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Author: Paul
Date: Around a.d. 60
Setting: Ephesus
Ephesus was the capital of the Roman province of Asia Minor (present-day Turkey)
and a vital, important commercial center. It was renowned for its magnificent temple to the Greek goddess Artemis (known as Diana to the Romans). Acts 19 records
dramatic events that unfolded there during Pauls third missionary journey.
Insights
Paul called the Ephesians to a life of unity with one another and loyalty to the cause
of Christ.
God has blessed America in many ways. Perhaps our greatest strength lies in the
unity of a people who are loyal to a flag and committed to the cause for which it
stands. One American who wished to remain anonymous once spoke these words,
If you are ashamed to stand by your colors, you had better seek another flag. As a
nation, we can learn much from Pauls exhortation to the Ephesians: bearing with
one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace
(Eph. 4:2, 3).
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Ephesians 1:1
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Greeting
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by
the will of God,
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18the
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SERVICE
A BI OG RAP H Y
Ida Scudder
18701960
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,
which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
EPH E SI A NS 2:10
Ida Scudder was the granddaughter of the first medical missionary to India.
Seven of her grandfathers children followed him into mission work; one of
those seven was Idas father. In all, out of four generations, forty-two members
of the Scudder family followed the Lords call to be missionaries to the suffering people of India. Though it was never her plan for her life, Ida found herself
among the ranks of Scudder missionaries.
Ida was born in India; it was the only life she had really ever known. But she
could not wait to leave the poverty, hunger, and desperation of India behind;
Ida wanted to be in the United States; she wanted to be an ordinary American girl and have a carefree, happy life; and preteen Ida wanted to marry a
millionaire.
It seemed Ida might get her dream when her parents returned to the States
on furlough. Young Ida was thrilled to be embarking on a new life half a world
away from that horrible country, with its heat, dust, noise, and smells. But
her joy was short-lived; two years later, her mother and father returned to India,
leaving Ida in the care of relatives in Chicago. Though Ida suffered ongoing
grief from the separation, she had no desire to ever become a missionary.
Ida remained in the U.S., graduated from high school, and continued her
studies at a young ladies seminary founded by D. L. Moody.
Shortly after graduation in 1890, Idas mother fell gravely ill. Ida found
herself on her way back to India to care for her mother. She had every intention
of returning to her American dreams as soon as possible.
One night during this time, three young women went into labor simultaneously; three young husbands begged Ida to attend the childbirth. Though
Idas father was a doctor, none of the women would accept his care for such
an intimate condition. Ida did all she could, but the next morning, all three
young women were dead. Ida prayed and struggled as she contemplated the
plight of the women of India. In the end, Ida told her parents she would be
returning to the States to become a doctor. She had heard and obeyed the
Lords call to become a medical missionary.
After graduating from Cornell Medical College in 1900, Dr. Ida Scudder
returned to India. She brought with her ten thousand dollars, donated by a
wealthy American woman to build a hospital. It was two years before the
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Ephesians 2:12
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hospital was built; meanwhile, Ida worked out of one small room in her home,
set up as a dispensary. The initial distrust of a woman doctor soon wore off,
and Ida often treated several hundred patients a day. She was known to sigh,
Oh, for the quiet order of a well-run insane asylum! One journal entry read,
Long and intensely interesting day. 478 patients with 77 lepers.
In order to meet the staggering demand for medical help, Ida opened a
nursing school. Her first class graduated in 1905, but Idas vision did not end
there. She began training women as doctors; the first class graduated in 1922.
By 1928, the school was officially a medical college that would one day become
Vellore Medical College, a highly respected, coed educational complex.
Many times the school struggled financially, but through Idas herculean
efforts, medical educations continued. Her own words show her dedication
and determination: First ponder, then dare. Know your facts. Count the cost.
Money is not the most important thing. What you are building is not a medical
school. It is the kingdom of God. Dont err on the side of being too small. If
this is the will of God that we should keep the college open, it has to be done.
