Welcome to our new project, the Daily Bible Devotional. The goal is to help you understand and apply

scripture as you go through a New Testament Bible read five days a week, Monday through Friday,

as we move from Matthew straight through to Revelation. In under four minutes each morning, we will recap the chapter,

make some application, present thought questions for the day, and offer a prayer together.

I'm excited about exploring God's word with you, so let's get started.

Good morning. Welcome to our Bible study. Today we are in 1st Thessalonians chapter 2. Paul reflects on his time with the church, reminding and reassuring them that his visit was not in vain. He emphasizes that he and his companions preached the gospel with boldness despite suffering and opposition. Their motives were pure, seeking to please God rather than people.

Paul describes their approach as gentle, likening it to a nurturing mother, and later to a father

encouraging his children to walk in a manner worthy of God. He praises the Thessalonians for receiving

the message not as human words, but as God's true word, which was at work in them.

Paul also acknowledges their suffering for their faith and expresses his deep longing to see them again,

affirming that they are his joy and crown before the Lord, both now and upon Christ's return.

Here are some thoughts that may relate that to us.

In the likeness of Jesus and Paul,

we are called to share the gospel with courage, sincerity, and love. We must seek to please God rather than seek approval from people, trusting him with the results. Like Paul, we should care

for others gently and encourage one another to live lives worthy of God's

calling. As we face challenges or rejection for our faith, we can find strength, knowing that God's

word is at work within us. We are not alone. We are a part of a family of believers who are our joy and

crown and Christian family. Let us stay faithful,

speak boldly, and love deeply, knowing that everything we do for Christ matters, both now

and in eternity. A couple of things there. God is with you every day, and your Christian family

is vital to who we are and how we're living. Here are three

questions. Number one, Paul and others, like Jesus, were persecuted for sharing the gospel. What

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