1 Thessalonians 3:6-13 — The 6th Day of Thessmas!

READ THIS: 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13

6 But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. 7 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. 8 For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. 9 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? 10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith. 11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

WHAT’S THIS MEAN, ANYWAY?

Yesterday, we saw that Paul was worried that Satan might have torn the Thessalonians down and hurt their faith, which is why he sent Timothy to them in the first place. When Timothy came back to report to Paul, Paul was overjoyed to know that their faith remained strong, despite the persecution they were facing for their beliefs. 

There is something encouraging when someone else has a strong faith despite hard circumstances, or even just having someone else who believes in Jesus being around in general. But, the thing is, all of us can always grow in our faiths. There are different ways we doubt God, and each day is a new way that we can grow in the ways trust and rely on God (a process called sanctification...we'll learn more tomorrow), which is why Paul still prays for the Thessalonians' faith even though they already have a faith! Not only does he pray for their faith, but also for their love, purity, and holiness! 

THINK ABOUT IT:

1. Who is someone at your school or work who also believes in Jesus? How does that encourage you? (If there's no one...you've got some people to tell!)

2. When is the last time you prayed for someone's faith even when they already had some faith?

TRY THIS:
 
Pick two people to pray for right now! Pray for one person who doesn't know Jesus and pray for one person who has a faith that you earnestly hope God will strengthen!

Comments

  1. AnonymousOctober 29, 2023 at 6:03 AM

    I pray that Jesus will open the heart of my sister and that she will come to saving faith. I pray for my friend who is suffering in pain and and questions God about why the pain is there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousOctober 30, 2023 at 9:04 AM

      We’re gonna be praying for them too!! - Liz and Dan

      Delete

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