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The early church grew quickly and spread rapidly. So it's no surprise that many people didn't look kindly upon the new Christian believers. That's why Paul spent so much time in his letters encouraging his readers, and preparing them for persecution. As we look at Paul's second letter to the Thessalonian church, we'll be reminded of God's justice.

Paul winds up his first letter to the Thessalonian believers with some general reminders to always be about the Lord's business. Our mission is too important for laziness! He also sets a good example for the rest of us believers by showing that it's okay to ask for prayer from others when we need it.

For 2,000 years, now, believers have been waiting for the return of Christ. But we can't just lock ourselves away until that day. Paul reminds his readers, and us, about how we should conduct our lives in light of the knowledge that Christ could return at any moment.

It's not just today that believers are wondering about when Christ will return. Back in Paul's day people were already debating it, and getting things wrong too. Paul spends some time in his letter to correct some misconceptions about the return of the Lord, and to give some hope about that glorious day.

There are a lot of things regarding God's will that we just don't know. But we still know quite a bit! Paul continues his letter to the Thessalonians by reminding his readers about the kind of life God expects from those who preach His name. Consider how you are living to honor the Lord with today's message.

These days, it's possible to travel to most places of the world in less than a day. Paul, of course, didn't have the luxury of airplanes, but he did have a strong network of friends, and of course his letters, he could draw upon when he needed to send encouragement. Find out more about the heart of Paul in his encouraging words to the Thessalonian believers.

What would people say about you if they had to evaluate your life? As he continues his letter, Paul reminds his readers that the judgments others make about us, they are are also making these judgments about Christ. Find encouragement to keep strong in the Lord today!

Paul always had others on his mind. And now, Paul turns his thoughts towards the Thessalonians. As we read his opening remarks we'll get a picture of Paul's heart and an understanding of what's most important to understand in the Christian life.

As Paul draws his letter to the Colossians to a close he leaves us with some advice on dealing with unbelievers. He reminds us that we are always on display for Christ. And as he sends his greetings, we get a glimpse at how the early church fellowshipped with one another.

Sometimes, a choice we have to make isn't difficult. One option is clearly superior in every way. But what about when the choices all seem equally good? Is there a way to know God's will then? As Paul continues in his letter to the Colossians, he helps us understand how to find peace in our decisions when it comes to following Christ.

Look at an athlete on day one of their training, and then look at them again after a year. What if you didn't see a difference? Paul encourages us as he continues his letter to the Colossians to not lose focus as we seek to become more Christlike. It may seem like we're not making much progress day to day. But keep it up and we're sure to see results!

What place do rules and regulations have in the Christian's life? We know that we aren't saved because of how well we follow the rules, but we're not supposed to do just whatever we want, either. Paul addresses this as he continues his encouraging words to the Colossian believers.

Becoming a Christian can be like stepping into a new country for the first time. All around are people using words you don't know and following customs that are new to you. Paul, as he continues his letter to the Colossians encourages his readers to dive right in and begin learning. But just like any world traveler knows, there are dangers to avoid, and Paul mentions those too.

The idea of the Trinity (God in three persons) has always been hard to comprehend. So where did the idea come from in the first place? From passages like the one we'll look at today. We'll take a look at Paul's words to the Colossians and be reminded of God's majesty over all.

Have you ever wondered how you should be in prayer for other believers? Paul sets a wonderful example for us in his letter to the Colossians. As he opens his letter, we'll learn a bit about the people who partnered with him in sharing the Gospel, and hear firsthand his prayer for the believers in the Colossian church.

One thing that rings clearly throughout all of Paul's letters is his appreciation for the support and prayers that other believers send his way. As we close our look at the Book of Philippians, we'll be encouraged to share our love and support with others out there doing God's work--and we'll be challenged to share our gratitude with those who support us.

Are you one of the many that have Philippians 4:13 memorized? "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." There's some great truth to be found in that verse, but it's even better than you think! Today we'll look at the verses leading up to this great truth and understand that with God we can face anything.

Being in prison, Paul was very aware of the types of challenges and trials we all face in life. Yet, through it all, Paul tells us we can experience joy and peace. Paul continues his letter by telling us how to find that divine source of peace and joy, and how to be a beacon of hope in a world longing for rest.

As Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians from jail, he reminded them of something very important. As Christ-followers, the eyes of the world are upon us. As citizens of heaven, we've been given the responsibility of shining God's light to our neighborhoods, and the rest of the world. Find out more from Paul about how we can thrive as we live our lives for Christ.

Do you imagine God holding a clipboard and checking items off a list as He watches your life, evaluating your worthiness for heaven? "Baptized--check"; "Church attendance--check"; "Tithing--". While religious rituals and practices have their place in the life of faith, they have nothing to do with our salvation. We'll be reminded of God's great love for us in this important message.

Humility can be hard word to swallow, especially when everything inside us tells us to stand up and fight. But as Paul continues his encouraging letter to the Philippians, he challenges them to live a life of humility. And as an example, he points to the life of Jesus Himself. Find out more about the power of a humble servant in today's message.

If you were to guess about the overall tone of a letter sent from a prisoner, would you think it to be a joyful letter? That's exactly what we get in the Apostle Paul's letter to the Philippians. Rather dwell on his circumstances, we'll see how Paul finds joy even while in jail. As we begin this study, we'll learn a bit more about what motivates Paul to continue his work for Christ.

Faithfulness is one of the most important attributes a Christian can demonstrate--because it is one of the most important attributes of God Himself! Because we are able to constantly rely on our unchanging Father, our life gains a foundation of bedrock on which we can build a life that can withstand whatever storm. Paul encourages this same faithfulness in his readers' lives as he concludes this important letter.

If it seems like God is asking a lot out of His followers, well, He is. But He is also promising a lot of help! Today Paul encourages his readers by telling them about the armor of God that protects us from the schemes and plans of the enemies of God. Find out more about your divine defenses as we draw near to the end of our study of Ephesians.