WordLive - Year OneSample

Prepare: No matter what you are facing today, rest a while in the love of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

In at the deep end
The Thessalonians who had believed Paul’s message about Jesus had been thrown in at the deep end (Acts 17:1–13). These new Christians faced character assassination, public humiliation and arrest. In fact, the trouble was so intense that Paul and Silas had to leave Thessalonica.

Humanly speaking it was a shaky start for the church (v 6), but Paul takes comfort from the fact that God’s work through his word is unstoppable (vs 4,5,7,8). When church leaders die or leave, or when churches go through tough times, God does not give up. God’s church is his concern (v 1). He is the one who takes the initiative (v 4); it is his Holy Spirit who convicts (v 5); and it is the Lord Jesus who rescues and reconciles people to God (v 10).

Inspiring faith
Paul also takes pains to remind these persecuted Christians that they are part of a bigger family (vs 7,8), and that their faith in Jesus in the midst of suffering is an inspiration and encouragement to other believers (v 9).

Persecuted Christians today can feel isolated in hostile environments. A letter from a believer on the other side of the world can bring huge encouragement.

Respond: Perhaps you know someone who is struggling, maybe the only Christian in their family or at work. Pray for them. Could you write a letter, email or phone them to let them know that God cares?

http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-10-22