1 Thessalonians: Solid Foundation

1 Thessalonians 1:4, 5

Knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God. For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.

When sharing the truth about the Gospel of God, it's vital that your lives match that truth. The old saying goes, "Actions speak louder than words." 

You know what kind of men we were: How we preached, and how we lived; our doctrines and our practices ever corresponding. And for your sakes we sustained difficulties, endured hardships, and were incessant in our labors. Adam Clarke Commentary

It's easy to say something, and it can be much more difficult to live it. But God has supplied the power to do so, the Holy Spirit. 

Paul begins this book by letting the people at the Church of Thessalonica that he prays for them, and reminds them of who they are — in Christ. That is the solid foundation on which they live their lives.

Power is Readily Available

As I was studying Galatians 5;22, 23, I decided to see what other verses used the same words.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)

After I finished studying Galatians 5:22-23, I decided to see what other verses used the same words. I don't think I ever noticed how often God tells us to live — the "Fruit of the Spirit". I think that God knew that we needed many reminders and explanations of how He wants to live our lives. 

Today, I'm studying 2 Peter 1:5-7. It starts with "for this very reason" — for this very purpose.

But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 2 Peter 1:5-7 (NKJV)

I've been thinking about the meaning of "for this very reason". It's not haphazard. There is a very specific purpose that we are — giving all diligence.

Giving all diligence: from speudo; "speed", with eagerness, earnestness.

But before we get to 2 Peter 1:5-7, we should stop and look back at the very specific reason we should quickly with earnestness proceed.

2 Peter 1:1-4

Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

The two thoughts that stand out to me in these verses are: 1. I owe my live to Jesus Christ. I am his bondservant — because without Him, I would be left in my sin and separated from God. 2. God gives me the power and wisdom needed to live the life He asks me to live. I don't have to do it alone. 

Because of those two facts, for that very reason — and am to speedily with earnest, ADD........ 

Add: "bring deeply into," to carrying through with real personal involvement (energy). This strongly stresses the need of the believer's deep, personal involvement in the faith-life

Faith: Faith is only (exclusively) given to the redeemed. It is not a virtue that can be worked up by human effort.

Virtue: moral excellence, which is displayed to enrich life

Knowledge: moral wisdom, such as is seen in right living

Self-control: dominion mastery, proceeding out from within oneself, but not by oneself — only be accomplished by the power of the Lord.

Perseverance: steadfastness, constancy, endurance, the characteristic of a man who is unswerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings

Godliness: reverence, respect, piety toward God

Brotherly kindness: the love which Christians cherish for each other as 'brethren'

Love: love which centers in moral preference;  typically refers to divine love = what God prefers

http://biblehub.com/interlinear/2_peter/1-5.htm

There is a theme that runs through the meaning of these words — moral. And that morality is not based on feelings, or what I perceive to be moral on any given day. No, these are all based on what God says is morality. 

And since they are each based upon the Holy and Upright God, God Almighty, there is no way I, as a sinner, could even begin to achieve or live out any of these characteristics — EXCEPT for the fact that God says that HE gives me the power and wisdom needed to do so! 

The focus for this particular study is "self-control". Before I can have dominion mastery, I just first make sure that I'm accepting God's faith, virtue, and knowledge. For those are the foundation necessary to having self-control. 

Dominion Mastery — can only be accomplished by the power of the Lord. And that power is readily available. The question is, am I willing to accept it? 

Thanks Living: Unthankful

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 2 Timothy 3:1-5

Don't think being unthankful is a 'big deal'? Read these verses again.

Look at the list:

Lovers of themselves: friend; expresses experience-based love

Lovers of money: greedy

Boasters: empty pretender

Proud: with an overweening estimate of one's means or merits, despising others or even treating them with contempt, haughty

Blasphemers: speaking evil, slanderous, reproachful, abusive

Disobedient to parents: impersuasible, uncompliant, contumacious

UNTHANKFUL: ungracious

Unholy: impious, wicked

Unloving: without natural affection

Unforgiving: implacable, irreconcilable

Slanderers: prone to accuse falsely

Without self-control: given to or characterized by excessive indulgence

Brutal: fierce, savage

Despisers of good: hostile to virtue and to those that are good

Traitors: betrayer

Headstrong: rash, reckless, act without thinking

Haughty: to inflate with self-conceit, high-minded

Lovers of pleasure: characterized by luxury or sensual pleasure

RATHER THAN: it is opposed to something else and does away with it

Lovers of God: fond of God, i.e. Pious 

Having the form of godliness: appearance of respect of God

Denying: disavow, reject, abnegate, refuse

Power: strength, mighty (wonderful) work

Turn away: to shun, avoid

We all would have to agree that we do like people who exhibit these characteristics. And included in this list is "unthankful". So, it is a big deal. 

