1 Thessalonians 3:6-13

1 Thessalonians 3:6-13
⁶ But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. 

What is my reputation as a Christian?  What is yours?

⁷ Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. ⁸ For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. ⁹ How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? 

My friend, Steve, is not perfect and he'll be the first to tell you that. Yet his faith encourages me and helps me to stand. How he handles the word of God and how he makes every effort to live each day to the glory of God is encouraging.  Even when he makes mistakes he shares how God uses them to change him for God's glory.

¹⁰ Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.

I need to pray for my christian friends more.  I just don't.  I especially need to pray for my children much much more.

¹¹ Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. ¹² May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. ¹³ May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

Do you notice the genuine love here?  It's been a theme throughout this entire book so far.  Real affection that shows in word and in deed.  How much to we love our brothers and sisters in Christ?  I really enjoy the blessing in verses 12 and 13.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.