“For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.”
1 Thessalonians 2:4 NLT
13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. – 1 Thessalonians 2:13
13And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
Paul comes across as a kind of proud small group leader to the Thessalonians. He sets a great example of what a SG leader should look like, I think. Being encouraging, comforting, sharing not only the gospel but your life… it’s definitely inspiring leadership!
13And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. -ellie
I love the word and how God orchestrates it all pointing to His character….today for the first time reading numbers (not my favorite book!!) God put the thought in my mind about how He valued the women and children too….Years apart, but He could have chosen one of the thousands of men to do xyz but he uses a Rahab. He could’ve used one of the thousands of men of the tribe of Levi but uses Ruth…..*it really is amazing how women are used by God in these cultures of war and man counts* these counts are so driven by the “men of the tribe of ____ ” you could just skate by the women and children and not give them a second thought. But not our God. Our God is good at being God and cares for each individual. Praise Him forever!
One verse that popped out at me within the different numbers was Judah… they by far had the biggest number. It made me think of how Jesus is called the “Lion of Judah.” God’s plan is in everything, every minute detail!
I can barely fathom what it meant to live in camps. No plumbing. No crops. No consistent water to drink let alone bathe in. What boggles me most is I live in a town of just 20,000. I just can’t imagine if all of us (x 30-60) were in tents and then would all have to all get up and move! It reminds me a little of the many refugee camps we have in the world today. …thank you for your Word oh God!! Open the eyes of my heart Lord.
And only men! Women and children weren’t counted for. I can’t imagine the time it took to move everyone and to find adequate water. God was so merciful to provide mana for them.
I don’t think I realized up until today just how many Israelites God must have brought out of Egypt. And only the men ages 20 and older are listed. SO MANY!! Can you imagine how crazy that must have been?
I hate to say it, but Numbers is the math class of the bible for me. It’s my least favorite, I don’t understand it, and I tend to tune out when it bores me.
But after studying Leviticus alongside of you amazingly intelligent women, I’m a little psyched to see what gems Numbers has to reveal.
Bring it on, math class! I’m ready for you!
Yes!!! This is amazing. 1 Thess 2:19-20. Amen!! Hope and joy is not only seeing Jesus on that day but seeing those who we shared his truth with, standing with us on that day in victory over sins!! This is our joy in sharing the gospel though it’s challenging…we want to love people into the kingdom with us to live forever in the glorious presence of our King.
Yep yep yes!! I loved that at the end of this reading, like “what else can we boast in? Our joy is bringing the people we love to Him!” And that is exactly how I feel about my friends and how I am going to pray for them, today.
“7 Although we could have been a burden as Christ’s apostles, instead we were gentle among you, as a nursing mother nurtures her own children.”
I love this – I have witnessed a lot of missionaries (foreign and domestic) be burdensome; rude, ungracious, desperate to get people saved at the expense of relationship and long-lasting love – getting them baptised and then abandoning them.
But to think of witnesses of Christ (us) being as gentle and patient as a nursing mother with her child – knowing that things can’t be rushed, enjoying the time together, the patience as we stop the things we feel we should be doing to do what is right and to love each other regardless of anything they’ve done, loving simply because they ARE and they are a creation of God just as much as we are… That is beautiful.
Lauren, your comments really spoke to me today. I am SO extremely guilty of having the mindset of “well if I can just get this done, then I’ll make time for relationship” with my own family. If I can’t even give the best of myself to my family how can I expect to give time to others in need of Christ? Ladies, I know I’m late posting on here (pretty far behind) but if anyone reads this I would appreciate your prayers to lead a more balanced life.
Just reading this today. I will pray that you are able to manage that tension. I always hear my pastor say, you don’t always want to be so balanced that you’re stuck flatlining. Life is a series of ups and downs and we have to learn to manage the tension and focus our ATTention on Christ through ups AND downs. Hope you are doing well lately!
I Thessalonians 2:8 “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”. This is teaching. Christian Ed. Not just teaching the skill. But teaching the way of thinking. The way of life. Anything else is sub-par.
