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As we’ve begun to study what Paul said in 2 Thessalonians 1 we’ve found, it’s important to have a worldview that gives confidence in the face of trials and hope for the future.  We also found that God established His church.  If you’ve believed the good ne...

 In our last visit we considered one possible outline for the information in 2 Thessalonians 1. Now let’s look at another possible outline.  The title could be: A fulfilling and fruitful life.  The basic outline would be: 1. our worldview, 2. our walk, 3. ...

In our two previous visits we started a 4 “S” study of 2 Thessalonians 1.  We noted and spread out before us many of the details found in this chapter.  Now we need to sort them into a number of groups or topics.  Topics that came to my mind were prayer, p...

In our last visit we began a 4 “S” study of 2 Thessalonians 1.  The first step in this study is to spread out before you the information in the portion being studied.  Paul began by affirming their faith and love.  Then he shared with them how he boasts ab...

I recently studied 2 Thessalonians 1 in preparation for a message.  I determined after reading the chapter a few times to do an analytical study of it.  I call this a 4 “S” approach: spread, sort, structure and summarize. It’s similar to doing a picture pu...

We’ve been studying how to pray more effectively based on Colossians 1:3-12.  After building up his faith through thanksgiving, verses 3-8, Paul prays that Christians would experience a cycle of growth, verses 9-12.  We’ve considered each progressive phase...

We’ve been studying Colossians 1:9-12 on how Paul prayed for a cycle of growth to be experienced by the Colossian Christians.  He began by praying that they would know God’s will.  Then that they do God’s will.  Recognizing from his own experience that she...

Once we know something to be the will of God we’re responsible to do it.  This is what Paul prayed for in Colossians 1:10, “We pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work,...

As we mentioned in our last visit Paul prayed in Colossians 1:9 that these Christians would get a fuller and clearer knowledge of God’s will “through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” What was he really asking for?  He was asking that they would use...

We’ve been studying Colossians 1:3-8, reflecting on the practice of Paul to thank God in his prayers for what God had already done.  Though this practice takes time I’ve found that it’s a faith builder. By reviewing what God has already done in the life of...

We’ve been looking at how Paul often thanked God in his prayers for what He had done in the past. In Colossians 1:3-5 he listed faith, love and hope.  In verse 6 he mentions that the gospel was bearing fruit and growing among these believers since the day ...

Over the years I’ve often gone back to Paul’s prayer recorded in Colossians 1:3-12.  It’s been helpful in my own prayer life.  Let’s do a focus and amplify study of this passage. The focus I came up with was: How to have an effective prayer life.  Amplifyi...

I regularly encourage parents to pray for their children, especially if they rebel and resist the truth.  I became a Christian at age 9 but I was not discipled in a meaningful way.  Consequently I drifted into a life of compromise. As an athlete at school ...

Today I want to share one final application based on our study of Malachi.  To do what we’ve already mentioned it’s important to realize we need each other as fellow believers. I mentioned in a previous visit that a chain is as strong as its weakest link. ...

I feel constrained, based on our study of Malachi, to call on God’s people to seek God’s face in prayer in behalf of all those who are leaders in Christ’s church.  They play such a critical role in the life and health of the church.  They can’t lead others...

The summary application I’d like to make today from our study of Malachi is to set our heart to honor God.  Five times he refers to this. In chapter 1 verse 6 he asks, “A son honors his father, and a servant his master.  If I am a father, where is the hono...

Now that we’ve studied the book of Malachi using the 4 step (4S) approach we come to the final  step (S) – summarize.  This is the application step, where we define precisely the difference this study should make in our lives, what the outcome should look ...

Though you’ll find some repetition from previous studies in what we’ll discuss today from Malachi 4, it’s important to note what we can anticipate when God writes the final chapter.  Verse 1 affirms, “Surely the day is coming.” God keeps His word, praise t...

In our last visit we considered in Malachi 4 what we should appreciate.  Now let’s focus on what we should avoid. The prophet is clear in verse 1: Avoid the arrogance and evil that will be judged in that day.  What they thought they were accumulating for a...

Today we come in our study of Malachi to chapter 4.  Again we’ll look for what to appreciate, avoid, appropriate and anticipate. Verse 1 assures us of the certainty of God’s plan: “Surely the day is coming!”  That’s the basis of our hope, spelled out in ve...

In our last visit we concluded our discoveries of what to anticipate with the promise that God won’t forget His faithful remnant. They will be His treasured possession in that final day (Malachi 3:16-17).  Think of it, His treasured possession!  That final...

In our last visit we looked at some things God’s people should anticipate because God promised them in Malachi 3. Jesus Christ is going to return.  Mark that down.  When He returns it is for house cleaning purposes.  When this takes place, all who are His ...

There are many promises found in Malachi 3 written for God’s people to anticipate. The chapter opens with the promise, “‘See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me.  Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the...

Today let’s read Malachi 3:16, which introduces something else we should appropriate: “Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard.  A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared ...

In our last study in Malachi 3 we considered what the prophet encouraged, related to giving tithes and offerings. The issue of testing God in this matter is confusing to many.  To some this suggests they are to take the initiative, and test God.  That’s no...