Ida never married a millionaire, but she did get to live in a mansion when
she retired. The beautiful home in India was sold to her at a bargain price. She
lived her last years there, gardening and keeping her eye on the nearby hospital
and medical school.
To this day, the example of Ida and her family calls out to the body of Christ
in our nation, spurring us on toward love and good works.
For more on Service, see the articles on pages 888, 1082, 1145, 1148, 1180, 1238, 1326, 1384 & 1394.
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A. Wetherell Johnson
19071984
Purpose oftheMystery
8To me, who am less than the least of
all the saints, this grace was given, that
I should preach among the Gentiles the
unsearchable riches of Christ, 9and to
make all see what is the fellowshipa of
the mystery, which from the beginning
of the ages has been hidden in God who
created all things through Jesus Christ;b
10to the intent that now the manifold
wisdom of God might be made known
by the church to the principalities and
powers in the heavenly places, 11according to the eternal purpose which He
accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,
12in whom we have boldness and access
with confidence through faith in Him.
13Therefore I ask that you do not lose
heart at my tribulations for you, which
is your glory.
Appreciation oftheMystery
14For this reason I bow my knees to
the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,a
15from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16that He would
grant you, according to the riches of His
glory, to be strengthened with might
through His Spirit in the inner man,
17that Christ may dwell in your hearts
through faith; that you, being rooted
and grounded in love, 18may be able to
comprehend with all the saints what
is the width and length and depth and
height 19to know the love of Christ
which passes knowledge; that you may
be filled with all the fullness of God.
20Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we
ask or think, according to the power
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Ephesians 4:16
21to
Spiritual Gifts
7But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christs
gift. 8Therefore He says:
When He ascended on high,
He led captivity captive,
And gave gifts to men.a
9(Now this, He ascended what does
it mean but that He also firsta descended
into the lower parts of the earth? 10He
who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He
might fill all things.)
11And He Himself gave some to be
apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,
12for the equipping of the saints for the
work of ministry, for the edifying of
the body of Christ, 13till we all come to
the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect
man, to the measure of the stature of
the fullness of Christ; 14that we should
no longer be children, tossed to and fro
and carried about with every wind of
doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the
cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,
15but, speaking the truth in love, may
grow up in all things into Him who is
the headChrist 16from whom the
whole body, joined and knit together by
what every joint supplies, according to
the effective working by which every
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Ephesians 4:17
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among you, as is fitting for saints; 4neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor
coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but
rather giving of thanks. 5For this you
know,a that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom
of Christ and God. 6Let no one deceive
you with empty words, for because of
these things the wrath of God comes
upon the sons of disobedience. 7Therefore do not be partakers with them.
God asks husbands to love their
wives enough to die for them. He
asks wives to love their husbands
enough to live for them.
Betty S. Bender
1927
Walk in Light
8For you were once darkness, but
now you are light in the Lord. Walk as
children of light 9(for the fruit of the
Spirita is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10finding out what is
acceptable to the Lord. 11And have no
fellowship with the unfruitful works of
darkness, but rather expose them. 12For
it is shameful even to speak of those
things which are done by them in secret. 13But all things that are exposed are
made manifest by the light, for whatever
makes manifest is light. 14Therefore He
says:
Awake, you who sleep,
Arise from the dead,
And Christ will give you light.
Walk in Wisdom
15See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16redeeming the time, because the days are
evil.
17Therefore do not be unwise, but
understand what the will of the Lord
is. 18And do not be drunk with wine, in
which is dissipation; but be filled with
4:17aNUText omits the rest of.
4:25aZechariah 8:16 4:26aPsalm 4:4
5:5aNUText reads For know this. 5:9aNU
Text reads light.
