Thursday – June 10th – 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5 ------
3:1 Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone,
2 and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith,
3 that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.
4 For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know.
5 For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.
The Daily Walk Bible inspirational thought for today:
YOU NEVER SO TOUCH THE OCEAN OF GOD’S LOVE AS WHEN YOU FORGIVE AND LOVE YOUR ENEMIES.*
Happy Thursday to my friends and fellow blog readers. The inspirational thoughts this week are all knocking it out of the park for me. The Daily Walk Bible readings are in the book of Psalms right now and are focusing on our relationship with God and with others. Today’s thought certainly puts me to thinking about my willingness to follow the instructions of both forgiving and loving my enemies. Admittedly I sometimes find it easier to focus this positive attention on those I consider my enemies than on those I consider my friends whom I am at odds with. Maybe because it is easier to avoid my enemies and not my friends. So beginning today I will forgive and love all those who I come in contact with, and maybe, just maybe they can forgive and love me in return.
Our pick verse moves us into the third chapter of 1 Thessalonians and Paul’s new focus on lifting-up good news for and about the believers in this northern Greek city. From Thessalonica Paul and his missionary group traveled south to Berea. Silas and Timothy stayed there while Paul traveled alone to the great city of Athens. Concerned about the severe persecution of believers back in Thessalonica, he asked Timothy to return to that city and encourage the believers to stand strong in their new-found faith. Paul knew both the reality and the power of spiritual warfare and was fearful the evil one would create enough of a disruption in the lives of these young Christians that all of their work for the kingdom would be lost. The devil’s job description is to keep us from getting to Heaven, and to disrupt our ability to witness to others. Paul regularly taught his converts to expect persecution if they were passionate about sharing their faith. Things have not changed for us today – we must stand strong in the Lord at all times.
Blessings
Pastor Jim
Friday – June 11th – 1 Thessalonians 3:6-8
*Tyndale. The Daily Walk Bible NLT (Daily Walk: Full Size) (Kindle Locations 30015-30016). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition.
3:1 Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone,
2 and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith,
3 that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.
4 For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know.
5 For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.
The Daily Walk Bible inspirational thought for today:
YOU NEVER SO TOUCH THE OCEAN OF GOD’S LOVE AS WHEN YOU FORGIVE AND LOVE YOUR ENEMIES.*
Happy Thursday to my friends and fellow blog readers. The inspirational thoughts this week are all knocking it out of the park for me. The Daily Walk Bible readings are in the book of Psalms right now and are focusing on our relationship with God and with others. Today’s thought certainly puts me to thinking about my willingness to follow the instructions of both forgiving and loving my enemies. Admittedly I sometimes find it easier to focus this positive attention on those I consider my enemies than on those I consider my friends whom I am at odds with. Maybe because it is easier to avoid my enemies and not my friends. So beginning today I will forgive and love all those who I come in contact with, and maybe, just maybe they can forgive and love me in return.
Our pick verse moves us into the third chapter of 1 Thessalonians and Paul’s new focus on lifting-up good news for and about the believers in this northern Greek city. From Thessalonica Paul and his missionary group traveled south to Berea. Silas and Timothy stayed there while Paul traveled alone to the great city of Athens. Concerned about the severe persecution of believers back in Thessalonica, he asked Timothy to return to that city and encourage the believers to stand strong in their new-found faith. Paul knew both the reality and the power of spiritual warfare and was fearful the evil one would create enough of a disruption in the lives of these young Christians that all of their work for the kingdom would be lost. The devil’s job description is to keep us from getting to Heaven, and to disrupt our ability to witness to others. Paul regularly taught his converts to expect persecution if they were passionate about sharing their faith. Things have not changed for us today – we must stand strong in the Lord at all times.
Blessings
Pastor Jim
Friday – June 11th – 1 Thessalonians 3:6-8
*Tyndale. The Daily Walk Bible NLT (Daily Walk: Full Size) (Kindle Locations 30015-30016). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition.
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