Deliverance

Surely he will deliver you from the fowler's snare...
Ps 91:3

What weapons may not men use to spoil the children
of God. Surely the strongest in the faith needs
constant anointing with spiritual eye-salve, in order
to perceive these refined snares of the fowler.

That true believers have everlasting life, everlasting
righteousness, and everlasting glory, forever
secured to them in Christ risen, beyond the power
of the adversary is certain. Yet, Satan seeks to rob
them of the everlasting consolation and good hope,
which the apprehension of this grace is calculated
to produce.

In no other path can true happiness be experienced,
but by walking in Christ Jesus the Lord; owning
Him as our Master, and seeking only to do his will,
as having life in Christ, righteousness in Christ,
strength in Christ, a friend at all times in Christ,
victory over sin, death and the grave, Satan and the
world in Christ. In Short, as having all spiritual
blessings in heavenly places in Christ.
(Eph 1:3)
"Crumbs For The Lord's Little Ones"

Reader, you do know,don't you, that Christ is in
you? He must be in you for you to have all the
benefits of His care. But you are also in Christ
who has everything you need to live the
Christian life in an ever changing world.

So Will It Be

'Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be 
in the days of the Son of Man. They were 
eating and drinking and marrying and being
given in marriage, until the day when Noah
entered the ark, and the flood came and
destroyed them all. Likewise, just as it was in 
the days of Lot--they were eating and drinking, 
buying and selling, planting and building, but 
on the day when Lot went out  from Sodom, fire 
and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyed 
them all--so will it be when the Son of Man is 
revealed.' (Luke 17:26-30)

Reader, I do not know about you but  Friday
my heart was mourning for America. She has
made her choice--to ignore God.
Trouble is coming...
But, reader, we have a great hope!

Affectionately Desirous

What beautiful two words! Paul approached the
Thessalonians from a heart full of tender love:

'...we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother
taking care of her own children. So, being
affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to
share with you not only the gospel of God but also
our own selves, because you had become very dear
 to us.' (I Thes. 2:7,8)

This from a proud, arrogant, brutal man who had once
persecuted the church. Even today Christians refuse to
read the Pauline letters because they say he is too harsh,
unfeeling. But I see a passionate man whom God has
filled with both words and heart. His desire is to bring
people into the kingdom no matter what it costs him.

Oh, reader, that we might allow God to put His
passion into us. This age is one of complacent apathy.
Time is short. Oh, Lord give me, give us, a heart to
see people saved and filled with your life giving Spirit!

These Believers

I have been thinking about the time frame of the
birth of the Thessalonian Church. If Paul preached
three Saturdays in the Synagogue, then he was only
present for two weeks before getting thrown out.
This body of believers was made up of Jews,
devout Greeks, leading women, but the bulk
were from the slave class. How long does it take
to both introduce Christ and disciple them? My
guess is that Paul was in the city for at least two
months. God never left him anywhere, except
Ephesus, more than four months. It is amazing to
me is that this small church plant made up of such
a diversity of saints, was so united that they were
able to sustain and grow under much affliction
and become:

"An example to all the believers in Macedonia
and Achcia...your faith in God has gone forth
everywhere, so that we need not say anything."

The Thessalonians had such a grasp on what it
means to live Christ that they were an example to
all the churches in that area. Persecution of the
Saints never stopped, but fueled their passion.

Oh, God, would that we the church in America
would be filled by You and known for our joy,
godliness and perseverance.
Revive us, Oh Lord!

Why Thessalonica?

Why did Paul go to Thessalonica on his second
missionary journey? Three important things drew
the man.

l. This city was the chief station on the great
Roman road called the Via Egnacia, which
connected Rome with that region.
2. It's centrality and connection with other roads,
made it a perfect place for the gospel to spread.
3. Trade brought Jews to the city and Paul knew
he would find a synagogue there.

As I read through the book of Thessalonians, I
am drawn to details, and you, dear reader, may
wonder about some of these things also. Google
the Via Egnacia and look up Thessalonica as
it was back in Paul's time. I am drawn to maps,
but especially maps of the places mentioned in
scripture. Real people lived and died in real
places!

JOY!

'And you became imitators of us and of the Lord 
when, in spite of severe persecution, you welcomed 
the message with joy from the Holy Spirit.' 1:6

There was something about these three men,--Paul,
Silvanus, Timothy-- that caught and held the attention
of this fledgling group of believers. I picture the room
as people pour in. I catch the love and joy of these
three teachers. Everyone is talking and laughing,
eager to share and eager to listen.

What is the difference between joy and happiness?
Happiness is tied to "happenstance" and runs on
the surface. But joy runs deep, far below the roaring
waves on the surface. Happiness will not sustain
when times are tough, but joy is birthed from God's
life within, does not change even in the midst of
tears. Persecution came quickly to these young
believers, but through the power of the Holy Spirit,
Paul says they welcomed the message given with
joy.

Readers, pause and ask yourself this question:
'Do I live life from the surface or do my roots go
down deep where joy dwells?'

