Hope

A person can endure almost anything as long as they have hope, as long as they can believe there may come a change for the better. They can put up with privation; they can stand sever hardship; they can accept harsh confinement; they can live with discomfort; they can be patient through long illness.

Hope looks for the good in people instead of harping on the worst.
Hope opens doors where despair closes them.
Hope discovers what can be done instead of grumbling about what cannot happen.
Hope draws its power from a deep trust in God and His innate goodness toward humankind.
Hope regards problems, small or large, as opportunities.
Hope cherishes no illusions, nor does it yield to cynicism.
Hope sets big goals and is not frustrated by repeated difficulties or setbacks.
Hope pushes ahead when it would be easy to quit.
Hope puts up with modest gains, realizing that "the longest journey starts with one step."
Hope accepts misunderstandings as the price for serving the greater good of others.
Hope "lights a candle" instead of "cursing the darkness."

Author Unknown

What's So Great About The Bible

1. It Answers The Ultimate Questions
In The Bible we find the answers to life's ultimate questions: Where did I come from? Why am I here? What is the purpose of my existence? One-third of the earth’s population has received its claims.

2. It's A Literary Miracle
The Bible contains 66 books, written by some 40 authors over a time span of 1600 years. It was written originally in 3 languages: Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. It was written in many countries under varying circumstances yet is one perfect unit, telling us one complete story. It is the most criticized, scrutinized and attacked book ever written. But it has withstood all the tests and is still by far the world’s best-seller.

3. Its Number Of Manuscripts And Their Accuracy
The Bible stands alone in the number of ancient manuscripts and in their accuracy with each other. For example, the New Testament has over 24,000 ancient copies, some dating back to within 30 years of the original. By comparison, the writings of Plato has 7 copies with the earliest being 1200 years after the original document.

4. Its Fulfilled Prophecy
The Bible is the only book with detailed prophecies about people, cities, nations, Israel in particular, and the first and second coming of the Messiah. History has revealed their perfect fulfillment so far. For example, the Old Testament gives us over 190 specific prophecies concerning the first coming of Jesus Christ. He fulfilled every prophecy concerning his first sacrificial coming. The mathematical Law of Probability of just 8 of the specific prophecies being fulfilled is almost beyond computation.

5. Its Accuracy in Archaeology and History
Dr. Nelson Glueck, the renowned Jewish archaeologist, wrote: “It may be stated categorically that no archaeological discovery has ever controverted a biblical reference.” Famous archaeologist William F. Albright said, “There can be no doubt that archaeology has confirmed the substantial historicity of the Old Testament tradition.”

6. Its Accuracy in Science
Whenever The Bible touches on confirmed scientific facts it is complimentary. For example, life is in the blood (Gen.9:4; Lev.17:11), the earth is a sphere (Isa.40:22), the northern black hole and the earth hanging on nothing (Job 26:7), sound waves between the stars (Job 38:7; Psa.135:7), the hydrological cycle and evaporation (Job 36:27-28; Psa.135:7), the circulation of the atmosphere (Ecc.1:6; Rev.7:1).

7. Its Power in Peoples Lives
The philosopher and atheist Bertrand Russell on his deathbed was quoted as saying, “ . . . get me the only book”. Voltaire, the French atheist boasted, “One hundred years and there will be no Bible on earth”. Two hundred years later, his book sold on the Paris newsstand for eleven cents. The same day, Britain paid Russia $500,000 for an ancient Biblical manuscript. Fifty years later, Voltaire’s home became a Bible distribution center.

Spiritual Abuse

As we continue to study 1Thessalonians we learned in chapter 1 how to measure the maturity of a local church. In chapter 2 verses 1-12 we learn the motives and manners of godly leaders. This is contrasted by leaders in spiritual authority who abuse. Just as we confront physical, emotional and sexual abuse in our culture, we need to be discerning about those who are in places of spiritual authority.

1. Pure vs. Impure Motives v.1-3
Godly leaders are willing to endure great suffering and opposition to declare the Gospel of grace. Impure leaders will normally run from intense conflict and blame others in the process.

2. Suffering vs. "Success" v.2
A godly leader will teach that unjust suffering is a normal part of the Christian experience. God's grace is revealed through our weakness. Leaders with impure motives will avoid that subject in preferance to a health, wealth and prosperity gospel. They also gain power from preaching a theology of salvation by good works.

3. God Pleasers vs. People Abusers v.4-6
The motivation in godly leaders is to please God rather than pacify people. They realize that the message of the cross is offensive to many and foolishness to others. Leaders with impure motives will manipulate people in four specific ways:
a. By cleaver speech
b. By phony friendships
c. By financial pressure tactics
d. By popularity polls (It's all about me)

4. Protection vs. Abandonment v.7-12
Godly leaders will demonstrate family care. They will be gentle like a baby. They will nurture like a mother. They will encourage like a father. In contrast, abusive spiritual leaders will serve themselves, motivated by financial gain and then leave the "family" to find new victims.

5. Kingdom vs. Empire v.12
God has called us to share in His Kingdom not to build personal empires. Spiritually abusive leaders will always draw attention to themselves by promoting their ministry over the finished work of Christ. They will eventually show that they are pursuing financial gain (a love of money). They will utalize smooth and cleaver sermons to manipulate and deceive those who are spiritually immature. They will be judgmental and legalistic to those who question their authority. If this kind of abuse is experienced in a local church or the media, expose and confront it.