September 28-Thessalonians-Hope
Write out the Scripture.
1 Thessalonians 3:1-2, So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. 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,
Observe what it is saying.
Paul had a Popeye, the sailor man, moment, “That's all I can stands, an' I can't stands no more!" Paul could “stands no more” not knowing how the Thessalonians were doing as they faced their persecution. Paul's sincere concern for them is demonstrated by his willingness to let his cherished co-worker, Timothy, go to them. This act caused Paul to remain alone in Athens dominated by pagan philosophy and animosity toward the Gospel. Paul’s personal trials meant far less to him than his concern for those he loved and longed to see. We discover how the gospel calls us out of our selfishness so that we might put the needs of others first. Paul was willing to giving up his support system so that he might offer his help to these beleaguered believers and hear how they were faring. Timothy was a utility player who was not only valuable to Paul, but also an effective servant often sent by Paul to various churches to strengthen them in their faith. Paul understood that we cannot survive spiritually in a vacuum but need encouragement to stay strong in our walk with the Lord Jesus.
Relate it to your life.
Who offers support and encouragement to me? Do I offer the same to others? Who can I encourage in their faith today?
Do something.
Lord Jesus, thank You for those that You send to encourage me and send me to do the same. Amen.
September 29-Thessalonians-Hope
Write out the Scripture.
1 Thessalonians 3:3-5, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. 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. 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.
Observe what it is saying.
Paul continued to reveal his thoughts and emotions considering his concern for how the Thessalonians were doing spiritually. Paul had cautioned them that the enemy would be coming to torment them. Jesus had said the same in telling his disciples that they would have trouble in this world. Paul had heard the Thessalonians were experiencing opposition and wanted to know how they were faring. Again, Paul tells us when he could stand it no longer, he sent Timothy to find out what was going on. Paul shares his greatest fear that Satan had unleashed great temptation, and they had fallen away from the gospel that Paul proclaimed to them. He was concerned all his efforts had been for naught. He himself knew the great battle that is unleashed by the devil when we pledge our allegiance to Jesus and His kingdom. Paul’s greatest concern was not their physical well-being but their spiritual well-being. It is natural to be most concerned with each other’s physical health, but Paul models the weightier supernatural concern we should have in caring about each other’s spiritual health because it matters for all eternity.
Relate it to your life.
As I think about those I love, I need to include in my thoughts their spiritual well-being.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, I ask for all my loved ones that You will draw them to faith, bring them closer to You in the daily walk of faith, and preserve them in the faith for all eternity. Amen.
September 30-Thessalonians-Hope
Write out the Scripture.
1 Thessalonians 3:6-7, 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. Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith.
Observe what it is saying.
Paul was relieved to hear good news about his dear friends. Through their persecution, they were holding on to the faith and were expressing it in loving ways as the gospel calls us to do so. It was good for Paul to hear that they had good memories of him being there and that they, too, long to see him as he did them. As Paul wanted to encourage them by sending Timothy, he was encouraged himself in the midst of his own trouble to know that they were doing well spiritually. This is the way of the Christian faith. When we focus on others, when we look to their interests, when we put them first, as Paul was doing with the Thessalonians, the blessing always comes home to us. This is the paradoxical nature of the kingdom of God. When we do what Jesus calls us to do even when it appears to go against the natural order of our fallen world, we will find ourselves reaping the spiritual benefits. So, it would do us well to think about, pray for, and encourage others in their spiritual journey for we will find it strengthening and encouraging our own walk with Jesus as we do so.
Relate it to your life.
When I fully focus on others, Jesus takes care of my needs.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, give me Holy Spirit power to be selfless and seek to offer spiritual support for others. Amen.
October 1-Thessalonians-Hope
Write out the Scripture.
1 Thessalonians 3:8-9, For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. 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?
Observe what it is saying.
Paul cannot stop talking about how much these people meant to him. He talks about really living once he heard the good report about them. He had such a burden to know how they were doing spiritually. Once he found out they were doing well, he sighed a huge relief. He could breathe again. Not only that, he was thankful to God for all the joy he had because of them. It was not superficial but heartfelt and sincere happiness that he had "in the presence of our God." Who are the people that cause us such joy “in the presence of God?” Obviously, there are family and friends. Do we also have family and friends in the faith who cause such joy? Are we broken over those who are not in the faith? Do we have a burden for their soul? Do we experience great joy when they come to faith in Christ? Do we celebrate as they remain faithful and continue to grow deeper in the midst of challenging and difficult times? Paul models the importance of elevating spiritual friendships among the most significant relationships that we hold dear. We need each other. When others suffer, we pray for them. When they rejoice, we give praise to God. In all things, we encourage each other to stay faithful to the end.
Relate it to your life.
Who are the people of faith that bring me the greatest joy? Am I praying for and encouraging them?
Do something.
Lord Jesus, thank You for all my family and friends in the faith. I ask that You will empower them to remain faithful to the very end. I, also, ask for those who are not in the faith that they will soon turn to You in repentance and belief. Amen.