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19speaking
Ephesians 6:8
the Spirit,
to one another in
psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing and making melody in your
heart to the Lord, 20giving thanks always
for all things to God the Father in the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21submitting to one another in the fear of God.a
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TRUTH
Steadfast in the Faith
Ephesians 6:10
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Ephesians 6:9
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9And
Au
Se
Ph
le
a
an
ta
pr
Th
Ph
st
tim
th
in
se
In
Af
in
he
lif
Ju
Ly
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PHILIPPIANSs
Author: Paul
Date: Around a.d. 60
Setting: Philippi
Philippi, named for Philip of Macedon (the father of Alexander the Great), was the
leading city of Macedonia (present-day Greece), and was also granted the status of
a Roman colony. For the Philippians, this designation made a tremendous social
and psychological difference. Like all other Roman citizens, they were exempt from
taxes, could buy and sell as they pleased, could file legal suits, and could assume
privileges appropriate to being part of the Roman Empire.
Insights
After Paul arrived in Philippi, he met a wealthy woman named Lydia, who believed
in the gospel (Acts 16). Once she and her household were baptized, she opened up
her home and invited Paul and his fellow workers to stay with her. She gave her
life to Christ and immediately began practicing hospitality to her fellow believers.
Just like American women Martha Washington, Dolley Madison, and Sarah Edwards,
Lydia leaves a beautiful legacy of faith and hospitality.
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Philippians 1:1
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Greeting
Paul and Timothy, bondservants of
Jesus Christ,
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To Live Is Christ
19For I know that this will turn out
for my deliverance through your prayer
and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus
Christ, 20according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall
be ashamed, but with all boldness, as
always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or
1:1aLiterally overseers 1:16aNUText
reverses the contents of verses16 and 17.
HOPEFULNESS
Mother of Sing Sing
Philippians 1:27
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21For
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Philippians 2:15
10that
name,
at the name of Jesus every
knee should bow, of those in heaven,
and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11and that every tongue
should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Light Bearers
12Therefore, my beloved, as you have
always obeyed, not as in my presence
only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with
fear and trembling; 13for it is God who
works in you both to will and to do for
His good pleasure.
14Do all things without complaining
and disputing, 15that you may become
blameless and harmless, children of God
without fault in the midst of a crooked
1:23aNUText and MText read But.
1:28aNUText reads of your salvation.
GENEROSITY
Secret Concern
Philippians 2:4
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Philippians 2:16
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If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: 5circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew
of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a
Pharisee; 6concerning zeal, persecuting
the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
7But what things were gain to me,
these I have counted loss for Christ.
8Yet indeed I also count all things loss
for the excellence of the knowledge of
Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have
suffered the loss of all things, and count
them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ
9and be found in Him, not having my
own righteousness, which is from the
law, but that which is through faith in
Christ, the righteousness which is from
God by faith; 10that I may know Him
and the power of His resurrection, and
the fellowship of His sufferings, being
conformed to His death, 11if, by any
means, I may attain to the resurrection
from the dead.
Pressing Toward theGoal
12Not that I have already attained, or
am already perfected; but I press on, that
I may lay hold of that for which Christ
Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and
reaching forward to those things which
are ahead, 14I press toward the goal for
the prize of the upward call of God in
Christ Jesus.
15Therefore let us, as many as are
mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16Nevertheless, to
the degree that we have already attained,
let us walk by the same rule,a let us be of
the same mind.
Our Citizenship in Heaven
17Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as
you have us for a pattern. 18For many
walk, of whom I have told you often,
and now tell you even weeping, that they
are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
19whose end is destruction, whose god
3:3aNUText and MText read who worship in
the Spirit of God. 3:16aNUText omits rule
and the rest of the verse.
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Eleanor Powell
19121982
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Philippians 4:23
is anything praiseworthymeditate on
these things. 9The things which you
learned and received and heard and saw
in me, these do, and the God of peace
will be with you.
Philippian Generosity
10But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly
that now at last your care for me has
flourished again; though you surely did
care, but you lacked opportunity. 11Not
that I speak in regard to need, for I have
learned in whatever state I am, to be
content: 12I know how to be abased, and
I know how to abound. Everywhere and
in all things I have learned both to be
full and to be hungry, both to abound
and to suffer need. 13I can do all things
through Christa who strengthensme.
