Father, I come to You today to ask that You would bless our month of March and help it to be a good month and just slowly go about the things of spring. Help us have a good study today and fulfill our hearts with Your love. In Jesus Name, Amen!! 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 9 For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to 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, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. Fact 1: For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God. Meaning 1: The Thessalonians left the way of the idols to turn and obey the voice of the Lord. They gave up their old lifestyle and set forth a new life in Christ. Question 1: Do I turn away from those things that I know are not good for me and focus on God instead? What do I need to do to make sure that I do not create my own idols above God? Fact 2: and to wait for His Son from heaven whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. Meaning 2: By turning to God, they were able to watch for Jesus' return and know that since Jesus died and rose again, they can now be saved. Question 2; Am I watching for the return of Jesus to take us all away? Do I stand in the gap for others that still need to know Him? Take Away!! I need to be sure that I do not have any idols ahead of God and spend my life working to further His gospel each day. Father, thank You for reminding us that You are coming home to us and that we will one day be with You when we believe in Your Son. You love us and welcome us home. In Jesus Name, Amen!!
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Father, I ask that You help us to learn and grow through this book. That we like the Thessalonians will live a life that is showing God in a good way. In Jesus name, amen. 1 Thessalonians 1:6-8 6 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. 8 For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything. Fact 1: And you became followers of us and of the Lord Meaning 1: The Thessalonians were following the things that Paul taught them and following what they knew Jesus had preached on His time in their lives. They lived the walk of life. Question 1: Do I strive to follow Jesus and walk in a way that stands out for Him? Fact 2: having received the word in much affliction with joy of the Holy Spirit. Meaning 2: The Thessalonians were under affliction and persecution from the people of that day. They had a hard time living out their testimony in the times. Question 2: Do I find it easy to live my life for God? Are we being persecuted in our day and age now too? Fact 3: so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Meaning 3: Even in other places the people heard about the Thessalians and how they were living for God. Their lives were talked about, and they had a good reputation. Question 3: Do I have a reputation for doing good in the site of the world? Do people like what they see and want to have what I have and am living for the Lord? Fact 4: Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything. Meaning 4: They were praised for their faith and living it each day. Paul did not even have to admonish them, he was pleased with the testimony they lived. Question 4: Do I live for a testimony of God? Am I known for being close to Him and ready at a moment's notice to spread the good news? Take Away!! I need to get in and live my life as one that knows and loves God so that I need no rebuke in my life but live for Him fully. Father, thank You for another good lesson. We sure are enjoying this time in the word with you. It is a great blessing to live our lives for You. Give us opportunities to share your word. In Jesus Name, Amen!!
Father, I ask that You bless us with a word from You today. Help us to learn and grow as children of You. In Jesus Name, Amen!! 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5 4 knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God. 5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men, we were among you for your sake. Fact 1: knowing beloved brethren, your election by God. Meaning 1: Paul wrote to the Thessalonians knowing that they had salvation by God. They were part of the elect that were saved and seemed to be living it. Question 1: Do I have enough of a testimony and life that others would know of my love for God just by word of mouth? Fact 2: For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power. and in the Holy Spirit. Meaning 2: Not only did Paul preach the word of God, but he also had the Holy Spirit in him to give him power to know what he needed to teach and touch the hearts of men. Question 2: Do I touch people's hearts? Do I spread the word of God in the power of the Holy Spirit? Fact 3: and in much assurance as you know what kind of men, we were among you for your sake. Meaning 3: Paul and those with him lead a life of strength for the Lord. They were not perfect, but they always leaned on God and the people they had set up in other area saw that they lived the words they spoke. Question 3: Do I live in such a way that people know about me and strive to know me as a strong Christian? Take Away!! I need to live in such a way that others can hear about me and my life and know that I am a saved person. Then want what I have in the Holy Spirit each day. Father, thank You for a good reminder that we need to live what we preach and be a people whose reputation goes ahead of us. In Jesus Name, Amen!!
Father, I ask that You help us get through the greetings and into the meat of Your word. We are ready to learn more about You from Paul. In Jesus Name, Amen!! 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, 3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, Fact 1: We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers. Meaning 1: Paul lifted up so many of his churches and people in prayers and loved his people. Question 1: Do I remember to pray for those who I love as well? Am I a good prayer warrior for those in my life? Fact 2: remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. Meaning 2: Paul reminded them that we are ever working for our faith and love, that we need to remember that others are working strong in the Lord and uphold them. Question 2: Am I working for God? Do I do enough that I am able to stand in Him each day? Fact 3: in the sight of our God and Father. Meaning 3: All that we do is in sight of God the Father. Question 3: Do I live in a way that I would want God to see all I do? Am I living a life for Him? Take Away!! I need to be a prayer warrior and a witness to those around me. Father, thank You for reminding us to pray and love. that you love us and stand with us and watch over all things we do. In Jesus Name, Amen!!
