Podcasts about Thessalonians

Old Testament: Ezekiel 24–26 Ezekiel 24–26 (Listen) The Siege of Jerusalem 24 In the ninth year, in the tenth month, on the tenth day of the month, the word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Son of man, write down the name of this day, this very day. The king of Babylon has laid siege to Jerusalem this very day. 3 And utter a parable to the rebellious house and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD:   “Set on the pot, set it on;    pour in water also;4   put in it the pieces of meat,    all the good pieces, the thigh and the shoulder;    fill it with choice bones.5   Take the choicest one of the flock;    pile the logs1 under it;  boil it well;    seethe also its bones in it. 6 “Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Woe to the bloody city, to the pot whose corrosion is in it, and whose corrosion has not gone out of it! Take out of it piece after piece, without making any choice.2 7 For the blood she has shed is in her midst; she put it on the bare rock; she did not pour it out on the ground to cover it with dust. 8 To rouse my wrath, to take vengeance, I have set on the bare rock the blood she has shed, that it may not be covered. 9 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Woe to the bloody city! I also will make the pile great. 10 Heap on the logs, kindle the fire, boil the meat well, mix in the spices,3 and let the bones be burned up. 11 Then set it empty upon the coals, that it may become hot, and its copper may burn, that its uncleanness may be melted in it, its corrosion consumed. 12 She has wearied herself with toil;4 its abundant corrosion does not go out of it. Into the fire with its corrosion! 13 On account of your unclean lewdness, because I would have cleansed you and you were not cleansed from your uncleanness, you shall not be cleansed anymore till I have satisfied my fury upon you. 14 I am the LORD. I have spoken; it shall come to pass; I will do it. I will not go back; I will not spare; I will not relent; according to your ways and your deeds you will be judged, declares the Lord GOD.” Ezekiel's Wife Dies 15 The word of the LORD came to me: 16 “Son of man, behold, I am about to take the delight of your eyes away from you at a stroke; yet you shall not mourn or weep, nor shall your tears run down. 17 Sigh, but not aloud; make no mourning for the dead. Bind on your turban, and put your shoes on your feet; do not cover your lips, nor eat the bread of men.” 18 So I spoke to the people in the morning, and at evening my wife died. And on the next morning I did as I was commanded. 19 And the people said to me, “Will you not tell us what these things mean for us, that you are acting thus?” 20 Then I said to them, “The word of the LORD came to me: 21 ‘Say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will profane my sanctuary, the pride of your power, the delight of your eyes, and the yearning of your soul, and your sons and your daughters whom you left behind shall fall by the sword. 22 And you shall do as I have done; you shall not cover your lips, nor eat the bread of men. 23 Your turbans shall be on your heads and your shoes on your feet; you shall not mourn or weep, but you shall rot away in your iniquities and groan to one another. 24 Thus shall Ezekiel be to you a sign; according to all that he has done you shall do. When this comes, then you will know that I am the Lord GOD.' 25 “As for you, son of man, surely on the day when I take from them their stronghold, their joy and glory, the delight of their eyes and their soul's desire, and also their sons and daughters, 26 on that day a fugitive will come to you to report to you the news. 27 On that day your mouth will be opened to the fugitive, and you shall speak and be no longer mute. So you will be a sign to them, and they will know that I am the LORD.” Prophecy Against Ammon 25 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Son of man, set your face toward the Ammonites and prophesy against them. 3 Say to the Ammonites, Hear the word of the Lord GOD: Thus says the Lord GOD, Because you said, ‘Aha!' over my sanctuary when it was profaned, and over the land of Israel when it was made desolate, and over the house of Judah when they went into exile, 4 therefore behold, I am handing you over to the people of the East for a possession, and they shall set their encampments among you and make their dwellings in your midst. They shall eat your fruit, and they shall drink your milk. 5 I will make Rabbah a pasture for camels and Ammon5 a fold for flocks. Then you will know that I am the LORD. 6 For thus says the Lord GOD: Because you have clapped your hands and stamped your feet and rejoiced with all the malice within your soul against the land of Israel, 7 therefore, behold, I have stretched out my hand against you, and will hand you over as plunder to the nations. And I will cut you off from the peoples and will make you perish out of the countries; I will destroy you. Then you will know that I am the LORD. Prophecy Against Moab and Seir 8 “Thus says the Lord GOD: Because Moab and Seir6 said, ‘Behold, the house of Judah is like all the other nations,' 9 therefore I will lay open the flank of Moab from the cities, from its cities on its frontier, the glory of the country, Beth-jeshimoth, Baal-meon, and Kiriathaim. 10 I will give it along with the Ammonites to the people of the East as a possession, that the Ammonites may be remembered no more among the nations, 11 and I will execute judgments upon Moab. Then they will know that I am the LORD. Prophecy Against Edom 12 “Thus says the Lord GOD: Because Edom acted revengefully against the house of Judah and has grievously offended in taking vengeance on them, 13 therefore thus says the Lord GOD, I will stretch out my hand against Edom and cut off from it man and beast. And I will make it desolate; from Teman even to Dedan they shall fall by the sword. 14 And I will lay my vengeance upon Edom by the hand of my people Israel, and they shall do in Edom according to my anger and according to my wrath, and they shall know my vengeance, declares the Lord GOD. Prophecy Against Philistia 15 “Thus says the Lord GOD: Because the Philistines acted revengefully and took vengeance with malice of soul to destroy in never-ending enmity, 16 therefore thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I will stretch out my hand against the Philistines, and I will cut off the Cherethites and destroy the rest of the seacoast. 17 I will execute great vengeance on them with wrathful rebukes. Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I lay my vengeance upon them.” Prophecy Against Tyre 26 In the eleventh year, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Son of man, because Tyre said concerning Jerusalem, ‘Aha, the gate of the peoples is broken; it has swung open to me. I shall be replenished, now that she is laid waste,' 3 therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I am against you, O Tyre, and will bring up many nations against you, as the sea brings up its waves. 4 They shall destroy the walls of Tyre and break down her towers, and I will scrape her soil from her and make her a bare rock. 5 She shall be in the midst of the sea a place for the spreading of nets, for I have spoken, declares the Lord GOD. And she shall become plunder for the nations, 6 and her daughters on the mainland shall be killed by the sword. Then they will know that I am the LORD. 7 “For thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will bring against Tyre from the north Nebuchadnezzar7 king of Babylon, king of kings, with horses and chariots, and with horsemen and a host of many soldiers. 8 He will kill with the sword your daughters on the mainland. He will set up a siege wall against you and throw up a mound against you, and raise a roof of shields against you. 9 He will direct the shock of his battering rams against your walls, and with his axes he will break down your towers. 10 His horses will be so many that their dust will cover you. Your walls will shake at the noise of the horsemen and wagons and chariots, when he enters your gates as men enter a city that has been breached. 11 With the hoofs of his horses he will trample all your streets. He will kill your people with the sword, and your mighty pillars will fall to the ground. 12 They will plunder your riches and loot your merchandise. They will break down your walls and destroy your pleasant houses. Your stones and timber and soil they will cast into the midst of the waters. 13 And I will stop the music of your songs, and the sound of your lyres shall be heard no more. 14 I will make you a bare rock. You shall be a place for the spreading of nets. You shall never be rebuilt, for I am the LORD; I have spoken, declares the Lord GOD. 15 “Thus says the Lord GOD to Tyre: Will not the coastlands shake at the sound of your fall, when the wounded groan, when slaughter is made in your midst? 16 Then all the princes of the sea will step down from their thrones and remove their robes and strip off their embroidered garments. They will clothe themselves with trembling; they will sit on the ground and tremble every moment and be appalled at you. 17 And they will raise a lamentation over you and say to you,   “‘How you have perished,    you who were inhabited from the seas,  O city renowned,    who was mighty on the sea;  she and her inhabitants imposed their terror    on all her inhabitants!18   Now the coastlands tremble    on the day of your fall,  and the coastlands that are on the sea    are dismayed at your passing.' 19 “For thus says the Lord GOD: When I make you a city laid waste, like the cities that are not inhabited, when I bring up the deep over you, and the great waters cover you, 20 then I will make you go down with those who go down to the pit, to the people of old, and I will make you to dwell in the world below, among ruins from of old, with those who go down to the pit, so that you will not be inhabited; but I will set beauty in the land of the living. 21 I will bring you to a dreadful end, and you shall be no more. Though you be sought for, you will never be found again, declares the Lord GOD.” Footnotes [1] 24:5 Compare verse 10; Hebrew the bones [2] 24:6 Hebrew no lot has fallen upon it [3] 24:10 Or empty out the broth [4] 24:12 The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain [5] 25:5 Hebrew and the Ammonites [6] 25:8 Septuagint lacks and Seir [7] 26:7 Hebrew Nebuchadrezzar; so throughout Ezekiel (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 119:161–168 Psalm 119:161–168 (Listen) Sin and Shin 161   Princes persecute me without cause,    but my heart stands in awe of your words.162   I rejoice at your word    like one who finds great spoil.163   I hate and abhor falsehood,    but I love your law.164   Seven times a day I praise you    for your righteous rules.165   Great peace have those who love your law;    nothing can make them stumble.166   I hope for your salvation, O LORD,    and I do your commandments.167   My soul keeps your testimonies;    I love them exceedingly.168   I keep your precepts and testimonies,    for all my ways are before you. (ESV) New Testament: 1 Thessalonians 3–5 1 Thessalonians 3–5 (Listen) 3 Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, 2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's coworker1 in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, 3 that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. 4 For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. 5 For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain. Timothy's Encouraging Report 6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you—7 for this reason, brothers,2 in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. 8 For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. 9 For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, 10 as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith? 11 Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, 12 and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, 13 so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. A Life Pleasing to God 4 Finally, then, brothers,3 we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification:4 that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each one of you know how to control his own body5 in holiness and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. 7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. 8 Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you. 9 Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, 10 for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, 11 and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, 12 so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one. The Coming of the Lord 13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord,6 that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words. The Day of the Lord 5 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers,7 you have no need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 5 For you are all children8 of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. Final Instructions and Benediction 12 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle,9 encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil. 23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. 25 Brothers, pray for us. 26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. 27 I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers. 28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Footnotes [1] 3:2 Some manuscripts servant [2] 3:7 Or brothers and sisters [3] 4:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 10, 13 [4] 4:3 Or your holiness [5] 4:4 Or how to take a wife for himself; Greek how to possess his own vessel [6] 4:15 Or by the word of the Lord [7] 5:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 4, 12, 14, 25, 26, 27 [8] 5:5 Or sons; twice in this verse [9] 5:14 Or disorderly, or undisciplined (ESV)

