Wow...

Just to let you all know to pray for me....

I am overwhelmed....

I am exhausted....

I hate school....

I am just really stressed out right now about what all I have to do in the next 13 weeks.... found out some major news in my class on Monday, it's a grad/undergrad class... 5 grads, 51 undergrads... she decided to tell us Monday that our test on Wednesday (which we knew there was one) was going to be an essay test... now for me that is a completely different form of studying, so I spent the last two days re-reading 4 chapters, and the essay questions were nothing what I thought they were going to be...

I've never felt so incompetent in my life... and she said that all four of our tests would be like that, so at least I'll have more than two days to prepare myself for the next test...

But I don't think I can express how much I hate essay tests, not for the "I hate writing" part... but because my mind doesn't work that way.... I don't know what else to say...

Anyway... I'll stop complaining... guess I just need to get over it, that's what a lot of people would tell me... but the ones that say that don't understand me....

I love you girls... and I'm really struggling with Thessalonians... sorry...

Okay, so I must apologize for my lack of involment. Life has been crazy, but I have been encouraged by you girls. I am just going to start with chapter 3 for this week.

I am very encouraged by Paul's faith and how he loves the people the he prays for. Verses 12-13 inspired me the most. Paul is praying for their love to grow for each other, not for his love for them to grow. I think so many times I get so caught up in praying for my feelings and emotions, that I realize that I am not praying for others they way that I should be. Not only is Paul praying for their hearts to grow, but he also desires for them to be blameless in holiness.

Okay that is all that I have for now.

Not consistent

I wan'st consistent either. So far this week I am not for chapter 3 either!!!

Justins life verse is I Thes 2:4. I think it is very beneficial to remember we are not to please men but God who test our hearts! Ultimately we are to answer to God alone!

AllI got right now!

1 Thess Chap 2

Okay, so I have to admit... I was not consistent in reading this week, and although it shouldn't be an excuse... we started a New Testament reading program at church.... the entire New Testament from Sept 1 - Dec 31.... and after I read that I'm usually spent on reading... so pray that I will have the strength to read more, or that I would take time to read it at another time during the day.....

So here is what I did find intriguing...

middle of Vs. 2.... But with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition. This amazes me because they were not afraid of a little opposition.

When I was reading this it took me back to Padre. Paul shared with a gentel and thoughtful heart, he did not force the gospel on anyone, but he knew that he had to work hard and tell the truth of the gospel. It made me think about the other group of "christians" that were they saying everyone was condemmed to Hell because of what they were doing, they weren't sharing with compassion and love which is what Paul did. Paul knew that sharing the gospel was not for men, but for the Glory of God.

That's what I've got.... hopefully it will be better for Chap 3....

1 Thess

The First thing that stand out to me is in v 3 when paul speaks of the churches "steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ"

Last week in my bible study we talked about Hebrews 10 and in verse 23 says Let us hold fast the confessoin of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

They are the same concept, faithfulness, which has been an important concept to me for the past year. First of all I have to think, what does "hope in our Lord Jesus Christ" mean? I think it means the hope that he will complete the work he has begun and that I will get to stand before Him blameless and without accusation. That is really powerful, but I don't often consider the implication of that statement.

Second I notice that in Hebrews 10 we are steadfast and unwavering not because we try really hard, but because God is faithful. Now if I consider that God has been faithful to his promises from the beginning of time, he is today, and He will be forever and nothing will ever cause Him to not be, it gives me cause to be unwavering in my hope that He will do what He says.

That was far more indepth than I intended, and for the sake of not writing a novel I am going to stop with that. I love you girls a lot.

I Thessalonians 1

These are the things that stood out to me:
v.3
work of faith
labor of love
steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ
These are things that paul thanked God for in the church. I think these are things that we should focus on as part of the Church.

v.4-5
God's choosing of the church at Thessalonica.
God is continually working to redeem his people.
Not only the Word but also the power of the Holy Spirit.
This is affirmation that salvation is not a work a man but work of the Spirit. The word is powerful but will not take hold without a work of the spirit in the sinful heart of mankind.

v.10
Deliver us from the wrath to come
Once again we see the rescue mission of Jesus Christ. To deliver us(those who believe) from the wrath to come.

Sorry it took me so long! On to chapter 2

So.... what happened? We have an introduction and one person's thoughts.... do we need to start again or should we be on chapter 2 this week?

Annie's Thoughts

Thanks Kara! That helped out a lot!

One thing that amazes me about Paul is how encouraging he is to his fellow believers. It's not just a "hey, keep up the good work" he goes into detail about what they have been doing that is glorifying to God and how great that is.

Another thing that caught my attention right off the bat is how he prayers for them. I know sometimes I will get into the habit of praying for people who need prayer or have told me prayer requests, I tend not to (sorry ladies) just praise God for your friendships and love.

I'm sure I have more to say but it's 6:20 AM and I don't have my bible with me at work.... So I will write more next time.... just wanted to put in a few thoughts that immediately caught my attention!

Brief Introduction

Thought I would add a introduction for the book:

Author: Paul
Audience: The church at Thessalonica. Wrote as a response to Timothy's good report of the church.
Purpose:
- To encourage the church
- To answer false allegations
- Comforting the persecuted
- Expressing his joy in their faith
- Reminding them of the importance of moral purity
- Condemning the sluggard
- Correction a wrong understanding of prophetic events.
- Defusing tensions within the flock
- Exhorting flock on the basics of Christian living.

Themes:
- Apologetic (defense) theme with historical correlation between Acts and I Thes.
- Ecclesiastical (church related) Theme with the portrayal of a healthy growing church.
- Pastoral Theme with the example of shepherding the flock
- Eschatological (end times) theme with the focus on end time events
- Missionary theme with the emphasis on gospel proclamation and church planting

7 signs of Paul's genuine ministry:
1. Self- sacrifice
2. Motherly love
3. Fatherly integrity and encouragement
4. Desire for fellowship
5. Joy
6. Prayer
7. Hope

8 Signs of a Christian life:
1. Live in order to please God
2. Live a sexually holy life
3. Live a life of brotherly love
4. Live a respectable life
5. Live a life awake to God
6. Live an encouraging life
7. Life a God-Centered life
8. Live a discerning life

Hope this helps!! I will add my thoughts later!