November 5, 2023
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in 1 Thessalonians? Here’s today’s reading:
1 Thessalonians 3 (NIV)
1 So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. 2 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, 3 so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them.…..Continue Reading
1Thessalonians 3
I Thess 3. I am moved by the opening passages by Paul. He visited them, helped them establish a church community, and went on elsewhere. But that was not the end, for Paul earnestly desired to know how they made out in his absence. He had to know that their faith continued strong and grew! In this Paul really loved the church. He made efforts to secure Timotheus to check on them. What Paul accomplished led to the gospel around the world! What a leader and man of God!
Paul expresses deep concern for the Thessalonians knowing they would face persecution just like he did when he was in that city. It is a good reminder that persecution is something we can expect as believers in Jesus and when we are persecuted we are in a long line of believers who have suffered the same. And how easy it is for faith to falter when that happens and what a model of leadership Paul is here that he sent someone to take care of them when he couldn’t. For anyone who disciples others, we can understand the concern that Paul had for how they were handling things and how glad it is to find out that they were doing better than he expected. How good it is that we would all experience the joy that comes from nurturing someone else’s faith and have joy in God’s presence because of it. And yet also to know that in spite of how well they are doing, there is good reason for Paul to strive to see them and sure them up in the faith that he had passed on to them. It is good to see the close relationship that Paul had with all the churches that he founded.
1 Thessalonians 3
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.
Verses like this remind us that He never promised us a rose garden but it brought Paul encouragement to see the Thessalonians staying firm in their faith during these trial and it reminded me of all the persecuted Christians around the world that fear for their safety, freedom, and even their lives to proclaim their salvation. It encourages me since the trials I experience are nothing in comparison so I should never lose faith or become discouraged given the freedoms we have to worship, pray, and gather in God’s name here in the US during our good times and bad!
Paul was showing concern for the believers that he and the others led to Christ while they were there. He and the others had been praying for them that Satan wouldn`t hinder their walk with God and each other. By sending Timothy he was able to find out that the new believers were doing better than he thought. I am sure that Timothy also ministered to their needs and instructed them showing them the love of Christ which he had in Christ. For he too had examples to follow. Both his grandmother and his mother since childhood. And latter by Paul. 2 Tmothy 1;5 Paul`s desire for the believers is that they would have love abounding toward each other in the Lord and that Christ may establish their hearts unblameable in holiness before God. 12,13. How good that is when as believers we can have godly examples to follow. But are we the godly examples to others. Thank the Lord that we have Jesus Christ to follow for not all of us grew up in a godly home. My parents didn`t get saved until after I did. The three of us children got saved before them. But at least my mom brought us to church and Sunday School. My father didn`t even seemed to care that I existed. Thank the Lord that I had a mom that loved me and a grandmother that loved me. My mom and her mom. Also I had a aunt [ my dad`s oldest sister by the name of Eunice] that loved me. But no godly father or grandfathers or uncles. But when I came to Christ at the age of 20 that I now had God the Father as my father. And of course other strong godly men as brothers. This is probably why I desire to be the godly example to our children and grandchildren. Of course I want to follow Jesus even though I fail often. But as the Lord wants us to do is to press on in Him. This is a call to the men in the church to be that godly example to the young men and boys. Of course we are to be that godly example to all in the church. I am glad that a new ministry has started up for the young men and boys on Tuesdays. But hopefully a ministry starts up for the young women and girls. For the two grandchildren that I see are two granddaughters Ava and her sister. Ages 4 and 8. So please ladies pray about this. I am praying about teaching the boys and finding out more about it but right now I am having trouble walking and don`t want to be in the way although I was a cub scout and then a boy scout and used to hike and camp out. May the Lord lead each of us to the ministry that He wants us in.
It is difficult when those that you love and led to the Lord are persecuted or harmed. Paul is concerned (worried, perhaps?) that their faith may have been shaken.
..”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.”
1 Thessalonians 3
We can see Paul’s vulnerability when he shares his anxious thoughts that the Thessalonians may have turned away from their faith so his work with them was unsuccessful. When we read these words, we can feel his great love and concern for the churches. So he sends Timothy to find out if they stood firm in their belief in Christ and if their hearts are strengthened in love. He has great joy when he is assured that they are continuing to be guided in the direction of God’s will and purpose. We understand his joy because we are also very encouraged when we see the continued growth of our loved ones who have turned their lives over to the Lord. It’s a beautiful thing! And we can pray his same prayer for our brothers and sisters in Christ. That their love increases for one another, and that their faith is strengthened each day in the Lord. Amen.
1Thessalonians 4