October 2-Thessalonians-Hope
Write out the Scripture.
1 Thessalonians 3:10-11, Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith. Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you.
Observe what it is saying.
Even after hearing the good report about the Thessalonians faith and love, Paul is still praying fervently that he will be able to see them again. However, he does not just want to see them, he wants to offer to further the way of Jesus. He knew his short visit with them was not adequate to convey the whole counsel of God. There was so much more to share with them that he had been experiencing in his own walk with Jesus. Paul had learned to be content in all circumstances because of Jesus and was eager to relay his own discipleship lessons with them. Paul revealed, even if we are doing well in our faith and love, there is so much more to learn, to grow into, and to enjoy with the Lord Jesus. We can never fully plummet the depth of our relationship with Jesus. We can never be content and coast. As Paul was passionate for them to learn and grow so we must be equally passionate for ourselves and others at the same time. We must keep reading and reflecting on Scripture, praying, serving, and worshiping so that we do not become stagnant or weak in our walk with Jesus but remain faithful when the day of trouble and testing come upon us. Whether we realize it or not, when we actively participate in the community of faith, our very presence is an encouragement for others to keep going and growing.
Relate it to your life.
How am I growing my faith and helping others to grow as well?
Do something.
Lord Jesus, use me in ways I never expect to be a catalyst for others to be encouraged and discipled in Your way. Amen.
October 3-Thessalonians-Hope
Write out the Scripture.
1 Thessalonians 3:12-13, May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.
Observe what it is saying.
Paul’s benediction prayer continues from yesterday where he asked God to open a way for them to visit the Thessalonians to now praying for their spiritual wellbeing. The most significant prayer that we pray for one another is that God will work within them to make them spiritually complete. In fact, Paul gives us the very words in these two verses we can pray. We can ask for the love of God that is within them in Christ to abundantly flow into the lives of others. We can ask that God will make them strong in their inner life so that when temptation and opposition come, they will be without blame and be found to be pure in the presence of God when Christ Jesus returns. Paul had already commended them for their faith and love and now he prays that what they have will continue to grow so they will remain faithful and continue to be a blessing in the way they treat each other. When we think about the core aspects of the Christian life, these are the two areas that most need our attention. We want to continually deepen our faith so that we will live holy pleasing lives to the Lord, and we will love others as Jesus has loved us.
Relate it to your life.
Who can I pray this prayer for today?
Do something.
Lord Jesus, I pray that Your love will increase in ____________ life so they might love others as You have loved us. I, also, ask that You will keep them faithful to the very end when You return. Amen.
Write out the Scripture.
1 Thessalonians 3:1-2, So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. 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,
Observe what it is saying.
Paul had a Popeye, the sailor man, moment, “That's all I can stands, an' I can't stands no more!" Paul could “stands no more” not knowing how the Thessalonians were doing as they faced their persecution. Paul's sincere concern for them is demonstrated by his willingness to let his cherished co-worker, Timothy, go to them. This act caused Paul to remain alone in Athens dominated by pagan philosophy and animosity toward the Gospel. Paul’s personal trials meant far less to him than his concern for those he loved and longed to see. We discover how the gospel calls us out of our selfishness so that we might put the needs of others first. Paul was willing to giving up his support system so that he might offer his help to these beleaguered believers and hear how they were faring. Timothy was a utility player who was not only valuable to Paul, but also an effective servant often sent by Paul to various churches to strengthen them in their faith. Paul understood that we cannot survive spiritually in a vacuum but need encouragement to stay strong in our walk with the Lord Jesus.
Relate it to your life.
Who offers support and encouragement to me? Do I offer the same to others? Who can I encourage in their faith today?
Do something.
Lord Jesus, thank You for those that You send to encourage me and send me to do the same. Amen.
September 29-Thessalonians-Hope
Write out the Scripture.
1 Thessalonians 3:3-5, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. 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. 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.
Observe what it is saying.
Paul continued to reveal his thoughts and emotions considering his concern for how the Thessalonians were doing spiritually. Paul had cautioned them that the enemy would be coming to torment them. Jesus had said the same in telling his disciples that they would have trouble in this world. Paul had heard the Thessalonians were experiencing opposition and wanted to know how they were faring. Again, Paul tells us when he could stand it no longer, he sent Timothy to find out what was going on. Paul shares his greatest fear that Satan had unleashed great temptation, and they had fallen away from the gospel that Paul proclaimed to them. He was concerned all his efforts had been for naught. He himself knew the great battle that is unleashed by the devil when we pledge our allegiance to Jesus and His kingdom. Paul’s greatest concern was not their physical well-being but their spiritual well-being. It is natural to be most concerned with each other’s physical health, but Paul models the weightier supernatural concern we should have in caring about each other’s spiritual health because it matters for all eternity.
Relate it to your life.
As I think about those I love, I need to include in my thoughts their spiritual well-being.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, I ask for all my loved ones that You will draw them to faith, bring them closer to You in the daily walk of faith, and preserve them in the faith for all eternity. Amen.
September 30-Thessalonians-Hope
Write out the Scripture.
