Christians are never meant to walk in isolation. We are called to stand together with our brothers and sisters in Christ. It's when we are disconnected and alone that we're most vulnerable to the attacks of our spiritual enemy. In 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:5, Paul stresses the importance of standing together in order to endure affliction.

When it comes to the preaching of the good news of the gospel, there is a right way to respond and a wrong way to respond. The apostle Paul thanks God for the Thessalonians' right response to the gospel. But responding to the gospel rightly doesn't mean an easy life. To live as a Christian means living a life of suffering for the Lord's sake.

One of the most important skills to learn in this Christian life is to consistently rely on the Lord. When we lean on Him, we never fall. But, we are prone to wander. A look at King Asa teaches us what relying on God gives, and what relying on ourselves brings.

God kept Grace Fellowship Church through 469 days of not being able to meet together as one church. In this Psalm, we are called to give thanks to the Lord for His powerful, faithful love. A love that shines brightly in comparison to all our failings and misgivings along the way. Thankfully, God stands ready to forgive and restore. And we respond with eternal thanks.

Our love for others is so often conditioned upon what we think of them or how they are treating us. But Christian love ought not be like this. One of the hallmarks of this love is its relentless optimism. It refuses to give up just because the other is acting poorly. Sure, there are times to be cautious and prudent, but love is excessively hopeful in the others. May God give us more and more of this, so we can become more and more like Him.

The world can be an overwhelming place, especially for a tenderhearted Christian who wants to obey the Lord and love people. The burning question is, “Which people?” And with how much love? Am I required to love orphans in Istanbul with the same level of commitment and sacrifice with which I love my spouse? How does a finite person face a world in need of infinite love? Using concentric circles, Christians can roughly map out who they need to love and when. It is not perfect, but having a plan is better than being completely paralyzed.

Widows, orphans, immigrants, the disabled. There are “weak” people in all of our lives and God calls on us to love them. This can be a tad unnerving. Love them? Not just tolerate them, or help them or pay for their food? Love them? This is the call and way to do it is rather simple.

Many regard the command to love our enemies as the highest expression of Christian love, and for good reason. Loving an enemy roots our entirely in God and not within any aspect of the subject of our affection. This is the most God-like our love ever becomes, since He loved us while we were still His enemies.

Jesus didn't just talk about how much he loved the lost, he demonstrated his love by seeking and saving the lost. Just as he was sent by the Father, he now sends us to join him on this mission.