church is certainly less effective. And leadership does have authority – the word Paul uses here is also used of shepherds, managers, and stewards. The word ‘guidance’ means ‘admonish’ – warning us of bad choices. But in the Kingdom of God, people don't have authority because of a hierarchical system or the strength of their personality. We freely give Kingdom authority to others – it is not that which they take over us. Thank God for humble, servant leadership – the only kind that can be trusted with authority. To ponder: Can you think of a creative and practical way to encourage the leaders of your local church today?

MON 13 MAY

PAYBACK

READ 1 Thessalonians 5:15-18 Romans 12:9-21

FOCUS Make sure that nobody pays back one wrong act with another. Always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. 1 Thessalonians 5:15

‘Payback’ is a word that describes the moment of getting even. We can all feel a sense of exhilaration when the villain ‘gets what he deserves’ – and rightly so: a victim has been rescued, and justice done. God’s love does not only speak of the way He cares about the poor – He also calls for justice. But there is a ‘payback’ that is more about revenge than justice. Seeking vengeance will consume our emotional energy. Our mind churns over and over like a washing machine, endlessly dreaming of how we can hurt someone. In a sense, we continue to be their victim, because they carry on having such a strong influence on our lives. So their crime against us continues to torment us, because we allow it to do so. In 1999, Denise Green and her husband, Bill, discovered their son, William – who had been treated at Liverpool’s Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in 1992, and who later died – was one of hundreds of children whose organs were removed, without consent, for research purposes. As the different parents prepared for multiple burials, the then Health Secretary Alan Milburn described what happened at Alder Hey as 'unforgivable’. The Greens disagreed. Denise, speaking of her choice to forgive, said: 'What happened was out of my control, but how I respond is within my control.’ Forgiveness isn’t always an instant decision – perhaps it never is. We may not be able to forgive yet – or even want to. May God’s grace help us to at least begin the journey towards forgiving. Prayer: Where I have been hurt, bring healing, Lord, that forgiveness might eventually come. Amen. 45

TUE 14 MAY

HE WILL DO IT

READ 1 Thessalonians 5:19-24 Philippians 1:1-6

FOCUS May he make you holy through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept free from blame. 1 Thessalonians 5:23

It’s a challenging verse, and one we should read again: ‘May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept free from blame.’ In the early days of my Christian life, I so desperately wanted this verse to be true of me – that God would have everything that was me, and that I would be entirely set apart for His purposes. And that meant that I responded to just about every sermon that I heard preached. Some of my behaviour was rather neurotic. But it’s so easy to forget that Christianity is not primarily about what I do – but what God does in me. It’s a daily supernatural event. Mere religion is about effort, striving, and self-improvement. That doesn’t mean there won’t be battles – we are called to wrestle, stand firm, endure, and fight. But the work ultimately is not ours. We are not the architects or engineers of change in our own lives – God is. We are called to cooperation and response. G. K. Chesterton was right when he made his assessment of the Sermon on the Mount, and exclaimed, ‘This is impossible stuff.’ Truly, it is impossible – but God is faithful, and can work the impossible in us. Philippians reminds us that He has begun a good work in us, and He will complete it. Perhaps some of us are tired of the same old ruts of failure that we fall into. Sometimes, I get weary of just being me. But if we feel that way about ourselves, let’s realise God will keep working in us. It sounds cliched, but He’s not finished with us yet. Prayer: Lord, I’m glad that being a Christian is not something that I have to do alone. As I surrender, daily, your Spirit is at work in me. Amen.

WED 15 MAY

PRAY FOR US

READ 1 Thessalonians 5:25 Ephesians 6:10-24

FOCUS Brothers and sisters, pray for us. 1 Thessalonians 5:25

As Paul begins to conclude, he places himself in a position of need. Rather than just signing off with a reminder of his apostolic calling, he appeals to his family at Thessalonica to pray for him. He frequently makes that request in the New Testament, seemingly very aware that it was only as others stood shoulder to shoulder with him in prayer that he could fulfil his calling to preach the gospel (cf. 2 Thess. 3:1-2; Rom. 15:30-32; 2 Cor. 1:11; Col. 4:3-4). This truth is so familiar to us all, but how often do we actively covet the prayers of others? I admit that I can be slow to ask for prayer support. Such a request can appear to be self-centred, to bring my needs to others when they may be battling equal or greater challenges. But Paul would have none of that reluctance. Following the example of Jesus, who repeatedly asked His friends to watch with Him in Gethsemane, Paul unashamedly asks for prayer. Perhaps we need to ask – when did we last ask for prayer? Who would we immediately turn to with a prayer need? The best friendships include not only the ability to pray together, but the opportunity to share prayer requests. In sharing them, we know that the other person won’t just promise to pray and then forget – prayer will really be offered. To the regular readers of Life with Lucas – may I ask for your occasional prayers, that God will grant Kay and me direction, wisdom, and peace? To those able to respond, I say thank you. I’m grateful. Prayer: Lord, help me to realise the strength that comes, even as others pray for me. Amen. 47

THU 16 MAY

GRACE AND PEACE

READ 1 Thessalonians 5:25-28 Romans 16:20-27

FOCUS Greet all the believers with a holy kiss. 1 Thessalonians 5:26

Many can find the sharing of the peace, in an Anglican communion service, a bit awkward. I feel for the naturally introverted, who find interaction with others – especially strangers – daunting. And what is the protocol? Is it a hearty handshake, a hug, or a kiss on the cheek? A friend of mine tells of the first time he entered a lovely church service, and, as a complete outsider, was greeted with a hug and a kiss on the cheek from the burly (and unshaven) greeter. He went along as a casual enquirer, and ended up with a sore face. Awkwardness aside, there’s something beautiful about the moment of greeting – and Paul encourages the practice of greeting each other even as he signs off his first letter. I’ve attended some ‘communion’ services that were anything but communal – everyone dived into a period of private introspection before sharing bread and wine, which was not relational in any way. At an Anglican conference recently, I attended four Eucharists in four days – and each time, the sharing of the peace took a good five minutes or so, as everyone moved around the hall to express the love of Christ to each other. It was moving to celebrate our togetherness as members of the same family. Grace and peace was extended. So as we conclude our look at Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, and hopefully discovered help and strength in our journey together, may I offer grace and peace to you: consider yourself hugged! Prayer: Thank You for the privilege of being part of Your family. May I be a carrier of grace. Amen.

FRI 17 MAY

LET ME REMIND YOU

READ 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 Revelation 21:1-5

FOCUS We are sending this letter to you... You belong to God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:1

‘PS’ is an abbreviation, meaning ‘postscript’. We use it when there’s something more that we want to add. Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians was written as a postscript. Six months after receiving Paul’s first letter, the church at Thessalonica needed further instructions from their founding apostle. Those who followed Jesus there were still under siege, bewildered by external opposition, but also, as mentioned earlier, confused by some mischievous false teaching about the Second Coming that was doing the rounds in the church. Paul writes to remind them that, in the midst of suffering and gross injustice, they should remember a day is coming when the tables will be turned. Justice will reign; glory will replace pain. Two thousand years later, the Second Coming still creates speculation and confusion, and when Christians suffer, bad ideas and halftruths circulate. As a pastor, I often wince when I hear what Christians tell each other when life gets tough. It’s vital that we get this right; we certainly cannot have a mature theology of the supernatural if we don’t have a mature theology of suffering. Otherwise we will constantly be disappointed. Perhaps some of us are bewildered by unresolved pain that nags away in our lives. Let’s know that people of faith have always found trials not only tough to endure, but difficult to understand. Yet, as Revelation promises, everything will change, because Christ will come again. Prayer: When pain threatens to eclipse my view of You, help me to stand firm, faithful God. I will trust in You, coming Christ. Amen.