The exhortation in the First Letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians inspires us to cultivate hearts that are full of God's love. What a great way to enter into the season of Advent! November 28, 2021 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com  

In this Thanksgiving weekend message from 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Pastor Curtis presses into the heart behind the holiday. What does it mean to be grateful? Is “giving thanks” only something we can do when life is going our way? And what does Jesus have to do with any of this, anyway? In the end, we'll learn that—because of God's presence with us—both the high times and the hard times are transformed into moments to see God's goodness. Because of that, we can always, always, always say, “Thanks.”

Psalm 86 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 Prayer Requests to psp@sqpn.com

Jeremiah 33:14-16 ; Psalm 25:1-10 ; 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 ; Luke 21:25-36

2 Thessalonians 2:1-12

Readings: Jeremiah 33:14-16 Psalm 25:4-5,8-10,14 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2 Luke 21:25-28, 34-36 Every Advent, the Liturgy of the Word gives our sense of time a reorientation. There's a deliberate tension in the next four weeks' readings—between promise and fulfillment, expectation and deliverance, between looking forward and looking back. In today's First Reading, the prophet Jeremiah focuses our gaze on the promise God made to David, some 1,000 years before Christ. God says through the prophet that He will fulfill this promise by raising up a “just shoot,” a righteous offspring of David, who will rule Israel in justice (see 2 Samuel 7:16; Jeremiah 33:17; Psalm 89:4–5; 27–38). Today's Psalm, too, sounds the theme of Israel's ancient expectation: “Guide me in your truth and teach me. For you are God my savior and for you I will wait all day.” We look back on Israel's desire and anticipation knowing that God has already made good on those promises by sending His only Son into the world. Jesus is the “just shoot,” the God and Savior for Whom Israel was waiting. Knowing that He is a God who keeps His promises lends grave urgency to the words of Jesus in today's Gospel. Urging us to keep watch for His return in glory, He draws on Old Testament images of chaos and instability—turmoil in the heavens (see Isaiah 13:11, 13; Ezekiel 32:7–8; Joel 2:10); roaring seas (see Isaiah 5:30; 17:12); distress among the nations (see Isaiah 8:22; 14:25) and terrified people (see Isaiah 13:6–11). He evokes the prophet Daniel's image of the Son of Man coming on a cloud of glory to describe His return as a “theophany,” a manifestation of God (see Daniel 7:13–14). Many will cower and be literally scared to death. But Jesus says we should greet the end-times with heads raised high, confident that God keeps His promises, that our “redemption is at hand,” that “the kingdom of God is near” (see Luke 21:31).

Today I am sharing my conversation with the absolutely wonderful Becky Keife. Becky is wife, a Mom to 3 boys, an author and the community manager of the online (in)courage community. Today, Becky and I are talking about the topic of her latest book The Simple Difference: How Every Small Kindness Makes a Big Impact. Kindness is something we desperately need and is a powerful gift that is underutilized and underestimated, and Becky lays out beautifully in her book and in this conversation the power of it, and how it ultimately reflects the heart of God.  The idea of this book came from a small act of kindness years ago, but this book was written while watching the LACK of kindness in the world, the challenge of being kind quarantined at home with her family, and its just really beautiful and authentic. God knows we're going to struggle with this. He knows the world is broken, and I especially wanted to share this now because so many people are smack in the middle of navigating the holidays and in the current environment of the world and even in the Church, it feels really really difficult to just even know how to people, and for many, what to make of God in the midst of it. So we're going to talk about that.  We also share some thoughts and suggestions for how to go into the holidays with a heart that asks questions first such as can I give this image bearer the dignity of compassion and kindness regardless of how we agree or disagree? On the other hand, we also want to hold proper space for asking good questions about necessary boundaries because those are real and important and healthy where appropriate.  This is hard and holy work, y'all. I know the weariness is palpable in so many that I know, including myself. I hope this ministers to you, encourages you, challenges you, and equips you right where you are today. I really believe, the Lord is making Himself known in so many dark places, and as we transition into a season of the darkest part of the year, and we usher in space for Immanuel, God with us, I just wonder how we could powerfully proclaim His with-ness on this Earth with acts of compassion and kindness? No matter how big, or how small, I hope that wherever you try this out in your life, that is transforms YOU and makes the Lord feel closer and kinder in your own life. Because we all need that. We need to encounter God's kindness, and to see His presence in our lives and in the lives of those around us because it has the power to transform all of us. He's not finished here, friends. This is not how the story ends. Just remember: you matter, your story matters. Connecting with Becky:  Books Facebook Instagram Twitter Website   Episode Sponsor: Tony Crabtree of Crabtree Homes with Exit Realty  Home buyer guide: http://bit.ly/buyersguidecrabtreehomes Seller guide: http://bit.ly/sellerguidecrabtreehomes Facebook Instagram Website YouTube   References: (in)courage  Dayspring  Lisa Jo Baker  Courageous Kindness: Live the Simple Difference Right Where You Are (bible study Becky wrote to accompany The Simple Difference:How Every Small Kindness Makes a Big Impact.) Great article from Bible Study tool on : Neighbor was a more general term for person. Neighbor and non neighbor would be synonymous with Jew and Gentile (non-Jew) Who are the Samaritans?  (in)courage walking through kindness    Scripture References: -Psalm 100:5, Galatians 5:22-23, Titus 3:4-6 (to name a few)- Our God is kind  -Psalm 25:3, 2 Timothy 1:7- He does not speak to us through shame -Hebrews 12:6, Revelation 3:19 (to name a couple!)- He disciplines, corrects and encourages us to repentance -Genesis 16:13- The first person who ever names Hagar and calls Him “El Roi”- “The God who sees me” Full story is Genesis 16 and also Genesis 21:8-20-- I mixed these 2 stories together when I talked about it. So sorry! -Romans 2:4- The kindness of God leads us to repentance -Luke 10:25-37- The Good Samaritan  -Matthew 22:36-40- Second greatest commandment- love your neighbor -Leviticus 26:1, Deuteronomy 12:4, and then THIS is a list of so many of the times that share a loaded history of trying to get the Jews to stop worshiping idols of other cultures -Hagar (see above), Rahab, Ruth, A Cannanite woman, the Samaritan woman, An Ethiopian Eunuch, THE EARLY CHURCH- (etc, etc) -We see God fold in people from other cultures -1 Kings 12- The division of Northern and Southern Kingdom  -Matthew 9:10-17,Mark 2:15-22,Luke 5:29-39- Jesus eats with “sinners” -Matthew 9:35-38, John 21:15-25, Acts 1:8, Acts 2, Acts 4:23-37- God invites us to show His care out of the overflow of the Holy Spirit  -Romans 12:18-Inasmuch as it depends on you live peaceably with everyone  -Genesis 1:27- We are made in God's image -Isaiah 6, 2 Corinthians 5:20, 1 Thessalonians 2:4, - Christ's ambassadors  -Matthew 5:13-16-We are Christ's Light bearers -Luke 16:10- Being faithful with little Connecting with Emily and Simply Stories Podcast:Instagram (Em life // Podcast Life)FacebookTwitterBlog  *Intro and Outro music is from audionautix.com

Old Testament: Ezekiel 23 Ezekiel 23 (Listen) Oholah and Oholibah 23 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Son of man, there were two women, the daughters of one mother. 3 They played the whore in Egypt; they played the whore in their youth; there their breasts were pressed and their virgin bosoms1 handled. 4 Oholah was the name of the elder and Oholibah the name of her sister. They became mine, and they bore sons and daughters. As for their names, Oholah is Samaria, and Oholibah is Jerusalem. 5 “Oholah played the whore while she was mine, and she lusted after her lovers the Assyrians, warriors 6 clothed in purple, governors and commanders, all of them desirable young men, horsemen riding on horses. 7 She bestowed her whoring upon them, the choicest men of Assyria all of them, and she defiled herself with all the idols of everyone after whom she lusted. 8 She did not give up her whoring that she had begun in Egypt; for in her youth men had lain with her and handled her virgin bosom and poured out their whoring lust upon her. 9 Therefore I delivered her into the hands of her lovers, into the hands of the Assyrians, after whom she lusted. 10 These uncovered her nakedness; they seized her sons and her daughters; and as for her, they killed her with the sword; and she became a byword among women, when judgment had been executed on her. 11 “Her sister Oholibah saw this, and she became more corrupt than her sister2 in her lust and in her whoring, which was worse than that of her sister. 12 She lusted after the Assyrians, governors and commanders, warriors clothed in full armor, horsemen riding on horses, all of them desirable young men. 13 And I saw that she was defiled; they both took the same way. 14 But she carried her whoring further. She saw men portrayed on the wall, the images of the Chaldeans portrayed in vermilion, 15 wearing belts on their waists, with flowing turbans on their heads, all of them having the appearance of officers, a likeness of Babylonians whose native land was Chaldea. 16 When she saw them, she lusted after them and sent messengers to them in Chaldea. 17 And the Babylonians came to her into the bed of love, and they defiled her with their whoring lust. And after she was defiled by them, she turned from them in disgust. 18 When she carried on her whoring so openly and flaunted her nakedness, I turned in disgust from her, as I had turned in disgust from her sister. 19 Yet she increased her whoring, remembering the days of her youth, when she played the whore in the land of Egypt 20 and lusted after her lovers there, whose members were like those of donkeys, and whose issue was like that of horses. 21 Thus you longed for the lewdness of your youth, when the Egyptians handled your bosom and pressed3 your young breasts.” 22 Therefore, O Oholibah, thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, I will stir up against you your lovers from whom you turned in disgust, and I will bring them against you from every side: 23 the Babylonians and all the Chaldeans, Pekod and Shoa and Koa, and all the Assyrians with them, desirable young men, governors and commanders all of them, officers and men of renown, all of them riding on horses. 24 And they shall come against you from the north4 with chariots and wagons and a host of peoples. They shall set themselves against you on every side with buckler, shield, and helmet; and I will commit the judgment to them, and they shall judge you according to their judgments. 25 And I will direct my jealousy against you, that they may deal with you in fury. They shall cut off your nose and your ears, and your survivors shall fall by the sword. They shall seize your sons and your daughters, and your survivors shall be devoured by fire. 26 They shall also strip you of your clothes and take away your beautiful jewels. 27 Thus I will put an end to your lewdness and your whoring begun in the land of Egypt, so that you shall not lift up your eyes to them or remember Egypt anymore. 28 “For thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will deliver you into the hands of those whom you hate, into the hands of those from whom you turned in disgust, 29 and they shall deal with you in hatred and take away all the fruit of your labor and leave you naked and bare, and the nakedness of your whoring shall be uncovered. Your lewdness and your whoring 30 have brought this upon you, because you played the whore with the nations and defiled yourself with their idols. 31 You have gone the way of your sister; therefore I will give her cup into your hand. 32 Thus says the Lord GOD:   “You shall drink your sister's cup    that is deep and large;  you shall be laughed at and held in derision,    for it contains much;33   you will be filled with drunkenness and sorrow.  A cup of horror and desolation,    the cup of your sister Samaria;34   you shall drink it and drain it out,    and gnaw its shards,    and tear your breasts; for I have spoken, declares the Lord GOD. 35 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Because you have forgotten me and cast me behind your back, you yourself must bear the consequences of your lewdness and whoring.” 36 The LORD said to me: “Son of man, will you judge Oholah and Oholibah? Declare to them their abominations. 37 For they have committed adultery, and blood is on their hands. With their idols they have committed adultery, and they have even offered up5 to them for food the children whom they had borne to me. 38 Moreover, this they have done to me: they have defiled my sanctuary on the same day and profaned my Sabbaths. 39 For when they had slaughtered their children in sacrifice to their idols, on the same day they came into my sanctuary to profane it. And behold, this is what they did in my house. 40 They even sent for men to come from afar, to whom a messenger was sent; and behold, they came. For them you bathed yourself, painted your eyes, and adorned yourself with ornaments. 41 You sat on a stately couch, with a table spread before it on which you had placed my incense and my oil. 42 The sound of a carefree multitude was with her; and with men of the common sort, drunkards6 were brought from the wilderness; and they put bracelets on the hands of the women, and beautiful crowns on their heads. 43 “Then I said of her who was worn out by adultery, ‘Now they will continue to use her for a whore, even her!'7 44 For they have gone in to her, as men go in to a prostitute. Thus they went in to Oholah and to Oholibah, lewd women! 45 But righteous men shall pass judgment on them with the sentence of adulteresses, and with the sentence of women who shed blood, because they are adulteresses, and blood is on their hands.” 46 For thus says the Lord GOD: “Bring up a vast host against them, and make them an object of terror and a plunder. 47 And the host shall stone them and cut them down with their swords. They shall kill their sons and their daughters, and burn up their houses. 48 Thus will I put an end to lewdness in the land, that all women may take warning and not commit lewdness as you have done. 49 And they shall return your lewdness upon you, and you shall bear the penalty for your sinful idolatry, and you shall know that I am the Lord GOD.” Footnotes [1] 23:3 Hebrew nipples; also verses 8, 21 [2] 23:11 Hebrew than she [3] 23:21 Vulgate, Syriac; Hebrew bosom for the sake of [4] 23:24 Septuagint; the meaning of the Hebrew word is unknown [5] 23:37 Or have even made pass through the fire [6] 23:42 Or Sabeans [7] 23:43 The meaning of the Hebrew verse is uncertain (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 119:153–160 Psalm 119:153–160 (Listen) Resh 153   Look on my affliction and deliver me,    for I do not forget your law.154   Plead my cause and redeem me;    give me life according to your promise!155   Salvation is far from the wicked,    for they do not seek your statutes.156   Great is your mercy, O LORD;    give me life according to your rules.157   Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,    but I do not swerve from your testimonies.158   I look at the faithless with disgust,    because they do not keep your commands.159   Consider how I love your precepts!    Give me life according to your steadfast love.160   The sum of your word is truth,    and every one of your righteous rules endures forever. (ESV) New Testament: 1 Thessalonians 1–2 1 Thessalonians 1–2 (Listen) Greeting 1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. The Thessalonians' Faith and Example 2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly1 mentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 For we know, brothers2 loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. 9 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. Paul's Ministry to the Thessalonians 2 For you yourselves know, brothers,3 that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. 3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. 5 For we never came with words of flattery,4 as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle5 among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us. 9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11 For you know how, like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. 13 And we also thank God constantly6 for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men7 but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. 14 For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews,8 15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind 16 by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last!9 Paul's Longing to See Them Again 17 But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, 18 because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us. 19 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? 20 For you are our glory and joy. Footnotes [1] 1:2 Or without ceasing [2] 1:4 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters [3] 2:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 9, 14, 17 [4] 2:5 Or with a flattering speech [5] 2:7 Some manuscripts infants [6] 2:13 Or without ceasing [7] 2:13 The Greek word anthropoi can refer to both men and women [8] 2:14 The Greek word Ioudaioi can refer to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, who opposed the Christian faith in that time [9] 2:16 Or completely, or forever (ESV)