14Nevertheless you have done well
that you shared in my distress. 15Now
you Philippians know also that in the
beginning of the gospel, when I departed
from Macedonia, no church shared with
me concerning giving and receiving but
you only. 16For even in Thessalonica
you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17Not that I seek the gift, but I
seek the fruit that abounds to your account. 18Indeed I have all and abound. I
am full, having received from Epaphro
ditus the things sent from you, a sweet-
smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice,
well pleasing to God. 19And my God
shall supply all your need according
to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
20Now to our God and Father be glory
forever and ever. Amen.
Greeting and Blessing
21Greet every saint in Christ Jesus.
The brethren who are with me greet
you. 22All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesars household.
23The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ
be with you all.a Amen.
4:3aNUText and MText read Yes.
4:13aNUText reads Him who. 4:23aNU
Text reads your spirit.
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COLOSSIANSs
Author: Paul
Date: Around a.d. 60
Setting: Colosse
The city of Colosse was about one hundred miles from Ephesus and the church at
Colosse was a predominantly Gentile church. The faith of these new converts was
being distorted by false teachings and mysticism. It was also being threatened by
some claiming Jewish laws and customs were needed for salvation.
Insights
This Well Defend is the motto of the U.S. Army. Those three simple words carry
profound meaning. Our nation is worth defending, by each citizen. For the average
American, this defense may look like helping one another in a time of crisis or
standing up for the truths upon which we were founded.
As a citizen of the kingdom of God, Paul defended the truth of the gospel and,
through his words, encourages all Christians to do the same. True understanding of
who Christ is will always be worth defending with everything we have.
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at
as
by
he
pns
He
nd
ry
ge
or
d,
of
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Greeting
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by
the will of God, and Timothy our
brother,
2To
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Colossians 2:2
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Colossians 2:3
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FORGIVENESS
A BI OG RAP H Y
Born April 27, 1927, Coretta Scott grew up on a farm in Alabama. Her parents
worked hard to provide her with every advantage they could, but they could
not provide her freedom from the ills of a segregated society. There were no
school buses for the African-American children, their schools were poorer, they
were barred from restaurants and swimming pools, and signs stating White
Only and Colored Only were seen everywhere.
Still, Coretta was successful in many ways. Graduating as the valedictorian
from Lincoln High School in 1945, Coretta won a scholarship to Antioch
College in Yellow Springs, Ohio, where she earned a bachelor of arts in music
and education. Because there was less oppression and division between races in
the North, while in college, Coretta was free to become active in helping tear
down barriers. She joined the local chapter of the NAACP, the Race Relations
Committee, and the Civil Liberties Committee, at the school. It was through
organizations like these that the modern civil rights movement was born.
In addition to her Antioch degree, Coretta also won a scholarship to study
vocal performance at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston.
While there, she met a young man who would change the course of her life;
Martin Luther King Jr. was studying theology at nearby Boston University. In
June of 1953, they were married.
The couple stayed in Boston until Coretta finished her degree in voice and
violin, and then moved to Montgomery, Alabama. Martin had landed a job as
pastor of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church. Life seemed settled and secure,
and the Kings were ready to start their family. They would soon have four
children: Yolanda, Martin Luther III, Dexter Scott, and Bernice.
Racial tension escalated in Montgomery after Rosa Parks was arrested for
refusing to give her bus seat to a white man. The local NAACP chapter decided to form the Montgomery Improvement Association in resistance to the
unfair treatment. Martin was asked to become the head of the association; he
organized the bus boycott that drew the attention of the world. Thus began
the splendid career of Martin Luther King Jr.
Coretta was at her husbands side as he led peaceful protest marches in cities
across the nation. Both Coretta and Martin were not only committed to fighting injustice, but determined to do so by following Jesus example of love and
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compassion for those doing wrong. Martin became the most well-known voice
in the movement, advocating nonviolent resistance and gaining the support
of many thinking Americans with his passionate, yet reasonable and generous
attitude. Others involved in the civil rights movement, however, saw the Kings
as weak and an obstacle to the cause of equality. The Kings endured hate mail,
threats of all kinds, and even the bombing of their home.
