I Thessalonians 5- Be Patient & Give Thanks

¹⁴ We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
¹⁵ See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.
¹⁶ Rejoice always;
¹⁷ pray without ceasing;
¹⁸ in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

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What an intensely packed section of Truth!  Thank you Lord for telling us what Your will is so that we can walk in your way each day.

I Thessalonians 2- Share the Gospel to Please God, not man

³ For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit;
⁴ but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts.

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We have all been given a high calling to share the Gospel here on Earth.  Telling others about God's Son and His sacrifice for our sin...That He rose again just a scripture foretold, is the only truly important thing in this life.  We can't share with the lost once we are in Heaven, this is our only chance...

Lord, help me to please you above all others.  Give me opportunities to share the Gospel and give me the strength and courage to take them without reservation.  You know my heart, let it be found seeking only You!

I Thessalonians 5- Pastor Appreciation

 ¹² But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction,
 ¹³ and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. 

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This chapter had much to say about right living... But I was immediately struck by these two verses.  Our pastors (and leadership team) work diligently for one goal, to train others in the saving knowledge of Christ and train believers to serve as God has called them.  There is probably more to it than that, but trying to boil it all down succinctly was kinda tough...

I am thankful that I attend a fellowship of believers, where the Bible is preached.  There is no holds barred... They teach on sin, they teach on Salvation, they confront the hard issues and stand "their" ground (actually it is the Truth of Scripture).  They encourage, exhort and discipline when necessary.  But regardless of the situation they drive us back to The Word.

We need to remember how hard our pastors work, and encourage them whenever we can.  More than anything, we need to pray that our Pastors will continue to fight the good fight and follow Christ's calling. 

I Thessalonians3- Engouragment

 ⁶ But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you,
 ⁷ for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith;
 ⁸ for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord.

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What a blessing it is to encourage others by our faith.  Trials are difficult circumstances that God uses to train, discipline and grow us.  They are part of normal life, everyone of us goes through different types for various reasons.  BUT one thing is certain, that even trials are part of God's will.

Is your faith encouraging to those who know you?  What can you do to encourage others with your  faith?

I Thessalonians 2- Pleasing God, not men

 ⁴ but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts.

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Putting the things of this world in the eternal perspective really helps me understand what is important in life.  Yes, things are not going well at work, but what does God want me to do?  Continue to serve Him in everything I say, think or do.  God is sovereign!  There is nothing that is out of His control.  What others think about us is far less important than what God knows about us.

I Thessalonians 1- In Tribulation with Joy

 ⁵ for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.
 ⁶ You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit,

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These two verses provide tons of encouragement and direction, but I will only scratch the surface. 

1) The gospel is Powerful!

2) We are to prove what the gospel has done in our lives, with actions.

3) We should be imitators of Christ!

4) We are to be filled with Joy even during trials and tribulation. This is only made possible with Christ, through the gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit!