“We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly. 3 As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 1:1:1-3 NLT
4“Even while we were with you, we warned you that troubles would soon come—and they did, as you well know. 5 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. 6 But now Timothy has just returned, bringing us good news about your faith and love.” 1 Thessalonians 3:1-6 NLT
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died. 15 We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. ” 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 NLT
Father God,
Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-4) soon after leaving. He wrote to give thanks for them for their love and hope. And to encourage them in their difficult situation. And to know without a doubt their future.
How wonderful to be remembered for faithfulness, love and hope and not for reciting their problems and difficulties. They didn’t need to be broadcast those as they were easy to see! It is difficult some times not to share the hinderances and antagonism that sometimes surrounds us. Rather than looking to God for encouragement and sharing that. We are emotional beings and their are times we need to talk to someone and not bottle things up. But not to become a broken record of negatives.
So today I use the first three verses as a prayer for my church fellowship and will try to live so they can see something of those qualities in me . . . And keep in mind that one day I will be with Jesus.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Thursday 27th November 2025
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.
This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long.
This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long.
Perfect communion, perfect delight,
visions of rapture now burst on my sight.
Angels descending bring from above
echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
Chorus
Perfect submission, all is at rest.
I in my Savior am happy and bless’d,
watching and waiting, looking above,
filled with his goodness, lost in his love.
Chorus
Lyrics: Fanny Crosby