Wednesday, 18 September 2013
Different Kingdom: New Connections and Re-connections
Different Kingdom: New Connections and Re-connections: One of the joys of the journey in recent years has been the new connections and re-connections I have made. The re-connections were with pe...
Some thoughts for Today, The day of the Lord
1
Thessalonians 5
New
International Version - UK (NIVUK)
The
day of the Lord
5
Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to
you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief
in the night. 3 While people are saying, ‘Peace and safety’, destruction will
come on them suddenly, as labour pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not
escape.
4
But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should
surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all children of the light and children of
the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us
not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. 7 For those
who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But
since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a
breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint
us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10
He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together
with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as
in fact you are doing.
Final
instructions
12
Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among
you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the
highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14
And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive,
encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make
sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is
good for each other and for everyone else.
16
Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for
this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
19
Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test
them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.
23
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your
whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
25
Brothers and sisters, pray for us. 26 Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss.
27 I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers
and sisters.
28
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
The
Bible Panorama
1
Thessalonians 5
V
1–3: SUDDEN SURPRISE When the world least expects Christ, and when it is said
that peace and safety has come, Jesus will return ‘as a thief in the night’.
This is as sure to happen as the labour of a pregnant woman will bring forth
birth.
V 4–11: WAKEFUL WATCH The world is not
prepared for that. Christians should be ready and waiting for the coming of the
Lord. Preparation for this event involves living a sober life characterised by
faith, love, assurance of salvation, comforting one another, and building one
another up in the faith. Christians, whether sleeping the sleep of death or
awake at Christ’s coming, rejoice that He died for them and that they will be
together with Him. Salvation, not wrath, awaits them. This knowledge comforts
those worried about the salvation of Christians who have died.
V 12–22: WISE WORDS Paul then exhorts the
Thessalonians in different practical matters. We see in these that true
spirituality is always translated into practical living, working on good
relationships with others, turning from evil, rejoicing, prayer, honouring
God’s Spirit, Christian discernment, and submitting to God with thankfulness
for who He is and what He has done.
V
23–24: COMPLETE CONSECRATION Paul prays that God will sanctify the Christians
completely in spirit, soul and body, so that they are ready for the coming of
the Lord Jesus who is faithful to them.
V 25–28: GRACIOUS GREETINGS Paul’s greetings
include a request for prayer, a holy kiss for them all, an instruction to read
the letter to everyone, and the desire that they will know the grace of the
Lord Jesus Christ with them.
The
Bible Panorama. Copyright © 2005 Day One Publications.
Tuesday, 17 September 2013
Phases of single parenting: From surving to thriving Written by Jacqui Wright
Christian single parents are people living in a broken world who have to face the consequences of the brokenness, for themselves and their children. The majority are unwilling divorcees having to deal with a Christian spouse’s wrong choices and actions. Others are widowed or were unmarried. But the reality of Christian single parenting is the same for all – it is a hard task. We are not ‘Super dad’ or ‘Super mum’, but weak and frail human beings with unique needs and desires, like everyone else.
The single parent family is still able to be a fully functioning unit yet certain phases have to moved through to get to recovery and restoration:
- Survival: As the parent starts to cope with life one day at a time, so the children cope better with their daily routines including school. Coping extends from a daily to weekly basis, then longer term plans can be made. The parent and children may need certain types of counselling to come through any traumatic experience. Healing for all takes time and needs prayer as the Holy Spirit works with healing power. It is better not to start dating too early looking for someone to fix your situation, rather look to the Lord to be your Someone to meet your daily needs by his grace. Continued loving support from family, friends and the church community is required in this phase.
- Setbacks: However, all along the way there will be ‘setbacks’. The single parent is initially vulnerable and fragile. Coping with only ‘one significant adult’ means a juggling act, and sometimes all the ‘balls come crashing down’. This may be due to sheer exhaustion, physical illness, an emotional upset i.e. if dating, a break-up; teenage misbehaviour; work stress; and any unforeseen problems of life. The parent has to look to the Lord, stand up again and keep going forward in His strength. A ‘listening’ ear of a counsellor or trusted friend can help the parent move forward positively again.
- Stability: Once the stability of the family is established over time i.e. the parent is stable and the children are stable, the setbacks are more easily recovered. It is wise to try to change as little as possible in the children’s lives such as routines, home, school etc, unless absolutely necessary. Make your relationship to the Lord through the Word and prayer part of the fabric of family life; we pray in the car on the way to school daily. Foster a team spirit where everyone in the family is a part of the success of the whole. Encourage each child to do their part with specific chores. Most importantly, keep an open dialogue with your children and discuss any changes such as introducing a person you are starting to date. Make sure your children are comfortable with this process and the person.
- Thriving: A stable, loving Christian single parent family, who serve others, is a wonderful testimony to the Lord. People, especially non-Christians, ask ‘How do you do it? You work full time, have five children, are so strong and calm.’ And I can say, ‘It’s not me alone. I’m a Christian and God helps me. He gives me the strength and peace. And we have our bad days!’.
I made a conscious decision to put my children first, and realised that someone had to sacrifice for others to be blessed. I knew I may be single again for a season but that I could trust God to bless me with remarriage in the future if his will.
What has been your experience as a single parent? What has helped bring you through difficult times? And what advice would you give Christian single parents who are looking to start dating again?
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