Power

In the three weeks that Paul was among the Thessalonians
God moved in a mighty way:

"For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but
also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with much
assurance." 1:5

Paul, by now, knew that his time with them would be
short--he rarely stayed in one place longer than four
months. He redeemed the time by holding meetings
morning, afternoon and evenings. All three men were
needed for such an intense schedule! A few Jews
responded to his message but the illiterate poor were
hungry--for God. They heard, they believed, they
experienced God's changing power within, and then
they shared it with others. The presence of God was
palpable and the numbers increased. Unknown to this
excited bunch of Christians, God had set them apart
for many afflictions and knowing God's power would
be key to their endurance.

Reader, have you ever walked into a room where the
presence of God filled the place? I am not talking about
man's efforts to rev up the sheep, but an atmosphere of
purity, joy, anticipation. During the Welsh revival a
drunk was heading home late one night and noticed a
light on in the church so he opened the door. He was
instantly overwhelmed and whispered, "God is here."
When God begins to move lives change, bars are
closed for lack of customers and the jail sits idle. Now
that is the power and the presence of the Holy Spirit!

Oh Lord, open the heavens and send us rain.
    

Day Two; Hope

I keep bumping into the word hope. It is
everywhere in scripture!

"We give thanks to God always for all of you, 
constantly mentioning you in our prayers, 
remembering before our God and Father your 
work of faith and labor of love and 
steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
(1Thes 1:3)

Paul gives thanks to God for them because of

• Their work of faith
• Their labor of love
• Their steadfastness of hope

I lost a dear friend a few months ago, but in the
midst of my sorrow comes the hope that I will
see Janet again. Hope based on truth.

I have a long standing grief over a one way
relationship but because I am in Christ I can
persevere in the loving-- well-- most of the
time.It is hard work. My hope is not based
on his changing but on God who is my hope.

Elisabeth Elliot died at age 98. I found a recent
photo and saw God's imprint in her face.
Elisabeth walked a life of loving, serving and
losing, but in the losing she remained steadfast
in hope. I need, we need, to be around people
who live hope in the now.

"...and hope does not disappoint, because 
the love of God has been poured out within 
our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was 
given to us." (Rom 5:5)

Reader, your hope is not based on your feelings
or your circumstances, but on God's love for
you.

Week One; Day One

What is this? Well, yesterday I was dry with nothing
to share. I breathed a prayer, "Help!" Today I opened
to Day One of the Beth Moore study in 1st and 2nd
Thessalonians. Am now so full I don't know where to
start!

Paul is writing to those "who are in God the Father and 
the Lord Jesus Christ." In Christ. This is what set them
apart from all the others who dwelt in that city.

In John 17:20 Jesus utters a heartfelt 'prayer for his
disciples and for those who would believe in Him
through their words.' Paul was one for whom Jesus
prayed and was in Thessaloniki for only three weeks.
Here is where it gets exciting. The descendants of
those believers are alive and well today. Not long ago
five hundred or so gathered together to worship in three
languages: "Christ Alone My Cornerstone" At the end
of that service 60 came forward with melted hearts to
receive Jesus, everyone of them an answer to the prayer
of Jesus two thousand years ago.

Reader, Jesus prayed for all who would come to Him.
You, dear sister, brother, are a shining result of that prayer!
You are unique; you are special; you are His.

The God of All Comfort

Don't you love that word "comfort?" It is like a warm
fuzzy blanket before the fire on a cold winter's night;
the hug of a friend in the midst of deep sorrow; the
kiss of a mom when the the milk spills; it is a brilliant
sunset after a hard day.

"God will comfort us on every side"
"In the multitude of my thoughts within me, thy 
comforts delight my soul."
...Comfort ye my people, saith the Lord your God."

Reader, do your really believe that your God is the
God of all comfort? Is your Christian life comfortable
or uncomfortable? Do you know Him as the God who
comforts in all tribulations? Man scolds; God comforts.

Fear not, for you belong to the God of Salvation!
I don't know about you, reader, but I want to walk
every moment in the comfort of my loving Papa.

Pauls prayer for the Thessalonians who were under
great persecution:
"Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, 
even our Father, who has loved us and has 
given us everlasting consolation and good hope 
through grace, comfort your hearts, and establish 
you in every good word and work."

What a benediction! Let it roll around in your spirit
that you might find comfort in your greatest need.

A Word of Hope

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,
plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future
and a hope. (Jer 29:11

God has plans for me. The living God, the creator of
the universe, has plans for me, today--and in the future.
Plans for welfare, not evil. Peace, wholeness, health,
fullness, satisfaction, rest, completeness, stability,
hope. Hope that is based on truth. Hope that will not
disappoint. Hope that brings comfort to my soul.
He holds my future. I am His, only His. He holds
onto me when the waves crash and I am helpless
having lost my grip.