1 Thessalonians 3:6-7, 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. Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith.
Observe what it is saying.
Paul was relieved to hear good news about his dear friends. Through their persecution, they were holding on to the faith and were expressing it in loving ways as the gospel calls us to do so. It was good for Paul to hear that they had good memories of him being there and that they, too, long to see him as he did them. As Paul wanted to encourage them by sending Timothy, he was encouraged himself in the midst of his own trouble to know that they were doing well spiritually. This is the way of the Christian faith. When we focus on others, when we look to their interests, when we put them first, as Paul was doing with the Thessalonians, the blessing always comes home to us. This is the paradoxical nature of the kingdom of God. When we do what Jesus calls us to do even when it appears to go against the natural order of our fallen world, we will find ourselves reaping the spiritual benefits. So, it would do us well to think about, pray for, and encourage others in their spiritual journey for we will find it strengthening and encouraging our own walk with Jesus as we do so.
Relate it to your life.
When I fully focus on others, Jesus takes care of my needs.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, give me Holy Spirit power to be selfless and seek to offer spiritual support for others. Amen.
October 1-Thessalonians-Hope
Write out the Scripture.
1 Thessalonians 3:8-9, For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. 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?
Observe what it is saying.
Paul cannot stop talking about how much these people meant to him. He talks about really living once he heard the good report about them. He had such a burden to know how they were doing spiritually. Once he found out they were doing well, he sighed a huge relief. He could breathe again. Not only that, he was thankful to God for all the joy he had because of them. It was not superficial but heartfelt and sincere happiness that he had "in the presence of our God." Who are the people that cause us such joy “in the presence of God?” Obviously, there are family and friends. Do we also have family and friends in the faith who cause such joy? Are we broken over those who are not in the faith? Do we have a burden for their soul? Do we experience great joy when they come to faith in Christ? Do we celebrate as they remain faithful and continue to grow deeper in the midst of challenging and difficult times? Paul models the importance of elevating spiritual friendships among the most significant relationships that we hold dear. We need each other. When others suffer, we pray for them. When they rejoice, we give praise to God. In all things, we encourage each other to stay faithful to the end.
Relate it to your life.
Who are the people of faith that bring me the greatest joy? Am I praying for and encouraging them?
Do something.
Lord Jesus, thank You for all my family and friends in the faith. I ask that You will empower them to remain faithful to the very end. I, also, ask for those who are not in the faith that they will soon turn to You in repentance and belief. Amen.
October 2-Thessalonians-Hope
Write out the Scripture.
1 Thessalonians 3:10-11, Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith. Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you.
Observe what it is saying.
Even after hearing the good report about the Thessalonians faith and love, Paul is still praying fervently that he will be able to see them again. However, he does not just want to see them, he wants to offer to further the way of Jesus. He knew his short visit with them was not adequate to convey the whole counsel of God. There was so much more to share with them that he had been experiencing in his own walk with Jesus. Paul had learned to be content in all circumstances because of Jesus and was eager to relay his own discipleship lessons with them. Paul revealed, even if we are doing well in our faith and love, there is so much more to learn, to grow into, and to enjoy with the Lord Jesus. We can never fully plummet the depth of our relationship with Jesus. We can never be content and coast. As Paul was passionate for them to learn and grow so we must be equally passionate for ourselves and others at the same time. We must keep reading and reflecting on Scripture, praying, serving, and worshiping so that we do not become stagnant or weak in our walk with Jesus but remain faithful when the day of trouble and testing come upon us. Whether we realize it or not, when we actively participate in the community of faith, our very presence is an encouragement for others to keep going and growing.
Relate it to your life.
How am I growing my faith and helping others to grow as well?
Do something.
Lord Jesus, use me in ways I never expect to be a catalyst for others to be encouraged and discipled in Your way. Amen.
October 3-Thessalonians-Hope
Write out the Scripture.
1 Thessalonians 3:12-13, May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.
Observe what it is saying.
Paul’s benediction prayer continues from yesterday where he asked God to open a way for them to visit the Thessalonians to now praying for their spiritual wellbeing. The most significant prayer that we pray for one another is that God will work within them to make them spiritually complete. In fact, Paul gives us the very words in these two verses we can pray. We can ask for the love of God that is within them in Christ to abundantly flow into the lives of others. We can ask that God will make them strong in their inner life so that when temptation and opposition come, they will be without blame and be found to be pure in the presence of God when Christ Jesus returns. Paul had already commended them for their faith and love and now he prays that what they have will continue to grow so they will remain faithful and continue to be a blessing in the way they treat each other. When we think about the core aspects of the Christian life, these are the two areas that most need our attention. We want to continually deepen our faith so that we will live holy pleasing lives to the Lord, and we will love others as Jesus has loved us.
Relate it to your life.
Who can I pray this prayer for today?
Do something.
Lord Jesus, I pray that Your love will increase in ____________ life so they might love others as You have loved us. I, also, ask that You will keep them faithful to the very end when You return. Amen.
Posted in Daily Devotionals