Luke 22:42 & 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 We are doing something different for this episode. We will hear a short scripture from our bible and then listen to an imaginary story about Molly and Will to help us understand the scripture. Molly & Will just read our scripture AND you'll hear they both experience the same exact day. Will they react the same way to their day though? Today's story reminds us that God is not upset when pray for him change the situation. We look at Jesus as our example who prayed to his Father in Luke 22 " If you are willing, remove this cup from me. Yet not my will, but yours be done." God wants us to pray about anything and everything but Jesus is also our example that we must trust Him even if the situation does not change. Can we trust Him? You sure can. Tune in to today's story to hear why we can trust Him and how we can find something to be thankful for even in hard situations. Subscribe for just $2.99 a month to get ALL episodes AD FREE! If you have enjoyed this podcast, would you please consider subscribing? This is also the BEST way to help support this ministry. SUBSCRIBE HERE https://anchor.fm/kids-bible-stories/subscribe To connect with me, simply go to https://www.kbspodcast.com/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Psalm 118 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 Prayer Requests to psp@sqpn.com

Are your ready for the Rapture of the Church? 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/encouragingchristians/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/encouragingchristians/support

Vespers I, Saturday Evening Prayer on the 1st Sunday in Advent, November 27th, 2021. Thanks for praying with us, for inquiries, requests, feedback, please email singthehours@gmail.com. To support this work, visit www.patreon.com/singthehours. or for direct support venmo @singthehours Deus in Adjutorium – "O God come to my assistance" Hymn: "Creator of the Stars of Night," Neale Psalm 141v1-9 Psalm 142 Canticle: Philippians 2v6-11 Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 Responsory: Lord, show us Your mercy and love. Canticle of Mary (Magnificat) Intercessions: Come, Lord, and do not delay! The Lord’s Prayer – "Pater Noster" Concluding Prayers The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes), ©1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved. Readings and Old and New Testament Canticles (except the Gospel Canticles) are from the New American Bible © 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C..

1&2 Thessalonians

Many of the tech kings and Silicon Valley elites that rule the world believe that spirituality and technology have a divine intersection in our future. They have latched on to powerful psychedelic drugs like psilocybin and DMT as their gateway into new spiritual realities, and they are using these experiences to shape the technology of the future. The end goal? To make the human body become one with technology. This will be a perverse kind of marriage cursed by God, and it may play into the great delusion prophesied in 2 Thessalonians. ********** If you would like to donate, just follow this link: https://www.zachdrewshow.com/donate/ and hit the bright orange “Donate” button! Or you can text GIVE to (855) 796-1005 You can also give by sending your donations in the mail to: IGBY International Ministries PO Box 797 Decatur, IL 62525 Thank you for your continued support, and please pray about standing with us as we go forward into the next step of this ministry.

1 Thessalonians 1-5, 2 Thessalonians 1-3

2 Thessalonians 1–3 2 Thessalonians 1–3 (Listen) Greeting 1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Thanksgiving 3 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers,1 as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. 4 Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. The Judgment at Christ's Coming 5 This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering—6 since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels 8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from2 the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, 10 when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. 11 To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. The Man of Lawlessness 2 Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers,3 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness4 is revealed, the son of destruction,5 4 who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. 5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 6 And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, 10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, 12 in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. Stand Firm 13 But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits6 to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. 14 To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. 16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word. Pray for Us 3 Finally, brothers,7 pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored,8 as happened among you, 2 and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.9 4 And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. Warning Against Idleness 6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. 9 It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. 11 For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. 12 Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.10 13 As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. 14 If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother. Benediction 16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all. 17 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the sign of genuineness in every letter of mine; it is the way I write. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Footnotes [1] 1:3 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters [2] 1:9 Or destruction that comes from [3] 2:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 13, 15 [4] 2:3 Some manuscripts sin [5] 2:3 Greek the son of perdition (a Hebrew idiom) [6] 2:13 Some manuscripts chose you from the beginning [7] 3:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 6, 13 [8] 3:1 Or glorified [9] 3:3 Or evil [10] 3:12 Greek to eat their own bread (ESV) Acts 18:18–19:22 Acts 18:18–19:22 (Listen) Paul Returns to Antioch 18 After this, Paul stayed many days longer and then took leave of the brothers1 and set sail for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had cut his hair, for he was under a vow. 19 And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there, but he himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to stay for a longer period, he declined. 21 But on taking leave of them he said, “I will return to you if God wills,” and he set sail from Ephesus. 22 When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church, and then went down to Antioch. 23 After spending some time there, he departed and went from one place to the next through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. Apollos Speaks Boldly in Ephesus 24 Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit,2 he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. 27 And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, 28 for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus. Paul in Ephesus 19 And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland3 country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. 2 And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John's baptism.” 4 And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in4 the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. 7 There were about twelve men in all. 8 And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. 9 But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus.5 10 This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks. The Sons of Sceva 11 And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them. 13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.” 14 Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. 15 But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” 16 And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all6 of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled. 18 Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices. 19 And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily. A Riot at Ephesus 21 Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” 22 And having sent into Macedonia two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while. Footnotes [1] 18:18 Or brothers and sisters; also verse 27 [2] 18:25 Or in the Spirit [3] 19:1 Greek upper (that is, highland) [4] 19:5 Or into [5] 19:9 Some manuscripts add from the fifth hour to the tenth (that is, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.) [6] 19:16 Or both (ESV)

Being cared for is one of our deepest needs as humans, and caring for others is a noble thing to do. The reason we care for others is because God cares for us. All throughout the Bible, we see examples of God caring for His people. When Jesus came to earth, He further revealed God's caring nature. One example of this is how Jesus cared for His disciples. After He sent them out in pairs to the surrounding towns to share the good news of the kingdom, heal sickness, and cast out demons, they returned to report back to Jesus. But “so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat” (Mark 6:31). So Jesus told them to come with Him and go somewhere else to take a rest. Jesus's love for us should inspire us to care for others. Here are a few practical things we can do to care: • Appreciate and thank others. Express gratitude for their kindness, love, and support toward you and others (1 Thessalonians 5:11-15). Give them a call, a note, or send a message. • Accept people for who they are, their uniqueness, even their weaknesses. Accept them even when they make mistakes and stumble, for God accepts you even when you fall because Jesus's death and resurrection have covered all your failures and shortcomings (Romans 15:7). • Be present with people, especially when they need you. Your presence can let them know you value them and they're not alone. Giving your time to family, friends, and loved ones can help them feel loved and remind them of God's nearness (Romans 12:15). • Believe in people (1 Corinthians 13:7). Your affirmation can help others become courageous, see themselves differently, and do the good things God has given them to do (Ephesians 2:10). • Give and provide for other's needs. While donating and volunteering are great ways to care, remember that people's needs are not always material. It could be that someone needs your listening ear, your support, your advice, your comfort, or your encouragement. • Golda Dilema • Can you think of a time someone cared for you? What did they do? What did it mean to you? • How might God be giving you opportunities to care for people in your own life? Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:10 (NIV)

