Happy Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a holiday where we come together and express our gratitude for all our blessings. Life’s roller coaster often makes it challenging to maintain a thankful heart. However, on Thanksgiving Day, we pause and remember the blessings we receive each day. Jesus urged us to have a spirit of gratitude, regardless of the situation. […]
Supplying What Is Lacking
Paul was now ready to deal with what he meant by “blameless and holy”. Paul was writing to new Christians who came from living a very different pagan life. Their morals were totally opposite to their new life. How did they transition from paganism to Christianity? How could Paul speak to people who were doing […]
Standing Firm Today
The Sending of Timothy: How do you stand firm? Are you standing firm? Let’s see what is happening in Thessaloniki. Paul, early on in the letter, had expressed his love by saying, “And you know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children.” He also spoke of how they were […]
How Do You View the Word?
“Therefore, we never stop thanking God that when you received his message from us, you didn’t think of our words as mere human ideas. You accepted what we said as the very word of God—which, of course, it is. And this word continues to work in you who believe.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13 (NLT) Paul expresses thanks […]
Endurance in Hardship
Long Narrative – Part Three (Reference: Gorden Fee, “1 and 2 Thessalonians”) Paul in the third part of the long narrative referred again to the Thessalonians as his brothers and sisters. He reminded them not only of their persecution but the persecution of the church in Judea. He reminded them of the failure of mankind […]
Paul’s Defense – 1 Thessalonians 2
Ever been in a scenario where your character or that of someone close to you is under scrutiny? This was a situation Paul and Silas found themselves in, having to strongly defend their character against detractors. In our Sunday Podcast we explored how Paul and Silas managed to navigate this challenging situation. They didn’t just […]
Choose Christ in Happiness and In Suffering
In our continuing study of the book of 1 Thessalonians (Our reference is Dr. Gordon Fee’s “The First and Second Letters to the Thessalonians”) we come to the long narrative that is after the Thanksgiving. If you recall, the structure of this book looks like this: Salutation: 1 Thessalonians 1:1 (NIV) “Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church […]
Join Us in Our Hurricane Helene Response
In the wake of Hurricane Helene’s destructive sweep through Florida, Tennessee, and the Carolinas, countless individuals find themselves without water, food, shelter or basic communication. Our hearts ache as we think of our friends, family, and neighbors especially in North Carolina, our home state, who are in desperate need. We humbly ask for your support […]
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Paul in his first letter to the Thessalonians Church, wrote a prayer of thanksgiving. “We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly. As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord […]
Salutation First Thessalonians Series
“Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.” 1 Thessalonians 1:1 NIV Paul, Silas and Timothy in addressing the Church of the Thessalonians states, “in God the Father…” Paul is saying that the people who make up the church belong […]