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1 Thessalonians 3.1-5
When our children went off to college it was a time of celebration. They had reached a benchmark life stage that would be a memory and strategic time in their lives. It was a big deal for all three of our children. Expensive things like that have a way of searing our memories. Of course their mother’s emotional moments these “Good-byes” into tough episodes that sear in another kind of way. We fathers react to the economic impact of great life events and realize a few moments too late that we have been calloused and void of appropriate feelings.
At the same time while burying my embarrassment, I also began to ponder the spiritual side of matters as well. Driving away from those drop-off times afforded me many long moments of wondering. Had I prepared them spiritually to now face the world on their own? Did I help them develop enough convictions that most of their choices would be good ones? When they unpack their bags and sit down in their classes, would the family work ethic kick in? Finances are a big deal for everyone; would our children handle those issues well?
I tried to relax about these thoughts. There was no way that I wanted to be helicopter parent, hovering over my children. It was release time. I knew that it was coming. God graciously gave me 18 years to invest in their lives. Now, it was time to see if they would fly on their own.
Admittedly, I devoured every letter, email and telephone call that came my way. Any news of their life away from home was fair game. However, I wanted to know how they were doing in their walk with Jesus. It was a desire that needed to be satisfied.
Paul felt these pangs of his insatiable appetite. His investment into the lives of the Christians in Thessalonica was not just a part of his job description. He loved these Christians like they were his own family. Their spiritual well-being was very close to his heart.
Not knowing how these Christians were fairing in the faith was intolerable to Paul. He was not worried just deeply concerned. In a world that knew very little about speedy communication, he finally decided to be left alone while sending Timothy to go back to Thessalonica and bring back a firsthand report on the spiritual condition of these dearly loved saints. It was a sacrifice that Paul was willing to make for it meant that he would be left alone. That is how much he hungered for information about those he loved.
Timothy was introduced by Paul’s writing with noticeable fanfare. Perhaps Timothy was young for such a responsible task. Paul assured these Christians that Timothy was sent to strengthen their faith. He would minister to them and firm up their commitment to their belief in the Savior. Also, he would help them find the courage to fight their spiritual challenges well.
Paul also had assigned Timothy to aid these Christians along the path of endurance. Trials plagued their faith walk. The apostle did not want the persecutions to “shake” their faith. This is an old word meaning to wag the tail or beguile. That is as a dog wags its tail, trouble has a way of making person question their faith, going back and forth, wondering about what is true and what is not.
Instead of doubting where they were in God’s plan or His will, believers can look at trials from a different perspective. Difficulties usually come into our lives because of a corrective or additive measure. God may want to correct a sin, disobedience or wayward direction. If that is the case, then confess your sin, apply 1 John 1.9. Or if there is no sin or disobedience, then He may want to add something in our lives. Growing requires strengthening. That does not always feel good. In fact like an athlete in training, to get stronger includes pain.
Whatever the case for the trials in their lives, Paul wanted to discover how they were doing. He did not just wonder or worry. Instead, he acted to find out and sent help to them through Timothy.
There are several inevitable guarantees in life. We joke about the two: taxes and death. However, for Christians it is certain that trials will visit our lives as well. As one comedian once quipped, “Life is just one darn thing after the next.” His words were not as polite as my adjustments. Nevertheless, the point is the same. We cannot escape trials. Instead, we should persevere, make sure that any sins are confessed and then let the struggles help strengthen our faith.
Knowing that this dynamic happens in all of our lives, we should encourage those people that we disciple. Check in on their faith. If they are not in trials now, they will be soon enough. Keep cheering them on and encourage them to trust in the Lord and keep their faith rock solid. It will be an investment that will return remarkable dividends. This is how a genuine relationship functions.
LAPP (Life Application): Think about the lives of people in whom you have considerable spiritual investment. How are they doing? Check up on them. Pray for them and let them know that you are. Seek out a tangible way to encourage and strengthen their faith.
My bride and I are members of Houston’s First Baptist Church. Thousands gather every Sunday to be a part of a this vibrant community. Our pastor, Gregg Matte is a wonderful blessing to us all.
Have you the fresh memory of looking for a new church? Perhaps, like us, you relocated. You said “Good-bye” to your church in the community from which you moved. Now, everything is new. Yet, high on your priority of searches is a new home church.
We went through that arduous search. Farewell to friends who are now thousands of miles away was so hard to do. Yet, they were so excited for our new adventure. We love those wonderful friends so much.
