Thessalonians – Living Forward

When affirmed in my faith because of who I am in Jesus or encouraged in the positive things others see in me, it gives me a lift, more energy and a desire to do even more. How about you? Words of affirmations help us to be more and do more that is positive and helpful to others.

To say to someone, “I’m thankful you are in my life” or “I see Jesus in you when…….” with true affection without empty flattery that expects something in return is worth our weight in gold. Right? To me, it’s even better than a paycheck. It makes me work harder, be better and love what I am doing with a desire to be more, not less. When was the last time we gave affectionate affirmation to someone expecting nothing in return? Don’t be surprised if it shocks them…which is a sign we don’t affirm each other enough!

Paul is so thankful for other Christian believers. He is not hesitant to affirm others in ways that encourage and uplift who they are as well as what they do. If we want examples of how to affectionately affirm others, we can read the beginning of every letter Paul writes to fellow believers of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Here is yet another example…

1 Thessalonians 1, The Message
I, Paul, together here with Silas and Timothy, send greetings to the church at Thessalonica, Christians assembled by God the Father and by the Master, Jesus Christ. God’s amazing grace be with you! God’s robust peace!

Convictions of Steel
2-5 Every time we think of you, we thank God for you. Day and night you’re in our prayers as we call to mind your work of faith, your labor of love, and your patience of hope in following our Master, Jesus Christ, before God our Father. It is clear to us, friends, that God not only loves you very much but also has put his hand on you for something special. When the Message we preached came to you, it wasn’t just words. Something happened in you. The Holy Spirit put steel in your convictions.

5-6 You paid careful attention to the way we lived among you, and determined to live that way yourselves. In imitating us, you imitated the Master. Although great trouble accompanied the Word, you were able to take great joy from the Holy Spirit!—taking the trouble with the joy, the joy with the trouble.

7-10 Do you know that all over the provinces of both Macedonia and Achaia believers look up to you? The word has gotten around. Your lives are echoing the Master’s Word, not only in the provinces but all over the place. The news of your faith in God is out. We don’t even have to say anything anymore—you’re the message! People come up and tell us how you received us with open arms, how you deserted the dead idols of your old life so you could embrace and serve God, the true God. They marvel at how expectantly you await the arrival of his Son, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescued us from certain doom.

What do we learn?
–Be affirming to others. It’s is first thing about your faith that will get their attention.
–Look for the good in others…first and foremost. We already know what is bad in ourselves.
–Don’t wait to be affirmed to be affirming.
–Truly thank God, right now, for all the people He has put into your life.
–Don’t hesitant to tell them that you are glad God put them in your life.

From me to YOU…
“Every time we think of you, we thank God for you. Day and night you’re in our prayers as we call to mind your work of faith, your labor of love, and your patience of hope in following our Master, Jesus Christ, before God our Father.”

In Jesus Name, Amen