1 Thess 1:19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy.
From Thessalonians
We should not be looking for the praise of people, but do everything for the glory of God. Also, we should not only share the gospel, but share our lives with the people we are serving
Ladies I am asking for prayer this morning. I’m sorry this is not directly related to the reading but I am feeling the need to reach out. This morning I am experiencing severe physical pain and don’t know why. Waiting to see the doctor now and will be off to the chiropractor next. This morning I practiced praying as Paul did, thanking God for this malady and and His perfection in my weakness. My spirit feels more calm but my body screams. I’m asking for prayer for peace from anxiety (I have a 9 month old and any time I feel a little out of commission I have anxiety even though I have a fantastic husband who cares for her so well). Also asking prayer for relief of this pain. Thank you ladies. Today I feel thankful for my health insurance (I know many are not so lucky) and my husband and YOU…this community. Thankful that “when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Lord, I want to lift up your daughter Christina to you this morning. I pray first for her anxious heart, that you would bring her reassurance and peace in the fact that her daughter has a wonderful earthly father, and more importantly, a Heavenly Father who will take care of her. Secondly I pray for her physical pain. I pray that you would ease this burden from her, and help the doctors know what to do to keep it away permanently. Give Christina the strength to get through today, and the grace to trust you in every moment. Amen!
Thank You Jesus that You are our Comforter and Healer. Mighty Counselor is in Your very name! Thank You that You are near to the broken hearted and hurting. Thank You that You are not the author of confusion but of peace. Thank You that The Son of God came to destroy the works of satan, and that no weapon formed against us will prosper. Thank You for joy, peace and complete healing in Christina’s life. In Jesus name, AMEN!
Ladies your prayers are carrying me through today. Reading these has brought tears to my eyes and such humility and thankfulness for you wonderful ladies. Thank you so much.
The Tabernacle Encampment is so incredible! God showing us His Plan to dwell with us!! In it is a beautiful picture of the cross of Christ in the center of the wilderness!! Every tribe gathered just as God directed in the order HE instructed. As the Hebrews did this according to the census – the tribes traveled across the wilderness setting up camp with the Tabernacle right in the center. In the very center of this mass of people was placed the Tabernacle, inside of that “tent of meeting” was the Holy of Holies, the very Presence of God was with them at all times! What is even more amazing is that from the vantage point of looking down from heaven, when all the tribes were in their proper positions according to their tribes and the numbers in their tribes and the Tabernacle set up according to “a copy of things in heaven” Hebrews 8:5, the entire encampment is in the shape of a Cross with the camp of Judah at the East where the ONLY entrance to the Tabernacle was found! Love how God showed us His plan to dwell IN me forever as I receive HIM into the center of my lives!!
Check out Google images for a visual of this!! God’s heart and will is to dwell with us!! HE LOVES US SO!!!!
And just realizing that it has taken two years for the people to be ready to really start their journey! They had a lot to learn about God and His instructions and provisions and laws before they were ready for anything else.
Wowza…I totally skipped over that, but that’s a GREAT point! I can get so frustrated when I feel like God isn’t moving as quickly as I want Him to. When in reality, He’s giving me time to learn and mature.
Do you ever think about the sheer number of people setting up camp and packing up and moving constantly? God knew what He was doing, giving them order and an organized structure. God knows how we are, we like order, we like to know what we are doing and where we are supposed to be. Lol.
I have trouble getting four of us packed and moving in the same direction on some days! I can’t even imagine this many people doing it! God had it all worked out. Like He always does!
HAHA. I don’t have kids, but I have nieces and nephews. When we have dinners at my in-laws, just getting the kids inside to eat is an ordeal in and of itself!
I love you so much Jesus!! Amen!
“For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.”
1 Thessalonians 2:4 NLT
Thank you, God for your word. The truth and the peace it brings. ❤️
Paul shows so much love for the believers in Thessaloniki!
13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. – 1 Thessalonians 2:13
❤️
We suffer here but we will be with Jesus and it will all fade away
❤️
❤️
❤️
Such humility in the way Paul encourage s the believers. So blessed, he was speaking to my heart too.
Our value and worth comes from the Lord and not people. You become truly free to love people when God come first. Then we can love like Jesus did.
13And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
✔️
✅
❤️
Paul comes across as a kind of proud small group leader to the Thessalonians. He sets a great example of what a SG leader should look like, I think. Being encouraging, comforting, sharing not only the gospel but your life… it’s definitely inspiring leadership!
May we also speak and act to please God and not for our own glory.
13And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. -ellie
♥️
❤️
very good post, i surely adore this website, keep on it
http://www.edsheeran.co.uk
Isn’t it interesting that Judah was to camp to the east by the sunrise, since The SON would rise from Judah? Gotta love the little details.