WEEKEND 18-19 MAY

GOD LOVES YOU

It’s surely the best known verse in the Bible: ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life’ (John 3:16, NIV). God’s love for all humankind sits at the heart of the Christian message. But the tragic truth is that so many Christians, supposedly recipients and carriers of divine love, live feeling permanently bad, serving a God who, they feel, can never be pleased. We can believe in the principle of God loving His world generally, yet never rest in His love towards us specifically. As Paul writes to the Thessalonians, threatened by persecution and false teaching, he repeatedly reminds them of God’s overflowing love for them. John Stott makes the powerful point that the key component to Christian stability is the love of God.4 Three times Paul celebrates this ‘love divine, all loves excelling’ in his letter; apparently, he felt his friends needed that reminder.

READ 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17 Psalm 136:1-26

Isn’t it true that the first thing we tend to forget is that God loves us? We can remember to be faithful, we recall the command to holiness, but we let go of the reason for us living the way that we do is that God has loved us, does love us, and always will, forever. His love made the first move towards us. Perhaps some of us need a reminder too today: God loves us, and as the psalmist declares over and over, that love will endure forever. Do we believe it? To ponder: Why do some of us wrestle with the truth of God’s love for us?

John Stott, The Message of Thessalonians: Preparing For The Coming King (The Bible Speaks Today New Testament), (IVP, 1991)

MON 20 MAY

KEEP IN STEP

READ 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18 Ephesians 4:17-32

FOCUS We hear that some people among you don’t want to work... They aren’t really busy. Instead, they are bothering others. 2 Thessalonians 3:11

Apparently some in the Thessalonian congregation were refusing to work, filling their days with divisive talk and spreading false teaching. When bored people have nothing better to do, they tend to do their worst. During a recent theatre visit to a musical, we watched wide-eyed as dancers performed thousands of perfectly synchronised moves. Chatting with them after the show, we asked how they memorised so many sequences. ‘We’re not sure how we do it’, laughed one. ‘We think it’s muscle memory.’ Commenting on Paul’s call to the Thessalonians to work hard and mind their own business, literally, Tom Wright notes, ‘Three times in this passage Paul uses a word which could have been applied to a dancer who lost concentration for a moment, and allowed a foot, or an elbow, to move just a little out of line. Watch out for those who step out of line, he says (verse 6). We didn’t step out of line when we were with you (verse 7); but I hear that some are stepping out of line (verse 11). The dance is being damaged.’5 And surely the opposite is true. I’ve been around Christians, pouring out their lives in the service of the Kingdom of God. As well as working hard to support themselves and their families (which is the context of Paul’s comments here), their homes are open places of hospitality. They are the first to volunteer for a new project. They don’t have time to brood over offences or turn minor issues into major conflicts. Let’s keep in step. Prayer: All-wise God, keep me in step with You – Your purpose, Your timing, Your wisdom. Amen.

Tom Wright, Paul for Everyone: Galatians and Thessalonians, (London: SPCK, 2004), p156

TUE 21 MAY

A TEAM

READ 2 Thessalonians 1:1 Acts 15:22-35

FOCUS I, Paul, am writing this letter. Silas and Timothy join me in writing. 2 Thessalonians 1:1

We might call them superheroes, because they are required to have extraordinary talents. They should be confident leaders, but not overbearing. Able to speak well both in private and public, they should be excellent communicators. Sensitivity and wisdom will make them trustworthy counsellors, while musical skills and the ability to lead worship will give a better chance of succeeding. Who is the amazing, multi-talented hero that I am describing? Your pastor, minister or vicar. Whatever their tag, we demand much of them. It’s an almost impossible job description to fill. As Paul begins his second letter to the Thessalonians, he sends them greetings from the apostolic team who originally planted the church. Silas, who replaced John Mark after his falling out with Paul, had a prophetic gifting (Acts 15:32). Timothy was Paul’s son in the faith, and was a faithful, brave companion, despite his timidity. These three together had done a great work in Thessalonica. There are times in his writings to that church where Paul uses the word ‘we’. This is not a ‘royal we’ (which would sound pompous) but a reflection of the reality that a team, not a superstar, founded the church. If your church is led by one specific leader rather than by a team, don’t insist that one person have every gift. And whatever the structure of your church, pray that God will raise up different people with a variety of gifts to help strengthen the church and reach your community. Prayer: Lord, thank You that Your church is a body, with various gifts. Bless my church leadership and strengthen them. Amen.

WED 22 MAY

GRACE TO YOU

READ 2 Thessalonians 1:2 Romans 5:1-11

FOCUS May God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. 2 Thessalonians 1:2

It was a terrible moment – one that still makes me blush now. The standard greeting in America is ‘How are you doing?’ (and the anticipated reply is ‘fine’, at least if you are fine.) The man was heading towards me, and I launched into the usual ‘How are you doing?’ Then I just kept walking, assuming from his silence that all was well. I had got about fifty yards down the corridor, when he yelled ‘Fine!’ The words echoed after me. I had been too rushed to wait for his reply. Ashamed, I dashed back to apologise. As Paul greets his friends in Thessalonica, he does much more than offer a cursory greeting. As was the custom of the day, Paul began his letters by greeting his friends with grace and peace. This was actually a wishprayer. As he says, ‘grace to you’, he makes it clear that grace and peace come from the Father and from Jesus. Paul is praying that those reading his letter will experience grace. Perhaps this is one of the greatest prayers we can offer for each other. Notice the order of these words – peace follows grace. Because we have peace with God, not through what we have done, but because of the gracious self-sacrifice of Christ, now we can be at peace within ourselves. God hasn’t called us to strive to win peace, but to accept what has been done for us, and for that to silence our guilty fears. And so, to you today, may I say: grace and peace, from Jesus and the Father. Prayer: I pray for those that I love, who feel guilty or turbulent: may they know grace and peace today. Amen.

THU 23 MAY

GROWING IN FAITH

READ 2 Thessalonians 1:3 Luke 17:1-19

FOCUS Brothers and sisters, we should always thank God for you. That is only right, because your faith is growing more and more. 2 Thessalonians 1:3

I’m challenged today by this thought: am I really growing in faith? In the early years of being a disciple of Jesus, I grew by leaps and bounds, mainly because there was so much change, and so much that I didn’t know. But it seems that growth tends to slow down, the longer we walk with God. Even as I write this, I’m niggled by an even more uncomfortable thought. Is it possible that my faith was stronger years ago? Certainly I don’t want to return to days of foolishness, but I think I once had a greater expectation of God’s intervention. Paul uses a word here to describe the progress of the Thessalonians’ faith – best translated superabundantly or vigorously flourishing. Faith isn’t static. It can grow or decline. That’s why the disciples asked Jesus to increase their faith. Just as we can ‘grow in the grace and knowledge’ of Jesus (2 Pet. 3:18) and can ‘grow up in [our] salvation’ (1 Pet. 2:2), so our faith can develop too. Unlike plants, however, faith doesn’t grow in greenhouses, although I wish it would. Some Christians seem to think they will grow stronger in faith as they surround themselves with other Christians, attend church every time the doors are open, and only read Christian books. True faith grows in the furnace of suffering. It’s a muscle strengthened by trusting God in the difficulties of life. Whatever season we’re in, may our faith grow today – and, as it was in Thessalonica, may our love for others grow too. The two go together. Prayer: Father, may I grow in faith and love. If I have lost faith, strengthen my trust in you. Amen.

