Welcome to Abide's sleep meditations. I'm Tyler Boss, and I'm continually encouraged night after night

to remain in my creator, which in turn has helped me to grow in so many ways, even as I sleep.

And I hope you find that same encouragement as well as you listen. And you can have full access

to all our sleep stories, commercial free. Just text the word

abide to 22433 for 25% off the abide app. Just text abide to 22433. Now, relax your mind and body

as we hear tonight's sleep story.

Hello, I'm Melissa.

Thanks for joining me tonight for sleep scriptures as we hear Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians

in the new international version.

First Thessalonians was likely Paul's earliest letter, the new international version.

First Thessalonians was likely Paul's earliest letter, written shortly after the first church community was formed in Thessalonica.

The Christians there were persecuted for defying Caesar and declaring Jesus as king. Paul wrote this letter

to reconnect with the Christians there after having to flee. Timothy had reported that the

church was flourishing despite their persecution.

Paul opens the letter by thanking the Thessalonians for their faith and reminding them of their conversion and of the time he spent with them.

Paul emphasizes that the essence of Christian leadership is not about power, but relationships

and service.

Just as Jesus was persecuted, Paul is now persecuted by his fellow Jews, and he has this in common with the Thessalonians,

who face hostility from their Greek neighbors.

This brings comfort to Paul,

because their suffering means they're participating in the story of Jesus.

Paul implores them to remain committed to holiness.

...