Posts that reference the book of 1 Thessalonians

1 Thess

Giving Thanks

(Enjoy this post from the archives with my thanks for your kind understanding.)

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10

God’s will for us is to rejoice, pray and give thanks. In everything. About everything. We have a day set aside for giving thanks coming up in just a few weeks. So what are TEN things you’ve never thanked God for? Here are mine in no particular order.

1. My alarm clock. I have the privilege of being able to determine when I get up. Sure, I have a schedule (I’ve already thanked God for that one) but it’s largely one of my making.

2. My running shoes. I can run without pain.

3. My desk light. I don’t have to wait for the sun to come up to work, and I can work in the evenings, too.

4. Toothpaste. How many people in the world don’t even have a toothbrush, much less toothpaste?

5. Color. God could have made everything gray, but He didn’t.

6. People who let me put them on my speed dial. (I’ve been very thankful for them many times, but never as this unique group.)

7. My Facebook friends. It’s a blessing keeping up with everybody.

8. Getting to teach. At church and at home. I enjoy it more than my students.

9. My glasses. Even if they are bifocals.

10. Having folks read what I write. That’s you.

These may seem silly or inconsequential, but God blesses us every day with a multitude of favors. In the midst of all the big stuff He does for us like granting us salvation, life, and family, He fills in the little tiny spaces of our lives with little reminders of His grace. Rejoice!

Update: Now that Resolute is out…

By Paula Wiseman

Response to Resolute is starting to trickle in as reviews are posted, emails are landing in my inbox and even through a few conversations with readers. Let me say it is a very scary thing to sit down and write about something someone else has lived through. I don’t take lightly the task of portraying the challenges and the emotions that my characters face because I know for many people, this is more than a story. They’ve lived it. I always, always want to honor those struggles and approach them with the utmost dignity and respect.

I am deeply humbled and grateful for the comments I’ve received about Doug and his battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Thank you for your support.

If you’ve not picked up your copy yet, I encourage you to do so. I think it’s my favorite book so far. If you have read Resolute, you have my sincere thanks. I would encourage (beg) you to leave a review. Your words make all the difference when someone is wavering, trying to decide if the book is worth the risk for them.

On a personal note, I want to thank you for the many prayers and messages last month after our failed adoption. Your kindness and support was a welcome blessing and my family and I are immeasurably grateful.

We can never thank God enough for all the joy you give us as we rejoice in God’s presence. 1 Thessalonians 3:9 (GW)

In other news–

November is usually a time when we try to draft a new novel for National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) but it just wasn’t happening this year. (I did draft a new one this summer, so I’ve not slacked off completely.)

The big project is a new series that I hope to start releasing some time next year. In addition, I’m always trying to improve as a blogger and speaker, and deliver even better bite-sized content on social media. When it comes right down to it, I’m a teacher at heart, and while all this typing gives me an opportunity to teach, it also means I never stop learning.

I’m reading some excellent books right now.
Hearing God’s Voice by Henry and Richard Blackaby
Journaling as a Spiritual Practice by Helen Cepero
Praying the Names of Jesus by Ann Spangler

(I’m rarely ever reading just one book. In fact, in addition to these three, I’m reading two more for school and my youngest and I are reading The Hobbit at bedtime.)

So what’s going on with you?

Thanksgiving

By Paula Wiseman

“We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers.” 1 Thessalonians 1:2

It never ceases to amaze me what wonderful, amazing people that God has allowed me to connect with just because I sat down one day and started to type a story.

Friendships have deepened. New ones have begun.

Your stories have enriched my life.

May God return your grace and kindness to you a hundredfold today and in the days to come.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Study Tip: 1 and 2 Thessalonians

By Paula Wiseman

Thessalonica was home to a church Paul founded on his second missionary trip. Acts 17 tells us he had great success there and subsequently met strong opposition and was forced out of town. Upon hearing Timothy's report on the church, Paul wrote his first letter and within the next year, he wrote the second letter.

Both letters are short, straightforward and easy to read. However, that doesn't detract from the rich truth contained in them. Look for these things as you study-

Encouragement – Paul reminds them of the genuine conversion, of how they put their faith to work and the blessing they were to him. We all need to hear this kind of stuff, so write them down and take those words to heart.

Practical instruction – These letters are packed with tips for daily living. At times (like 1 Thessalonians 5) they come in rapid fire succession. Paul gives special attention to charging the believers to live a life of purity. How's that for relevant to our culture?

Eschatology – That's a seminary for the theology of the end times. Apparently the church had gotten some bad information and Paul takes time to set things straight. Notice what Paul says about the Day of the Lord, the second coming of Christ and the Antichrist.

Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints. (1 Thes 3:11-13)

10 Things I’ve Never Given Thanks For

By Paula Wiseman

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10

God's will for us is to rejoice, pray and give thanks. In everything. About everything. So since we have a day set aside just for Thanksgiving, what are TEN things you've never thanked God for? (At least until today!) Here are mine.

1. My alarm clock. I have the privilege of being able to determine when I get up. Sure, I have a schedule (I've already thanked God for that one) but it's largely one of my making.

2. My running shoes. I can run without pain.

3. My desk light. I don't have to wait for the sun to come up to work, and I can work in the evenings, too.

4. Toothpaste. How many people in the world don't even have a toothbrush, much less toothpaste?

5. Color. God could have made everything gray, but He didn't.

6. People who let me put them on my speed dial. (I've been very thankful for them many times, but never as this unique group.)

7. My Facebook friends. It's a blessing keeping up with everybody.

8. Getting to teach. At church and at home. I enjoy it more than my student(s).

9. My glasses. Even if they are bifocals.

10. Having folks read what I write. That's you.

Study Tip: Prayers in Scripture

By Paula Wiseman

Man praying Last on our menu of Biblical writing is prayer and praise. However, rather than take these together in one giant post, let's look at them separately.

Prayers recorded in Scripture aren't much different from those we pray ourselves. Look for God's name and then the requests usually follow with the verbs leading the way.

"Our Father in heaven … give us this day our daily bread, … forgive us … do not lead us into temptation …" Matthew 6:9-13
"O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay." Daniel 9:19
"Now Lord, look on their threats and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word." Acts 4:29

Sometimes that order is reversed, with the request coming first.

"Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me and I shall be saved, for You are my praise." Jeremiah 17:14
"Remember me, O my God, for good." Nehemiah 13:30
"Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxieties." Psalm 139:23

Some other prayer markers to watch for are the words "may" and "let".

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14
"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely and may your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Thessalonians 5:23

Which Biblical prayers mean the most to you?