Psalm 141:1-9 Psalm 142 Philippians 2:6-11 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 Prayer Requests to psp@sqpn.com

1 Thessalonians 2:14-19 Luke 19:12-28

Psalm 25:1-10; Nehemiah 9:16-25; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22

"The Book of Mysteries" - Jonathan Cahn Psalm 90:9-12; John 4:35-36; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; James 1:17

Happy Thanksgiving! What a blessing to have a day set aside to give thanks to God!!!But this should be a daily habit, not just a once-a-year occasion.If you develop a spirit of thankfulness to God it will change your life. It changed mine.Join me for today's Daily Word & Prayer to find out how thankfulness can be key to living a victorious life.Scripture Used in Today's MessagePsalm 103:1-1-51 Thessalonians 5:18Ephesians 5:20For information on our Faithwalkers Conference, December 29--January 1, go to https://faithwalkersconference.com/**************Do you want to have all your sins forgiven and know God in a personal way?  Check out my video "The Bridge Diagram" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0Kjwrlind8&t=1sCheck out my website, www.TomthePreacher.com, to learn more about my ministry and sign up for my daily email. And make sure to request a copy of my book, Takin' it to Their Turf when you visit my website.Check out my videos on this channel to learn how to answer tough questions that challenge our faith.Have you ever wanted to visit the Holy Land?Join me next February (2022) as I lead a tour of Israel!We'll study the life of Jesus at the very places He taught, performed His mighty miracles, was crucified, and resurrected! We'll also have plenty of worship, fellowship, and fun!For more info, check out my web page www.TomthePreacher.comHave you ever wanted to take a Cruise of Alaska?Why not join our TSCM tour group as we take in the adventure and encourage one another in our faith along the way?Find more information at www.TomthePreacher.com/alaska

Scripture For Today:2 Thessalonians 1:3“We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.”Giving Thanks pt 1As we are now in the season of “Thanksgiving” here in the United States, I wanted to take a few days to share my thoughts, based on Bible Scriptures, about “Thanksgiving.”  Let's just do a quick history lesson of sorts, about the REAL Thanksgiving… Way, way back, in 1623, three years AFTER the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth, Mass., this celebration was started to give thanks to God for the provision of that year.  You see, it was a tough going the first two years… The life and voyage the Pilgrims experienced was tough. They lost over half of the people they started, the winters were brutal, and they would have starved to death but for the Indians who were willing to help them out. The Pilgrims had a choice to make. They could give thanks to God for the fact they were alive and functioning. They could have cursed God for the fact they lost well over half of the people they left England with. Or they could have cursed God because they did not land in FLORIDA! The other choice they had was to just forget about what God did for them and just live out their lives. They chose to give thanks. Even though they had a lot they could complain about, they chose to give thanks. They knew who to give the glory to. We can go through life complaining or we can spend our lives giving thanks! We can relate this to the story in the Bible of the Ten Lepers that were healed by Jesus. Turn to Luke 17:11-19… Sometimes, we read this story too quickly. So I am actually going to take a few days to walk through this with you.  We start with ten men who have the worst disease of their day. The physical ramifications are horrendous. Leprosy attacks the body, leaving sores, missing fingers, missing toes, damaged limbs. In many cases, the initial pain of leprosy gives way to something more terrible than that - a loss of sensation in nerve endings, leading to more damage to more body parts. The disease can take 30 years to run its course, and in that time span, entire limbs can simply fall off. It is, assuredly, a most horrible disease. We have nearly an impossible task in trying to fathom what it was like 2,000 years ago, when medical treatment as we know it today was almost non-existent. But the emotional pain of the lepers was actually worse than the physical pain. Be forcibly separated from their loved ones…was probably the toughest part.   The loved ones would come and give them food, but they had to stay far away and leave it for them. Then the leper could approach and eat it. But often, especially if they were disabled, other lepers would come and eat it before they arrived. I know I'm about out of time for today.  So let me close with this… These 10 lepers had heard about the miracles of Jesus. If there was anyone that could help them, it was Him.  So, they asked Him to heal them. And He did.  Scripture says as “they went their way” to show themselves to the Priests, ONE turned around and came back to give thanks to Jesus. One. And we are still talking about him to this day. We never hear about the other nine. Nothing. But we still talk about the ONE. So, in this season of Thanksgiving, please STOP and, just like the Pilgrims – and just like the ONE leper, make a decision to GIVE THANKS to the Lord for what He has provided. It may not be anywhere near what you were hoping to have reaped this past year. But you still can give Him thanks for what He has provided.   And that is all that really matters… Happy Thanksgiving… Let's Pray! Please subscribe to this podcast, leave us a quick 5 star review on Apple Podcasts to help us grow and be sure to visit our website for more information on our...

1 Thessalonians 1–5 1 Thessalonians 1–5 (Listen) Greeting 1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. The Thessalonians' Faith and Example 2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly1 mentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 For we know, brothers2 loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. 9 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. Paul's Ministry to the Thessalonians 2 For you yourselves know, brothers,3 that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. 3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. 5 For we never came with words of flattery,4 as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle5 among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us. 9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11 For you know how, like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. 13 And we also thank God constantly6 for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men7 but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. 14 For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews,8 15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind 16 by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last!9 Paul's Longing to See Them Again 17 But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, 18 because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us. 19 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? 20 For you are our glory and joy. 3 Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, 2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's coworker10 in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, 3 that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. 4 For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. 5 For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain. Timothy's Encouraging Report 6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you—7 for this reason, brothers,11 in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. 8 For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. 9 For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, 10 as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith? 11 Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, 12 and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, 13 so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. A Life Pleasing to God 4 Finally, then, brothers,12 we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification:13 that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each one of you know how to control his own body14 in holiness and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. 7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. 8 Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you. 9 Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, 10 for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, 11 and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, 12 so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one. The Coming of the Lord 13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord,15 that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words. The Day of the Lord 5 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers,16 you have no need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 5 For you are all children17 of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. Final Instructions and Benediction 12 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle,18 encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil. 23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. 25 Brothers, pray for us. 26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. 27 I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers. 28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Footnotes [1] 1:2 Or without ceasing [2] 1:4 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters [3] 2:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 9, 14, 17 [4] 2:5 Or with a flattering speech [5] 2:7 Some manuscripts infants [6] 2:13 Or without ceasing [7] 2:13 The Greek word anthropoi can refer to both men and women [8] 2:14 The Greek word Ioudaioi can refer to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, who opposed the Christian faith in that time [9] 2:16 Or completely, or forever [10] 3:2 Some manuscripts servant [11] 3:7 Or brothers and sisters [12] 4:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 10, 13 [13] 4:3 Or your holiness [14] 4:4 Or how to take a wife for himself; Greek how to possess his own vessel [15] 4:15 Or by the word of the Lord [16] 5:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 4, 12, 14, 25, 26, 27 [17] 5:5 Or sons; twice in this verse [18] 5:14 Or disorderly, or undisciplined (ESV)