Father, thank You for another day and study, we are so happy to be here with You knowing that You love us no matter what we do. In Jesus Name, Amen!! 1 Thessalonians 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 from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Fact 1: Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians Meaning 1: This is the opening of the letter to the Thessalonians, they read the letter and passed it around so that all could hear from Paul and his teaching. Question 1: Do I write letters that can be passed around and have messages of God's will for us? Am I open to do what the Lord leads? Fact 2: In God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ Meaning 2: Paul always reminded them that God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ was in each letter that he sent. He loved his people and wanted them to know God and Jesus loved them too. Question 2: Do I remind people that God loves them? What can I do different to witness more fully in all my letters? Fact 3: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Meaning 3: Paul reminds them that their grace and peace are from God and Jesus. The way to have grace and peace is to live in God and Jesus and work to be who they want you to be. Question 3: Do I share love and caring reminders in my letters to others? Take Away!! I need to be sure that I am telling people about God's love when writing to them either letter, email or just chatting. Father, thank You for reminding us just how important it is to share the simple peace and grace in your letters. Open with love. In Jesus Name, Amen!!
1 ThessaloniansAs a first-century apostle, Paul had his hands full. Back then they did not have the Bible to go to and get answers for problems like we do now days. Paul had to answer all of the new Christian's questions and work in their lives too. He had a big job. Everyone wanted to know when Jesus was coming back to take them up in the rapture. It was a big thing in that time, and they were afraid of missing the rapture. Paul's time in Thessalonica was cut short because of persecution. Paul was stressed for the people of Thessalonica and finally sent Timothy to visit so that he could hear how they were doing. Timothy said they were continuing in 'faith and love' Paul gave much needed answers about the return of Jesus. Those young believers were afraid of missing it. But they talked about the hope and encouragement knowing that it would happen one day. No one know 2000 years or more later. Paul's first letter to the Thessalonian church focused on these:
Perseverance in Trials - Thessalonians talks about the return of Jesus a lot as it is trying to encourage the people who were being persecuted that Jesus will return. It gave them hope knowing that one day they would be in heaven with Jesus. Like it does us now days, we know that one day we as well will be in heaven with Jesus. The Dead in Christ - They worried about those who had died before Jesus arrived, and Paul shares that those will be taken up first before those of us still living. Living While Waiting - Paul was concerned about the holiness of the church, he warned them that the delay in Christ's return was not cause, to lose their purity in Him Wrath of God - Paul assured the believers that the judgment of God was reserved for those who reject the gospel. Authenticity and Integrity - Paul was still committed to them and cared about them and his message. He did not get to stay long with them, but he wanted them to know that it was all good what he taught them and they should stay pure in that. We have two things we can count on in life, we will go through difficulties and that Jesus will come again for us. Now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. Every day is one closer. May our lives reflect that truth in the face of difficulty death, and our day-to-day duties until He comes. Welcome to 1 Thessalonians, lets study!!
Father, I ask that You bless us with the end of Jonah and keep us interested in the next book. We are excited to study Your word. In Jesus Name, Amen!! Jonah 4:10-11 10 But the Lord said, “You have had pity on the plant for which you have not labored, nor made it grow, which came up in a night and perished in a night. 11 And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left—and much livestock?” Fact 1: But the Lord said, "You have had pity on the plant for which you have not labored, nor made it grow, which came up in a night and perished in a night. Meaning 1: Jonah was sad that the plant did not live to cover his head. He felt bad that it died, more for himself. Question 1: Do I ever get upset because a blessing God gave me is taken away? What do I do to appreciate the life God gave, rather than get upset about the bad things? Fact 2: And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left - and much livestock? Meaning 2: God's last word on this subject is about redemption and trying to get Jonah to see that the people of Nineveh that will be saved are worth more to God. Question 2: Do I ever get upset when God is working in someone's life that I do not think is worthy? Does it upset me? Take Away!! I need to be sure that I am standing in the way that God wants and for all that He chooses to save. I need to be a witness and speaker for Him each day. Father, thank You for reminding us to pity those who do not know You and witness to them. In Jesus Name, Amen!!
