The Apostle Paul experienced the bitter-sweet memory of the Thessalonians' reception of the gospel and the Jews' rejection of the gospel. His consolation was the assurance of standing with the Thessalonians in the presence of Jesus when He comes again-

Persistent, growing faith is enough for God to do great things-

Paul identifies evidences of the Thessalonians' conversion that can also serve to give us assurance of our salvation.

Jesus is the compassionate Christ who should be Lord of your life.

We revel in our freedom in Christ, but having gained it, we are to abandon it to embrace servitude- enslavement to Christ and others.

Colossians 2-8-15 explains the insufficiency of philosophy compared to the sufficiency of Jesus Christ. Philosophy might ask some of the right questions. But Jesus Christ is the only right answer.

Our theology assures us that God knows everything - that He is omniscient. However, our experience causes us to wonder if God knows what He is doing. We declare that He is omniscient, but question if He is all wise.