NEWS, ARTICLES, DEVOTIONS AND MORE FROM BttB...

Read 1 Thessalonians 2:1-2 For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. Reflect Would you consider yourself a confident person? Why or why not? Where does the confidence that you have come from? Have you ever been badly mistreated? After that experience, how anxious

Read 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. Reflect What did you turn to God from? Who were you serving before you served Him? Before we became believers, we were all serving something or someone. I’d venture to guess that some of

Read 1 Thessalonians 1:8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. Reflect When you receive an amazing gift, do you usually want to share it with others or hoard it for yourself? Sometimes, when we know we have been given a good thing, our impulse is to hoard it or hide it. Maybe it’s because we’re selfish or maybe we are just afraid of running out an

Read 1 Thessalonians 1:6-7 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. Reflect Are you more of a leader or a follower? Why is it important to be both in different seasons of life? Some say “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.” Does that hold true when it comes to spiritual matters? It turns out, the Bible do

Read 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. Reflect Has someone ever told you something that you knew were just empty words? Why didn’t you believe them? Have you ever met someone who is all talk? They make promises but never deliver and their words soun

Read 1 Thessalonians 1:4 See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. Reflect For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you… All thro

Read 1 Thessalonians 1:3 …remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. Reflect We know that we can’t earn our salvation (Romans 3:20) and that are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). Given that, what is the relationship between true saving faith and works? Imagine that someone close to you repeatedly hurt, offended, and opposed you. Understandably, your relationship with that individ

Read 1 Thessalonians 1:2 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Reflect We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers… In 2022, Gallup released a poll about the happiness, satisfaction, and contentment of the average American. The results were

Read 1 Thessalonians 1:1 Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. Reflect Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. There are a lot of false religions out there and many of them promise peace for your soul. But there aren’t very many religions that teach that s