In our newly adopted state of Texas, in the greater Houston metropolitan area we began our search. New friends helped us with their recommendations. We systematically visited church after church.
There are so many good ones here. Yet, we were looking for that subjective “click”. We almost decided then the pastor announced his resignation. Rats!
The search began again. We journeyed from place to place, then everything came together. The pastor reached out to us. We were warmed.
Christmas won us over. It was a spectacular celebration. A few introductions and conversations and the “click” made its presence known.
Before the calendar year concluded, we went forward to join the church. We were blessed to make our commitment. As the weeks roll by we find ourselves trying more and more opportunities to serve.
Sunday we joined hundreds of others for a leadership lunch. There we met more who have stepped forward to join the masses who are serving at our church family. May calendar has two Sundays booked as a substitute Life Bible Study Fellowships.
When I teach, those who oversee the adult program will sit in and see how I do in the teaching realm. The church leadership takes great care when giving a person the responsibility to teach God’s Word to their members. That is a wise precaution.
In the meantime we were all inspired to hear how hundred of volunteer staff can keep our World Mission initiative alive. Pastor Gregg laid out the big picture of how each of us can keep the Mission focus alive with systematic monthly reminders. While the massive room was filled with so many lives, we all could find ownership in this massive endeavor. We are all a part of something special, something big and it is exciting!
photo credit: brucefong cellphone photography
1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices† so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3 and they asked each other,
“Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”
4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe† sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.
6“Don’t be alarmed,”
he said.
“You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified.
He has risen!
He is not here. See the place where they laid him.
7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter,
‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee.
There you will see him, just as he told you.’ ”
Mark 16.1-7 NIV84
narrative arrangement by Bruce Fong
33 At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice,
“Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”
—which means,
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
35 When some of those standing near heard this, they said,
“Listen, he’s calling Elijah.”
36 One man ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink.
“Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,”
he said.
37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. 38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said,
“Surely this man was the Son of God!”
Mark 15.33-39 NIV84
narrative arrangement by Bruce Fong
The absolute worst part of filling the role of a leader is having to dismiss an employee. It is a task that expends a lot of energy, consumes gallons of soulful capital and taxes a restful sleep for days. Nevertheless, this unpleasant task comes with the territory.
Under-performing employees have a pattern. They justify poor performance, shift the blame quickly and have excuses for everything. When they feel the threat of scrutiny they will react with criticism of others.
Paul felt that with the Corinthians believers. Practicing sin without remorse, they attacked the Apostle as a distraction to their own failings. They questioned his credentials, minimized his accomplishments and maximized his shortcomings.
In response Paul exhorted these heady believers to perform a self-examination on themselves. He was not questioning their positional salvation but their practical sanctification. Simply, He wondered if they even could recognize if Jesus was in their lives. That was the simple objective of this spirituality test.
Gently, the Apostle expressed his desire that a similar objective test would prove to them that he would pass their examination. Jesus was certainly present in his life. He displayed his commitment to sanctification with boldness.
With humility Paul expresses his hope that these believers would live a life consistent with right living. Should Paul’s own shortcomings be apparent, he was desirous that these faults would not cause the Corinthians to stumble on their own journey toward righteousness.
At the heart of living a sanctified life is knowing the truth, living the truth and enduring because of the truth. Paul affirmed that his whole life and ministry was committed to this end. He would not be inconsistent with that devotion. Subtly yet poignantly he modestly acknowledges his own weakness while complimenting their strength.
Boldly the Apostle declares his intention to the Corinthians. He is praying for their eventual arrival at spiritual maturity. He is not opposing them, he is favorably disposed toward them.
This letter of 2 Corinthians was the Apostle’s objective plan to encourage the believers to police themselves. Even though he could not yet be there among them, his desire was for them to grow. His desire was for them to be fruitful in their spiritual walk.
Soon, he would come. It was in his plan to be present in their lives. When he arrived he would exercise his spiritual authority. While that influence was legitimate and could be exercised with severity, his objective was to be encouraging.
2 cor 13.5-10
It had been a very long weekend. A group of five churches had been in a long time planning for a Missions Conference and they invited me to be one of their speakers. I was very pleased to accept their invitation.
I would speak four times. Once on Friday night, once Saturday morning and then two different times on Sunday morning. Of course this much speaking in a compact span of time called for some advanced preparation.
There is a full-time job that keeps me occupied during the week. My speaking on weekends is part of my job. This means long days, tiring hours and bleary-eyed moments.
The first speaking session was an hour-long. The conferees were very responsive. They stayed with me the entire session. It was very gratifying.
