1 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!
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.
God choose 12 not famous, not worthy, regular people to change the world. They couldn't have accomplished what they did without the power of the Holy Spirit.
Each day we put out our hands to ask Father God what He would like of us. We pray for each other diligently. God will sometimes remind you to pray for people.
1 Thessalonians 2 is a very special letter to you from Father God. Written just to you. Just as Jesus died for you. How will you respond.
the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict
We all have conflict in our lives. Even the people who seem to live what we call the good life.
we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God
The call to please God is yours in the Body of Jesus Christ, all believers are entrusted with the Gospel. This letter is all that you'd want from the ones you care and love.
never words of flattery, as a pretext for greed—gentle among you, like a nursing mother caring for her own children affectionately desirous of you, we sharing the gospel of God and our lives, care, time and effort, because you had become very dear.
As a father with his children, we encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
The word of God, what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
Endeavoring eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face. For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy.
So taking this beautiful letter, remembering the eagerness of the prodigal son's Father, our Father, you are asked.
To avoid false flattery
Be as gentle as a mother
Share the Gospel of God knowing the Word of God is at work in believers
Endeavor eagerly to help others, desire to share your life, see others.
Let others become dear to you.
Be fatherly, encourage others and set an example of a life lived with love.
Allow others to have glory and joy, be thankful for the ones you love.
Father God,
Let us please You, guide us and help us to Please You. When we love You, the Kingdom of God is at hand. We will seek You first. We will see our blessings. We will find reasons to Praise God.
And in doing this, the Father, Larger than we can Imagine, is pleased with His Child - me.
We will see with eyes of faith, we present ourselves to Abba. In Jesus, He says, "Welcome, for ages and for all times, always Beloved!"
We want this for our own beloved. Always. And Believe God is willing and able. For our prayers, for this Nation and the believing World sharing Jesus the Lord. Amen.
♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †
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