Father, I ask that You are with us as we finish up Jonah and his need for You just as we need You too. I ask that You bless us with this lesson today. In Jesus Name, Amen!! Jonah 4:7-9 But as morning dawned the next day God prepared a worm, and it so damaged the plant that it withered. 8 And it happened, when the sun arose, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat on Jonah’s head, so that he grew faint. Then he wished death for himself, and said, “It is better for me to die than to live.” 9 Then God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?” And he said, “It is right for me to be angry, even to death!” Fact 1: But as morning dawned the next day God prepared a worm, and it so damaged the plant that it withered. Meaning 1: God was still trying to get Jonah's attention, so He got rid of the plant that was helping Jonah stay on the hill and wait for the destruction of Nineveh that he wanted to happen. Question 1: Do I get set in my way of thinking and forget to look at things through God's point of view? What can I do to follow God's desires and reach out? Fact 2: And it happened when the sun arose, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat on Jonah's head so that he grew faint. Meaning 2: God was really trying to get Jonah to listen and be happy that all these people were saved from destruction. Question 2: Do I spend too much time not really listening to what God is saying? Am I ever a good listener? Fact 3: Then he wished death for himself and said, "It is better for me to die than to live." Meaning 3: Again, Jonah decides he would rather die than live with the salvation of the city of Nineveh. Question 3: Do I get something into my mind and when God does something I just want to die? Am I still wanting to die when things go wrong in the way I want my life? Fact 4: Then God said to Jonah, "Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?" Meaning 4: God questioned Jonah again, He was trying to make a point that the destruction of Nineveh would not help as many people as the salvation of Nineveh. Question 4: Do I want judgement on others when love would go further to bring them to Jesus? Fact 5: And he said, "It is right for me to be angry, even to death!" Meaning 5: Jonah was still pouting about God saving Nineveh and telling God that yes it is right to be angry. What pouting he is doing. Question 5: Do I pout over what God is doing in others' lives? Do I want to see them have God's punishment and not the blessings that God could bestow on them for redemption? Take Away!! I need to focus my heart on God's will for others and for the love that He gives to me and to others. No one deserves God's forgiveness and salvation. Father, thank You for reminding us that You know what is best and what will bring the most people to Your salvation. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Father, I ask that You, would help us to see what You want us to know in these verses today. That we would learn what is best for us and what not to do when God sends us elsewhere. In Jesus name, Amen!! Jonah 4:4-6 4 Then the Lord said, “Is it right for you to be angry?” 5 So Jonah went out of the city and sat on the east side of the city. There he made himself a shelter and sat under it in the shade, till he might see what would become of the city. 6 And the Lord God prepared a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be shade for his head to deliver him from his misery. So, Jonah was very grateful for the plant. Fact 1: Then the Lord said, "Is it right for you to be angry?" Meaning 1: God questioned Jonah's anger at the people of Nineveh turning to God. He did not want these people to get redemption and live forever in heaven when they were so evil. Question 1: Do I ever make up my mind on who I think should be allowed into heaven? Am I aware that I do not deserve it either? Fact 2: So, Jonah went out of the city and sat on the east side of the city. There he made himself a shelter and sat under it in the shade, till he might see what would become of the city. Meaning 2: Jonah was waiting for God to judge the city and take it down. He wanted them to perish and wanted a good seat to watch it. It was hot and he built a shelter to help keep him cool. Question 2: Do I await others to get punishment from God thinking I am better than they are? What can I do to make sure that I am not trying to make decisions for God? Fact 3: And the Lord God prepared a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be shade for his head to deliver him from his misery. Meaning 3: God helped out Jonah so that he had a good shelter from the heat of the sun. The plant grew and covered him. Question 3: Does God seem to allow good things even when I am not in a good place for myself? Does He show His love in the midst of our sin and shame? Fact 4: So, Jonah was very grateful for the plant. Meaning 4: Jonah was blessed by the plant and grateful that God helped cover him from the heat of the day. Question 4: Do I remain grateful when God does things in my life? Am I thanking Him and know that these are bleesings from Him? Take Away!! Life would be much easier if we were not judging and deciding what others should do or have done to them. We need to let God deal with it and we need to focus on God not on what He is doing in others' lives. Work to be God's children no judgement. Father, thank You for reminding us not to sit back and wait for the destruction of others. We need to reach out and help them to bring them to You and not stand in the way of them loving You. In Jesus Name, Amen!!
Father, we appreciate you giving us the directions and instructions in the Bible, so we know how to live. It is so important to follow Your word and will. In Jesus Name, Amen!! Jonah 4:1-3 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry. 2 So he prayed to the Lord, and said, “Ah, Lord, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore, I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm. 3 Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live!” Fact 1: But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry. Meaning 1: When Nineveh repented and turned to the Lord it made Jonah mad. He wanted the destruction of Nineveh to happen. They were the largest city in the world and full of evil. He did not think that they deserved to be saved. Nineveh was the Assarian capitol. Question 1: Do I ever want someone to not get into heaven? Am I human enough to just want them to miss out on the things that will be one day? Fact 2: So, he prayed to the Lord, and said, "Ah, Lord was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Meaning 2: Jonah just knew that when God sent him on the errand of speaking out to Nineveh that God was going to forgive and not destroy the city. Question 2: Do I get upset with God for some of the decisions that He comes to in my life and asks me to do? Fact 3: Therefore, I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness. One who relents from doing harm. Meaning 3: Jonah was admitting that he knew that God is merciful and right. He would love to have all the people following God, but Jonah did not want to save them. Only God did. Question 3: Do I think others are not worth saving? Do I turn away from opportunities to witness because I do not feel like sharing with others? Fact 4: Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me for it is better for me to die than to live." Meaning 4: Jonah was so mellow dramatic and mad at God he just wanted God to end his life. He could not see living anymore when God was forgiving everyone and allowing them to turn to Himself. Question 4: Am I ever so dramatic that I miss out on the love and forgiveness of God for others and myself? Take Away!! I need to make sure that my life and thoughts are on those that I can reach and what God desires me to do so that I do not miss out on the blessings that He gives others and myself. Father, thank You for reminding us through Jonah that we need to follow Your will and not act like spoilt children when we are asked to do something that we do not want to do. In Jesus name, amen!!
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HaniniyaI am Haniniya and I am from Bethlehem, Judea, Israel and I love the Lord and walk in His Word. I want to share His Word with You each day. Past Studies!!
July 2024
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