“For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe” (1 Thessalonians 2:13).

Listen carefully to these words, for they apply to all of Scripture.  “You received them not as the word of men, but as the word of God.  Ultimately, you will either believe the Lord has spoken to you, or else you will not.  It does make a difference.  Come then in the truth spoken by the Lord to you and always walk in His ways.  Be thankful the Lord has awakened you to the truth of salvation.

Lord, open my ears to hear so that I may live into the life You have promised me through faith.  Guide me, O Lord, in this way of truth in order that I may now and always abide in You and You in me.  Open my heart to receive the fulness of grace and mercy won through Your sacrifice on the cross.  Guide me, Lord, so that I may now and always walk in Your goodness and mercy.

Lord Jesus, You have paid the price of our redemption so that all who hear Your voice may be grafted into the family You are knitting together in grace.  Guide me this day, O Lord, that I would now and forever look to You as the model of the godly life.  Continue to strengthen me in the gift of faith.  Continue to lead me in the way I need to go.  Continue that I may live forever giving thanks for all You have done.  Amen.

“Just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory” (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12).

This does not say you must be worthy, it says to walk in a manner as though you were worthy.  We are all walking the path toward being like Christ, but would any dare say they are already there?  The Lord is calling you forward and has empowered you in Christ to accomplish what He intends.  Come then in the exhortations you have received and walk with and in Him always.

Lord, I still have much to learn.  You have sent those who would help me in this life.  Help me to remember all of the good things I have received that I might continue in the life of faith You have given me by grace.  Guide me always to walk according to Your goodness, leading me to the place where I live as Your child.  Whatever it takes, keep me moving in that direction, dear Lord.

Lord Jesus, You knew the price You would have to pay in order to enable each one of us to journey in the direction of becoming like You.  Guide me, dear Lord, in the way of everlasting life in order that I would now and forever walk according to the precepts You have given all of us.  Lead me to be steadfast, learning how to walk in the way which is worthy of the calling I have received by grace through faith.  Amen.

“You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers” (1 Thessalonians 2:10)

“Devoutly, uprightly, and blamelessly we are to do the work the Lord gives us to do.  It is not just a matter of sitting in a pew at worship, going to a few fellowship events, and maybe serving on a committee or two.  It is about having lives that are dedicated to the Lord as He dedicated His life to us.  Come into His presence and dwell with Him forever.  Do what He gives You to do.

Lord, this sounds so simple, but I often have things that get in the way.  Guide me, O Lord, that these things that get in the way would be removed so that I live the true Gospel.  Help me now and always, Lord, for You have given me the words of eternal life and apart from You I can do nothing.  In the truth You have spoken from the beginning, teach me to serve others as You have served me.

Lord Jesus, servant and Master of all, guide me by Your example to put into practice this day the ministry You have given me.  Lead me so that I may take Your Good News to others in order that they may receive what You have given me.  Guide me, Lord, and give me a willing heart to follow where You lead.  Teach me the truth and I will live in the freedom You alone give.  Amen.

“For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God” (1 Thessalonians 2:9).

Are you one who takes or gives?  Many come in need and we are to give.  The day comes when that role is reversed somewhat.  We all are in need and rely upon the Lord, but He equips us to send us that we would share with others what we have received.  Go then as the Lord leads and learn from Him that You might hear His voice and love others as He has loved you.

Lord, I need to learn so that I would follow You and not the way of the world.  The world teaches me to take all I can get.  You teach me to love others as You love them.  Guide me Lord so that I would learn these things and serve, and not be a burden to others, but carry the burdens of others.  Teach me to proclaim the Gospel with my life.  Grant what is needed so that I would be approved as a worker of the Gospel.

Lord Jesus, You came to serve and not to be served.  By Your example, You healed the sick, fed the hungry, and raised the dead.  You loved into the disciples the truth of the Gospel and went to the cross for us all.  Help me to model Your example by breaking out of my shell and working alongside others with the truth of the Gospel.  Lead me, O Lord, in order that I may follow where You lead.  Amen.

“Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us” (1 Thessalonians 2:8).

How invested are you in the lives of others?  The Lord created us to be in relationship, first with Him and then with others.  Do you care for those around you?  Not just your family, but also the family of God that He has placed you in?  Be a willing participant in all that He is doing knowing that He is growing in you the likeness of Christ.  You were created in His image and He is making of you a child of the heavenly family.

Lord, help me to see with simplicity the truth that You have revealed through grace.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth in order that I would now and forever walk humbly in the path You have put before me.  Guide me, Lord, in the way You would have me go and help me to hold fast in those steps I take throughout the day.  You must lead and I must learn to follow.

Lord Jesus, You are the author and finisher of my faith.  Guide me, Lord, in the way of faith.  Help me to take each step as You direct and live into the life that is in relationship with those around me.  In Your Spirit, enliven in me the goal of my faith, which is to become what You are making of me.  Save me this day and lead me in the way of everlasting life.  Amen.

“But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children” (1 Thessalonians 2:7).

