3:1 Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, 2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, 3 that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. 4 For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. 5 For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.
Timothy’s Encouraging Report
6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you— 7 for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. 8 For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. 9 For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, 10 as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?
11 Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, 12 and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, 13 so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. (ESV)
Whoa! I’m sorry this chapter wasn’t up first thing this morning!
In verse 10 Paul talks about praying for the Thessalonians. He says he prays night and day most earnestly for them…that’s a lot of intense prayer.
In verses 11 to 13 he goes off into a prayer for them. This a great example of how we should be towards our brothers and sisters.
Let’s all take some time to pray for each other today! Pray that our love will increase! Pray that we will be blameless and holy! Pray that the Lord Jesus will come and we will stand in his presence! Maranatha!
12May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.
13May 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.
I echo Bobby’s comment about the example of this prayer…we should be praying for one another just like this and even more as the day draws close!!
4In 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.
Booyah Prosperity Gospel! Paul makes it very clear in this verse that Christians will face persecution. Being a disciple of Christ does not mean that you will be happy, healthy and wealthy. As a matter of fact I have faced much tougher times in my life since I have become a Christian. As 1 Peter 4:12 says, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.” Tough times are part and parcel of the Christian experience. But, it is often that in the most difficult trials we face the closer we grow to Christ. When things are going badly we cling to Christ more tightly than ever. Paul is encouraging the Thessalonians to endure in their trials and to hold on to their faith. We too must see pain in our lives as an opportunity to grow in our walk with the Lord and tell ophers of His faithfulness for helping us endure life’s trials.
12May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.
In today’s world it is not unusual to find people who only look out for number one… themselves. This prayer is asking God to increase and overflow our love for each other, within the church and for everyone else. We need to have a greater love for unbelievers, even for those who persecute us, which is clearly stated in Matt 5:44 .Without love ruling our daily decisions, selfish motives will turn us away from the will of God. I desire to have this kind of love, to willingly put others before myself, following the example of Christ. Today, this is my prayer.
10Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.
it is important to encourage others and help them build upon their faith and to assist them in coming closer to the Lord. This chapter also points out that when we as christians are in a rough time, we need to remember the miracles that God has worked within us and others in bringing us to faith in Him. This is a great encouragement!
12May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.
It is so important to encourage others. Also to spread the word of the gospel. We need to get the word out to everyone so they will not be left behind. You should not be afraid to talk about the gospel to your friends be proud that you are a christain!
8For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.
Paul is saying that he really lives when those he is ministering to are doing well spiritually. There is nothing better than to be involved in the spiritual growth of other Christians. This reminds me to invest my life into people and not things.
7Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith.
8For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.
9How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?
This is “the food” that Jesus talked about in Matthew (John 4:32 “But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.”, John 4:34 “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.) Paul is over-joyed, satisfied, and not minding his persecution and suffering because he is SO encouraged by the continuing faith of the Thesselonians!! As a follower of Jesus Christ this is the most exciting and satisfying encouragement we can receive!! Our labor is pure JOY! I especially love investing in the lives of our True North teen-agers and am SO EXCITED and ENCOURAGED when i see them standing firm in their faith!!!
13May 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.
Mmmm that is the goal; staying holy and blameless until the return of Christ. And nobody knows when He will return so we better be ready and fighting sin like He is coming back tomorrow!
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.”
I will be praying this along with Paul, because right here he’s telling us one of our goals as Christians: that our love for others would increase and that we may be blameless, clean, and holy in God’s presence. I was thinking yesterday, and it occurred to me: what if I died today, or what if Jesus came back? What would I want to be found doing? It then occurred to me that I’d want to be found pleasing Him when He returned or when I died. And that could be anytime! So should I wait to be doing anything for Jesus? No. If He could come back at any time, I should be living for Him ALL the time!
3so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we were destined for them.
4In 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.
We need more people to post!!! I like this verse a lot. It basically tells us not to be suprised at persecution or wonder why GOD is putting us through this. We know that persecution is only made to better us and draw us closer to GOD in our struggle. Persecution isn’t a bad thing, it is a good part of the Christian life.
7 Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith.
I love what Paul says here. It is also an encouargement, and a great reminder. As Christians, we need to again, be inspiring and encouraging other Christians, so they don’t lose hope, and fall away. Also, this shows that we need to stand firm in hard times when we are persecuted, or down, because we need to be examples of Christ. And when we are down, or when others are down, we need to be always encouraging others!
13May 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.
The apostle Paul is praying for these people in the church of Thessalonica. That the Lord would stregnthen their hearts so that they would be blameless and holy in God’s presence. I am praying for True North that God will stregnth our hearts today, along like earlier commenters who are seeking the Lord by commenting on SOTD!
2We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God’s fellow workerin spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,
SHABAM! Actions speak louder than words, and Paul showed his love for his peeps even when he couldn’t be there! Paul sent his brotha in Christ Timmay to make sure they were still strong in their faith! Paul encourages us today to encourage our fellow people in Christ!! How incredible is that?!?! Going even deeper on that, God used Paul to encourage us about encouraging!! God is good!!
7Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith.
by faith we need to spread the word of God.
i can’t wait for the beach nights.
12May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.
This reminds me of the series Pastor Bobby did on the one anothers. This is so important in the Christian life. I know in my life I need to love others more, put them first, think of others (especially brothers and sisters in Christ) before I think of myself.
12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.
This is such a great verse. If more Christians applied this we would be a better example for non believers. Let’s focus on others and remove our self-centeredness.
11Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you.
I think that this is a great recognition that all things are possible with God and are ONLY possible with God.
8For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.
A true, exiting, and fullfilling life is found in helping other’s obey Christ’s commands. We really start to enjoy the life God has planned for us when we ourselves spend time in the Bible and obey everything it says. Partying and doing things that please our sinfull nature won’t fill the hole in our lives, only a relationship with God will fullfill us and give us true joy
8 For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.
Makes me think of something…accountability!!
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.
Mmmmm God strengthens our heart and he makes us blameless before the Lord! Its nothing we do. it is not works only God can do that for us because he loves us! What an awesome and encouraging concept to think about throughout the day!
8 For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.
I definitely agree with Hunter and Josh on this verse. Being surrounded by other Christians who are thriving and growing in the Lord is such an encouragement! And what better way to make sure that they are growing than to hold them accountable? If we have somebody who is genuinely taking an interest in our lives spiritually, we will be much more inclined to continue to do what is right even when it is hard. And through our lives, they will be encouraged, just as we are encouraged by them; This is why it is so important for the body of Christ to be unified, so that together will will stay strong and continue to grow in our maturity and knowledge of God.
13May 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.
my prayer everyday………
May he strenghten your heart
This is a great reminder that Christians have new hearts and they are strengthen daily by God as we live holy and blameless lives.
7Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith.
8For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.
This is so encouraging! I think its cool how in verse 7 in says that “we were encouraged about you because of your faith.” Our faith can encourage others even if we don’t realize it. Thats so great to hear. And if we stand for God and live our lives out for him, verse 8 says that we really live. I think its amazing how God gives a chance to really live
13May 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.
This is such an important prayer for Christians. Our lives should be radically different than everyone else’s; it should be blameless. We need to live to impress our holy God by the way we conduct our lives.
7Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith.
Yes! Great comments everyone. This is very encouraging. They must have had very strong faith in order to keep them going and encouraging others with it.
8For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.
This verse means a lot to me. We really do live and arise from our spiritual death when we are standing firm in God’s word. It’s so much more fulfilling when we are in the Word and staying strong in the Lord. ohhh that rhymed
10Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.
These are super awesome prayers to pray. Prayers that align with God’s will and that bring Him glory not with selfish motives.
the main points
-love increase
-love to overflow to each other
-strengthening of our hearts–> blameless&holy
Let’s all be praying and follow Paul’s example so we can be ready everyday when Jesus comes back.
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.
If Jesus returning does not motivate you to be blameless, then nothing will. God wants us to be blameless and holy in his presence, so we need to do it. We need to be ready for Christ’s return.
12May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.
I’m again reminded how neccesary it is for Christians to love one another! Paul had the attitude of overflowing love for his fellow saints. Could this be said of your or me? Does you have overflowing love for your brothers and sisters? We can practice this love today by praying that there love may also increase.
4In 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.
As Paul said he warned them about persecution we can also expect persecution for being followers of Christ. But that’s when we can’t give up the Bible tells us it’s going to happen so we can’t lose faith.
12May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.
Love one another not yourself. Now a days people only love themselves but we need to turn that love around and spread it.Not just our love but Gods love. I pray that everyone will have overflowing love that shines for Jesus Christ.
8 For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord
Its like we really live when we are all following the LORD. I love it when your friends and family are right with God and are continually being that way. Even if you, your friends, and your family are like that we must pray that the whole church would be that way. Now that would be awesome.
10Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith
…
12May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.
This whole chapter made me think about Pastor Bobby’s messages of “Encouragment”. Wow! This is like the ultimate letter of encouragment and love! It made me see how I could definitely be stepping it up in my encouragment and prayer for my Christian friends!
6But 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.
7Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith.
8For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.
All these verses are so encouraging! I want to have joy through the midst of persecution! What awesome verses.
4In 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.
We as christians WILL be persecuted! It is hard on this earth and painful to be teared down by people that we may care about… But, it’s not all about being “happy” here on earth and pleasing the world, it’s about pleasing our Father in heaven who we will spend ETERNITY with! MARANATHA!
2We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God’s fellow workerin spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,
3so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we were destined for them.
