week of 3-15-11 2nd recorded Highquest Bible study

The passage I read was 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Thessalonians+3:6-13&version=NIV

My summary of the passage is this:

Paul responds to the news that Timothy brings back from the Thessalonians. He is happy that they are doing so well in their walk with the Lord and that they love each other and are growing in faith. He is encouraged by the news of how the Gospel message has taken a hold so well there and he responds to them with joy and a longing to meet again. He also tells them that he prays for them and leaves them with words of edification saying, “May the Lord make your love increase and overflow” and “May He strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God.”

As I reflect:

I notice starting off in this passage that Paul feels joy as he hears about the spiritual prosperity of others. I’m not so sure the joy is only because the seed he left took root and grew. I believe it is also in general (regardless of who it had been) that someone had grew in love and faith in Jesus. We should all learn from such an example. There are those in the church today that see/hear of others that have grown and are either jealous or envious, or even often prideful and judgmental as they keep hold to the thought of being better and hold tightly to their high horse. We are instead to rejoice in our brother’s and sister’s growth in their faith and love. May it be an encouragement to us and to others just as our growth also may encourage others and cause them to rejoice.

Paul said that he prays to be able to return to them to perfect them. In other words, though they had received and grown greatly in the message that they received, there was still growth to be had; the work begun must become finished. I think we as Christians have this responsibility to each other to (in love) help each other continue in our growth. If your brother or sister is lacking, then tell them in love as you would want to be told if you had room for growth in Christ.

My response to the Lord:

Holy Father, You know that I want to be more like your Son. You know that I also want to learn from the examples of those who have disciple farther after you than I. Paul is just such a person. Will you (knowing the motives of my heart to serve you) grant my request in making me more like the examples you have given me. Help me to encourage others and see other’s growth as encouragement that I might rejoice more often at the work that you are doing in my brothers and sisters. Lord, I also pray that you would open my eyes and ears to know the areas of my walk tht or weak or lacking in any way that I may fully surrender to you and be filled by your grace and power. In Jesus name.