Dear Papa, I forget. I even accuse You of doing bad
things to me. I may be sinking in the rapids of life, but
You have said that I have a future. In You I have hope.
I look at the now but you see events from an eternal
perspective. I cannot measure good from the perspective
of the now. Seal this Word of Hope into my very being.
May those who read this renew their hope.

Revive Us, O God!

I woke up with the words:
"Let nothing come between you and your God."
It rolled around in my head as I came to and
then came the song, "Lead me to the cross."

I have been wandering in the wilderness of self.
The nine days of prayer for revival has punched
a welcome hole into that hideous thing called me.
Ann Graham Lotz said to draw a circle around
ourselves for that is where revival must begin.
The call of "Mayday Mayday" has not stopped
with that ninth day. Whether we know it or not,
we are in desperate need to know the God of
power and glory. Oh, God, have mercy...

"Come, restore us. Let your face shine, that 
we may be saved." (Ps 84:3,7,19)

A Heart

Himself has come after us! The Father of
Eternity; the One who having made all
things at the beginning shall give them
their final shape at the end. At the center
of the universe is not merely a power
holding things together--but a heart...
FW Grant

Oh, reader, are you not thrilled that our
God has a heart, a soft heart, not one
made of stone!

Our 1400 Mile Trip

On May 31st we left Weiser and spent about ten
hours on the road to Coeur d'Alene which is far
north. It included a scenic route that had many
twists, turns, trees and only a few glimpses of the
lake. We did see much of western Idaho which
included changes in moisture, types of mountains
and general topography of each region. This was
Glen's first trip that far north. We found a very
nice motel just minutes from a wonderful restaurant
with a patio and lake. An added bonus was Bunny,
a horse that was munching on fresh grass just over
a short wall. His owner was at the next table and
had the other end of his halter. She rode him the two
miles from home, while her husband roller bladed
beside her. Only in Idaho! I had fresh
Pan Fried Trout, herbed potatoes and asparagus
with cheese cake for desert.
We walked the lake at sunset.

Monday we drove to Sandpoint which is about
forty miles north, and discovered Trinity Beach
and a restaurant with a patio that overlooked a
sandy beach where small children frolicked in
the shallow water. Lunch was a delight. That
evening we had dinner on the patio with some
old friends from our missionary days. Paul was
the CEO of MAI. The joy we experienced with
them that evening is a taste of what is coming
in the future when all that is negative will be
swallowed up in the presence of our King! We
lost track of time--until it started to rain. Thunder
rumbled most of the night.

Tuesday we drove across the top of the state
and headed for Montana at a leisurely pace with
a stop at the oldest still standing building in
Idaho. It was a Catholic Church with high painted
ceilings. The Forest Ranger kept ten year olds
quiet with the story of how a building can come
together without power tools or nails! Forty kids
sat still on the floor, asked good questions, and
listened to the answers. Only in Idaho!

As we drove into Montana the scenery began to
change into rolling green hills surrounded by
mountains--lots of sky. About 5PM we came into
Butte and stopped at Toad Hall Manor--you know,
Wind in the Willows--. What a delightful B&B!
Our host served up cold drinks and then suggested
a newly opened restaurant. Again we dined on
excellent food and came back feeling spoiled.
However, it was only the beginning because at
7:30AM there was a knock on the door and soon
we were enjoying hot coffee and scones. Breakfast
was served an hour later on the deck with the
temperature at 50 degrees. No one found it cold
in the brilliant sunshine. Eat your heart out,
you Easterners!

Wednesday we crossed a 7,000 ft pass which put
us back into Idaho. The higher peaks still had
snow. Butte itself is a mile high. It took me awhile
to realize just why we were so tired! We stayed in
Idaho Falls and it was early to bed!

Thursday morning we took a country road that
took us past and into the Experimental Breeder
Reactor built in the 50's and turned into a
museum in the 60's. It was the first place to
breed Plutonium. Glen was in hog heaven!
From there we headed to Craters of the Moon
by way of Pickles--a restaurant-- where I had
an Atomic Burger. Really... We arrived at the
National Parkand found ourselves in a strange
land of lava fields, mountains of ash, caves and
lava vents. It did look like the face of the moon!
The volcano last erupted about 1,000 years ago
and is evidently tied to the lava generated under
Yellowstone Park. The volcano carved out the
Snake River Valley and made it impossible for
the wagon trains to come that way. We drove
for miles before we ran out of old lava. What
an event that must have been! The west is
dotted with extinct and dormant volcanoes--
something you don't find much of in the east.
Perhaps it is for the better...

Friday we headed home leaving behind the
ice caves and Shoshone Falls for another time.
We stopped at an Air Force Base so I could
get a new ID card and so we could do a little
shopping. It brought back memories of our
time in the military.

That evening God capped off our wonderful
vacation with a spectacular sunset--just for
us.

As I sit outside drinking in the flowers and
gorgeous blue sky, I'm feeling so grateful
for our trip--and the coming home. The
hummers are into the fresh sweet nectar,
a butterfly flits among the flowers. I notice
that the garden needs weeding--again.

Well, Reader, now you know why it has
been so quiet on this end.