Coretta had an amazing singing voice and had studied music to further her
career. However, her singing ambitions took a backseat as Coretta raised her four
children. Always a woman of dynamic energy, focusing on her family did not keep
her from organizing, publicizing, and performing in Freedom Concerts, a series
of events that told the civil rights story through music, narration, and poetry.
The Kings were both in high demand as speakers, both nationally and internationally. Coretta became the first woman to deliver the Class Day address at
Harvard. As an activist for nonviolence, international peace, and disarmament, she
attended the 1962 Disarmament Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, as a delegate.
After her husbands death by a snipers bullet on April 4, 1968, Coretta
chose not to react with hatred and revenge, but continued to work for equality
and nonviolent resolution of difficulties. She built the Martin Luther King Jr.
Center for Nonviolent Social Change, which houses a civil rights museum and
library and offers training and seminars. Over the next thirty-eight years, she
met with world leaders, founded and supported organizations, and worked sideby-side with people seeking to spread love to those who had promoted hate. In
1969, she published a memoir, My Life with Martin Luther King Jr.
Coretta remained active in social justice issues throughout her life. She led
the fifteen-year campaign to establish Martins birthday as a national holiday.
President Ronald Reagan championed and signed the bill in 1983 that established the third Monday of January, 1984, as the first official Martin Luther
King Jr. Day. In accomplishing her goal, Martin Luther King Jr.s story and
the battle for civil rights and racial equality through nonviolence has been
solidified in American history. As late as 1985, she and three of her children
were arrested for protesting apartheid at the South African embassy; ten years
later, she stood next to Nelson Mandela as he was sworn in as president. She
is widely quoted as saying, The greatness of a community is most accurately
measured by the compassionate actions of its members.
Coretta Scott King died January 30, 2006. She was buried next to her
husband with the words of 1 Corinthians 13:13 on her crypt: And now abide
faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. Coretta embodied the love of Christ with her life, and her love in the face of violence remains
not only an example for us as Americans but as Christ-followers.
For more on Forgiveness, see the articles on pages 53, 60, 329, 1017 & 1387.
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DILIGENCE
Rising to the Occasion
Colossians 3:23
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Colossians 4:9
Christian Graces
2Continue earnestly in prayer, being
vigilant in it with thanksgiving; 3meanwhile praying also for us, that God
would open to us a door for the word, to
speak the mystery of Christ, for which
I am also in chains, 4that I may make it
manifest, as I ought to speak.
5Walk in wisdom toward those who
are outside, redeeming the time. 6Let
your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how
you ought to answer each one.
Final Greetings
7Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the
Lord, will tell you all the news about
me. 8I am sending him to you for this
very purpose, that hea may know your
circumstances and comfort your hearts,
9with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved
brother, who is one of you. They will
make known to you all things which are
happening here.
3:24aNUText omits for. 4:8aNUText
reads you may know our circumstances and he
may.
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Colossians 4:10
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10Aristarchus
my fellow prisoner
greets you, with Mark the cousin of
Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome
ENCOURAGEMENT
Beyond the Mess
Colossians 4:6
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1 THESSALONIANSs
Author: Paul
Date: Around a.d. 51
Setting: Thessalonica
Thessalonica was the capital of Macedonia and its largest city. It was located on the
main Roman highway to the east, called the Via Egnatia. Pauls stay in Thessalonica
was cut short because of opposition from the Jewish congregation.
Insights
Paul encouraged the young Thessalonian believers to persevere in living for God,
even in the midst of persecution. He taught them not only doctrine, but also application.
When difficult times come our way, we can draw deep on our faith and learn
even more about our Savior. American hymn writer Eliza E. Hewitt knew this firsthand. She suffered a back ailment that could become nearly incapacitating. She
used this trial as an opportunity to strengthen her faith and spur her on to learn
even more about Christ. This desire is reflected in her song, More About Jesus:
More about Jesus would I know,
More of His grace to others show;
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love who died for me.
