Check out all the previous 1 Thessalonians readings here.
1 Thessalonians Reading | Week 1 | Day 1
Prayer
As you come to spend time with Jesus, calm your mind and body until you feel fully present. Ask Him to teach you more about Himself today.
Bible Reading: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-3
Read these verses three times slowly.
Paul, Silas and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace and peace to you.
We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Reflection & Questions
Today, we start reading through the letter of 1 Thessalonians which Paul wrote to a church that was ON FIRE for Jesus. They weren’t perfect – and as we will see they had more to learn – but they loved Jesus, loved people and were setting an example for believers everywhere. Including us. We’re going to learn a ton from how this church is living out their faith.
Right away in the first few verses, we read of how well they are doing. Paul says he thanks God for their “work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” These are the clear evidences of someone’s conversion to Christ. They have the characteristics of faith, hope and love, and they are seen in action – in work, labor and endurance. The difference between work and labor here is that work is the action and labor is the effort they put into the action. They are all in. The Christian faith isn’t just intellectual belief, it’s a belief that shows itself in action. That is true belief. If we’re to be an Unstoppable Church, it mustn’t be simply in what we say we believe, but in our action that shows that we truly are devoted to our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Are you all in with your faith? How is it showing in your actions?
- Imagine how encouraging it would have been for the 1 Thessalonians to hear Paul’s words. How could you encourage a fellow believer today by sharing with them how you see their faith, hope and love working itself out?
Prayer
Pray in response to today’s reading.
Worship Song
You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:
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Questions?
Ed Applegate