I love the word and how God orchestrates it all pointing to His character….today for the first time reading numbers (not my favorite book!!) God put the thought in my mind about how He valued the women and children too….Years apart, but He could have chosen one of the thousands of men to do xyz but he uses a Rahab. He could’ve used one of the thousands of men of the tribe of Levi but uses Ruth…..*it really is amazing how women are used by God in these cultures of war and man counts* these counts are so driven by the “men of the tribe of ____ ” you could just skate by the women and children and not give them a second thought. But not our God. Our God is good at being God and cares for each individual. Praise Him forever!
One verse that popped out at me within the different numbers was Judah… they by far had the biggest number. It made me think of how Jesus is called the “Lion of Judah.” God’s plan is in everything, every minute detail!
I can barely fathom what it meant to live in camps. No plumbing. No crops. No consistent water to drink let alone bathe in. What boggles me most is I live in a town of just 20,000. I just can’t imagine if all of us (x 30-60) were in tents and then would all have to all get up and move! It reminds me a little of the many refugee camps we have in the world today. …thank you for your Word oh God!! Open the eyes of my heart Lord.
I never realized how many people were in each tribe back then…wow..and that was only 20 and up
And only men! Women and children weren’t counted for. I can’t imagine the time it took to move everyone and to find adequate water. God was so merciful to provide mana for them.
Now I realize why they call it Numbers!
I thought the same thing!
Whoop! Leviticus is over! Now on to Numbers… We’re almost halfway there to half way there!!
I don’t think I realized up until today just how many Israelites God must have brought out of Egypt. And only the men ages 20 and older are listed. SO MANY!! Can you imagine how crazy that must have been?
Yeah, and crazy to think that many people were able to outrun the Egyptians!
I hate to say it, but Numbers is the math class of the bible for me. It’s my least favorite, I don’t understand it, and I tend to tune out when it bores me.
But after studying Leviticus alongside of you amazingly intelligent women, I’m a little psyched to see what gems Numbers has to reveal.
Bring it on, math class! I’m ready for you!
Love the orderliness of Numbers today; reminds me that God is in every single detail.
Yes!!! This is amazing. 1 Thess 2:19-20. Amen!! Hope and joy is not only seeing Jesus on that day but seeing those who we shared his truth with, standing with us on that day in victory over sins!! This is our joy in sharing the gospel though it’s challenging…we want to love people into the kingdom with us to live forever in the glorious presence of our King.
Yep yep yes!! I loved that at the end of this reading, like “what else can we boast in? Our joy is bringing the people we love to Him!” And that is exactly how I feel about my friends and how I am going to pray for them, today.
“7 Although we could have been a burden as Christ’s apostles, instead we were gentle among you, as a nursing mother nurtures her own children.”
I love this – I have witnessed a lot of missionaries (foreign and domestic) be burdensome; rude, ungracious, desperate to get people saved at the expense of relationship and long-lasting love – getting them baptised and then abandoning them.
But to think of witnesses of Christ (us) being as gentle and patient as a nursing mother with her child – knowing that things can’t be rushed, enjoying the time together, the patience as we stop the things we feel we should be doing to do what is right and to love each other regardless of anything they’ve done, loving simply because they ARE and they are a creation of God just as much as we are… That is beautiful.
Exactly my thoughts also!
I love your words today! Thanks for sharing :)
Lauren, your comments really spoke to me today. I am SO extremely guilty of having the mindset of “well if I can just get this done, then I’ll make time for relationship” with my own family. If I can’t even give the best of myself to my family how can I expect to give time to others in need of Christ? Ladies, I know I’m late posting on here (pretty far behind) but if anyone reads this I would appreciate your prayers to lead a more balanced life.
Just reading this today. I will pray that you are able to manage that tension. I always hear my pastor say, you don’t always want to be so balanced that you’re stuck flatlining. Life is a series of ups and downs and we have to learn to manage the tension and focus our ATTention on Christ through ups AND downs. Hope you are doing well lately!
Knowing that things cant be rushed, enjoying time together and to love each other. Amen amen amen.
Beautiful.
I Thessalonians 2:8 “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”. This is teaching. Christian Ed. Not just teaching the skill. But teaching the way of thinking. The way of life. Anything else is sub-par.