Then, Saturday morning came early. My commute to this first venue was nearly an hour. There is no direct route and traffic was merciless.
Once the Saturday session was over, we drove home and I immediately began studying for Sunday morning. I would be speaking two different messages. They would be back-to-back separated by a mere 10 minute break.
This marathon speaking session would be in a different venue. It was an hour’s drive away from our home but in a different direction. Saturday night went late as I wrapped some intense studying. Sunday morning I was up early doing a final preparation.
After the two speaking sessions I was visiting with many people. I sat down exhausted. Looking over my options we could have easily gone home. Instead, we made it to our home church in time for the 5:30 PM service.
Some would have said that it was overkill after our long and busy weekend. We looked at it differently. We love our new church and our new pastor. It is a privilege to go to worship and be refreshed and learn from his challenge from the Word of God.
The worship refreshed me. I was afraid that I was so tired that I would drift off during the service. God gave great stimulation, raptured me in worship and challenged me with the Word from Pastor Gregg’s preaching.
In my weariness I sensed the joy of worship. I sang from deep in my soul. Before I was spent. I could not give any more. Now it was time to let our amazing worship team and pastor fill my empty reservoirs. They led me to the throne for renewal.
photo credit: brucefong cellphone photography
York, Pennsylvania is a place to watch. My plane landed in Baltimore Washington International. It was a three-hour flight after an hour drive from my home in Katy, Texas.
This was a trip that I tagged on right after returning from a trip to San Francisco the night before. Preaching is an honor that comes with a divine calling to ministry. No, the money is not the reason for this busy life, of that I can assure you.
But, when there is a divine call, it is Heaven’s agenda that must be acknowledged. It isn’t scary. In fact is a thing of wonderous beauty.
Thank about it. How can you get over 1,000 Pennsylvanians to agree on one thing together? Most would never take on that kind of challenge. It has to be something close to a miracle.
But, to be fair, when over 1,000 Pennsylvanians have a common need, there is a potential for a supernatural event. This group needed a new pastor. One pastor was free to answer the call.
A pastoral search is not a simple task. Usually a search committee compiles opinions and shape a profile together. Then, they set out on a journey to gather potential names that match that profile.
When there are some hits, a conversation begins. Some of these interchanges end early. Others linger longer.
Eventually, there is one that all believe is promising. Dialogues ensue. There is growing depth with each new step that is taken together.
I talked with several on this search committee. They told me that they entered their interviews with a battery of questions. But, before they could ask them, Mike, answered them all in his informal conversation with them.
After that discovery, Mike continued talking. He was ministering to the lives of these on the committee. It was a touching moment. Tears testified to this connection.
One by one, family by family and committee by committee could sense a union was forming. It wasn’t a matter of voting but recognizing a shepherd whose voice was easy to recognize by those in the church family. Mike and his family sensed the same blending of hearts and souls together.
I was graciously introduced to deliver the Sunday message of the installation service. Everyone was expectant. Speaking to a gathering like that is a treat.
The smiles abounded. Hope overflowed. Love marked this assembly of Christ-followers. It is a match made in heaven.
photo credit: brucefong cellphone photography
On Thursday I left the office early. Travel back home then back into town necessitated it. We had an appointment for the evening that we did not want to miss.
A new friend had invited us to the Christmas program as the church that he called home. We were curious. Both my bride and I love this time of year; who doesn’t love Christmas?
Our expectations were totally dismantled. We have never experienced anything like this. The program engulfed us.
The house lights dimmed and then colors, music, action exploded on the stage, in the aisles, on the walls and above from the ceiling. Anchoring the music was the choir. It was full, powerful, full-ranging and lifted the audience to heights rivaling the best of theatrical performances.
But, something else added to the evening. The story, the simple story, the real story, the eternal story, the personal story of Christmas was unfolded. Here the Bible underpinned something spectacular for all but most importantly for each individual who would listen and believe.
Isaiah’s words came from the prophet in word and song. It was both haunting and hopeful. Powerful and personal that part of the Christmas story resonated deeply in my spirit.
Fulfilling the words of his prophecy, history unfolded with the birth of the Savior, the very Son of God. Simeon’s exclamation of his hope fulfilled was so clear. Shepherds, angels, live sheep, a live donkey added to the remarkable testimony.
Christmas was relived and experienced in real-time. I could not just see it but feel it, sense it and live it. The floor vibrated, the air was filled with sound and fragrance.