Unthankful. Ungrateful. 

Not feeling or showing pleasure, relief, or gratitude.

Careless, cruel, heedless, inappreciative, rude, self-centered, thoughtless, unappreciated, unappreciative, ungracious, ungrateful, unmindful.

Unthankful. 

This is an attitude that makes us bitter and open to all the other characteristics lists in 2 Timothy 3:1-5. Look at the list again. If one is truly thankful, than that sets self aside. And to me, this list looks like the focus is on "me, myself, and I".  Perhaps beginning with changing the attitude of "unthankful" to "thankful", the entire list would change to characteristics of true lovers of God. 

Thanks Living, is important as it is one of the foundations for truly loving God and respecting and honoring God. 

My prayer is that I have a thankful heart and attitude.

Thanks Living: Solid Foundation—Faithful

Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments. Deuteronomy 7:9

Know: have knowledge, make to be known, be learned, perceive, understand, have understanding

Faithful: verified, confirmed, establish, stedfast, sure

Keeps: properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. Guard; generally, to protect, attend to

Mercy: favor, good deed, kindly, loving-kindness, merciful kindness

Perceive, have understanding, that God, my God is first and foremost GOD! And He is a faithful God! He keeps His promises. Faithful and true. 

Thanks Living begins with having an understanding that God is God and that He is faithful. Knowing that God is the constant and remains faithful, is the solid foundation on which our faith is based. Knowing that God is faithful gives us the assurance that He will accomplish all that He has promised. So, in the midst of trouble, we can know that God is steadfast and sure—and that creates a heart of thanksgiving. 

Thanks Living is not based on gifts received, or a feeling. Rather, it's based on the solid foundation of God Himself—the faithful and true God! 

Proverbs 10:23-26 Indefinite futurity!

To do evil is like sport to a fool, but a man of understanding has wisdom. The fear of the wicked will come upon him, and the desire of the righteous will be granted. When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no more, but the righteous has an everlasting foundation. As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the lazy man to those who send him. Proverbs 10:23-26

Evil: wickedness in act

Understanding: the faculty, discernment

Wisdom: skillful, wisely, wit

Fear: terror, affright

Desire: a longing, lusting

Granted: to give, bestow

Whirlwind: that makes an end; judgments

Everlasting: indefinite futurity, with preposition for ever, always

Lazy: indolent, sluggard; (slothful and unprofitable servant)

As I read that first phrase, "to do evil is like a sport to a fool" it made me think of the riots and chaos we've seen in the news lately. Those taking part think stealing, burning down buildings, etc. is a sport. It's great fun. Sadly, they pay no attention to the consequences of their actions—people lose their merchandise, income, buildings, and livelihoods. All that is happening is destroying their very own communities. And soon they are left with nothing. 

The next phrase that caught my attention was, "but the righteous has an everlasting foundation". I like the definition of "everlasting": indefinite futurity. What a great security that is! Wisdom provides a foundation that is not only rock solid—but is indefinite futurity! 

As we look at what is happening in the world. The chaos and killings. No matter what happens, the righteous know that they have an indefinite futurity in Christ. Their foundation is rock solid and will last forever. 

An indefinite futurity foundation begins with a heart permitted with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). And as one learns and applies wisdom that foundation only gets stronger! 

Indefinite futurity! 

Sounds Good, But Is It Truth?

"I say this in order that no one may mislead and delude you by plausible and persuasive and attractive arguments and beguiling speech." Colossians 2:4 (AMP)

"Attractive arguments and beguiling speech." Or arguments that merely sound good. 

Often we hear people present very persuasive argument for what they think is right. The real test is to compare what is said to what God says. Remember He is the Truth. He is the authority. He is God. 

We like to hear speeches that make us feel good. However, if what is said in those speeches is not Truth, than it's as dangerous as poison. For that poison destroys the very foundation on which everything is based—God's Truth.

And often the things we hear, even use Scripture to "prove" the points. That is why Paul prays so earnestly that the believers become "intimately acquainted with and may know more definitely and accurately and thoroughly that mystic secret of God" (Col 2:3). For only in thoroughly knowing God's Word will we be able to discern Truth from lies. 