To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1085/29 1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us to Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. And today on MoneyWise, we will do exactly that! Rob West celebrates God's faithfulness and provision as we mark 400 years of Thanksgiving in America. In the year 1621, 400 years ago this month, the Puritans of Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts celebrated the first Thanksgiving.The Puritans had intended to get to the New World early in summer, but the crossing of the Atlantic was much rougher and took longer than expected. They didn't arrive in the New World until November 1620. Planting was impossible and a harsh winter delayed the building of the first houses until late January. All of that resulted in what became known as The Starving Time for the Plymouth colony. One hundred and two Puritans had crossed over on the Mayflower. Nearly half of their number died that first winter due to disease and starvation. But spring finally came, and those who survived had established good relations with the Native Americans, who helped them plant crops that eventually became a fair harvest in the fall.That brings us to the first thanksgiving when the Puritans were moved to celebrate and praise God for their survival. Many have forgotten the reason the Puritans had dared to venture into the harsh New World in the first place: religious freedom.Persecuted for their faith in England, they fled to Holland first. But English authorities even pursued them there, leading many to undertake the perilous voyage to America. William Bradford would later write of their earliest days in America, Thus out of small beginnings greater things have been produced by His hand that made all things of nothing, and gives being to all things that are; and, as one small candle may light a thousand, so the light here kindled hath shone unto many. And Four hundred years later, we Christians in America still give thanks to God for His provision. We hope your day is as blessed as the first Thanksgiving. LISTENER QUESTIONS On today's program, Rob West answered the following listener questions: ●Is it worthwhile to pay an extra $50-100 per month toward your mortgage? ●If you're selling your house but have no immediate plans to purchase another house, what should you do with the proceeds from the home sale? And are those proceeds taxable? ●Is it beneficial to continue working until your full retirement age? ●What should you do with funds in a 403B when changing jobs? ●Can you roll funds from a Roth IRA into another Roth IRA? RESOURCES MENTIONED DURING THIS PROGRAM: Sound Mind Investing Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000 or email them toQuestions@MoneyWise.org. Also, visit our website atMoneyWise.orgwhere you can connect with a MoneyWise Coach, join the MoneyWise Community, and even download the free MoneyWise app. Like and Follow us on Facebook atMoneyWise Mediafor videos and the very latest discussion!Remember that it's your prayerful and financial support that keeps MoneyWise on the air. Help us continue this outreach by clicking theDonate tab on our websiteor in our app.

Thankfulness In All Things x 1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV Your daily crossover of faith and fandom! Experience daily Biblical encouragement from nerdy Christian podcasters, bloggers and content creators. Join the Nerd of Godcast community at www.NOGSquad.com Support this podcast

On this episode, Paul White talks about the importance of rejoicing always. Accompanying scripture:  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; 2 Corinthians 6:4-10. 

It was the end of my freshman year in college when I got a glimpse of what it looks like to give thanks to God in all circumstances and to be content with His gifts. I'd been feeling sorry for myself because all my friends were off on spring break. Even my family was on vacation in Florida, but I had final exams coming up and had to stay in town to study. I decided to study on the patio in the sunshine. At some point, I noticed an elderly neighbor struggling to rehang a bird feeder, so I went over to help. She said, “Thank you. God sent you over.” I laughed, but she said, “No, really. God is good. I woke with a pain in my back, but I thanked God anyway.” Thinking this was odd, I asked, “Why?” She responded, “Because God is good to me in all things. I have a pain when I wake, well, at least I'm still alive. And later, as I move, the pain goes away. So, I thank Him for that too. And now, you came to help me...” “So you thank God for that too,” I said. She nodded and, to be silly, I added, “Well, I thank Him for your bird feeders because I love watching the birds they attract.” Soon we were thanking God for everything in her yard, then for the people we loved and for all the tiny things in our everyday lives. It felt silly, but it also felt good. Something clicked in my heart that day. I went back to my textbooks and no longer felt jealous of my friends and family on a beach somewhere. Jesus taught us to pray by first giving thanks. The more I gave thanks, the more I saw God at work in my life in minute ways. And I discovered that gratitude also primes our hearts for deeper prayer and connection with our Heavenly Father. • Lisa A. Wroble • How has God provided for you in small ways? If you'd like, you can take a moment to express your gratitude to Him for these things. • How could thanking God help us connect with Him in deeper ways? Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

Hey, welcome back to the Follower of One podcast. I'm your host, Mike Henry Sr. and I'm glad to be here. If you're in the U.S. and hearing this on-air date, I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. I'm recording this message to be aired on Thanksgiving Day. And today our passage is 1 Thessalonians 5:18, "In everything give thanks for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus." That's from the New American Standard. In everything we want to give thanks. We're talking now about expressing gratitude to God. We talked about expressing gratitude to others a little bit yesterday as well but expressing gratitude to God is worship. And here Paul is exhorting us to give thanks to God for everything that happens "for this," and that word, "this" is not specific. Whatever's happening in our lives. What's going on in our lives. It's the will of God, for us. Notice that we give thanks in everything. When good things happen, it's easy to give thanks. But when not-so-good things happen. Well, that's a different story. At least it is for me, I'm quick to complain when the not-so-good things happen. If I can break that habit and be grateful when those not-so-good things happen, I demonstrate my faith. Others will be prompted to ask because I'm acting so differently than I typically do. And then I get an opportunity to explain how Jesus is the source of my ability to respond to everything with gratitude. Today, it's easy to think about being grateful, but I hope you can. Some days, some holidays are difficult for some of us as well. But I want to encourage each of us to express our gratitude to God today, for whatever our circumstances are. Because of this grateful life puts us in touch with God. It's the avenue to receiving his peace and his joy, even in difficult circumstances. I hope that we can live as a way where others can see us as grateful to God and then they can know that he is the source of the good he's the source of the not-so-good too, but he makes everything right. I want to challenge us today. Enjoy your day, wherever you are. I pray that you have a great holiday or a great workday if you're working in another country. But ask God to help you be more genuine in your gratitude to him, even in the things that you don't appreciate. He will do that. He will help us to be more grateful because it glorifies him. Life is hard and we broke the world as humans. But God gives us the ability to cling to him, partly through being thankful and being grateful. We get to join him and experience his joy. Thank you for being a marketplace minister and thank you for making a difference with your faith. I pray that you have a great day and that you make a difference in the lives of others today. Thank you very much.

