Good Morning “Ready for Trials”. Today we are in 1 Thessalonians 3.
But, Pastor Jason - I tried the whole religion thing. Nothing changed. My life still stinks.
We are NEVER promised a perfect life with Jesus. What we are promised is that with Jesus and His Holy Spirit living in us we can endure all things (Philippians 4:13). No matter the circumstance, with The Holy Spirit we can experience Love, Peace and Perfect Joy not to mention the rest of the “Fruit of The Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-).
Remember Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians was to commend them for staying the course, even amidst severe suffering (1 Thessalonians 1:6). Here, Paul references sending Timothy to check on them.
“We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know.” 1 Thessalonians 3:2-4 NIV
Paul was making the point that he and his team were “destined for trials.” The struggles they faced were of God. In that, he intended to encourage the Thessalonians, that they might be strengthened and not be “unsettled” or discouraged in their faith - as a result of Paul’s trials, or their own.
The crazy part here is the downplayed language… “so that no one would be “unsettled”? Their trials were huge! You see suffering and trials is an assumption of Scripture. They’re not unique, they are the normal expectation.
Some popular “Christian” movements steer clear of any discussion regarding suffering or trials when you are a Christian. The funny thing is, Scripture doesn’t. In fact Scripture is filled with statements and promises, like Jesus words “In this world you will have trouble, but take heart I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
It’s through trials we get to experience the Holy Spirit supplying what we need. It’s through the trials that we experience the encouragement of The Body of Believers. It’s through the trials we grow - all in ways we wouldn’t otherwise (James 1:2-5).
Love you all! Dig in and live it out!
But, Pastor Jason - I tried the whole religion thing. Nothing changed. My life still stinks.
We are NEVER promised a perfect life with Jesus. What we are promised is that with Jesus and His Holy Spirit living in us we can endure all things (Philippians 4:13). No matter the circumstance, with The Holy Spirit we can experience Love, Peace and Perfect Joy not to mention the rest of the “Fruit of The Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-).
Remember Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians was to commend them for staying the course, even amidst severe suffering (1 Thessalonians 1:6). Here, Paul references sending Timothy to check on them.
“We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know.” 1 Thessalonians 3:2-4 NIV
Paul was making the point that he and his team were “destined for trials.” The struggles they faced were of God. In that, he intended to encourage the Thessalonians, that they might be strengthened and not be “unsettled” or discouraged in their faith - as a result of Paul’s trials, or their own.
The crazy part here is the downplayed language… “so that no one would be “unsettled”? Their trials were huge! You see suffering and trials is an assumption of Scripture. They’re not unique, they are the normal expectation.
Some popular “Christian” movements steer clear of any discussion regarding suffering or trials when you are a Christian. The funny thing is, Scripture doesn’t. In fact Scripture is filled with statements and promises, like Jesus words “In this world you will have trouble, but take heart I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
It’s through trials we get to experience the Holy Spirit supplying what we need. It’s through the trials that we experience the encouragement of The Body of Believers. It’s through the trials we grow - all in ways we wouldn’t otherwise (James 1:2-5).
Love you all! Dig in and live it out!
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