Paul has demonstrated five truths about God’s providence (as seen in v.28)… that God is at work in our lives, at work for the good of his people, at work for our good in all things, at work for those who love him, and this is all for a purpose... So he asks five rhetorical questions about the everlasting love God has for those who love His Son.

What does it mean that John can define God by saying "God is love"? In John 3:16, John explains what Jesus said to Nicodemus regarding how Jesus being lifted up (as the serpent was lifted up in the wilderness by Moses) is evidence of the depth, scope, and purpose of God's love.

Why? The answer is simple... to worship and glorify God. The method is not a program, nor a task, but a way of life. The Greatest Commandment calls for us to love God with the totality of our being. To obey God is to know God. Are you obedient to the way called out in the Great comission?

Have you ever stopped to think about how Christianity is not so much about information as it is about transformation - living ethically in all that we do? How we treat one another speaks so much louder than our words. We are to love one another "more and more", going above and beyond in brotherly love! Are you living in a way that 'pleases God'?

When Jesus called and appointed the twelve 'Apostles,' his call for them was to be 'with him' as well as to be sent by him to preach and cast out demons. We have the same call - to both gather and scatter as the church.

As Christians... as disciples of Jesus we are not to move out of the world. Jesus prayer was that, though we would be persecuted, the Father would not take us out of the world but would protect us from the Evil one. How are you doing making disciples as you are going about the everyday activities of live?

The "Great Commission" is not so much about being sent as it is about making disciples as we are going. One command ("make disciples") and three participles (going, baptizing, and teaching). As you are going about the everyday activities of your life, are you making disciples?

Living in an age that experiences evil, yet the instruction that the evil is, in fact, held in check, how are we as the church to be living? What is our responsibility in 'these last days' -- the days from the ascension to the return of Christ to earth? The third chapter of 2 Thessalonians provides clues.

False teaching regarding the coming of Christ is not new. Paul had to deal with it with the Thessalonian church. We are lliving not only 'in the last days,' but John says that it is "the last hour" and anti-Christ is already present. Are you standing firm? That is Paul's admonition.

What is it that Jesus is going to reveal when he is revealed? How about the consequences of the choices made by Christians and non-Christians? Read Second Thessalonians chapter 1 carefully.