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1 Thessalonians 1:1
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Greeting
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,
Pauls Conduct
For you yourselves know, brethren,
that our coming to you was not in
vain. 2But evena after we had suffered
before and were spitefully treated at
Philippi, as you know, we were bold in
our God to speak to you the gospel of
God in much conflict. 3For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.
4But as we have been approved by
God to be entrusted with the gospel,
even so we speak, not as pleasing men,
but God who tests our hearts. 5For neither at any time did we use flattering
words, as you know, nor a cloak for
covetousnessGod is witness. 6Nor did
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Abigail Adams
17441818
Their Conversion
13For this reason we also thank God
without ceasing, because when you
received the word of God which you
heard from us, you welcomed it not as
the word of men, but as it is in truth,
the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe. 14For
you, brethren, became imitators of the
churches of God which are in Judea in
Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the
same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans,
15who killed both the Lord Jesus and
their own prophets, and have persecuted
us; and they do not please God and are
contrary to all men, 16forbidding us to
speak to the Gentiles that they may be
saved, so as always to fill up the measure
1:1aNUText omits from God our Father and
the Lord Jesus Christ. 2:2aNUText and M
Text omit even. 2:11aNUText and MText
read implored.
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Encouraged by Timothy
6But now that Timothy has come to
us from you, and brought us good news
of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us,
greatly desiring to see us, as we also to
see you7therefore, brethren, in all our
affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith. 8For
now we live, if you stand fast in the
Lord.
9For what thanks can we render to
God for you, for all the joy with which
we rejoice for your sake before our God,
10night and day praying exceedingly that
we may see your face and perfect what is
lacking in your faith?
Prayer for theChurch
11Now may our God and Father
Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ,
direct our way to you. 12And may the
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1 Thessalonians 4:15
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15For
HOPEFULNESS
Lets Roll
1 Thessalonians 4:13
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TheDay oftheLord
But concerning the times and the
seasons, brethren, you have no
need that I should write to you. 2For
you yourselves know perfectly that the
day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the
night. 3For when they say, Peace and
safety! then sudden destruction comes
upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.
4But you, brethren, are not in darkness,
so that this Day should overtake you
as a thief. 5You are all sons of light and
sons of the day. We are not of the night
nor of darkness. 6Therefore let us not
sleep, as others do, but let us watch and
be sober. 7For those who sleep, sleep
at night, and those who get drunk are
drunk at night. 8But let us who are of
the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet
the hope of salvation. 9For God did not
appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord J esus Christ,
10who died for us, that whether we
wake or sleep, we should live together
with Him.
11Therefore comfort each other and
edify one another, just as you also are
doing.
Various Exhortations
12And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and
are over you in the Lord and admonish
you, 13and to esteem them very highly
in love for their works sake. Be at peace
among yourselves.
14Now we exhort you, brethren,
warn those who are unruly, comfort
the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be
patient with all. 15See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always
pursue what is good both for yourselves
and for all.
16Rejoice always, 17pray without
ceasing, 18in everything give thanks; for
this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for
you.
19Do not quench the Spirit. 20Do not
despise prophecies. 21Test all things;
hold fast what is good. 22Abstain from
every form of evil.
Blessing and Admonition
23Now may the God of peace Himself
sanctify you completely; and may your
whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved
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A B
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ENCOURAGEMENT
A BI OG RAP H Y
Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
1 T H E S S A L O N I A N S 5:11
Love changes darkness into light and makes the heart take a wingless flight.
This quote from Helen Steiner Rice summarizes the sensitive soul of one of
our nations most recognized poets.
After a fairly unremarkable childhood, Helen Steiner was forced to put
any hope of college aside when her father, a railroad worker, died of a sudden
illness just prior to her high school graduation. At the age of eighteen, she was
forced to find a job and become the sole breadwinner for her mother and sister.