We must not let Satan make lies that sound good, become foundations on which we build our lives. We must make sure that our foundation on which we base our decisions, our action, our words, be based on the Fear of God Almighty and His Truth. 

If I want to have a solid foundation of TRUTH, it begins with being permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG). 

And if I want to continuing living my life in accordance with God's Truth, I must continually be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG).

What Do I Pray? Part 2

[For my concern is] that their hearts may be braced (comforted, cheered, and encouraged) as they are knit together in love, that they may come to have all the abounding wealth and blessings of assured conviction of understanding, and that they may become progressively more intimately acquainted with and may know more definitely and accurately and thoroughly that mystic secret of God, [which is] Christ (the Anointed One). Colossians 2:2 (AMP)

"that they may come to have all the abounding wealth and blessings of assured conviction of understanding" (AMP)

"rich in their ·understanding [ assurance of understanding]" (EXB)

There is a progression in this prayer that Paul has for the Colossians. First, that they be comforted and encouraged as they are knit together in the God's love. Once that foundation is laid, then each person can then come to a clear insightful understanding accompanied with blessings of understanding of the Gospel. 

Clear insight. Abounding wealth and blessings—not based on things but rather based on a solid foundation of understanding the saving grace of God. 

• Only with a solid foundation, is it possible to withstand the storms of everyday life.

• Only with a solid foundation, is it possible to have discernment of Truth.

• Only with a solid foundation is it possible to enjoy fellowship and friendship with God. 

What a great prayer to pray for others, that they will may have abounding wealth and blessing of assurance of the saving grace of God! Wow! 

And understanding of conviction starts with a heart permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG).

Grounded and Settled

And this He will do] provided that you continue to stay with andin the faith [in Christ], well-grounded and settled and steadfast, not shifting or moving away from the hope [which rests on and is inspired by] the glad tidings (the Gospel), which you heard and which has been preached [as being designed for and offered without restrictions] to every person under heaven, and of which [Gospel] I, Paul, became a minister. Colossians 1:23 (AMP)

Grounded and settled not in me or what I have done, rather I am grounded and settled in the firm, steadfast, unmovable, unchangeable, rock-solid foundation of Jesus Christ. 

Being grounded and settled in the rock-solid foundation of Jesus Christ

provides SECURITY.

Being grounded and settled in the rock-solid foundation of Jesus Christ

provides STABILITY.

Being grounded and settled in the rock-solid foundation of Jesus Christ

provides SAFETY.

Being grounded and settled in the rock-solid foundation of Jesus Christ

provides SANCTUARY.

Being grounded and settled in the rock-solid foundation of Jesus Christ

provides all the SUPPLIES for needs.

Being grounded and settled in the rock-solid foundation of Jesus Christ

provides STEADFASTNESS.

"not shifting or moving away from the hope"

Not only am I to be grounded and settled... but set in stone, or cemented so that I will not shift or bend as the winds of inciting ungodly whims blow my way. 

Satan makes sin look enjoyable and fun, however, it's a short-lived and empty fun. Sin has consequences. And the biggest is that it hinders and destroys a personal relationship with God. 

Being grounded and settled in the rock-solid foundation of Jesus Christ begins with faith and trust in Him for salvation, and continues as I am permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG).

Security

"And He Himself existed before all things, and in Him all things consist (cohere, are held together)." Colossians 1:17 (AMP)

God, who is from everlasting to everlasting. 

All things consist, are held together—by HIM! Think about the stability and continuance in just the sun rising each and every day, or the stars being held in place (Psalm 8:3).

"There is something comforting about a billion stars being held steady by a God who knows what He is doing!" 

A God who is from everlasting to everlasting, who holds everything together..... yes, there is complete security in Him! 

Permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG), begins with the understanding of who God is, and that He is the solid foundation upon which to place my security and trust.

Growing in the Knowledge

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 100. Here is what I learned.

Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his[a]; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Psalm 100:3 (NIV)

Knowledge provides a good foundation. If I “know” that the Lord is God, that creates a firm foundation on which I can rest secure. Since the fact that the Lord is God is truth, that fact allows me to trust all that the Lord says in His Word. He is truth, therefore, He can only speak truth. 

Know ye that the Lord he is God - Acknowledge in every possible way, both in public and private, that Jehovah, the uncreated self-existent, and eternal Being, is Elohim, the God who is in covenant with man, to instruct, redeem, love, and make him finally happy. Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Knowledge can be gained in several ways. 1. Study, in this case studying God’s Word. 2. Experience. 3. From other’s who have studied or experienced. 

