Remembering Without Ceasing
Well, Psalms is done, and it's onto the next book to indulge in!
As of now, I am unsure why, but God has led me to 1 & 2 Thessalonians. I'm excited to see what comes out of this, and I’ll share as I'm prompted to do so.
Let’s start with a verse that struck me right away....
Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; - 1 Thessalonians 1:3
So, what exactly IS a "work of faith"?
Truth faith doesn't just think....it does. I would even go as far as to call it a verb!
A "work of faith" is that nudge that keeps us moving forward when doubt whispers, "What’s the point?" It’s the act of trusting God not just when we feel strong, but especially when we feel weak.
And "patience of hope"? What does THAT look like?
Hope isn’t always bright and glittery. Sometimes hope looks like staying, waiting, enduring....even when the answers don’t come.
"Patience of hope" means we keep expecting Jesus to be who He says He is, even when our emotions or our circumstances say otherwise.
That kind of hope doesn’t come easy, does it? No, but it IS steady. And it’s worth holding on to!
This one verse......just one sentence in Paul’s opening......already speaks volumes! If this is the starting point, I can only imagine what’s ahead in these letters!
I don’t know all the reasons God has me here in 1 Thessalonians, but I do know He’s not done writing on my heart. And maybe He’s doing something in yours too?!
As of now, I am unsure why, but God has led me to 1 & 2 Thessalonians. I'm excited to see what comes out of this, and I’ll share as I'm prompted to do so.
Let’s start with a verse that struck me right away....
Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; - 1 Thessalonians 1:3
So, what exactly IS a "work of faith"?
Truth faith doesn't just think....it does. I would even go as far as to call it a verb!
It isn’t meant to sit quietly inside of us;
it moves, it stirs, and it obeys.
A "work of faith" is that nudge that keeps us moving forward when doubt whispers, "What’s the point?" It’s the act of trusting God not just when we feel strong, but especially when we feel weak.
It’s showing up....still believing, still praying....and still looking for Jesus.
For me, it often looks like praying when I feel unheard or trusting God's plan when mine falls apart. It means obeying when obedience didn’t make sense.
For me, it often looks like praying when I feel unheard or trusting God's plan when mine falls apart. It means obeying when obedience didn’t make sense.
How about "labor of love"? How can we unpack that one?
The word labor implies effort, sweat, struggle, and persistence.
The word labor implies effort, sweat, struggle, and persistence.
Love's not always soft or sentimental; if you're being honest with yourself, you can admit that sometimes it's sacrificial and......exhausting.
"Labor of love" might mean holding your tongue when you want to speak harshly. It might mean helping someone who’s never thanked you. It might even mean doing the right thing again.....not because it’s easy, but because it’s what love does.
I’ve seen this in my own life and in the people I love.
"Labor of love" might mean holding your tongue when you want to speak harshly. It might mean helping someone who’s never thanked you. It might even mean doing the right thing again.....not because it’s easy, but because it’s what love does.
I’ve seen this in my own life and in the people I love.
Quiet, consistent, and powerful love
that keeps going even
when it’s not reciprocated.
Hope isn’t always bright and glittery. Sometimes hope looks like staying, waiting, enduring....even when the answers don’t come.
"Patience of hope" means we keep expecting Jesus to be who He says He is, even when our emotions or our circumstances say otherwise.
It’s trusting in what we know to be true, not just what we feel in the moment.
That kind of hope doesn’t come easy, does it? No, but it IS steady. And it’s worth holding on to!
This one verse......just one sentence in Paul’s opening......already speaks volumes! If this is the starting point, I can only imagine what’s ahead in these letters!
I don’t know all the reasons God has me here in 1 Thessalonians, but I do know He’s not done writing on my heart. And maybe He’s doing something in yours too?!
I'm not sure what all God wants to reveal through these letters just yet, but I’m here for it!!
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