What does God want to do in your life?

Please read the verses below, ( which deal with the Church of Thessalonica ) and then let's look together at the answer found right after these verses.

1 Thessalonians 1:6 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,

1 Thessalonians 1:7 so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.

1 Thessalonians 1:8 For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.

1 Thessalonians 1:9 For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,

1 Thessalonians 1:10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

I believe, the answer to the question is found in the model and the example of the church of Thessalonica, the church that Paul the apostle founded, and in the 8 things that are said in the verses listed above.....

1. They became followers of the Lord

2. They became examples to their nation.

3. They were used to get the Word of God out.

4. They had faith in God which was evident

5. They had turned to God away from idols.

6. They were serving the living and true God.

7. They were waiting for the coming of again of Jesus Christ.

8. They were delivered from the wrath of God

Not much comment is needed here, or much by way of explanation. What they were stands out very clearly. What they were was the direct result of 3 things by the way, They received the Word of God, the Holy Spirit was at work in their lives, and they did not allow present trials or difficulties keep them from becoming what God wanted them to be.

Let's just go back over the list again, quickly.....followers of Jesus, examples to other believers, used by God to get the Word out to others, their faith was very evident to others, they had turned away from idols, they were serving the living and true God, they were waiting for the second coming of Jesus Christ, and they were also delivered from the coming wrath, or judgement of God.

I would say to myself, and to anyone reading this devotional, that these are things we can pray for in our lives. This tremendous example that is given to us, is not unusual, in terms of this ought to be the normal christian life. These are the kinds of things that God does in the life of any persons who are open to Him, to His Word, and to the work of the Holy Spirit, and are receptive to God's Word, and are responsive to God's Word.

Let's pray right now. Lord, my heart may be yearning to grow and to move on into what You have for me. You are the potter, I am the clay. Mold me and make me after Your own way. I know that with and in Christ, I can do all the things that You want for me, and I know that You give us the power of the Holy Spirit, when asked for.......You will do that for any who ask. We ask today, to be Baptized Freshly in the Holy Spirit. Begin making us more and more in what You want us to be. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Application/Promise

1. God can do it.

2. God will do it.

3. God may already be starting to do it in your life.

4. God calls us to believe Him.

5. God calls us to act upon His Word.

6. God has a life for you to live.

7. God will finish the work that He has begun in you.

8. God can be served today.

9. God has delivered you from coming judgment.

10. Jesus will return someday, and take you to heaven.

Anger, God has a better way.

Getting angry will not accomplish the righteous purpose and ways of God. He has a better way to go about it.

What anger cannot do.......

James 1:19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;

James 1:20n for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

James 1:21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

James moves to a new subject here.....Anger, or as he calls it the "Wrath of Man"

But, leading up to that he says a number of things.

1. He tells us we are beloved brethren. God loves us.

2. He tells us to be swift to hear.

3. He tells us to be slow to speak.

4. He tells us to be slow to wrath, or get angry.

In these four things, we are reminded of who we are, we are indeed loved by God, and He as our father then, gives us this instruction about our actions, our hearts and our words. These are God's instructions, that will help us greatly in our lives, and in our relationships with others. Quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.

Then he explains more about anger, specifically, what it will not, and cannot accomplish. Our getting angry about something is not going to bring about the God's ways, and God's will in a situation. We will not accomplish what we might think by getting angry.

Finally, in these verses, we are told lay aside, or get rid of, to put our of our lives, any and all things that are filthy. And, then in humility of spirit, to accept the message that God has planted in our hearts, because it's powerful enough to save our very souls.

He will talk more about our relationship to the Word of God in the next few verses. We will look at that tomorrow.......

But, this is plenty to chew on, and to think about, and to digest. May what's said here in James 1:19-21 become a part of our lives. May we take these many things that have been given to us, and by God's grace, and our faith in action, put them into practice in our lives this very day. What are they?

Quick to listen.

Slow to speak.

Slow to get angry.

Put sin and evil out of our lives.

Humbly receive God's Word.