FRI 24 MAY

HOW TO BOAST

READ 2 Thessalonians 1:3-5 Hebrews 10:19-25

FOCUS So among God’s churches we brag about the fact that you don’t give up easily. We brag about your faith in all the suffering and testing you are going through. 2 Thessalonians 1:4

It’s one of the most unattractive actions there is – boasting. Ironically, we do it because we desperately want to impress others, yet it always has the opposite effect. It’s uncomfortable to sit around a meal table and watch the rolling of eyes and listless shifting when someone boasts about themselves. It can be overt, as in ‘I am superior in this area and I’m not afraid to say so’ talk, although that’s rare. Usually there’s greater subtlety. We boast as we drop the names of important people whom we know (or have met once). It is strange that we think that our encountering them makes us more significant. Or we ‘let slip’ that others have complimented us. Boasting is seriously wrong – Paul lists it in his catalogue of evil sins that will occur in the last days (2 Tim. 3:2). But so ugly is boasting, some fear to encourage others at all (in case they become conceited), or they refuse to accept any positive input themselves, because they are terrified of becoming bigheaded. Neither attitude is correct. Paul says here that he has been ‘boasting’ about the Thessalonians – at first, it seems like an unfortunate turn of phrase. But look closer. In the previous verse, he thanks God for them. In praising them, he praises God for the work the Lord has done in them. Ultimately, it is God who gets the credit, but the Thessalonians get much-needed encouragement. Let’s not be nervous about building each other up with words that spur us to greatness. Prayer: Help me, Lord, to bring encouragement, not flattery – and give me grace to receive strength through encouragement too. Amen. 55

WEEKEND 25 - 26 MAY

ONE BRIGHT DAY

READ 2 Thessalonians 1:6 Romans 12:1-21

Life isn’t fair. Daily the poor are trampled underfoot and exploited. Tyrants run nations and plunder their national coffers, acting entirely in their own interests, while many of their people go hungry. Innocents are trafficked in what is now one of the most lucrative trades in the world – that of people. When we consider the pain of many, and even circumstances in our own lives where we are treated unfairly, we can be taunted by the question: is there justice in the universe? Paul assures the suffering Thessalonians that there is. Without giving the details of how it is all going to be worked out, we see an emphatic statement (similar to ‘God is love’) that God is fair. One day, there will be an accounting, and the crooked scales will be righted. Let’s learn to rest in the justice of God, as well as His love. Writing to the Romans, Paul uses a strange phrase when he calls those who are hurt by others to ‘leave room for God to show his anger’ (Rom. 12:19). Sometimes we try to sort things out with people who have hurt us, but all we achieve is to get in the way of the discipline God wants to bring to them. It’s so easy to take our lives into our own hands and forget the truth that God cares deeply about us and involves Himself when we have been hurt. Of course, what God does in those situations is up to Him! Life isn’t fair. But God is. I don’t know how, but one bright day everything will be sorted. To ponder: What does, ‘Leave room for God to show his anger’ mean?

MON 27 MAY

COMING IN POWER

READ 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9 Philippians 2:1-11

FOCUS All of those things will happen when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven. He will come in blazing fire. 2 Thessalonians 1:7

Life often bosses us around. Sickness doesn’t book in an appointment to hit us at a convenient time; rather, our plans are shattered as illness stomps into our lives. The multinational corporation we work for makes a policy decision in a boardroom somewhere far away. In their discussions, nobody bothers to mention our name or raise concerns about the effect of their choices on us, but suddenly we find that we’re no longer wanted, despite years of faithful service. The corporate machine ploughs on, and we feel utterly powerless in its wake. The Thessalonians believers felt like that. To them, other people held all the cards, and Christians were threatened and attacked at will. And some were saying that Jesus had already come back – which meant the way things were would be the way they would always be. But Paul wanted them to know there would be a time for the tables to be turned. Just as we saw that God is just, so now we affirm He is all-powerful. As Paul speaks of Jesus coming from heaven, we see him on His way: not because of a human decision, but a divine choice. And He comes with His army of angels – the imagery of fire is often used to portray a sense of might and glory. One day, He will hold all the cards. Perhaps some of us feel helpless, caught up in a maelstrom that is quite beyond us. As we trust and pray, we address the all-powerful one. And one day, He is going to come back to us. The very best is yet to come. Prayer: Help me to grasp a greater sense of Your mighty power, Lord, both now, and in the age to come. Amen. 57

TUE 28 MAY

GLORIFIED IN US

READ 2 Thessalonians 1:10 Romans 8:18-30

FOCUS On that day his glory will be seen in his holy people. Everyone who has believed will be amazed when they see him. 2 Thessalonians 1:10

Perhaps it’s just me, but there have been times when I’ve felt unenthusiastic about our future destiny in eternity. Selective reading of the Scriptures seems to suggest we will be singing songs and worshipping forever. I’ve sat through a few lengthy worship services, and they’ve not always been that thrilling. But almost hiding in this verse is an exciting hint about our eternal future in Christ. Paul is encouraging the Thessalonians with the news that Jesus will be glorified – in His people. In one sentence, we get a tantalising and unexplained newsflash. Whatever we will be doing in eternity, Jesus will be glorified in us. Perhaps we will have a whole new role in the Universe, and as we fulfil that role, the full glory of God will be revealed. That doesn’t mean that we will cease to be human and become gods; rather, that the true God will shine through us. We will be his masterpiece: the Master will be honoured as we fully become what God has made us to be. It’s always been God’s plan that as people look at the people of God, they will see God glorified. It’s a daunting challenge, but we are called to live in a way that turns heads and hearts to the Lord. Evangelism is not just about words, but life. With our lives we bring God glory, with our words we explain the reason for the hope that we have (1 Pet. 3:15). Don’t lose Paul's other detail. Whatever eternity will be, (and we know very little), it will be wonderful as we marvel at Jesus! Prayer: Lord, glorify Yourself through and in me, and through Your people. Amen.

WED 29 MAY

CHALLENGED ABOUT PRAYER

READ 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 Ephesians 1:15-23

FOCUS Keeping this in mind, we never stop praying for you. 2 Thessalonians 1:11a

Over the next few days, I’d like to stay on just two verses, as Paul pours out his heart to his suffering friends, telling them he is praying for them, and exactly how. I’m deeply challenged as I hear Paul’s heart. As an activist by nature, I find prayer hard: it’s easier for me to work on a project or park myself at my computer than give myself to the mental discipline that prayer demands. I often feel like the disciples must have felt in Gethsemane: called to prayer, they drifted into sleep instead. But Paul’s promise of constant prayer nudges me to want to reserve more of my day for focused prayer. Paul’s words also provoke me to think about the quality of my prayers; I ask God to bless me when I speak, that He will direct me as I study, and lead me in my decisions. And when others are in tough times, I tend to pray they will escape them – fast. Surely there’s nothing wrong with those urgent calls for help. But Paul has a greater concern for the suffering Thessalonians: that they will continue to experience transformation in the midst of their trials, and, daily, they will glorify Jesus. Paul teaches God’s reputation is on the line as they live as His followers, and so he is concerned about their circumstances and characters. As we ponder Paul’s prayer life for a while, perhaps, like me, you’ll find yourself crying out to God as the disciples did: ‘Lord, teach us to pray’ (Luke 11:1). Prayer: Lord, take me deeper in my relationship with You. Show me how to pray. Amen.

THU 30 MAY

GOODNESS IS SWEET

READ 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 Acts 11:19-24

FOCUS We pray that by his power he will make every good thing you have planned come true. 2 Thessalonians 1:11

GOING DEEPER

lifewithlucas.co.uk/ goingdeeper

Goodness has got a bad name. People are described as ‘goody-two shoes’, as though being good means automatically being slightly ridiculous. The impression is that good people need to lighten up and live a little, that they are rather dull and need to get out more. But Paul’s prayers for the Thessalonians includes a request that by God’s power, He may ‘bring to fruition [their] every desire for goodness’ (2 Thess. 1:11, NIV). Goodness is one of Paul’s recurring themes in his correspondence with the Thessalonians – he talks about good works, service and holding on to what is good. And elsewhere goodness is defined as generosity, sexual purity, and maintaining harmony in relationships (2 Cor. 9:13, 1 Cor. 6:20, Rom. 15:6). One commentator talks about ‘the sweetness of goodness’. If goodness has developed a negative reputation, so the reverse is true: bad behaviour is often glamorised as exciting and fulfilling, which it may be for a short while – but when we continue in a pattern of destructive behaviour, we do so with devastating effect. Attending a soccer match recently, I was treated to the sight of a gaggle of rather drunk middle-aged men loudly cursing and singing an obscene song in support of their team. It occurred to me that sin is unattractive, undemanding, predictable and even childish. Being good is a good idea – a God idea. It was said of Barnabas that ‘he was a good man’ (Acts 11:24). I’d be delighted to have that inscribed on my gravestone. Prayer: To be a good person, empowered by You, glorifying You, making my world a better place – this is my desire, Father. Amen.

