Friday, September 27 - 1 Thessalonians 3

1 Thessalonians 3

New International Version (NIV)

3 So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. ² We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, ³ so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. ⁴ In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. ⁵ For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain.

Timothy’s Encouraging Report

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.

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UPLIFTED
   How exciting it is when your work is productive.  This year I decided to take the time to carefully prune my apple tree.  Over the last years, it hasn't been that fruit-filled, and I figured it needed a good once-over to help it become more healthy.

   A few months later I was so happy to see how many apples my tree had.  And they were so big and beautiful.

   Paul was excited to hear the good news of the Thessalonian church's spiritual growth.  It encouraged him to know that God's Word and his own efforts at proclaiming it had not fallen on deaf ears.  Quite the contrary, he hears from Timothy that they are "standing firm in the Lord."

   As a pastor I can tell you that there is nothing that brings me greater joy than when I see someone from my "flock" grow in their faith.  It is so exciting when God's Word bears fruit and I witness someone filled with enthusiasm for God, anxious to do His work, reaching out in mission, praying, etc.

  Are you growing?  I hope and pray that you are.  But if you feel a little stagnant might I encourage you to step forth in new ventures -- to take the time not only to be fed by God's Word, but also to touch the lives of others with His love?

   And if something great is happening in your spiritual life, I love hearing about it.  Share it with me please.

   Have a great Friday.
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