1 Thessalonians 3:1-8
Reflect
Things had not been easy in Thessalonica. Paul was forced to leave due to opposition to the gospel. The people had responded to the gospel and lives had been changed. But would it stick when opposition and affliction became part of their reality? Would it stick when things were hard? The enemy was doing his best to use these hard things to tempt them to give up on God.
But it didn’t work. In verse 6 Paul writes, “But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love.” And later in verse 8 Paul says, “For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.”
What hardships are you currently facing? Scripture tells us that in this world we will have trouble (John 16:33). We will face persecution, hardships, and trials. The enemy wants to take these things and use them to impact your faith negatively, to cause you to doubt and question the goodness of God. But God wants us to know that He is in control of every situation we will face. And He wants to use the persecution, trials, and hardships for our good and His glory, to make us more like His Son and reveal Himself to others.
Apply
What hardships or trials are you facing right now?
What do you think God is up to in the middle of them?
Erin Gibbard
Pray
- Pray for Pastor Dan, our Lead Team Pastor and his family.
- Pray for our Young Adults Pastor, Nathanael Trinh, his ministry, and his family.
- Pray for our Congregational Life Pastor, Melissa Chaffee and her family.
- Pray for our Evening Event Hosts, Ethan Okken and Noah Okken
- Pray for our Communications Specialist, Katrina Grey.
- Pray for our McKernan Groups Assistant, Noah Okken.
- Pray for all our small group leaders.