FRI 31 MAY

COMPELLED TO DO GOOD

READ 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 Romans 7:7-25

FOCUS We pray that by his power he will make every good thing you have planned come true. 2 Thessalonians 1:11

We usually use the word ‘compulsion’ in a negative sense, to describe any behaviour where we feel we are not quite in control. Elsewhere in the New Testament, Paul speaks about the sense of internal civil war that he experienced, as he says that ‘another law is at work within me’ (Rom. 7:23). When we read that Scripture, we tend to focus on the tendency towards evil that we all have to combat, and forget Paul is describing an inner compulsion to do good as well: ‘Deep inside me I find joy in God’s law’ (Rom. 7:22). It is that desire, that urge to do the right thing, that Paul is referring to as he prays for the Thessalonians. God is at work in us, supernaturally producing fruit we are incapable of producing (Gal. 5:2223). That means that, when we are tempted, we will find not only a pull to choose badly, but also a surge of desire to do the right thing. Certainly I’ve experienced that: faced with the opportunity to do something disastrous, I suddenly found myself with a hunger to choose well. I believe this comes from the gracious work of God’s Spirit in me, empowering me to goodness. It doesn’t mean God is not at work if we don’t feel that compulsion, or that our choices don’t matter: at the end of the day, what matters is obedience. But thank God we are not left alone in the valley of temptation. Desire for goodness that leads to good fruit and Christlike character is what Paul prays for. Let’s pray the same for others and ourselves today. Prayer: Work in me, Holy Spirit, to create a strong desire for goodness and empowerment that will lead to good fruit, all for Your glory. Amen. 61

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MADE IN THE UK

WEEKEND 01 - 02 JUN

GRACE FOR CHANGE AND GLORY

Amazing Grace is one of my favourite hymns, celebrating the forgiveness experienced by former slave trader John Newton as he met Jesus. But although grace enables us to know the relief of sins forgiven, we shouldn’t limit grace to enabling us to experience God’s pardon: grace is also at work in our daily transformation. As Paul urges the Thessalonians to look out towards eternity, he speaks of Jesus being glorified in them and they in Him – and that only happens because of the daily transformation brought about by the Spirit of God powerfully at work in us. Here’s a vital truth that we need to grasp: change for eternity is on God’s programme right now. We may think everything about us will be sorted out in a split second when Jesus comes. But the sculpting work of formation is happening today, and as it does, we bring glory to God, and we will bring glory to Him in eternity. And all of this is because of the grace of God, the favour we enjoy that we could never earn.

READ 2 Thessalonians 1:12 2 Corinthians 3:7-18

Perhaps we can feel God chipping away at us, as we steer through circumstances that are helping forge character and enable transformation. Or perhaps some of us have settled for sameness, and have decided that, like the leopard, we will never change our spots. Without God, that would be true. But with Him, grace can be amazing – to transform us. When we walk with Jesus, change is not just possible – it’s inevitable. To ponder: Are there areas of your life where you have settled for sameness?

MON 03 JUN

ANTICHRIST

READ 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 Daniel 7:15-28

FOCUS Don’t let anyone trick you in any way. That day will not come until people rise up against God. It will not come until the man of sin appears. 2 Thessalonians 2:3

Ladies and gentlemen, kindly fasten your seatbelts, because the passage of Scripture we are now considering is widely accepted as being the most puzzling Paul ever wrote. For one thing, he refers back to conversations he had with the Thessalonians; our problem, obviously, is that we weren’t there. We can only try to piece together their dialogue. This is one reason why it’s important not to be dogmatic about this passage. Paul addresses a false doctrine that was doing the rounds (possibly spread by a forged letter purporting to come from Paul’s pen) – the suggestion that Jesus had already come. Paul counters this by saying there would yet be a great rebellion led by an ‘antichrist’ figure. And that’s where things get murky: was Paul referring to a specific person, or a system, or a worldview? Certainly the church has endlessly speculated about this, and has done so in vain. It may be that Paul was thinking about an actual situation that had occurred recently, when the Roman emperor, Gaius Caligula, convinced of his own divinity, decided to set up a statue of himself in the Jerusalem Temple. This was just one of his outrageous acts which prompted widespread uproar, before he was assassinated in AD41. If all of this sounds confusing, it’s because it is. But over the next few days, we’ll concentrate on what we can say for certain about the works of evil as we ponder this complex passage: rather than speculate, let’s instead be wise and prepared for battle. Prayer: I want to be shaped by Your Spirit, and not the spirit of the age. Grant me a tender and discerning heart, Lord Jesus. Amen.

TUE 04 JUN

HOLD STEADY

READ 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 Luke 22:7-38

FOCUS What if it says that the day of the Lord has already come? If it does, we ask you not to become easily upset or alarmed. 2 Thessalonians 2:2

He was such a good friend, and I still mourn the loss of our relationship. John (not his real name) was a passionate, sincere Christian, but he got hooked on teaching that ruined his life. Refusing to allow his family to get medical help because ‘Jesus is our healer’, he nearly lost his son. Insisting that God was directing his business decisions (and refusing to take any advice), he destroyed his flourishing business. In the end, he lost his marriage and went bankrupt. False teaching had destroyed his world. As Paul confronts the false teaching circulating in the church at Thessalonica, he calls the Christian family there not to be unsettled. One translation is ‘don’t be shaken out of your wits’: Paul uses a word that describes ships being set adrift from their moorings by the relentless pressure of a storm. As Paul so precisely describes the effect of false teaching, I’m reminded of Jesus’ prophetic warning to Peter: ‘Satan has asked to sift all of you disciples like wheat (Luke 22:31). Wheat is shaken around in a sieve, and the unsettling process gets rid of the chaff. The enemy has no desire to refine us, but to disorientate us. In Thessalonica, the idea that their extreme suffering meant Jesus had already returned was creating a turbulence that disrupted their everyday lives: perhaps some were idle because of this (an issue that Paul addresses in both his letters). Bad ideas can be devastating, and our sense of peace is a target for the enemy. Prayer: Lord, as I read Paul’s words and realise that much of his call is to stability, I pray that my faith in you may be steadfast. Amen. 65

WED 05 JUN

REBEL

READ 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 Hebrews 3:7-19

FOCUS He will give himself power over everything. He will set himself up in God’s temple. He will announce that he himself is God. 2 Thessalonians 2:4

As I write, I am staying in a hotel opposite a lap-dancing club. A glitzy neon sign is over the door, and the club proclaims it is a ‘bohemian centre of sophistication’. Nothing could be further from the truth; here women are being used, their dignity trampled underfoot by leering customers. Lust is sugarcoated and portrayed as sophistication: sin is disguised. Sometimes sin disguises itself in more subtle ways in our lives. We tag destructive habits as ‘slip-ups’; we subconsciously heed the whisper that our sins don’t really matter. So it’s important to see the enemy is at the heart of temptation, wanting to incite us to rebellion against the Lord. We are Kingdom people, and that means that we are called to live under the good and peaceful reign of the loving King; temptation stirs us to a rebellion against that authority. The Jews were familiar with images of rebellion; Antiochus Epiphanes sacrificed a pig in the temple in 169BC. In 63BC the Roman emperor Pompey captured Jerusalem and profaned the Temple. And as we have seen, the mad emperor Caligula declared himself to be divine and demanded worship. But what does all this mean to us, living in a world where sin is sold as glamourous and sophisticated? It means there are systems and worldviews that try to edge us away from God’s ways, but at the heart of this is rebellion – and that rebellion will lead to chaos and oppression, both personally and culturally. Let’s be people of light and truth. Prayer: Holy God, help me to see sin for what it is: rebellion against Your good, just and peaceful ways. Save me from deception. Amen.