1 Thess 1:19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy.
1 Thess 2:19, 20…:)
From Thessalonians
We should not be looking for the praise of people, but do everything for the glory of God. Also, we should not only share the gospel, but share our lives with the people we are serving
Ladies I am asking for prayer this morning. I’m sorry this is not directly related to the reading but I am feeling the need to reach out. This morning I am experiencing severe physical pain and don’t know why. Waiting to see the doctor now and will be off to the chiropractor next. This morning I practiced praying as Paul did, thanking God for this malady and and His perfection in my weakness. My spirit feels more calm but my body screams. I’m asking for prayer for peace from anxiety (I have a 9 month old and any time I feel a little out of commission I have anxiety even though I have a fantastic husband who cares for her so well). Also asking prayer for relief of this pain. Thank you ladies. Today I feel thankful for my health insurance (I know many are not so lucky) and my husband and YOU…this community. Thankful that “when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Lord, I want to lift up your daughter Christina to you this morning. I pray first for her anxious heart, that you would bring her reassurance and peace in the fact that her daughter has a wonderful earthly father, and more importantly, a Heavenly Father who will take care of her. Secondly I pray for her physical pain. I pray that you would ease this burden from her, and help the doctors know what to do to keep it away permanently. Give Christina the strength to get through today, and the grace to trust you in every moment. Amen!
Amen!
Your prayers are lifting me up. I read this while I was waiting to see the doctor and it brought tears to my eyes. Thank you so much.
Thank You Jesus that You are our Comforter and Healer. Mighty Counselor is in Your very name! Thank You that You are near to the broken hearted and hurting. Thank You that You are not the author of confusion but of peace. Thank You that The Son of God came to destroy the works of satan, and that no weapon formed against us will prosper. Thank You for joy, peace and complete healing in Christina’s life. In Jesus name, AMEN!
Amen!
Through Jesus’ precious name, we pray!
Ladies your prayers are carrying me through today. Reading these has brought tears to my eyes and such humility and thankfulness for you wonderful ladies. Thank you so much.
Praying for you!
Thank you so much Jennifer. These prayers mean so much to me today as I’m taking it hour by hour. Thanks for lightening my load today!
prayers for you, your man, your little one, & the dr’s wisdom <3
The Tabernacle Encampment is so incredible! God showing us His Plan to dwell with us!! In it is a beautiful picture of the cross of Christ in the center of the wilderness!! Every tribe gathered just as God directed in the order HE instructed. As the Hebrews did this according to the census – the tribes traveled across the wilderness setting up camp with the Tabernacle right in the center. In the very center of this mass of people was placed the Tabernacle, inside of that “tent of meeting” was the Holy of Holies, the very Presence of God was with them at all times! What is even more amazing is that from the vantage point of looking down from heaven, when all the tribes were in their proper positions according to their tribes and the numbers in their tribes and the Tabernacle set up according to “a copy of things in heaven” Hebrews 8:5, the entire encampment is in the shape of a Cross with the camp of Judah at the East where the ONLY entrance to the Tabernacle was found! Love how God showed us His plan to dwell IN me forever as I receive HIM into the center of my lives!!
Check out Google images for a visual of this!! God’s heart and will is to dwell with us!! HE LOVES US SO!!!!
Thank you for sharing!
What would be the proper search word for Google?
Delisa, Google “the tabernacle encampment” Blessings!!!
…Then click on images of the Tabernacle Encampment
Brenda, reminds me of Ps 34:7 & Ps 91:11
Blown. Away.
This is UNREAL! I sent it to my husband who is on the He Reads plan — I cannot believe the encampment forms a cross, what a detailed God we serve!!!!
And just realizing that it has taken two years for the people to be ready to really start their journey! They had a lot to learn about God and His instructions and provisions and laws before they were ready for anything else.
Wowza…I totally skipped over that, but that’s a GREAT point! I can get so frustrated when I feel like God isn’t moving as quickly as I want Him to. When in reality, He’s giving me time to learn and mature.
Yes yes!! God was totally preparing them with all the instruction and lessons they would need to survive on their journey. Fantastic thought!
Great point!!
Do you ever think about the sheer number of people setting up camp and packing up and moving constantly? God knew what He was doing, giving them order and an organized structure. God knows how we are, we like order, we like to know what we are doing and where we are supposed to be. Lol.
I have trouble getting four of us packed and moving in the same direction on some days! I can’t even imagine this many people doing it! God had it all worked out. Like He always does!
HAHA. I don’t have kids, but I have nieces and nephews. When we have dinners at my in-laws, just getting the kids inside to eat is an ordeal in and of itself!
Heather, Yes Lord! I’m thankful God is organized; chaos is not from Him!