Tag Archives: faith

December 18, 2025 · 9:00 pm

Last Days

Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, 2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. 3 Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessnessis revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God. 5 Don’t you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? 6 And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. 7 For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, 10 and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-12

As we live in these last days, let us keep these thoughts in mind listed below. Let us find encouragement in Christ amid our troubles.

**Christ is returning

**Lawlessness will proceed Christ’s Coming

**Anti-Christ will proceed Christ’s Coming

**At present, the Holy Spirit restrains evil

**Many will be deluded

Tony French

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November 13, 2025 · 9:00 pm

Prepare

1 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 labor 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.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

How do Christians prepare for the coming of the Lord? Paul gives us five principles to guide us in this matter. Be blessed this week as you await the arrival of the Lord!

**Be Ready

**Be Alert

**Be Self-Controlled

**Be Confident In the Lord

**Be Encouraging To Others

Tony French

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November 10, 2025 · 9:00 am

The Lord

Let us consider our Lord today! Let us consider the one we serve. Who is the Lord?

The Lord is good.

Psalm 100:5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

The Lord is loving and kind.

Psalm 107:43 Let the one who is wise heed these things and ponder the loving deeds of the Lord.

The Lord is gracious and compassionate.

Psalm 111:4 He has caused his wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate.

The Lord is worthy of praise.

Psalm 113:2 Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forevermore.

The Lord is our creator.

Psalm 118:24 This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

May God bless you with a glorious week!

Tony French

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November 3, 2025 · 9:00 am

Truth Teller

6 On another Sabbath he went into the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was shriveled. 7 The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath. 8 But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Get up and stand in front of everyone.” So he got up and stood there. 9 Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?” 10 He looked around at them all, and then said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so, and his hand was completely restored. 11 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus.

Luke 6:6-11

In the end, the question “Who is Jesus?” isn’t just about accumulating knowledge. It’s an invitation to a transformative relationship. It’s a call to believe Him, trust Him, and serve Him with our whole hearts. As we do so, we’ll find that Jesus is not only who He claims to be but that He is everything we need and more than we could ever imagine.

In that vein, let us examine one more attribute of Jesus from Luke 6 today.

**Jesus is the Truth Teller

In His interactions with the religious leaders, Jesus consistently spoke truth, even when it made people angry. This reminds us of several important points:

  • Truth doesn’t change with societal shifts or popular opinion
  • God’s truth applies to all people, in all places, and at all times
  • Speaking truth, even in love, may sometimes make others uncomfortable or angry

As followers of Christ, we’re called to speak the truth in love, not compromising on God’s Word while also not speaking from a place of anger or hatred.

Tony French

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October 30, 2025 · 9:00 pm

Purity

1Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. 2For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. 3For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 4that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; 5not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: 6that no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. 7For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 8He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit. 9But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. 10And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; 11and that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you.

1Thessalonians 4:1-11

How can we remain pure in a world that is filled with perversity? Paul’s words to the church at Thessalonica are of great value as we pursue holiness in a fallen society. Consider the following commands……

**Hold to the Word of God

**Seek Sexual Purity

**Learn Self-Control

**Learn Thought-Control

**Realize that sexual sin is destructive

Resisting lustful temptations is not easy and simple. Our society is awash in temptations of every sort. Let us hold to God’s Word and pray for Holy Spirit empowerment to flee the sins that surround us. The price of sin is way too high to pay!

Tony French

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October 27, 2025 · 9:00 am

Miracle Worker

6 On another Sabbath he went into the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was shriveled. 7 The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath. 8 But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Get up and stand in front of everyone.” So he got up and stood there. 9 Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?” 10 He looked around at them all, and then said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so, and his hand was completely restored. 11 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus.

Luke 6:6-11

The religious leaders of Jesus’ day struggled to accept the truth about Jesus. Their inability to see beyond their traditions and preconceptions led them to oppose the very One they should have embraced. Let’s not make the same mistake. Instead, let’s open our hearts to truly know Jesus for who He is by looking at another of Jesus’ attributes from Scripture.

