“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.

“For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything” (1 Thessalonians 1:8).

What kind of fellowship do you extend to others?  Are you known as one who follows the Lord?  We all have a reputation.  The question is, what is yours?  Will others say that you follow the Lord?  Is it obvious?  These are important questions to ponder, for who we really are comes from deep within.  Are you one who belongs to the Lord?  Is that being reflected in your everyday life?

Lord, help me to always be consistent.  Guide me in the goodness of Your mercy and grace so that others will know who I am by what I say and how I act.  Help me to live out this gift of faith You have given me.  Lead me in Your goodness so that it is You alone whom I care about pleasing.  Let Your Word dwell richly and deeply in me and come out through all I do in order that You may be known to others through me.

Lord Jesus, You have come so that I may be given the power to become a child of the Heavenly Father.  You know all that is needed and You have provided the means for me to reach that goal.  Guide me this day so I may do all that is needed.  Help me live out my life of faith so that I may be consistent in witness, faithful in what I do, and reflect Your love to a world that needs to hear the Gospel.  Amen.

“You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia” (1 Thessalonians 1:6-7).

Did you ever play the game of dress-up when you were young?  You pretended to be much older than you were.  In a way, when one puts on Christ, they are playing a game of pretend.  “Let us pretend we are like Christ.”  Then, slowly, one actually does become like the one they are imitating.  This is why Scripture tells us over and over to “Put on Christ,” that we may become like Him.

Lord, You have made clear that one of the objects of our faith is to become like Christ.  Help me, O Lord, to not shirk the challenge You have given me, but live toward the goal of becoming like Christ so that I may fulfill what Scripture says.  Guide me, Lord, in the true way of life so that I may be led by You in the strength and admonition of the calling You have given me through my baptism.

Lord Jesus, You are the model of the godly life.  You have come to lead the way so that where You go, I may follow.  In the power of Your Spirit, guide me this day that I may become what You are making of me.  You are Lord and Master and must lead me, for I cannot go anywhere toward what You offer without Your leadership.  Guide me this day and grant me a willing heart to follow where You lead.  Amen.

“Knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you; for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake” (1 Thessalonians 1:4-5).

You are beloved of the Lord.  These are not just words to comfort you, but the truth of the reality which the wicked cannot understand.  Live into the full conviction that these things are most certainly true.  Know that in the Lord, there is true hope.  The world may be filled with wickedness, but You have been called through your baptism to life—the life of one who has been redeemed by the Savior.

Lord, You know the state of all things.  You know the particularity of every circumstance.  Guide me in the way You know is needed that I may live into the life You have given me by grace and through faith.  Let me prove worthy of the calling You have given me by living this life of faith which is mine through You.  Let Your conviction shine forth through my life for others to see.

Lord Jesus, You know where I need help.  Help me in the way to live life so that Your presence is always in me and showing.  Guide me with each step to do what You give me to do.  Strip me of worldly ways which hinder my walk with You.  Guide me into all goodness by Your mercy.  Help me now and always to live into the life to which I have been called.  Teach me how to do all things for Your sake.  Amen.