I went to college and graduated with a BS degree. I have a diploma which states that I studied and passed the requirements to be awarded that diploma. I gained the knowledge necessary to be awarded the degree. 

God doesn’t give diplomas. But I would still like to strive to master what I need to understand and know about God.... so that I can achieve a deeper understanding and appreciation for Who God is and all He does for me. 

To create a positive day, I need to continue in growing in the knowledge that the Lord is God. 

Rock-solid Friendships

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 16. Here is what I learned.

The beauty of faith-filled people encompasses me. They are true, and my heart is thrilled beyond measure. Psalm 16:3 (VOICE)

As for the godly (the saints) who are in the land, they are the excellent, the noble, and the glorious, in whom is all my delight. Psalm 16:3 (AMP)

And these God-chosen lives all around— what splendid friends they make! Psalm 16:3 (MSG)

This verse is probably to be regarded as a further statement of the evidence of the attachment of the psalmist to God. In the previous verse, according to the interpretation proposed, he states that his happiness - his all was centered in God. He had no hope of anything except in him; none beyond him; none besides him.

In this verse he states, as a further proof of his attachment to him, that he regarded with deep affection the saints of God; that he found his happiness, not in the society of the wicked, but in the friendship of the excellent of the earth. The verse may be thus rendered: "As to the saints in the earth (or in respect to the saints in the earth), and to the excellent, all my delight is in them." In the former verse he had stated that, as to God, or in respect to God, he had no source of blessing, no hope, no joy, beyond him, or independent of him; in this verse he says that in respect to the saints - the excellent of the earth - all his delight was in them. Thus he was conscious of true attachment to God and to his people. Thus he had what must ever be essentially the evidence of true piety - a feeling that God is all in all, and real love for those who are his; a feeling that there is nothing beyond God, or without God, that can meet the wants of the soul, and a sincere affection for all who are his friends on earth. Barnes' Notes on the Bible

It would seem logical, that if I enjoy God’s company, that I’d enjoy the company of those who love God. I think of my friends, we may not have a lot of common interests, but the one thing we do have in common is our love for God. That single bond is greater and stronger than liking the same sports team, or liking the same hobby. For loving God is the foundation for life and sets the standards for living. 

True friendship is grounded in each individuals love for God. The more each person loves God and aims to accomplish God’s will, the friendship is stronger and more enjoyable. 

To create a positive day, I first must make sure my relationship with God is right and strong, then I can enjoy rock-solid friendships that have God as the foundation. 

Ultimate Exactitude!

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 33. Here is what I learned.

God’s word is ·true [upright; virtuous], and everything he does is ·right [faithful]. Psalm 33:4 (EXB)

The word of the Lord is correct, and everything he does is trustworthy. Psalm 33:4 (GW)

For the word of the Lord is right - The command; the law; the promise of God. Whatever he "says" is right; or, is true. It is worthy of universal belief; and should, therefore, be a reason for praise. The fact that God says a thing is the highest proof that it is true.

And all his works are done in truth - Or rather, "in faithfulness." That is, All that he does is executed faithfully. He does all that he promises, and all that he does is such as to claim universal confidence. Whatever he does is, from the very fact that He does it, worthy of the confidence of all his creatures. None, however they may be affected by what he does, have any reason to doubt that it is perfectly right. God is the only Being of whom we have any knowledge, concerning whom we can feel this certain assurance. Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Truth. Absolute. 

Truth: accuracy, actuality, authenticity, certainty, correctness,  exactitude, exactness, fact, facts, factualism, factuality, factualness, genuineness, gospel truth, gospel, honest truth, infallibility, legitimacy, perfection, precision, principle, rightness, trueness, truism, truthfulness, unvarnished truth, veracity, verisimilitude, verity.

With truth, comes trust. When someone lies to us, trust is broken and relationships are broken. However, truth leads to trust and strong relationships. God not only speaks truth — He is truth. God is the ultimate exactitude! He cannot lie. He can be only truth for that is Who He is, and He can be nothing else. 

What does it mean to me that God is the ultimate exactitude? That provides me with great assurance. Knowing that God is truth and speaks truth, those promises that I’m standing on.. that rock-solid foundation... is not going to waver, or shake. I can rest assured that God says what He means, and means what He says. No question on if He’ll “change His mind”, or have a different story to tell today. God was, is, and will always remain faithful and true. God is the ultimate exactitude! 