THU 06 JUN

SINKING AS LOW AS IT GETS

READ 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 Luke 4:1-13

FOCUS He will announce that he himself is God. 2 Thessalonians 2:4

Whenever Christians fall into lurid, headturning sin, the sound of tut-tutting from other Christians is deafening. Sometimes we can shake our heads in disbelief and, as we ponder the failures of others, insist we could never do what they have done... and we’re wrong. Bluntly, we are all capable of more evil than we can imagine, and that’s not only because of the fallen human condition, but because we have an enemy who will take us as low as we are willing to sink. As we read about the antichrist setting himself up in the Temple, we can’t be sure if this is metaphorical language that speaks of the world, the church, or an actual physical location. But the point is this: Satan is hungry to be worshipped – so eager, that the invitation offered to the Son of God in the wilderness of temptation was this: bow down and worship me. The ‘call to worship’ was laced with lies too, as the devil offered to give Jesus the whole world in return for worship, when in fact the earth was not the devil’s to give. In fact, ‘the earth is the Lord’s’ and it actually belonged to Christ, as ‘Nothing that has been made was made without him’ (John 1:3). Even though all that was true, Satan still kept trying to elicit worship. Let’s not nurse illusions about ourselves, thinking we are impervious to certain temptations. Let’s be wide awake, aware an enemy is prowling around – and he will take us as low as we will allow. Prayer: Save me from false confidence: help me to be aware of my vulnerabilities, Lord. You know me. Amen.

FRI 07 JUN

AMNESIA

READ 2 Thessalonians 2:5 Genesis 3:1-24

FOCUS Don’t you remember? When I was with you, I used to tell you those things. 2 Thessalonians 2:5

GOING DEEPER

lifewithlucas.co.uk/ goingdeeper

It’s often said of the people of God in the Old Testament: they forgot. Now the Thessalonians were forgetting Paul’s earlier teaching about the coming ‘man of sin’. Perhaps with a sense that other evil figures would claim divinity (like the emperor Domitian, who demanded to be called Dominus et Deus, and persecuted any who opposed him, including the apostle John), Paul reminded his friends of all that he’d previously shared with them. The Thessalonians would need to stand firm in the face of these attacks, not only from specific authority antichrist figures, but also from the spirit of antichrist. It was John (the only NT writer who specifically uses the term antichrist) who taught that those who spread false doctrine and denied the incarnation of Christ were operating in the spirit of antichrist. But if the Thessalonians – and we – are to be resolute in the face of opposition and false teaching, we need to remember the truth, and not allow it to slip from our minds and hearts. Notice that in the Garden of Eden scene, the strategy was to unsettle Adam and Eve with the question, ‘Did God say?’ While I pray these notes are helpful, they should not be your exclusive diet of Scripture. Read around the Bible: buy good commentaries, and dig into unfamiliar passages. Memorising texts is a good discipline too: having the ability to recall the truth is vital when the battle gets heavy, as Jesus found when He was in the wilderness (Luke 4:4). Prayer: Help me to remember what matters, especially on the day of battle, Lord. Amen.

WEEKEND 08- 09 JUN

THE ENEMY CAN BE RESISTED

READ 2 Thessalonians 2:6-10 Matthew 5:13-16

Today we’re still pondering some of the most mysterious verses in the entire New Testament. As Paul writes about a restraining force that holds back the influence of antichrist, commentators have scratched their heads to know what he is referring to. Once again, Paul was referring to his previous conversations with the Thessalonians. Augustine remarked of this verse, ‘I frankly confess that I do not know what Paul means’. Nor am I going to try to solve the problem. Some say the Holy Spirit hinders the work of antichrist, while others think Paul is referring to his own apostolic mission. There is also the view that the Roman state, with its structure of law and order, prevented the lawlessness the enemy would love to create. Paul taught we should pray for those in authority, and the state can be God’s agent to punish and prevent evil. Perhaps what’s important for us to know is we are not at the mercy of evil forces. As we look around our world, we can feel despair. Can anything change – and more importantly, can we help change to happen? Scripture makes it clear we can make a difference: we can resist the devil, and he will have to flee. We can pray, we can act as salt and light and prevent evil corruption. The future is not just in the hands of world leaders. As each of us lives by the power of the Spirit today, we hold back darkness, and bring forth light. The enemy can be restrained in the Name of Jesus, and will ultimately be defeated! To ponder: How do we use the spiritual authority that we have been given in Christ? 69

MON 10 JUN

DELUSION

READ 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 Hebrews 4:1-13

FOCUS So God will fool them completely. Then they will believe the lie. 2 Thessalonians 2:11

In more difficult words, Paul solemnly warns the Thessalonians – and us – about the progressive hardening of heart that occurs when we consistently ignore God and throw ourselves headlong into a life of rebellion. The idea that ‘God sends a lie’ should not suggest that God is the author of the delusion; as we compare scripture with scripture, we see that God ultimately respects the right of humans to choose or reject Him. If they stubbornly ignore Him, He will reluctantly ‘give them over’ to their delusion (Rom. 1:24-28). The writer to the Hebrews also warns about developing a rebellious resistance to the voice of God. In the Old Testament, God also allowed people to believe their delusions (Isa. 19:14; 29:9-10). Those who choose lies ultimately come to believe they are true. These words should be handled with care. As a new Christian, I lived with a sense of terror (and I use the word advisedly) that I might miss God’s purposes for my life if, for whatever reason, I didn’t manage to discern His direction at every turn. That’s not what Paul is talking about: he is referring to those who wilfully trample on the grace of God, mocking Christ and refusing to believe He is the Son of God. No one accidentally falls into this condition: it comes after an extended period of resisting the Holy Spirit. That said, let’s be quick to respond when we do sense His call; God wants to use those who willingly and freely offer themselves to Him. Prayer: Lord, keep my heart tender, and my ears keen to listen to Your voice. Amen.

TUE 11 JUN

DESTINY

READ 2 Thessalonians 2:13 1 Peter 2:4-12

FOCUS Brothers and sisters, we should always thank God for you. The Lord loves you. God chose you from the beginning. 2 Thessalonians 2:13

I am chosen by God. So are you. But if that’s the case, doesn’t that mean, as we considered earlier, that God has picked some people out for judgment – which hardly is consistent with His just nature? Some have interpreted this idea of election to mean that, if God has chosen them for salvation, there is nothing they can do either to accept or reject it, so they make no moves towards God at all. But as always, we need to read Scripture in context. Israel always understood she was ‘chosen’ as a nation, (not as individuals), raised up by God to be a beacon to the planet. So it is that we are chosen as Gentiles now, grafted into the purposes of God through grace. It isn’t that God has lined people up, and embraced some while rejecting others; rather, we discover we are elect people together in Christ. Our purpose and destiny are discovered together with other believers. Some people reject the church, and yet insist they are followers of Christ, but they don’t need other Christians. This is usually because they’ve been hurt by the church, which is tragic. But their reaction reveals a shallow understanding of what church is: we don’t just need each other because corporate worship can be inspiring, or because we need to get teaching, important though worship and teaching are. We need each other because together we find our purpose as the elect people of God. Is church hard work, and we’re tempted to drop out of any and every church for good? Let’s think again. Prayer: Lord, I am chosen as I take my place among Your chosen people. Help me when being together is challenging. Amen. 71

WED 12 JUN

GLORY AHEAD

READ 2 Thessalonians 2:14-15 1 Corinthians 15:12-34

FOCUS And you will share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 2:14

Occasionally, as I have said before, a very uncomfortable thought pops into my head: what if there is no life after death? Obviously, we accept the truth about eternity by faith, and I have no hesitation in affirming my belief in all that the Bible promises us about the future, but there are moments, as I confessed earlier, when I wonder if it can really all be true. How about you? (I share the experience honestly, because sometimes Christians go through these times and wonder if there’s something wrong with them). I think it’s the seeming finality of death that challenges our belief. Death is so cold – literally – and apparently so final. The body is disposed of, either by burial or cremation. Everything about death screams closure and ending. Confronted with the ‘last enemy’, we can feel like our hope for eternity is little more than pie-in-the-sky wishful thinking. But the truth about eternity drove Paul on in his mission: it was through ‘his gospel’ that the Thessalonians would ultimately share in the glory of Christ. They were living out their faith in a cauldron of opposition and confusion, but he reminded them of the bright horizon ahead. Perhaps you’re facing impending death, either your own or someone that you love. Whatever your feelings and anxieties, may you know grace today to affirm your trust in the one who is the resurrection and the life. Christ is risen, and we shall rise in glory with Him. Prayer: I worship You, risen Christ, conquering King, alive now and forever more. Amen.

