1 Thessalonians 2

English Standard Version (ESV)

Paul's Ministry to the Thessalonians

2 For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. ² But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. ³ For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, ⁴ but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. ⁵ For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. ⁶ Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. ⁷ But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. ⁸ So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

⁹ For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. ¹⁰ You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. ¹¹ For you know how, like a father with his children, ¹² we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

¹³ And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. ¹⁴ For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, ¹⁵ who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind ¹⁶ by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last!

Paul's Longing to See Them Again

¹⁷ But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, ¹⁸ because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us. ¹⁹ For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? ²⁰ For you are our glory and joy.

Paul talks about the appeal of the gospel. I have never heard a story more simple, yet the wisdom to apply it to everyday life requires a delicate intricacy. It has not cons, no impurities. Simply the gospel is enough. No lies, no flattery, no self-glory. 
I love how Paul gives the example of parents in how he presented the gospel to the Thessalonians. He came as a mother gently, lovingly, and making sure to not be burden to the children of the church. He also came as a father with truth in the word, encouraging, and exhorting. As I think about how my own parents have done this in my life, I can see how God is calling me to do the same for the people He has given me to minister. Often we make demands of the people we pour our lives into. We have expectations of others. Parents cannot have fierce expectation of their children because they are children. 
One thing that makes Paul glad about the faith of the Thessalonians is how they excepted the word of God. How often do I not bring a certain reverence of mind to studying God's word? Excepting God's word as truth that is powerful in my life is important. Why do I treat is with a blase attitude? It should be the first comfort I run to when I am hurt or lonely. It should be at the tip of my tongue when I celebrate. 

Father, help me become an imitator of Christ. Give me a love of Your word. Bring Your word to my mind constantly. Father, I want to be like a parent to those who you have called me to love. Give me a love without harsh expectations. Give me wisdom in relationships. Amen. 

1 Thessalonians 1

English Standard Version (ESV)

Greeting

1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Grace to you and peace.

The Thessalonians' Faith and Example

² We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, ³ remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁴ For we know,brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, ⁵ because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.⁶ And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, ⁷ so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. ⁸ 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. ⁹ For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, ¹⁰ and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

I find 1 Thessalonians to be very encouraging. These were gentiles and they turned from their idols. Paul's letter is admonishing them for diluting their faith with works or turning back to idols. He is encouraged by how well their faith is doing without him or someone else there. He is encouraged that the reports he hears about their faith. He doesn't even have to boast about their faith to others because the record has already been reported and speaks for itself. Would that I have such a faith. May I be an imitator of the Lord and of the people God has put in my life to show me how to live a good Christian life. 

Heavenly Father, I ask that you would grow my faith. May I rely on you for my glory and selfworth. I know that I have many idols in my life, some that I don't even recognize. Father take these idols from me. Reveal my sin so that I might repent. Give me a heart of repentance and submission to your will. Father I want to obey you. Give me a heart of obedience. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Looking Forward To The Second Coming

Psalm 96

English Standard Version (ESV)

Worship in the Splendor of Holiness

96 Oh sing to the Lord a new song;
    sing to the Lord, all the earth!
² Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
    tell of his salvation from day to day.
³ Declare his glory among the nations,
    his marvelous works among all the peoples!
⁴ For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
    he is to be feared above all gods.
⁵ For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,
    but the Lord made the heavens.
⁶ Splendor and majesty are before him;
    strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

⁷ Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
    ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!
⁸ Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
    bring an offering, and come into his courts!
⁹ Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;^[a]
    tremble before him, all the earth!

¹⁰ Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!
    Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved;
    he will judge the peoples with equity.”

¹¹ Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
    let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
¹²     let the field exult, and everything in it!
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
¹³     before the Lord, for he comes,
    for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness,
    and the peoples in his faithfulness.

I was recently struck with a sobering realization. I in a conversation after I had recently had a loss in my life. I was still mourning the loss acutely. The man I was in conversation with said,"I long for the day Jesus returns." I realized I didn't. I didn't look forward to Jesus coming to judge the earth. Not only do I associate that day with pain and suffering, but there were/are still to many things on this earth that I want to experience: a husband, children, and different adventures. But what if God does not have those planned for my life. Would I be ok with that? This Psalm reminds me to praise God. He is praised when I ascribe or tell of His good that He has done. If my focus is this, will my heart longings hurt less?  I'm not sure. Here is what I do know. God will be with me no matter what happens. God has a good plan for me because I am His child. He will be faithful to me on the day of judgment and in my life today. I will serve the Lord and tell people of the good He has done for me.

Joshua 24:15

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁵ But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”