Knowing that God means what He says, and says what He means provides the basis for a positive day!

Standing Tall!

Throughout this year, each day of the month, I'm "Treasure Hunting" in a Psalm. I've created a "Ponder Every Morsel of Truth" Book to record the truths as I learn them. The twenty-seventh of each month, I'm studying Psalm 121. Here's what Treasure I found today.

He will not let your foot slip--he who watches over you will not slumber; Psalm 121:3 (NIV)

He will not let ·you be defeated [your feet be moved/slip]. He who ·guards [watches] you never sleeps. Psalm 121:3 (EXB)

He won’t let you stumble, your Guardian God won’t fall asleep. Psalm 121:3 (MSG)

Not: nay, neither, never, no, nor, not, nothing.

Be moved: a shaking; tottering, wavering.

On February 25, 2013 my Ponder Morsel was “Mighty God One.” God is my sure foundation–Rock, cliff, mighty God one. Solid, sure, and strong. If I’m standing on that sure foundation, I will not be shaken!  When standing on God’s foundation, that is sure and steadfast, I can remain “standing tall”. 

There is an old gospel song, “Standing on the Promises”. 

When I’m “standing on the promises” I will not be shaken, no matter what is happening around me. Satan can be creating earthquakes of fear, doubt, and disappointments, but if I remain standing on God’s rock-solid foundation—I won’t even shake! I will remain standing tall. 

I use crutches due to nerve damage in my left leg. The left leg doesn’t always support me. One thing I’ve learned about winter, is that crutches are not very reliable on ice. My sure footing, no matter how careful I am, disappears on a sheet of ice. Sometimes I fall down, other times, I catch myself and often twist my back... yes ouch. On a sheet of ice, I don’t remain standing tall, my footing is shaken, and I find myself tottering, and even falling. 

Each day, I have a choice on where I’ll stand; on God’s rock-solid foundation, or on the slippery slopes Satan provides... including fear, doubt, and disappointments. I’d much rather my feet be on the rock-solid foundation so that I’m not shaken! I want to be standing tall. 

To create a positive day, I must be trusting God and remain on His rock-solid foundation, so that I will not be shaken, but rather I’ll be standing tall! 

Mighty God One!

Throughout this year, each day of the month, I'm "Treasure Hunting" in a Psalm. I've created a "Ponder Every Morsel of Truth" Book to record the truths as I learn them. The twenty-fifth of each month, I'm studying Psalm 62. Here's what Treasure I found today.

He is my rock and my ·salvation [victory]. He is my ·defender [fortress]; I will not be ·defeated [shaken]. Psalm 62:6 (EXB)

He’s solid rock under my feet, breathing room for my soul, An impregnable castle: I’m set for life. Psalm 62:6 (MSG)

Rock: rock, cliff, mighty God one, strength, strong.

Rock, cliff, mighty God one. Solid, sure, and strong. Is that where I’ve placed my faith and trust? Or am I relying on a small pebble? Not sure about you, but my feet are too big to have a sure footing on a pebble. And a pebble may even crush beneath my weight. 

Rock, cliff, mighty God one. Solid, sure, and strong. My name means “strong, powerful one”. And at times, I think I am invincible. I often have this “I can do anything—myself” attitude. However, I’m learning that although I can do some things.... I am not invincible. 

Unlike me, God’s name is a very true and accurate description of Him. He is the solid cliff under my feet. He is might God one! He is my sure foundation. 

Mighty God One!

(by Rhonda Sawtelle)

Rock, cliff, mighty God one. Solid, sure, and strong.

“I can do it myself” that attitude is really wrong.

Going it on my own, is not a wise choice at all—

And without God, I am just heading for a fall.

Rock, cliff, mighty God one. Solid, sure, and strong.

Trust in Him, should be easy, but I’m so headstrong.

But God is a sure foundation, waiting for me to stand,

And when I fall, He’ll make sure on my feet I’ll land. 

Rock, cliff, mighty God one. Solid, sure, and strong.

No matter my failures, doubts, and all I’ve done wrong.

God is patiently waiting—steadfast and true.

And no matter what I do, He simply says, “Trust me, I love you.”

Rock, cliff, mighty God one. Solid, sure, and strong.

A firm foundation, rock-solid my whole lifelong.

Rock-solid, steadfast, mighty God one, unshakable!

God is faithful and true and that is unmistakable.

When I’m relying on a firm foundation, rock-solid, faithful and true, my day is filled with positive blessings from Mighty God One!