1 TIMOTHY 3:16-17

"All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us...God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work."

Sunday, April 10, 2011

1 THESSALONIANS - A Tribute to You

I get by with a little help from my friends.

Great lyrics – great truth.

You know, God is doing an amazing work out in Blog Land. He is using the tool of blogging to connect His Body with each other – across time, across the miles – sometimes across the ocean – all around the world.

It is a tremendous support network.

I know – because all of you have been wonderful.

Supportive, encouraging, inspiring. I don’t know what I'd do without you!

Today's "Bible Pick ‘Ems" reminded me of how grateful I am for fellow believers who stand alongside me, who fight with me, and who uphold me:

"We sent [Timothy] to strengthen you, to encourage you in your faith, and to keep you from being shaken by the troubles you were going through. But you know that you are destined for such trouble…That is why…I sent Timothy to find out if your faith was still strong. I was afraid that the tempter had gotten the best of you…" (1 Thessalonians 3:2-5)

First-century Christians came face to face with persecution. Whether in the hands of zealous Jews, angry Greeks, or ruthless Roman authorities, they faced stonings, beatings, crucifixions, torture, and death.

To be a follower of Christ meant to give up everything…

The church at Thessalonica was very young – it had been established only two or three years before Paul wrote this letter to them. They were being persecuted – and Paul, like theirspiritual father in the faith, was concerned about them.

Paul was unable to return to Thessalonica. So he sent Timothy to encourage them – to exhort them to be strong in their faith.

And Timothy came home with a wonderful message:

"But now Timothy has just returned, bringing us good news about your faith and love…So we have been greatly encouraged in the midst of our troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives us new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord."
(1 Thessalonians 3:6-8)

This is how I feel about all of you.

I am greatly encouraged by your love. I am emboldened by your truthful witness. I amupheld by your words and prayers.

Your strong faith strengthens mine!

And isn’t that what it’s all about?

God using each of us to help each other. The Body working together to accomplish God’s purposes.

Helping our fellow warriors to stand firm, to hold on tightly to our swords, and to fight against the tempter – boldly, firmly, and with resolute determination.

So, thank you – for all you've done to help me on my journey. For laughing with me, and crying with me – for standing alongside me through the ups and downs.

To paraphrase 1 Thessalonians 3:9 –

"How I thank God for you! Because of you I have great joy as I enter God’s presence."


(Linked today with Charlotte and Ginger at Spiritual Sundays, and Peggy at Super Sunday. Also, please feel free to visit my other blog during the week, Sharon Sharing God)

"When in doubt, search God out!"

9 comments:

  1. I used to belong to a Baptist church that had a group formed called the Barnabas encouragers. We would be given a list of names from the church and would send cards and letters to them if we saw them absent for more than a week from Church. It worked well... because so often this goes unnoticed and after all... we are supposed to uplift and encourage one another. This is a great post> Thanks for sharing.

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  2. Thank You Lord for sending Sharon (giving this sweet word to her and through her) and other blog friends that strengthen me and one another. May we continue to encourage one another in faith and love in our faith walk.

    Praise You that we can keep each other from being shaken by our troubles as we are going through them. You are with us and so are they. Though we may be destined for trouble, You sent us Jesus through our blogging body. This helps us to find out if and where our faith is strong or weakened for Your Spirit to do a fresh work in us. Send us to our homes and our church bodies and our communities and blogs with encouraging news and a wonderful message.

    Thank You for Sharon and her wonderful, grateful message that confirms my heart for her and other bloggers as well.

    "I am greatly encouraged by your love. I am emboldened by your truthful witness. I amupheld by your words and prayers.

    Your strong faith strengthens mine!

    And isn’t that what it’s all about? "


    AMEN! amen and amen to her words that follow this also.

    The Message (MSG)

    9-10 What would be an adequate thanksgiving to offer God for all the joy we experience before Him because of you?

    We do what we can, praying away, night and day, asking for the bonus of seeing your faces again and doing what we can to help when your faith falters.

    Bless Sharon and our fellow warriors that "stand firm, to hold on tightly to our swords, and to fight against the tempter – boldly, firmly, and with resolute determination... in Jesus precious Name we ask and pray for greater is He that is in us than anything of this world... Glory!

    Hallelujah! All thanks and glory goes to Jesus for shining through the darkness with our bloggers in Christ... who light and lighten our load on this journey making it brightened this Super SONday and each day along our way...

    SUPER HUG and LOVE,
    Peggy

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  3. That is a sweet post. I do thank God for the internet and all my friends who encourage me in the faith. Blessings ~

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  4. I think we strengthen each other. So many people see just the bad with the internet, all I see is good and I thank the Lord for all of my friends that someday I will meet in Heaven.
    God Bless,
    Ginger

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  5. Thank you Sharon for being the most amazing, sweet, loving, kind, humble, encouraging, and just simply awesome woman of God. You have no idea how much your comments encourage me. After reading your comments, I am ever so motivated to keep doing what God calls me to do. You are simply the most encouraging and sincere person I have been fortunate to meet on blogland. I am grteful for your fellowship and I always thank God for you:) XOXO

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  6. I so agree with you on blogging bringing people together. I'm glad you are sharing with us on Spiritual Sundays.
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

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  7. Hi Sharon,
    Great post. You are an encouragement to me and I am sure you are an encouragement to many others. I alos have been so blessed in this blogging thing. God is sure doing a work isn't He!

    Blessings,
    Ken

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  8. Hi Sharon,

    Like you, I have received great encouragement from the body of Christ through blogging. It is amazing how many people are blogging for our Lord. It's so inspiring. I absolutely love it, because I'm encouraging others and others are encouraging me. Yes, God is spreading his word and uplifting us through the blogging community of believers. Thank you for this post. You, too, have been a blessing to me.

    Judy

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  9. What a joy it was to read all your wonderful comments!

    Bobbi - I love that idea! And yes, encouragement is what it's all about! I'm glad you enjoyed this - and I am thankful for your visit!

    Peggy - My dear amiga! Thank you for your heartfelt prayer. I don't think you know how much you encourage me with your words, and how blessed I am by your heart for the Lord! You truly do light and lighten my journey...

    Cathy - Blessings to you, too! I am also so wonderfully blessed by my internet friends - and especially because I know that God has led us to each other!

    Ginger - I have often said that though the devil may be the "prince of the power of the air" (the internet???) - our Lord is the KING!! And He uses this tool to strengthen His Body.

    Toyin - How very sweet you are! Thank you. I have to say that your blog is always a tremendous blessing to me. You have a wonderful ministry - both in your personal life as you "randomly" meet people (I know God's there directing you!!), and on your blog where you share your very transparent love for the Lord. I am also grateful for your friendship and fellowship.

    Charlotte - I am so honored to join you and Ginger on Spiritual Sundays. What a tremendous avenue you have given so many of us to connect! God is doing an amazing work in the hearts of His people - and He's using technology to do it!!

    Ken - I am always appreciative of your words of encouragement. And yes, God is up to something big on the internet! He has plans to spread His words - to those of us who believe, and to those who need to hear!

    Judy - Thanks. It truly is all about uplifting each other, strengthening each other, and building up the Body of Christ. And when we do that, we are glorifying God and praising Him for the wonders of His love - love that reaches all over the world through our little computers!!

    Again - what a blessing you all are!! May we continue in the Lord's work, and spread His Light and Love to all!

    GOD BLESS!

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"So I have been greatly encouraged in the midst of my troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives me new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How I thank God for you!"
(1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!