1 Thessalonians 3:6-10
Paul's concerns about the Thessalonians have been put to rest by the great report that Timothy has brought back. There is a strong theme of joy and encouragement in this section of the letter. There is also a theme of endurance or standing firm in the face of persecution. Paul is encouraged to stand firm in his persecution because of the report he has received that the Thessalonians are also standing firm in the face of persectuion. The concern that he had for them was constricting him but now that he has heard that they are persevering in their faith, he can "really live."
I resonate with the joy that Paul has for this church. There is nothing that I enjoy more than hearing of my students continuing on in their faith, even in the face of hardship. Maybe what I enjoy even more than that is seeing them living out their faith. Just over the course of a couple of weeks I have been so encouraged and filled with joy by a conversation I had on the bus up to Edmonton, by seeing a desire for some of my students to be baptized (and hearing a bit of their faith story as I met with them), by a lunch meeting I had with another student who is wondering what it is that God wants to do through him to make a difference in his world and by observing some of my leaders at our DV8 year end really invest their time into students. When I see this stuff, I feel like not even gravity can hold me down!
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1 comment:
Jer that is so great, it is awesome to see poeple persevering in their faith, it brings great joy and I thank God that he can use us for these things, and lets make sure we continue to give hin the glory, it is only by his grace and through the power of the Holy Spirit that we are anything. May God continue to bless you in your ministry with youth in Lethbridge.
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