THU 13 JUN

SPURRED ON

READ 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 Romans 15:1-7

FOCUS May our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father comfort your hearts. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

GOING DEEPER

lifewithlucas.co.uk/ goingdeeper

I have spoken openly of a difficult period of my life, when, as a Christian leader, in a busy ministry, I suffered clinical depression. It was a dark year, and I wondered if I would be able to continue in my role; at times I wondered if I could even continue as a Christian. There were a number of reasons for it, some that I haven’t yet identified, but I’m certain perfectionism and disillusionment were part of the lethal cocktail that induced such despair. I had plenty of theoretical ideas about grace, but instinctively I felt God could never be pleased, never satisfied, no matter how hard I tried to serve Him. It felt as if the only response I could expect from God was a wrinkled nose of disdain and a swift word of rejection. I felt hopeless: doomed never to change, with a future that would only mean further drudgery. As Paul seeks to spur the Thessalonians on to good words and good works, he speaks of a God who consistently encourages (I love the truth that His encouragement is not brief, but ongoing) and also offers us solid hope in Christ. We can make a difference, we can change through the work of the Holy Spirit in us, and as we’ve celebrated, we can look forward to glory in Christ forever. What is your impression of God? Is He unimpressed – or is He the loving Father who cheers you on, even when your efforts seem pathetic? If your perception of God is of a distant judge, then ask the Holy Spirit to reshape your understanding. Prayer: Thank You that You always bring encouragement and hope. May I not only experience both, but discover You as You truly are. Amen. 73

FRI 14 JUN

REMEMBER TO ASK FOR PRAYER

READ 2 Thessalonians 3:1 2 Corinthians 1:1-11

FOCUS Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us. Pray that the Lord’s message will spread quickly. Pray that others will honour it just as you did. 2 Thessalonians 3:1

Here’s yet another confession! I don’t understand how prayer works. When someone is ill, the requests go out for many to pray: social networking means the call can quickly resound around the world. But I worry that, at times, there’s a sense that we’re gathering a petition, and if we can get thousands of signatures on it (or pray-ers to sign up to add their voices) then God will do something miraculous. But does it mean that God might say, ‘Sorry, you needed 10,454 people to sign up for the prayer effort, and you only got 10,453. Request hereby declined’? I don’t think it works that way at all. What is apparent is that prayer is effective, and we are called to add our agreement: we’ve seen Paul frequently request prayer from those he served. I shared earlier that I don’t ask for prayer as much as I should, which might betray an unhealthy independence in me. We all need prayer support, of course, and not just those in so-called ‘full-time Christian service’. The people of God are called into partnership with the Lord in His purposes. We are agents of the Kingdom who, on earth, are invited to wade into battle as we pray. What God does with those prayers, and how He responds to them, is beyond me. But not understanding the mechanics doesn’t mean I don’t realise how vital prayer is. And so, if I may, let me say again: please pray for me. Why not be sure to request the prayers of others, especially when the going is tough? Prayer: Lord, help me to not see prayer just as a spiritual routine, or a good habit, but as an act of agreement on the battlefield. Amen.

WEEKEND 15-16 JUN

GOODNESS OUT THERE

Understanding all that the Bible has to say about sin and sinners, we often wrongly conclude that goodness is exclusively to be found in the Christian community. Goodness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit’s work, we insist. A cursory reading of Paul’s words could endorse that error. As he requests prayer for personal safety, and remarks that not everyone has faith, we could rush to conclude that absence of faith means people are bad and incapable of real goodness. We may imagine a productive life can only begin at conversion, which, again, is obviously wrong. In fact, as Paul talks about ‘wicked and evil people’, he is describing those who have a determined hatred for God and God’s people. Speaking about ‘faith’, Paul is probably referring to ‘the faith’: that is the message of Christ, rather than generic spirituality. But we should remember that humanity itself is not only a good idea, but a God-idea. Humans are made in the image of God: marred of course by the fall, we nonetheless have been made with the divine spark within us, and therefore we are created as moral creatures with a conscience, a sense of right and wrong, and the ability to do great good.

READ 2 Thessalonians 3:2 Galatians 5:16-26

So don’t think for a moment that the church is the only place where nobility, courage and self-sacrifice are found. Be grateful that beauty is everywhere, in people of other faiths and none. If we fail to grasp this, then we fail to celebrate the ultimate source of beauty: God the Creator Himself. To ponder: Can you think of examples of remarkably ‘good’ people who are not people of faith? 75

MON 17 JUN

WITH US

READ 2 Thessalonians 3:3 Lamentations 3:22-24

FOCUS But the Lord is faithful. He will strengthen you. He will guard you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3

People's last words have often been recorded: we tend to believe there’s importance and weight in a final statement. Reading an obituary yesterday, I was moved by the final words of a musician, said to his wife: ‘I love you so much.’ I’d be delighted to follow his example, and have my final sentence on this earth express my love for Kay. In Matthew’s gospel, the last words of Jesus, before His ascension to heaven, were ‘I am with you.’ His ‘parting shot’ was not a promise of an easy life, but an assurance of His faithfulness: ‘And you can be sure that I am always with you, to the very end’ (Matt. 28:20). Now, as Paul seeks to encourage the struggling Thessalonians, he offers them no easy answers, but points them to the steadfast love and faithfulness of God. And we need to remember the faithfulness of God when times are hard. Sometimes God feels distant, and we long for His greater involvement in our lives – especially when other Christians imply that, for them, God is consistently solving their problems, answering their every prayer, and making His presence felt at every twist and turn of life. I’m not convinced the life of faith is so easy. Whatever our experiences or emotions, we need to affirm our belief in the truth that we will never be abandoned or alone again; the God we serve will not discard us or leave us helpless in the hands of the enemy. Today, this very moment, He is with us and for us. For you. Prayer: Faithful God, unchanging one – I am so grateful for the promise of Your presence with me, for always. Amen.

TUE 18 JUN

CONFIDENT

READ 2 Thessalonians 3:4 2 Corinthians 1:1-4

FOCUS So we are sure that you are doing the things we tell you to do. And we are sure that you will keep on doing them. 2 Thessalonians 3:4

GOING DEEPER

lifewithlucas.co.uk/ goingdeeper

When you’ve been around the church for a while, it is easy to be wearied by the frequent stories of conflict, resistance to change, and failure. Not only do they fuel cynicism, but I’ve also realised they can make us hesitant about sharing the good news of the gospel. It’s very hard to say it, but if so many people who claim to be followers of Jesus are messed up, what’s the point of passing on the ‘good news’? I’d go so far as to say that we can actually fear Christianity would only make dysfunctional people even worse! But that’s wrong. Paul has seen the church at its best and its worst. Some in the church were even trying to circulate false teaching under his forged signature, which is pretty low behaviour. He had been the butt of unfair criticism and had spent himself trying to correct error and foolish ideas about the coming of Christ. But despite all of these struggles, Paul continues to have confidence, not just in the Thessalonians, but in the faithful God who was at work in them. Perhaps we’d be helped by embracing a realistic view of the church, which is full of broken people, under construction, just like us. Take a look at today’s Going Deeper, where I discuss the ‘gift’ of disillusionment. Let’s never allow cynicism to create burnout or despair in our lives. And if church is painfully hard work for you right now, I’m praying you’ll be able to still have hope in the God who hasn’t given up – and won’t ever. Prayer: Guard my heart from the curse of cynicism, Holy Spirit. But also help me to be realistic about church – and be committed to the reality. Amen. 77

WED 19 JUN

ENDURE

READ 2 Thessalonians 3:5 2 Timothy 2:1-13

FOCUS May the Lord fill your hearts with God’s love. May Christ give you the strength to go on. 2 Thessalonians 3:5