The Magi from the East came. Their entourage was resplendent. Besides the rich wardrobe of nations from exotic 
realms came the star of the show, an elephant, a real elephant.
It walked royally down the aisle that we had used to get to our seats. The gasps in the audience were in unison. This cast member was both stunning and fun.
But, Christmas is just the beginning of the story. This program kept the historic episodes flowing. Everything pointed to the most important climax of Easter.
Our Savior died for our sins and rose again to offer us eternal life. The resurrection was spectacular on stage and certainly in history and for all eternity. To see this depicted on the stage was sensational.
But, entertainment was not the end of the performance. Every detail was amazing but the invitation summed it all the best. Pastor Gregg Matte walked up to the stage with his engaging spirit and highlighted the key part of faith in the Savior.
He invited all who wanted the true Christmas story to personally be theirs. We all prayed. Eternities were changed that night. It was not just a brilliant performance, it was an eternally impactful experience. Merry Christmas!
photo credit: brucefong cellphone photography
A great country is always a generous country. The USA is still a great county. Naturally, our nation’s greatness is also bountifully sharing with generosity.
Every year the USA brings into our borders 80,000 refugees. These are people in danger of their very lives from oppression that raises its ugly head all around the world. Uncle Sam snatches these thousands from the jaws of death and finds homes for them in the Land of the Free.
Texas does a brilliant job of integrating new guests more economically efficient than any other state in the Union. Houston is a benefitting city for these lives that treasure freedom, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
One young man was rescued from certain death came to our shores determined to make a difference with his new life. He prayed that God would allow him to start and pastor a new church for many of his countrymen who were also fleeing treachery in their home country. Providentially, the LORD answered his prayer in a way that has touched many lives.
An apartment complex is filled with 250 families, many from this new immigrant’s own country. The owners of the complex have been generous, allowing two apartments rearranged into one. They allowed the dividing wall to be removed, making a larger space for a church.
Each Sunday people come. Crowds fill the enlarged apartment. Still more come. The patio is filled too. No one has chairs. Instead, they sit on mats or stand for the entire service.
More people come. They keep coming. Now, people overflow the yard, spread across the walkway and stand under the trees in the yard.
But, Sunday isn’t this young pastor’s only activity. During the week he is ministering to people. When he finds new contacts, he wins their trust and serves their needs and spiritual interests.
Since he arrived on the shores of Texas not that long ago, over 75 have accepted Christ as their personal Savior. He is an effective evangelist as well as caring pastor.
His life is deeply fulfilled through his service. Our nation is enriched because of the Almighty is doing through this single servant of eternity. Texas is blessed to have him and many lives who are learning to love this adopted nation where they are making a new life from their second chance.
photo credit: brucefong cellphone photography
My bride and I are new to town. We have been here for a month and are still trying to find our way around, locate stores and get our bearings straight. There are more things that need to be done than there are things that have been done.
Scheduling all of the necessities just takes time. The calendar manages those. Availability of vendors is another.
But, the spirit of adventure sometimes loses the energy needed to keep pushing forward. That’s when something special reenergizes the human soul. It’s called hospitality.
A local pastor sent me an invitation. He and a number of other pastors wanted to take the two of us out to dinner. It was a welcome to Houston meal.
This would be our second hospitality dinner from locals. David and Rachel got to us first. We were blessed.
The pastor sent us the directions and we confirmed the day. He even suggested a preliminary menu selection for us. I was getting hungry.
We had heard that so much of Houston was dominated by Taiwanese cuisine. That is new to us. During our San Francisco forays into local offerings, we were introduced to food with that distinctive flavor and presentation.
Our familiar foods are Cantonese. There the flavors, aromas and dishes are favorites from childhood days. Comfort emerges from what I remember as a youngster.
The pastors did a little research. They read my blogs and determined to introduce us to a Cantonese restaurant. We were looking forward to our meal with them.
When we were seated, the introductions crowded the waiter’s time. He was waiting to take our order even while we kept standing to talk with one another. The fellowship was excellent.
Even in the middle of conversation the food was delivered. Perfect food choices with the right eye appeal that was as spectacular as the aromas wafting around our table for ten. It was easy to let the eye take in the presentation before the taste buds had a chance to send happy signals to the brain.
One of the first dishes was a delicately fried fish. It was shaped to cradle a wonderful medley of vegetables and seafood. No doubt, it tasted even better than it looked.
The entire evening came to an end. But, the friendships that were forged that night are destined to be the beginning of a lifetime of friendships. We intend to impact eternity together.
photo credit: brucefong cellphone photography