Ezekiel 33; 2 Thessalonians 2-3

1 Thessalonians 2:9-14 Luke 18:31-34

Erick and Daniel dive into Paul's 2nd letter to the Thessalonians. There is much about persecution, the coming of Christ, and the man of lawlessness. The church is growing in faith and love, but it's God doing all the verbs. Have a listen! 1517 Podcast Network 1517 YouTube Donate

Join us as we worship the Lord and conclude our short Bible Study on the book of Revelation and 2 Thessalonians. We will be looking at what happens to the Sea Beast, Land Beast, and Dragon at the end of Revelation. On top of that, we also dive into the subject of the ‘Millennium' and what ultimately happens to those who follow the Dragon and demonically inspired Beasts.

Join us we continue our series on the Antichrist, the Beast, 666, and the Man of Lawlessness. Tonight we will be exploring the Man of Lawlessness of 2 Thessalonians 2. We will also explore the meaning of ‘the Day of the LORD' and who ‘The Restrainer' of the Man of Lawlessness might be.

"Thanksgiving is a time when we as a nation pause and gives thanks for all our blessings. As believers, we know that faith always says thank-you. Give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:18). It is because of the sacrifice of Jesus that we are saved by grace. That initiates a life of thankfulness. Popular religion is all performance based. This Thanksgiving we can truly be grateful that Christ has done it all. * Kevin asks about a prayer he read that asks we be filled with the Holy Spirit and feel the presence of God. Is that a prayer of grace? * David in Pittsburgh asks about the prodigal son. Is coming back to the Father an issue of trust?

When considering all of the challenges in your life, what can you thank God For? This episode serves as a reminder that when you think of God's goodness you can thank Him for what He is doing in your life. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!   Read: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; Psalm 100 Watch full video episode here: https://youtu.be/LPIcJBZcu_s

The practice of Christian Meditation helps us live with the peace of Christ. Relax to the sounds of beautiful music. “Give thanks in everything.” Really—everything? Meditate on 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22. Find peace and rest during this guided meditation for mind and body with deep breathing, prayer, and scripture. Use these meditations as a bible study in the morning to center yourself on the truth in God's word. For more Bible meditations, download the Abide app: https://abide.co/awesome

What God Wants From Us (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) taught by Pastor Dave Rolph on 11-24-21.

To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1258/29 What are your thoughts on the book of James and teaching on it? I am currently separated from my wife because of her drunkenness and violence. Am I making a sound decision? What happens after death? Why are our mortal bodies raised from the grave if we get new resurrection bodies anyway? What does 1 Thessalonians 4 tell us about that moment of transformation?

Today's reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24

In this special Thanksgiving Episode Saso and Ben give thanks to God for His many blessings.THANK'FULNESS,noun Expression of gratitude; acknowledgment of a favor.1. Gratitude; a lively sense of good received.The celebration of these holy mysteries being ended, retire with all thankfulness of heart for having been admitted to that heavenly feast.Websters 1828Key VerseEphesians 5:201 Thessalonians 5:18We are thankful to God for:God's grace John 1:16God's provision Genesis 22:14 & Psalm 107God's love Romans 8:38Our wives Proverbs 18:22Jaden Surgery / Recovery 1 Peter 1Friends and fellowship Acts 2:42Pastors and Church James 3:1Missionaries Luke 10:2Psalm 28:7Psalm 100:1-5Happy Thanksgiving and may God bless you. Remember to give thanks to our great God!Support the show (https://abundantlife.fm)

Today, Steve & Jackie Deur read and reflect on 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13. For the full VP Bible Reading Plan, head to https://victorypoint.org/next-steps/bible-reading-plan. For more on the context of today's passage go to https://bibleproject.com/explore/book-overviews. To find out more about VictoryPoint Church go to victorypoint.org. If you have comments on this episode or podcast send us an email at info@victorypoint.org. And be sure to subscribe to this podcast! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/biblereadingplanvp/message

Episode 462 - Show NotesTrue, biblical gratitude is much more than an attitude, it is a lifestyle.  When we commit to honoring God as the source of all blessings, a real transformation takes place.  The daily practice of living with a thankful heart impacts every part of our lives.  As you look back over this past year, there may be things you find deeply discouraging.  Yet, we know that despite the things we have faced, God has been faithful. His grace is abundant. His love is unending. His mercy is new every day. God has provided for us. He has protected us. He has given us daily strength, guidance, and wisdom.When you stop and think about it, you realize we have so much to be thankful for. No matter what we face, God has promised to never leave us or forsake us.Right now, whatever you are going through, I encourage you to take a moment to express your gratitude to God. Not only is God worthy of your thankfulness, gratitude is good for your soul. To stop in the midst of a situation and simply breathe a three-word prayer, “Thank you, Lord,” can change everything.  If you want to be a joyful person, you must develop a spirit of thanksgiving. What would your life look like if you lived with more gratitude? What if you chose to express more thanksgiving to God? How would it impact your soul? What if you chose to verbally express more gratitude to your family and those you work with? How would it impact your relationships?In every situation, every season, and every circumstance, you can find a reason to be thankful. As you do, God is glorified, and you are blessed.Colossians 3:15 - “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”1 Thessalonians 5:18 - “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”Psalm 136:1 - “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.”5MinuteDiscipleship.comThe 5 Minute Discipleship Journal

Psalm 16 1 Thessalonians 5:23 Prayer Requests to psp@sqpn.com

Ezekiel 31-32; Psalms 117-118; 1 Thessalonians 4-5; 2 Thessalonians 1

1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 Luke 18:15-17, 26-30

1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 (NRSV); Music: "Ever and Ever" by AEROPLANES, licensed through www.soundstripe.com

We're celebrating Thanksgiving this week with the spiritual discipline of thankfulness! (Look at how that worked out). The Cultivate podcast is back at my kitchen table, and I'm ready for you to pull up a chair. As we prepare our Thanksgiving menus, this is a week to also prepare our hearts. We're looking at 1 Thessalonians and how Paul specifically gives thanks to God for the PEOPLE in his life and ministry. And also his reminder for us to give thanks in all situations. As we approach this holiday season surrounded by friends and family, how much more meaningful it will be if we give thanks for how the Gospel is working in those we love. Sign up here for the Encountering God Online Bible study, starting January 13, 2022. To order the Encountering God Bible study, visit Lifeway.com

1 Thessalonians 1:6-10 Luke 17:26-37