GOD OF LOVE
Opening Prayer
God, I praise You that You love me.
Read 2 Thessalonians 3:1–5
Request for Prayer
3 As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. 2 And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. 4 We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.
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Reflect
Reflect ‘God is love ... perfect love drives out fear ... We love because He first loved us’ (1 John 4:16,18,19). Receive the truth: God loves you.This passage starts by focusing on the importance and power of prayer in the spreading of the gospel message. How would you summarize the gospel? Why is prayer such an important foundation? After leaving Thessalonica, Paul travelled to Athens, Corinth, Ephesus (Acts 17–19) and later, to Rome, in order to bring people God’s message of salvation. He is well aware of his need for protection and of his need to rely on the faithfulness of God (3).
Paul weaves in yet another prayer for the Thessalonians (5), demonstrating how his passion for God and his passion for God’s people are interconnected. What does it mean for our hearts to be directed ‘into God’s love’? Why does Paul juxtapose ‘God’s love’ with ‘Christ’s perseverance’ (5)? The expansive, sacrificial love of God was poured out for us on the cross: Jesus died and rose again for our sake (Mark 15:33–38). When we accept this, we no longer need to fear failure, our mistakes, our brokenness, or even death. That is the glorious message that Paul was passionate about sharing and the story of which we are part.
Apply
Find a map of Paul’s missionary journeys. Be inspired by how courageous, resilient and passionate he was in sharing the message of the gospel, the Jesus story, with as many people as possible.
Closing prayer
Spirit of God, empower me to be a bold witness like Paul was. Help me to speak out of my overflowing love for You.
Book and Author Intros
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