Perfecting your Faith
Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13. Paul writes in his letter to the Thessalonians that he couldn’t stand it any longer, not knowing how they were doing on their faith journey. Therefore, he sent Timothy to establish and reassure them in their faith. This meant that Paul would be alone in Athens, but he was willing to make the sacrifice for the sake of the Thessalonians. Why do you think Paul was willing to make such sacrifices for them?
Paul didn’t want the Thessalonians to be discouraged in their faith because of their current circumstances. He had told them when he was there that they would suffer persecution and they had. Paul didn’t want the work they’d done there previously to be in vain.
We all go through trials and tribulations in our lives. If we don’t have a firm foundation of our faith, sometimes these trials can cause us to lose faith. Paul had tribulations, Jesus was tempted, and we will suffer trials. Don’t let any trouble that comes your way cause you to lose faith and trust in God. He loves you, and in spite of what the circumstances say, He wants the best for you. You are His beloved child.
This Scripture in Acts indicates that Paul was distressed because of his concern for the Thessalonians. Acts 18:5 says, “And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.” Once Timothy returned from his visit to the Thessalonians and gave Paul a good report of their faith and charity, Paul was comforted.
Paul thanked God for the Thessalonians; they made Paul joyful because of their stand for God. He longed to see them so much that he prayed night and day that God might allow him to go back and minister to them.
Paul wanted to help them perfect their faith. He asked God to direct his way back to spend time with them. His desire for the Thessalonians was that they would grow in their love for others as much as he loved them. Paul’s aspiration for them was they would be established in their faith and faultless in godliness before God at the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Daily Bible Reading:
1 Thessalonians 3:1-13
1 Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;
2 And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:
3 That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.
4 For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.
5 For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.
6 But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:
7 Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:
8 For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.
9 For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;
10 Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
11 Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.
12 And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:
13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
Things to think about:
- Why did Paul send Timothy to visit the Thessalonians?
- What was Paul’s concern for the Thessalonians?
- How can we perfect our faith?
Prayer of the Day:
Dear Heavenly Father,
We thank You for this Scripture in the book of 1 Thessalonians. We see Paul’s great love and concern for the Thessalonians. Help us to have that kind of love and concern for the people we lead to You. We see the Thessalonians’ great faith and love for others and for Paul and his ministry. Help us to be supportive of others who are spreading the gospel. Help us all to be rooted and grounded in our faith so when trouble comes we won’t be shaken. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Daily Bible Verse:
wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
– 1 Thessalonians 3:9-10
Featured Book:
The Book of 1 Thessalonians: Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians
by Deborah H. Bateman
The Book of 1 Thessalonians: Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians is a Daily Bible Reading Study of the book of 1 Thessalonians by Deborah H. Bateman. The Book of 1 Thessalonians is from the New Testament of the Bible. It’s a letter from Paul, Silas, and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians.
Paul established the church of Thessalonica on his second missionary journey. It was known throughout the land that the Thessalonians had great faith in God and in the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul loved the Thessalonians. He had a great concern for the Thessalonians and desired to see them again. But, since Paul couldn’t go see them he sent Timothy to encourage them in the faith.
The Book of 1 Thessalonians: Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians contains eight Bible lessons which can be used for personal of group Bible studies. Each lesson contains a brief commentary by the author, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, several questions for contemplation or discussion, and a prayer to go along with the lesson. Our desire is that this book will help you to have a better understanding of Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians.
For those of you interested in Bible journaling, may I suggest you pick your favorite Bible verse from each lesson and journal about it. This will be a great reminder of the lessons you learn as you read and study this book.
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Deborah
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