Paul continues the word picture of one who freely gives to another and not for gain, but in order to nurture the other in true life.  This is how the good infection of Christianity is spread.  Through the goodness of God’s grace and mercy, we receive the salvation He alone purchased for us from the cross.  Learn from the Lord and be one who nurtures others in the faith that you have received.

Lord, this world is so conditional, to the point that often I am skeptical about what another wants when they are doing a good deed.  Help me, O Lord, to live into the life of faith that You have given me and teach me to nurture others as I have been nurtured.  Guide me, Lord, in this way so that I may mature in faith and learn to take on the role You have in mind for me in my ministry.

Lord Jesus, You prepared the disciples and then sent them into the world to serve You as they served others.  You intend the same for me.  Help me to not be a consumer of the faith, as so many are in this culture, but one who lives the faith, sharing with others as You have shared with me.  Guide me in the ministry You give me in order that I may humbly walk with You my Savior and live into the life of faith You have given me.  Amen.

“For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed – God is witness – nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority” (1 Thessalonians 2:5-6).

When you do what you do, what is it that motivates you?  Are you doing what you are doing for gain?  This is something to meditate upon.  The Lord came to set you free, but whether you accept that freedom and walk with Him is up to you.  There is no condition on accepting Him.  But then, walk with Him and do the same for others as the Lord has done for you.  The Lord alone saves and He gives salvation away.

Lord, help me to understand this simple principle.  Guide me in the way of salvation so that I may now and always live without conditions.  You have freely forgiven me.  Help me to freely give the Good News away through all I do and with who I am.  Guide me in the way of living this new life and help me not to seek glory, but to live in obedience according to Your eternal Word.

Lord Jesus, You have come into the world in order that I may have life and have it abundantly.  I received this gift freely and You send me into the world to freely give it away.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of life such that I may be unconditional in my service to You.  It matters not what I think I deserve, help me to live knowing that I do not deserve the mercy You give me or the grace which I receive. Amen.

“For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit; but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts” (1 Thessalonians 2:3-4).

If the Lord is not directing these words, then may they never be seen and if seen, quickly forgotten.  The Lord is the One alone who is to be revered and worshiped.  Paul did not speak his words, but the Lord’s words were spoken to those who became believers.  So also, no preacher preaches truth unless they are the words of the One who is truth.  Listen to the truth and be forever set free.

Lord, You have the words of eternal truth.  Where else should we go?  Over the time since You were crucified, there are those who have spoken all kinds of things in Your name.  Help me to always know the truth when it is spoken and un-truth when it is spoken.  Help me to always follow the way of truth so that I would be faithful in the calling You have given me in grace.

Lord Jesus, keep me from error.  Help me to have a mind that discerns amidst all the pablum that is spewed in our age.  You alone are truth.  Help me to look to You for truth in my daily life.  No matter the cost, or the need to stand firm, help me to always hold fast to You, my Lord and Savior.  Guide me in the Gospel way knowing that You alone paid the ultimate price for my eternal freedom.  Amen.  

“For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain, but after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition” (1 Thessalonians 2:1-2).

Throughout the time since Jesus ascended, there has been hostility.  Sometimes it is slight and other times it is very dangerous.  The world hates the Gospel.  In spite of these things, the Gospel is preached and those whom the Lord knows, are reached.  You are one who has benefitted, for you have heard the Gospel because of one who came preaching.  Give thanks and always remember to be bold.

Lord, I take for granted the freedoms I have.  Only in You is there hope and an eternal freedom which You alone grant.  Knowing that this is most certainly true, help me O Lord to live into the faith You have given me so that I would stand my ground, live the Gospel, and freely speak of the great love You have given me by grace.  Guide me, Lord, to always be wise in these things.

Lord Jesus, You fought for my sake against the world who hates You.  You went to the cross for my sake even while I was one of those who was hostile to You.  Lead me in boldness to continue forward in faith no matter what.  Guide me into the eternal truth You have revealed.  Let me go forward no matter the opposition.  Lead me to hold fast to the truth which has been revealed once for all.  Amen.  

“For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come” (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10).

It is often amazing that we, who have many benefits and consider ourselves advanced, are put to shame by those with little who understand what is truly important.  If the Lord is not the center of your life, your priorities are not balanced.  He is the One through whom all things have their being.  Everything else is far behind this.  Learn from others to have what is right at the center of your life.

Lord, You know where I am and where I need to be.  Through the faithful witness of others, help me to leave behind the idols and pagan things that are in my life.  Guide me to look to You with the hope You give so that I may live this life of faith which You have given me.  In and through all things, may I be found a faithful witness of the truth and grace You have revealed from the cross.

Lord Jesus, You did not seek any notoriety, fame, or fortune while here.  And why would you?  It is already all Yours.  Guide me away from the elemental things that distract me so that I may focus upon the one thing that truly matters.  In You I have my being.  Lead me through this reality in order that it would permeate all I say and do.  Guide me this day to be a faithful witness of Your love in my life.  Amen.