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November 27th

The bible reading today is 1st and 2nd Thessalonians

“We give thanks to God always for all of you (O church of Thessalonica), constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of “faith” and labor of “love” and steadfastness of “hope”

1 Thessalonians 1

Paul wrote this letter and the letter to the Galatians during his second missionary journey. It probably hadn’t been more than a year since he had visited Thessalonica.

Paul wrote how that their faith, hope, and love encouraged him and other churches who had heard of their living testimony to Christ.

Their faith was the real deal because it produced good works that glorified Jesus. Their love was the Jesus kind of love...they loved one another even when it was hard. And their hope and confidence in the Lord produced a patience that waited upon God to answer their prayers as well as a patience that endured dry seasons of little recognizable God activity.

O Holy Spirit, work that kind of faith, love, and hope in us and throughout our church family and friends.

Paul went on...“For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you,”

‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭1:4‬

Or as I read it...“You truly are our brothers, our sisters, our family in the faith of Jesus.

Like us, you are God’s beloved. You are the bride of Christ...loved and cherished by Jesus. Like us, you are the chosen ones...chosen for life eternal with God...chosen for life abundant in the joy of the Lord...chosen to be a part of the fellowship of the cross and the resurrection...chosen to be a part of the fellowship of the blood-bought church of Jesus. Halleluiah!

We know it. May God help you to live in and from this truth that we hold dear.

And Paul continues...“For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere so that we need not say anything.”

‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭1:8‬

Wow...what a testimony...a young church is known “everywhere” for living and spreading the gospel of Christ.

“O Lord make us that church in our day...in our town...in our state and in our nation and beyond for your glory and the expansion of your kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.”

And Paul continues..“For they in Macedonia and Achaia report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, People have heard about your getting saved...and how you turned to God from idols

People have heard how your lives have completely changed...to serve the living and true God.

People have heard the strangest thing...and it’s not that you've added another god to the many you already have...you've chosen One to actually serve. That’s totally unheard of in Greco-Roman culture. People were not expected to love a god. But they have heard from you that there is One God...to know personally and to love enough to desire to serve His every purpose. That was strange enough to cause people to listen to his good news message.

And people have heard...that you live to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”

‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭1:9-10.

Now that is inspiring...I'd join that church!

Have a great day