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.

I hope your day is going well, and I'm thankful you joined.

We will be in First Thessalonians, Chapter 4.

Believers are urged to continue living lives that please God,

remaining active and always seeking to excel still more.

Paul emphasizes the importance of living in a way that reflects their calling,

especially regarding purity,

warning them to avoid sexual immorality and to honor God with their bodies.

He encourages them to love one another even more and to lead peaceful, hardworking lives

so that their daily behavior will earn the respect of outsiders.

He then offers comfort about those

who have died, assuring that Thessalonians that believers who have fallen asleep in Christ will be

raised when Jesus returns. Paul reminds them to grieve with hope, for when Christ comes again,

all believers, both living and dead, will be gathered to him forever. This is a

tremendous source of comfort. We must ask ourselves if we are truly growing in holiness and love.

We cannot be content with remaining where we are spiritually. We are called to move forward,

striving to honor God in every part of our lives.

We must fight against temptation and refuse to let the world draw us into sexual immorality and greed.

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