Good evening and welcome back to bedtime Bible stories for adults.

I'm so glad you are here.

In 2021, my husband and I visited Greece. So many people that we met there

were from Thessalonica, and it made me want to reread first and second Thessalonians. I had read them before, but not really focusing or picking them apart.

Thanks to the really nice intro in the Bible app, I learned that Paul, Silas, and Timothy preached there and had to flee since they were teaching about another king, God, which was seen as treason.

After they fled, Paul grew concerned about the struggles and persecution that Thessalonians

may have been facing and wanted to make sure their faith was still strong.

He couldn't go back himself, but Timothy was Greek.

So Timothy was able to go back and check on them.

And he found that their faith continued.

When he returned and shared the good news with Paul, Paul wrote the first letter to the Thessalonians, expressing his joy.

Sweet dreams. close your eyes

slowly begin to relax your muscles.

From your neck to your shoulders, to your arms, your hands and fingers, your back, your legs, your calves, all the way to your toes.

Let the weight of your body sink into your bed and pillow breathe in deeply and breathe out slowly empty your mind of any burdens or worries and give them to God.

And prepare to listen to the Word of God. This letter is from Paul, Silas, and Timothy.

We are writing to the church in Thessalonica, to you who belong to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

May God give you grace and peace.

We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly.

As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work,

your loving deeds,

and the enduring hope you have

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