Helen hired into the Lorain Electric Light and Power Company. Both creative and ambitious, Helens talents resulted in a series of promotions. While
still in her twenties, she became their advertising manager. In the early 1920s,
a woman in such a responsible position was rare indeed.
Helens talents gained the attention of the burgeoning electric industry. Still
in her twenties, she found herself traveling around the country as its ambassador. She became an accomplished speaker and often incorporated into her
presentations the importance of womens opinions in shaping products and
advertising campaigns. Helen became well-known for her skills as a lecturer,
humorist, organizer, and promoter, all rare distinctions for an early-twentiethcentury woman.
From the beginning of her speaking career, she made a practice of asking
her heavenly Father for help, and she continued to do this throughout her life
when speaking or writing. The depth of her faith and her incredible ability to
inspire and encourage others came into greater focus when Helen struck out
on her own as a motivational speaker.
Her speaking schedule took her to Dayton, Ohio, where she met a wealthy
banker named Franklin Rice. The two fell in love and were married in January
of 1929. Only nine months later, the stock market crashed and Franklins entire
fortune was lost. Helen took a job with the Gibson Art Company, and began
working to pay off their debts. Tragically, Franklin committed suicide in 1932.
After her husbands death, Helen struggled out of debt and depression. Bit
by bit, she began to understand that her own suffering served to make her more
compassionate toward others. Even in her pain, she developed a reputation as a
good and true friend. She was an encouragement and inspiration to all whose
lives she touched. Helens upbeat philosophy and refusal to complain bore
witness to her deep-seated faith.
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During her years with the Gibson Art Company, Helen wrote thousands of
poems that reflected her sure faith in God. Many were the result of her desire
to reach out to friends, relatives, and co-workers with hope and solace at critical
points in their lives. Her verses came to the attention of Gibsons vice president.
This began Helens most recognized lifeworkher greeting cards have become
a part of the very fabric of our nation. Eventually, Helen became the editor-inchief of Gibson, a position she held for forty-two years.
Throughout her life, Helen recognized her ability to encourage and inspire
others as a God-given gift. She understood that the words she wrote were a
vehicle God used to highlight His love and compassion.
Before her death in 1981, Helen set up the Helen Steiner Rice Foundation.
It was her wish that this foundation continue to be a channel of Gods love to
the world even after her death. Since its establishment in the final years of her
life, the foundation has awarded millions to charities and it remains a beacon
of hope, just as Helen would have wanted.
All of Helens life philosophy can be summed up in a few of her own words:
I believe in miracles. I believe in prayer. I know God is the answer to everything.
For more on Encouragement, see the articles on pages 607, 632, 691, 808, 1360, 1400 & 1406.
blameless at the coming of our Lord
Jesus Christ. 24He who calls you is faithful, who also will doit.
25Brethren, pray forus.
26Greet all the brethren with a holy
kiss.
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WOMEN OF THE
CIVIL RIGHTS
MOVEMENT
A Dangerous Dichotomy
The roots of the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s reach
far back into American history. The language of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights
declares freedom and equality to be basic human rights. The
hypocrisy of a nation founded on the principles of liberty
and equality, yet continuing to maintain a system of slavery,
is staggering. It does not seem possible that a nation could
continue to function long with this dichotomy. The evils of
slavery and white supremacy fermented for nearly a hundred
years before erupting into civil war.
When the Fourteenth Amendment cemented the Emancipation Proclamation by declaring, All persons born or naturalized in the United States . . . are citizens of the United
States, it appeared that slavery was dead at last. The Fifteenth
Amendment, which gave black men the right to vote, put another nail into its coffin. Yet, sadly, with all these advances, the
country was a long way from fully accepting its dark-skinned
people as equal citizens.
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For one hundred years after the Civil War, African-Americans experienced segregation, discrimination, humiliation, oppression, even
persecution and death, all with no legal recourse. In the South, laws
actually forbade integration; but in other areas of the country discrimination ran rampant as well. A number of ex-slaves returned to Africa;
but not many wanted to go. For all its evils, America was their home;
what they wanted was to be accepted as citizens.
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