The Word of God for wisdom:
Proverbs 24:30-34 (HCSB)
30 I went by the field of a slacker and by the vineyard of a man lacking sense.
31 Thistles had come up everywhere, weeds covered the ground, and the stone wall was ruined.
32 I saw, and took it to heart; I looked, and received instruction:
33 a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the arms to rest,
34 and your poverty will come like a robber, your need, like a bandit.
The Word of God for inspiration:
Psalm 79:9 (HCSB)
9 God of our salvation, help us— for the glory of Your name. Deliver us and atone for our sins, because of Your name.
The Word of God for encouragement:
1 Thessalonians 1:1-4 (HCSB)
1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy: To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to you and peace.
2 We always thank God for all of you, remembering you constantly in our prayers.
3 We recall, in the presence of our God and Father, your work of faith, labor of love, and endurance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ,
4 knowing your election, brothers loved by God.
My observation:
I woke up this morning with this thought on my mind, "What do you value most in life?" I wrote it down because I figured there was a reason why this thought popped into my head.
Now I know why. As I begin reading 1 Thessalonians chapter one I knew why the Lord had planted this thought in my mind.
The church at Thessalonica is one of my favorite first century churches. It encouraged my heart the first time I had the opportunity to serve as a Transitional Pastor at my home church in Alaska. I preached through 1st and 2nd Thessalonians; it was the book for January Bible Study that year.
The thing I admired about this church was how much they learned and applied after Paul spent such a short time with them; it was less than one month (Acts 17).
What was the reason for these amazing results in such a short period of time? I offer the following for your consideration, and encouragement.
1 Thessalonians 1:5 (HCSB)
5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance. You know what kind of men we were among you for your benefit,
1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 (HCSB)
9 for they themselves report what kind of reception we had from you: how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God
10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.
My prayer:
Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray that we will learn to value, appreciate, and give thanks for the things that come from the inside of a person.
Father God, help us to encourage and be thankful when we are able to see in others the results of the gospel and the power of God working in their lives.
Father God, may others see in me the work of faith, labor of love, and endurance of hope in the Lord Jesus Christ. In Jesus name, Amen.
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1 Thessalonians 1:5-7 (HCSB)
5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance. You know what kind of men we were among you for your benefit,
6 and you became imitators of us and of the Lord when, in spite of severe persecution, you welcomed the message with joy from the Holy Spirit.
7 As a result, you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.
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