Blessings to you today, of God's grace, mercy and peace.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Application/Promises

1. We probably need to hear what James is saying.

2. God knows we are all pretty much alike.

3. God wants to curb our tendencies and make us like Him.

4. If we will open our hearts to this instruction, it will change us.

5. Will you think about what was said here?

6. Will you read it again, and then think about it again?

7. God has blessings in store for you.

8. You are one of those beloved brothers or sisters in Christ.

He who is slow to anger, allays contention.

Proverbs 15:18 A wrathful man stirs up strife, But he who is slow to anger allays contention.

Again, the problem of anger and wrath are addressed. A man can do or act two different ways, and have two different outcomes or consequences.

A man can be wrathful and wind up stirring up strife. A man who is furious, raging, indignant, and has bottled up anger within himself, can be like poison and snake venom. It will bring nothing but strife, or contention, and discord.

But, when a man is slow to anger ( notice not a man who does not have anger ) but a man who is slow to anger, or who is exercising some self control, that man will allay the contention. That is, he will help to settle the matter, to appease the problem, to bring some peace, to help settle the disturbance, and bring quietness.

Proverbs really points out in a very direct way both God’s wisdom and man’s foolishness. And, continually reminds us that we cannot make it on our own. We need God’s help in our lives, in more ways then we even know.

It seems easier to find God’s help when we are face to face with our own problems and our own sins and weaknesses.

The Bible teaches us that Jesus Christ is our shepherd, and that He will lead us, and encourages us to follow. Following often starts with confession of our sins and turning in humility to God. He is there to receive us and to forgive us and to then lead us.

Father, what more can we say. How we need You. And, how thankful we are that we are not without hope in our lives, especially during times of sin, darkness and pain. We look to You.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Application/Promises

1. It’s good to remember, God’s Word is true.

2. It’s helpful to ask for help from God.

3. The Holy Spirit is called our helper.

4. May we become peacemakers, not trouble makers.

5. God is always ready to help a person when they are down.

6. When we are down, we can look up.

7. When we are down, we don’t have to give up.

8. God looks down on us with love and mercy.

P.S. One of the great blessings we have in Christ, is that God not only forgives us of our sins as we confess them to Him, but, He also promises to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

"If" you have been foolish..........

For me, I would not say, "if", but yes, of course I have been, in fact, many times.

As I read in my devotions this morning, these verses stood out to me.

Proverbs 30:32 If you have been foolish in exalting yourself, Or if you have devised evil, put your hand to your mouth.

Proverbs 30:33 For as the churning of milk produces butter, And as wringing the nose produces blood, So the forcing of wrath produces strife.

We tend to exalt ourselves, it comes naturally, it's really the problem of the "pride of life" Jesus talked about it so often, and we have so many examples of it in the Old Testament.

And, if we have devised or thought evil, yes, of course we have, then here is what we ought to do, and why.

We should put our hand on our mouths, that is, stop it. That's the simple instruction the Lord gives us here. If it's coming out of your mouth, put your hand on your mouth and stop it.

Then, the reason.........just like the churning of milk produces butter, if we do not exercise self control, and we are tempted to anger, and do not exercise self-control, it will produce wrath.

Self control, is part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. He lives in us, to help us in so many ways. This is a big area where He can help. Self control, is when He helps us to master ourselves, and to restrain ourselves, to have control of ourselves.

The Bible teaches us that the Holy Spirit is our Helper, not the one who condemns us. He has come into our lives, to come alongside of us and to take our hearts as it were by His hand, to lead us and to guide us.

One of the main ways the Holy Spirit guides us, is to lead us to the forgiveness of God. The Bibles says in 1st John 1:7, But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

So, may the Lord be our helper today. We all have done foolishly, more times then we care to think about. But, the Lord has not given up on you, and will never give up on you. One thing He will do for you, for sure, is to help you.

Lord, thank You for having the Holy Spirit live inside of us, and for being our Helper. We confess our sins to You, and ask for cleansing, and strength. May we walk in that self control that You give to us. In Jesus name, amen..........

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Practical Application and promises from God.

1. Remember, God does not condemn you.

2. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.

3. Take God's hand as it were, and let Him lead you today.

4. God is going to finish what He started in your life.

5. Be merciful to others, they may need more help then you do.

6. Jesus came to save, not condemn, let's try and act just like Him.