1 Thessalonians 3
1So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. 2We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God's fellow worker[a]in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we were destined for them. 4In 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. 5For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent Timothy to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless.
Timothy's Encouraging Report
6But 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. 7Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. 8For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. 9How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? 10Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.
11Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13May 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.
Footnotes:
[a] 1 Thessalonians 3:2 Some manuscripts brother and fellow worker; other manuscripts brother and God's servant
3 comments:
1 Thes 3
3so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we were destined for them.
Brothers, thank you for your advice. The above verse adequately sums up my day/week, but I have to admit I'm in good (if exhausted) spirits. I recognize that these things happen, and I can again only thank God for His son, His grace, and you men.
8For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.
Amen- not much else to say. I feel like I have restarted really living, after reconnecting with God, and truly staying connected. With that comes good and bad, and I recognize that the devil is around every corner, just waiting to pounce.
Father, give us strength, (a little sleep), and courage to continue standing firm in You and leaning on You in our daily battles. I ask these things in Jesus' name
Amen
crb
12:30am go to bed boy
12And may the Lord make your love grow and overflow to each other and to everyone else, just as our love overflows toward you. 13As a result, Christ will make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy when you stand before God our Father on that day when our Lord Jesus comes with all those who belong to him.
How awesome. It is a lttle intimidating for me to read over and over how concerned Paul is for everyone and how they are doing with their faith.
Father, give us all a spirit like Paul's, centered on serving you and helping others grow in their faith. Lift up crb, timmcd6, lrt and er this morning. Father, you know their hearts and the things that wegh heavy on them. Remove that burden Father.
In Christ,
cas
crb, we continue to pray for you and the situations that have happened. Continue to stand firm in Christ.
As far as this chapter goes, cas nailed the same thing that struck me once again. Paul truly loves these people. He is not focused upon himself but open them.
The interesting verses to me is are:
vs. 8 For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. Paul continues to live in such a way that his realities are not the same as those around him. Paul had been serving Christ in a radical way for a long time (two missionary journeys), yet he NOW is really living because of the faith of the Thessalonians (whom he had lived with for only about a month). Somehow I know Paul would think that I have never even lived, seeing how self-absorbed I can be and how focused on earthbound goals I can get. Regardless, it is encouraging to me that God can work a transformation deep within our souls.
and vs. 10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith. So what is lacking in their faith? Paul had just recently praised it. Was he wanting them to go to the next level? What would that level be?
Lord God, praise you for Your goodness and Grace. We continue to ask you to shape our hearts and minds as we seek you each day in the Word and in prayer. Create in each of us a heart that loves as You love and minds that think as Y.ou think. Thank You for Your patience and commitment to all of our transformation.
In Christ's name,
amen
er
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