The Word of God for wisdom:
Proverbs 25:2-3 (NLT)
2 It is God's privilege to conceal things and the king's privilege to discover them.
3 No one can comprehend the height of heaven, the depth of the earth, or all that goes on in the king's mind!
The Word of God for inspiration:
Psalm 80:3 (NLT)
3 Turn us again to yourself, O God. Make your face shine down upon us. Only then will we be saved.
The Word of God for encouragement:
1 Thessalonians 2:1-6 (HCSB)
1 For you yourselves know, brothers, that our visit with you was not without result.
2 On the contrary, after we had previously suffered, and we were treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, we were emboldened by our God to speak the gospel of God to you in spite of great opposition.
3 For our exhortation didn't come from error or impurity or an intent to deceive.
4 Instead, just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please men, but rather God, who examines our hearts.
5 For we never used flattering speech, as you know, or had greedy motives—God is our witness—
6 and we didn't seek glory from people, either from you or from others.
My observation:
In our focal passage for today the Apostle Paul recalls his visit in establishing the church at Thessalonica. It had a great result, but Paul and the new believers faced persecution from the enemies of Christ Jesus. Luke records what they faced in Acts.
Acts 17:1-3 (HCSB)
1 Then they traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia and came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue.
2 As usual, Paul went to the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures,
3 explaining and showing that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead: "This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah."
Acts 17:5-6 (HCSB)
5 But the Jews became jealous, and they brought together some scoundrels from the marketplace, formed a mob, and started a riot in the city. Attacking Jason's house, they searched for them to bring them out to the public assembly.
6 When they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city officials, shouting, "These men who have turned the world upside down have come here too,
As you can see, when you serve God and preach the gospel of Christ, things can get tough. However, even in the midst of suffering, God will bless those who remain faithful. O the blessing of being a world changer; counted with those who it was said, "These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also".
The safest place to be is in the will of God, and doing the work of God. Make a decision to remain faithful until God says, "It is finished". Many start, but few finish; be a finisher.
1 Corinthians 4:2 (HCSB)
2 In this regard, it is expected of managers that each one [of them] be found faithful.
My prayer:
Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray that you will empower me with the strength and the perseverance to never give up; to press on until I hear your sweet voice saying, "Well done thou good and faithful servant; it is finished; receive your crown". O, that will be a happy day. 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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