Completing What's Lacking in Faith

Jesus and the Just Reign of God
Live Justly in the Reign of God
Treat Everyone Equally

1 Thessalonians 3:4-13

The Message

^3-5 Not that the troubles should come as any surprise to you. You’ve always known that we’re in for this kind of thing. It’s part of our calling. When we were with you, we made it quite clear that there was trouble ahead. And now that it’s happened, you know what it’s like. That’s why I couldn’t quit worrying; I had to know for myself how you were doing in the faith. I didn’t want the Tempter getting to you and tearing down everything we had built up together.
^6-8 But now that Timothy is back, bringing this terrific report on your faith and love, we feel a lot better. It’s especially gratifying to know that you continue to think well of us, and that you want to see us as much as we want to see you! In the middle of our trouble and hard times here, just knowing how you’re doing keeps us going. Knowing that your faith is alive keeps us alive.
^9-10 What would be an adequate thanksgiving to offer God for all the joy we experience before him because of you? We do what we can, praying away, night and day, asking for the bonus of seeing your faces again and doing what we can to help when your faith falters.
^11-13 May God our Father himself and our Master Jesus clear the road to you! And may the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you, just as it does from us to you. May you be infused with strength and purity, filled with confidence in the presence of God our Father when our Master Jesus arrives with all his followers.

For Reflection

Being a Christian, you are in for a heap of trouble.  Christians are a bother!  They are always going against the grain.  All this talk about economic justice.  It's not my fault those people are too lazy to work.  Why should I encourage  their slacker behavior with dole and do-gooding?

And, deprived?  Who's deprived?  I'll tell you what they are.  Depraved, immoral druggies, living a life of sin.

I'm not to blame for these stupid people who don't know enough to pick themselves up by their own boot straps.  God helps them thats helps themselves.  It's in the Bible!

That's Tempter talk.  Do what ever it takes to discredit such dehumanizing practice.  Show the world that contrary to common belief, life is not a zero sum game.  In order to win no one has to lose. 

Pray

May God our Father himself and our Master Jesus clear the road to you! And may the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you, just as it does from us to you. May you be infused with strength and purity, filled with confidence in the presence of God our Father when our Master Jesus arrives with all his followers.