**Jesus is the Miracle Worker

The account of Jesus healing the man with the withered hand on the Sabbath beautifully illustrates His miraculous power. With just four words – “Stretch out your hand” – Jesus reversed the natural course of disease and restored what was lost.

This miracle reveals several truths about Jesus:

  • He can reverse the natural order of things
  • He can restore what seems irretrievably lost
  • His actions are motivated by love

These truths apply not just to physical healing but to our spiritual condition as well. When we come to Christ, He reverses the curse of sin, restores our relationship with God, and pours out His love upon us.

Tony French

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October 23, 2025 · 9:00 pm

Truths From Scripture

1So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. 2 We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3 so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. 4 In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. 5 For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain. 6 But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. 7 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. 8 For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. 9 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? 10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.

1 Thessalonians 3:1-10

Let us glean some practical principles from 1 Thessalonians 3. I pray that these precepts will edify and encourage you in your walk with Christ.

**Trials and troubles are inevitable

**The Church should seek to strengthen believers who are suffering

**We ought to pray for fellow believers who are struggling

**We should pray that our love and purity will increase

Blessings upon you all!

Tony French

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October 20, 2025 · 9:00 pm

Tragedy

Tragedy is a fact of life. Living on planet that is dominated by sin and rebellion ensures that tragedy, heartache, and pain will always be with us. Natural disasters and man-made disasters are all too common in our world.

Some tragedies are seen by all and are experienced on an international or national level. Other calamities affect us in our local sphere. Still other tragic circumstances are felt on a very personal and deep level.

How do we respond to tragedy? How are we (as Christians) to respond when loss, death, heartache, and pain strike our country, our family, our church, and our lives? Perhaps these three thoughts will help.

In times of tragedy, the first act the Christian needs to undertake is prayer. We absolutely should pray. We ought to pray for the victims and their families. We should pray that God’s comfort and strength would be felt and realized in their lives.

We should also proceed with caution when dealing those who have suffered a tragedy. Sometimes, our words may cause more harm than good.  Spouting platitudes such is “it was God’s will” and “there is a purpose for everything” are not helpful when someone is grieving and in pain. In times of tragedy, people need our presence more than they need our words. We ought to be there for them, cry with them, and love them.

Obviously, I do believe that God has a plan and that Romans 8:28 or Jeremiah 29:11 are true. I do believe that these verses teach essential and eternal principles. I’m merely suggesting that these phrases are not helpful in the time of grief because they imply that people should just “get over” their tragedy. Let’s not make the situation worse than it already is. Instead, let’s love people in and through their grief.

Finally, we must respond with compassion to those who are suffering. We are all sinners and we all need Jesus. Let’s not withhold compassion from someone who is experiencing a tragedy because we may disagree with them. Jesus came and died for us even when we were in sin (Romans 5:8). Let us respond with the same level of compassion as our Savior.

Following these three principles will not make things better overnight. Overcoming tragedy and grief is a painful process that could take years. In the meantime, may we as God’s people commit to helping, serving, and loving those who are suffering and hurting. And as we minister, may we realize that we will need the same type of ministry when tragedy strikes our lives as well.

Tony French

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October 16, 2025 · 9:00 pm

Treating Others Well (1)

10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. 11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. 13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.

1 Thessalonians 2:10-13

How should we treat others? Who should we respond to those who are our brothers and sisters in Christ? Paul’s letters deal with this subject extensively. Here are three practices from 1 Thessalonians 2 that will help us behave towards others well.

**We should treat others rightly

**We should encourage and strengthen others

**We should help others to know the truth

Tony French

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October 13, 2025 · 9:00 am

The Good News

1 For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But even 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. 3 For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit. 4 But 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. 5 For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness—God is witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. 8 So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. 9 For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.

1 Thessalonians 2:1-9

How should we share the good news of salvation. Paul answers this question in 1 Thessalonians chapter 2. As Christians, we should share the gospel……………………..

**With Confidence

**With Strength

**With Purity

**With Sincerity

**With Tenderness

**With Love

Tony French

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