I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. —I Timothy 2:1-4 Do you pray for all people or are there people that you just won’t pray for? Prayer is directly related to salvation in the context of these verses above and we should have the desire for any and…

We know that the law is good when used correctly. For the law was not intended for people who do what is right. It is for people who are lawless and rebellious, who are ungodly and sinful, who consider nothing sacred and defile what is holy, who kill their father or mother or commit other murders. The law is for people who are sexually immoral, or who practice homosexuality, or are slave traders, liars, promise breakers, or who do anything else that contradicts the wholesome teaching that comes from the glorious Good News entrusted to me by our blessed God. —I Timothy 1:8-11 Have you murdered? (Hating is murder 1st…

Then the man of lawlessness will be revealed, but the Lord Jesus will kill him with the breath of his mouth and destroy him by the splendor of his coming. This man will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles. He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them. So God will cause them to be greatly deceived, and they will believe these lies. Then they will be condemned for enjoying evil rather than believing the truth. —II Thessalonians 2:8-12 Don’t be discouraged…

When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape. —I Thessalonians 5:3 And God will provide rest for you who are being persecuted and also for us when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven. He will come with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power. When he comes on that day,…

Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You live this way already, and we encourage you to do so even more. For you remember what we taught you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor—not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways. Never harm or cheat a Christian brother in this matter…

That is why, when I could bear it no longer, I sent Timothy to find out whether your faith was still strong. I was afraid that the tempter had gotten the best of you and that our work had been useless. —I Thessalonians 3:5 Planting fields are done so with the expectation of a harvest. So it is when share the gospel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PxEb16udVk There is an expectation that when people hear God’s Word it would take root in them, sprout and bear fruit just as when you plant corn or any other crop. How sad it is when a farmer works for hours and hours planting his field only to…

Yes, you are our pride and joy. I Thessalonians 2:20 What believer or group of believers stirs these words above in you? Is there a believer or group of believers that bring you pride and joy? If so, why do they? One reason the apostle Paul could say this about the Thessalonians was because of their endurance through the persecution that they were experiencing. Though they were suffering because of following the Lord Jesus, they continued on. This was evidence that these people were truly believers and sought to be faithful to the Lord regardless of what circumstance they found themselves in. There are multitudes going through persecution today and…

And they speak of how you are looking forward to the coming of God’s Son from heaven—Jesus, whom God raised from the dead. He is the one who has rescued us from the terrors of the coming judgment. —I Thessalonians 1:10 Crowds wait for all sorts of things. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oi42Y4RZ724 It could be for a sports game, a movie, a restaurant, shopping, to see a “famous” person or for a slew of other things. Are we waiting for Jesus? Are you and I looking forward to seeing our Lord? Are we living in such a way that shows we are grateful to Him and are so looking to be with Him?…

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. —Colossians 3:12-15 Just as a comb binder holds papers together in on booklet, so love is what holds all the godly characteristics…

I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. —Colossians 2:2 Who am I truly united to because of what God prefers? Am I attending a local church, a local fellowship of believers because that is what God prefers me to do? Is it because of what God prefers that I am serving Him and others? Do I treat my wife and children the way God prefers? Are my relationships because of what God prefers? God’s desire is that followers of His are “knit together” or united by love, a divine love which focuses on the things that God prefers. Or, are my relationships with…