It seems as though Paul is talking a lot about evangelizing in this chapter book. We should always be out evangelizing whenever we have a chance or to just share some scripture with our christian brother/sister. And speaking of scripture, we should all always be in our Bible getting more knowledgeable on God’s word. Plus, when we know more scripture, we will be more prepared. Even though it says in Matthew 10:19-20 (Bobby talked about this in one of his sermons) that we will given what to say by the Holy Spirit, we can’t just figure it will all just come to us, we should know it before hand. Also, we should be in scripture because without it, we can’t do much. If we are out of the Bible and not reading it, we will be tempted and fall into sin because as said in Ephesians 6:10-18 (the armor of God) it says in verse 17 “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God.”
8For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.
Jesus commands us to live our lives to the fullest…and the only way they can be lived to the fullest is with God at the center ou your life. Without Him, nothing is complete.
V 3-4
It’s so easy to question God on what is happening in our lives and wonder if this is really what he has planned for us. But these verses make it very clear that we WILL hve trials in our lives and that every little thing is planned by our Creator. Let’s find peace in that, knowing that God is taking care of us, and nothing can happen that isn’t under His control.
7 Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith.
In all of our troubles and persecutions because of our faith, we need to focus on what we are actually doing. Who cares if we are being laughed at these days. Back in the Bible times, they had it 100x worse than we do now. Back then, they had to worry about being widely persecuted, banished from their hometown, tortured, beaten, and sometimes killed. But the thing is, they didn;t worry about. They were always trusting in God no matter what happens. What GREAT examples.
8For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.
When we thinking of “living it up”, we usually think of luxury for ourselves. When Paul thinks of “really living,” he is thinking about others standing firm for Christ! What are we all about? Are we all about loving other people so that they might grow?
10Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.
Paul expresses his desires for the Thessalonians’ growth through earnest and constant prayer. What a practical and obvious way to care for others!? Why don’t we pray more for others? It’s one of the best ways we can serve them!
10Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.
Wow that is some intense prayer!!! Night and day he was praying earnestly for them! I know I don’t pray that much for the people in my life when I should be! How encouraging that must have been to the thessalonians to know that Paul was praying so much for them!
1st Thessalonians 3
7 Therefore, brothers, 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.
Paul is comforted and blessed with encouragement in hearing that the Thessalonians faith was strong and stood firm against persecution. Paul’s love for the church in Thessalonica was a powerful example of Christ’s love for us. Paul had the love of Christ pouring out onto others. What joy and pure happiness it must have been for Paul and the other apostles to hear that their brothers were still faithful to their faith in Christ Jesus. We also can be an encouragement to others in the faith by standing strong.
2nd Thes 2:1515 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.
16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
13May 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.
We need to be ready for the coming of christ so that we may be blameless in his sight as he comes to take us to heaven before the tribulation. God warned us to not be doing anything evil when he comes back, so we need to recognize that it won’t be pleasant if we are caught in sin the moment he returns. I think that this is a great incentive to follow his commands.
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.
It seems, as followers of Christ, we should expect and anticipate persecution. Since we are following Christ, and he was persecuted, even to death, then of course we will also receive persecution.
A flag must be drawn when a fellow Christian stops you because you are boldly sharing the gospel and making others feel a bit uncomfortable.
The gospel, as well as the whole of God’s word, will offend people. Its natural. But, as Paul said the opposition and persecution is worth it because of the faith of those who do believe.
13May 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.
Oh Lord, I pray you will strengthen my heart.
MARANATHA!
5For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent Timothy to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless.
i just pray that people are thinking about me this way. That they are constantly wondering how i am doing in my spriritual life and praying that i dont get tempted. And i know if i want people to think that way about me, i should do the same for them. So i will be praying for true north to not be tempted.
7Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith.
Faith…This is something that we always have to hold onto. The Lord gave us this faith to keep us steady, and to keep us in his will. In all of our distress, we have the Lord to keep us strong, and to keep our head on straight. Through all trials, the Lord is with us each step of the way, and i am so thankful for that. I pray that the Lord will help me to keep Him and His will at the front of my mind, and to know that everything is in his timing. This will make trials easier and faster. Knowing that i have the Lord of the Universe on my side encourages me so much! I just need to remember that all in all things.
5For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent Timothy to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless.
I think that sometimes when we think of people we have tried to bring to Christ, or have brought to Christ, we fear they may falter and turn away. We lose our faith in their faith, if that makes sense. Paul fears much the same, but as the next verse shows, the people of Thessalonica (is that right? Is it Thessalonica or Thessalonia or what is it? Pastor Bobby?) had not turned away from the Lord, but had rather embraced the Gospel! I think this shows that while we ought not to doubt a fellow Christian’s faith, should we have reason to we should simply be open and ask them about it.
12May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.
I lovee this verse. One of my personal focuses is that of loving one another because of the love that God has given me. But sometimes it’s soo hard to love people! This is why we need the help and the reminder of the Lord’s love for us. We need to stay committed to loving people and not just “I love you” in words, but like Pastor Bobby preached one week, in actions as well. This verse also says “overflow” which basically can translate to give more than necessary to fill that person up. I pray that you and I will be able to be so joyous in my love for other people that their cups will be overflowing!