When going through a particularly challenging season, a well-meaning friend advised me to ‘Hang in there, it will all be alright.’ Recoiling from this platitude, I wondered how he knew that my difficulties would turn out well. We have no guarantees that sickness will flee, grief subside, or circumstances change. Our Christian ancestors were familiar with the call to persevere in faith. The word ‘perseverance’ is found in many of the New Testament letters. It can be translated 'steadfastness’ or ‘endurance’, and refers to the ability to withstand temptation, hardship, or persecution. For the Christian, the basis of perseverance is not personal strength but trust and hope in the Lord. It’s not ‘hang in there’ but ‘abide in Christ’. We do it because we know this life is fleeting, compared with the vastness and blessings of eternity with Jesus. Paul’s words to the Thessalonians are heartening, because he constantly points them to endurance, and especially to the perseverance of Christ. Endurance isn’t about feelings; it’s about continuing our walk of faith simply because we know what we’re doing is right. To Timothy, Paul repeats the call to endure, and uses the analogy of the soldier as an example. No one deliberately places themselves on the battlefield – it’s the last place on earth we’d want to be. But honour and duty keep the soldier in place. Perhaps following Christ feels like hard work right now. Whatever the feelings, let’s press on. Prayer: Sustain me, and when life calls for endurance and I feel so very weak, be strong in me, mighty God. Amen.

THU 20 JUN

NO CHANGE

READ 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 1 Thessalonians 5:14

FOCUS Keep away from every believer who doesn’t want to work. Keep away from anyone who doesn’t live up to the teaching you received from us. 2 Thessalonians 3:6

I’d spent a couple of years as an associate pastor in the church but had not been there for many years. It was good to visit and see some old, familiar faces. One of them was John, who I’d spent a fair amount of time with, in years gone by. I had often prayed with him, trying to encourage him out of the pattern of behaviour he was trapped in. Dozens of times, I watched him go forward for prayer at the end of the service, emotionally moved to want to change, but somehow unwilling to commit himself to the discipline that change demands. ‘How’s things, John?’, I asked. He smiled sheepishly, and then looked down. ‘You know me, Jeff. Same old, same old. But I’m going to change one of these days.’ It’s a tragedy when we surrender to sameness. As Paul writes about idleness, we know he has done so before. Paul had given more than verbal teaching about the need for hard work: he’d carefully modelled selfsacrificial behaviour in his own work patterns. Despite all this, the issue still remained. Where have we looked at issues in our own lives, and quietly shrugged our shoulders and subconsciously announced, ‘same old, same old’? In Thessalonica, the problem of idleness was not due to a lack of teaching – it was due to a lack of response. As we’ll see tomorrow, Paul was not just asking for action because he was speaking, but because he spoke in the name of Jesus. Perhaps it’s time for us to hear what the Lord is saying to us – and respond to Him. Prayer: Save me from belief without action, which is not real or true belief at all. Amen.

FRI 21 JUN

OBEY

READ 2 Thessalonians 3:6 2 Corinthians 10:1-18

FOCUS Brothers and sisters, here is a command we give you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 3:6

It might seem like a strong arm tactic, as Paul not only calls the Thessalonians to obey his command, but also prefaces his comment with the phrase, ‘In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ’. Perhaps Paul was appealing to the source of his authority, and reminding his friends that he had authority through his apostolic calling. We saw yesterday that Paul had previously addressed the issue of idleness in the Thessalonian church – yet some were still ignoring his instructions. Now he lets them know he is not just offering helpful advice that they could take or leave, but urging them to get in step with the purposes of God. The language he uses here to describe the idle is reminiscent of those who get out of step while marching in an army, because of their undisciplined behaviour. Jesus Christ is our Lord, not our advisor or consultant. In a culture where absolutes are not fashionable, we can slip into the false idea that God’s way, while helpful, can be rejected at will – after all, He’s loving, and we can always get forgiven later. But to embrace that attitude is to show that we understand very little of what it means to be an apprentice and disciple of Christ. If we love him, then we will obey him (John 14:23). He made us, and knows what’s best, and He exercises authority because He loves us so. Only a bad parent would allow their child to make disastrous and damaging choices – and our God is the best Father of them all. Prayer: Loving Father, help me to make you my Lord, as I obey You today. Amen.

WEEKEND 22-23 JUN

AN EXAMPLE

READ 2 Thessalonians 3:7 1 Corinthians 10:23–11:1

I saw a television programme recently called The World’s Most Dangerous Jobs. I’m grateful that I don’t clean skyscraper windows, scuba dive from oil rig platforms, or look after spitting cobras. But I’ve also decided my job could be listed as highly dangerous – and not from being bruised by a flying hymnbook, lobbed by an irritated church member. The risk comes because I endlessly deal with words – literally tens of thousands of words every month. As I write Bible notes, books and magazine articles, I create sentences. As I preach (sometimes many times in any given month) I realise faith can end up just becoming a series of words: words I believe, but words that have become so familiar, they no longer impact me. Challenged by scripture, I can be easily tempted to theorise about that challenge in my writing to others, rather than take the time and endure the pain of allowing that truth to impact my own life. That’s why I long to be able to say a hearty ‘amen’ to Paul’s statement about his being an example to the Thessalonians; he didn’t just preach at them, but lived out a life that modelled the gospel. Put simply, he practised what he preached. Anything less is hypocrisy. It’s a marvellous thing to be able to say, ‘Don’t just do what I say, do what I do.’ Paul frequently called the churches he led to follow his example. God give us all grace to make sure that the gospel is not just an idea, but a living reality in our lives. To ponder: Who comes to mind when you think about someone in your own relational circle who has been a fine example of Christian discipleship? 81

MON 24 JUN

MY RIGHTS

READ 2 Thessalonians 3:8-9 Acts 18:1-4

FOCUS We worked, even though we have the right to receive help from you. We did it in order to be a model for you to follow. 2 Thessalonians 3:9

We have rights, and that’s good. We celebrate our right to vote, we’re grateful for medical care, and we live securely knowing we have rights at work, in court, and when shopping. But there’s a danger that we can stomp through life insisting on things being done our way, loudly demanding our opinion be heard, and being quick to react whenever we feel what is rightfully ours is withheld. Road rage is an ugly example of what can happen when small ‘rights’ are violated. Someone doesn’t give way when they should, a fivesecond delay results, and then conflict or even terrible violence breaks out. Paul was perfectly entitled to expect support as he worked so hard in travelling and preaching the gospel; his work was so massively strategic in the founding of the Christian Church. At the very least, he could expect material support from the churches that he established. But Paul didn’t want any misunderstanding about his lifestyle, nor to be accused of idleness, and so he gave himself unstintingly to his work for the gospel, and then supported himself by his work as a craftsman. He waived his rights for the greater good, and it cost him dearly, as he spent himself and worked tirelessly. Some of us find it very difficult to just let go of what we feel we’re entitled to, but if our friendships, marriages, and relationships in church are going to be healthy, there will be times when we must loosen our grip on our rights and serve rather than strive. Prayer: You came to serve, Lord. You laid aside your rights. Help me to follow You in your selflessness. Amen.

