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

Read 1 Thessalonians 4:2 For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. Reflect How has following God’s instructions blessed your life? Are there any instances in your life that would have turned out better if you had simply obeyed the Lord? I’ve heard many people lament that life doesn't come with an instruction manual. In their view, people are all just doing the best they can, trying to figure out life as they go. But here at Back to the Bible, we know

Read 1 Thessalonians 4:1   Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.     Reflect   Will we ever spiritually “arrive”? Will we ever be sanctified “enough” to quit growing this side of heaven?     It’s human nature to settle. We work until we think it’s good enough and then we slow down. We get satisfied with the status quo. For exampl

Read 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13   Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.     Reflect   When Jesus returns, how do you want Him to find you?     One thing we know for sure, Jesus is going to come back! In

Read 1 Thessalonians 3:9-10   For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?     Reflect   Have you ever tried to express your gratitude to someone but found that saying “thank you” wasn’t nearly enough?     When I am intentional and focus on listing out the things I am thankful for, I am always stru

Read 1 Thessalonians 3:8   For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord.     Reflect   Have you ever received news that renewed your soul and made you feel alive again? What were the circumstances?     For most Christian parents, it’s terrible to consider that our children may not be walking with the Lord. Having wayward children grieves the hearts of so many parents. Understandably so!     Paul thought of those he discipled as his spiritual children. So for him, he

Read 1 Thessalonians 3:6-7   But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you—for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith.     Reflect   Think about the last time you were bracing yourself for bad news. Did you get the bad news you had worried about or were you relie

Read 1 Thessalonians 3:4-5   For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass and just as you know. For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.     Reflect   How has suffering impacted your faith? Has it made your faith stronger or shakier?     Many people in the United States have been

Read 1 Thessalonians 3:1-3 Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we were destined for this. Reflect When you were a new believer, did God send anyone into your life to “establish and exhort” you? Who was that person and what did the

Read 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy. Reflect Who or what is your crowning glory and joy? Why? Is there anyone who might consider you their crowning glory and joy? A foundational belief of Christianity is in the triumphant return of Jesus Christ. In Revelation 22:12, Jesus promised: “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each