TUE 25 JUN

OFFENDED

READ 2 Thessalonians 3:10 Colossians 3:1-17

FOCUS Even when we were with you, we gave you a rule. We said, 'Anyone who won’t work shouldn’t be allowed to eat.’ 2 Thessalonians 3:10

It’s a phrase that is often used thoughtlessly in church circles: ‘I’m offended.’ Some Christians will protest loudly if their views are challenged, or their proverbial feathers ruffled. The implication is, if I feel offended, everyone else has to change to placate me. Leaders get nervous about tackling controversial subjects (and Scripture addresses plenty) for fear some in the congregation will be upset, with turbulent results. But allow me to speak bluntly – sometimes we just need to be offended. Truth confronts, and we must build church communities where the teaching does not just comfort and make us feel better, but at times gets under our skin, and irritates us into action. It’s been said the sermon should activate our search for truth, not end it. Sometimes people tell me that, as a preacher, I need to fearlessly speak truth, but that can actually mean they want me to endorse their opinion. If I don’t agree with their perspective, the ‘offended’ card will be played. Paul doesn’t hold back as he confronts the issue of idleness in the Thessalonian church, but bluntly states: if you don’t work, you won’t eat. In his first letter, he told them to mind their own business (1 Thess. 4:11). I’m certainly not defending rude behaviour or aggressive leadership, but we do need to create a culture in our churches where the truth can be told, whether we find the truth palatable or not. Perhaps we feel offended – and we need to get over it. Prayer: Lord, today, please help me to have the confidence to speak clearly but kindly, and to hear difficult truth when I need it. Amen. 83

WED 26 JUN

UNHEALTHY SPIRITUALITY

READ 2 Thessalonians 3:11-12 Ephesians 4:17-32

FOCUS So we strongly command people like that to settle down. They have to earn the food they eat. 2 Thessalonians 3:12

Sometimes I meet Christians who are a bit too keen to discuss issues of faith. That statement sounds strange: surely we should be eager to unearth the truth, and discussing doctrine is a healthy way to grow. But some fixate on one theological issue, and then spend way too much time trying to persuade others to agree with them. They write lengthy papers, insist on meeting leaders so that they can air their views, and threaten to divide local churches over peripheral non-essentials. They seem to relish conflict and see themselves as heresy hunters, apparently keen to catch an error in preaching and teaching and to bring ‘correction’. Insisting that ‘agreeing to disagree’ constitutes compromise, they eventually march out of fellowship. They state they are simply trying to defend biblical truth, but in fact they have become obsessed by single issues. This behaviour is difficult to confront, because it’s found in highly committed Christians. There are temptations available for every personality type and at every stage of our spiritual development: the Pharisees were zealous – and terribly wrong. Exactly this kind of behaviour was on view here: instead of doing a day’s work, some were using their time for gossip and theological chatter that was threatening the unity of the Thessalonian church. ‘Settle down’, says Paul, in more blunt language – in fact his word ‘command’ is a military term. Are we unhealthily preoccupied? Let’s settle down. Prayer: Help me to focus on what matters and disagree agreeably. Save me from majoring on minors. Amen.

THU 27 JUN

KEEP GOING

READ 2 Thessalonians 3:13 John 6:60-71

FOCUS Brothers and sisters, don’t ever get tired of doing the right thing. 2 Thessalonians 3:13

It’s an obvious but unfortunate truth: good choices have to be renewed every day, as anyone who has bought a gym membership knows. It’s not enough to have that moment of enthusiasm when we march out of the gym, the proud owners of a shiny new card: we only experience the benefits as we work out in the gym regularly. Perseverance is vital, as we have seen earlier. Endurance is a common theme in Paul’s writings: he wrote about it to the Corinthians, Galatians and Philippians as well as the Thessalonians. As we’ve seen, there are arid times in the walk of faith when we feel nothing, find ourselves exhausted by the challenges of discipleship and bruised by church, and our prayers seem to be unheeded and unanswered. When that happens to me, I usually end up in a church where the worship leader is over-enthusiastic and insists we all be ecstatic because we are followers of Jesus. This, frankly, makes me feel worse. Sometimes we just need to be faithful simply because we are followers of the truth. Just as the disciples shrugged their shoulders and determined to follow Jesus because there was nowhere else to go for the words of eternal life (hardly a statement of bubbly ecstasy!), so we determine to follow Him, whatever the emotional weather. In contrast to the idle busybodies in the church at Thessalonica, Paul urges his faithful friends to stay faithful, and not slip into following their poor example. Prayer: Strengthen me to endure as well as enjoy my faith, faithful Lord. Amen. 85

FRI 28 JUN

DISCIPLINE AND LOVE

READ 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 Hebrews 12:1-13

FOCUS Keep an eye on anyone who doesn’t obey the directions in our letter. Watch that person closely... Then he will feel ashamed. 2 Thessalonians 3:14

These verses are difficult and potentially dangerous. In the hands of domineering leaders who are eager to silence any voices that challenge their supposed absolute authority, they can be weaponised. Insisting that only those who are divisive will hold a contrary opinion is a favourite tactic of spiritually abusive leaders. But while church discipline is always difficult and painful, we must accept the church is not a community where anything goes. The only way to shut down the corrosive influence of someone who is deliberately divisive is to avoid spending time with them: gossip takes two. Yet even though this call to take note of and shun those who persist in this kind of behaviour seems hard, Paul tempers his command with a reminder that those under discipline are not to be thought of as enemies, but as members of the family. Church discipline is not imposed in order to punish people, but to show them the stark reality of their condition, and hopefully to bring them to their senses. I repeat that none of this is easy: some of my most harrowing days as a leader have been spent trying to figure out what to do about those who claim to love Jesus, but live recklessly and bring disgrace to His name as a result. What is clear is the church needs confident, brave and loving leadership, and that just as God disciplines those He loves – and any good parent knows that order in the home is vital – so love and discipline go hand in hand in God’s church. Prayer: Help those who have to make difficult decisions about discipline, Lord. Amen.

WEEKEND 29 - 30 JUN

MORE GRACE AND PEACE

READ 2 Thessalonians 3:16-18 Romans 15:14-33

As we come to the end of our journey through Paul’s two letters to the Thessalonians, we see he finishes his letter with a blessing of grace. He begins with grace, steers his way through some difficult and sensitive issues that require loving confrontation and a firm hand of leadership, and reverts to grace. Notice he calls for grace to be with all of the church in Thessalonica – including his critics, the false teachers, and the troublemakers: true grace means we are gracious towards those we feel least inclined to love. In thinking about that, I’ve decided that is how I would like my encounters with everyone I meet to be. Sometimes there are tough conversations to be shared, and conflicts to navigate. But even in those situations (perhaps especially), I’d like to aim to make their conclusions full of grace. It’s horrible to walk away from a tough encounter, knowing a wound has been left open, and grace has not been the postscript. Come to think of it, leaving a trail of grace is not a bad objective for life itself. If, after we’ve gone, those who encountered us were able to speak of being built up by grace as a result of our being in their lives, then that sounds like a true definition of real success in life to me.

GOING DEEPER

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Kay joins me in declaring grace and peace to you and yours, today, and always. And thank you, as always, for being with me in the journey of faith. I’m grateful that you are part of the Life with Lucas community. To ponder: How can we more proactively ‘leave a trail of grace’?

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NEXT TIME: A FRIEND OF GOD Abraham – he is the only man in the Old Testament who is directly celebrated as a friend of God. As followers of Jesus, we are also called His friends. But this is a friendship like no other – a walk of faith. We can’t see Christ, or touch Him, and although He speaks and acts, often His voice is difficult to discern, and the fingerprints of His activity are not always easy to trace. But we’re invited to allow our lives to be shaped around One who is currently invisible, and take our own faith treks. Abraham, famous for faith, can help us on our journeys. His walk with God contains many vital lessons for us all. And so, in the next quarter’s Life with Lucas, we’re going to take a walk in his footsteps. I know we’ll be strengthened and encouraged as we take the trip together!

Paul’s two letters to the young church in Thessalonica are packed full of practical instruction and heartwarming encouragement! His words are so relevant to us, as he talks about the importance and purpose of Christian community, the call to live beautifully, and the challenge to share Jesus in life and word as we do so. He points his friends – and us – to hope in the assurance that Christ will come again. In these turbulent days, we will find a treasure trove of wisdom that will help us to walk faithfully with Jesus!

Life with Lucas is written by Jeff Lucas, an international author, speaker, broadcaster and coach. Married to Kay, his passion is to equip the Church with biblical, practical Bible teaching, marked by vulnerability and humour. Jeff is a best-selling author of 34 books, and broadcasts weekly on Premier Christian Radio. He is a Senior Executive Pastor at Timberline Church, Fort Collins, Colorado. JeffLucasUK

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lifewithlucas.co.uk PO Box 3070, Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN17 6WX, UK Tel 01903 732190