{Reading the Book of 1 Thessalonians~Week 5}

Message of encouragement: Knowing and Expressing our Faith

As I have read and re-read this book over the last several days I cannot help but think about the faith, the love, and the steadfastness of hope the Thessalonica church understood and expressed.  This church was conceived under much tribulation and that tribulation continued after its conception. I think we forget, we do not think about,  or do not grasp the fact that from the beginning of the church’s existence  it has been under attack. News Flash, persecution, and suffering will never cease for the church. This is not our home. We are aliens and strangers in this place.  Our call is to live victorious through Christ and call sinners to repentance amidst the hostility and persecution of the world. But as we can see through the words of this book we have a living hope and a gospel that comes with power!

{4 Reasons You need to be Prepared for Bible Study}

There are so many of us that attend  Bible Study classes! It thrills my heart to talk to women and hear that they are in a class studying the word of God. I teach a Bible class in my  home and I have for years. It is such a joy and a delight, and yes much work. I write the lessons that we study and it does take a lot of time and prayer in preparing. But the greatest joy for me is the time I spend studying because I am in the word reading, marking, praying over God’s word, asking God questions and learning from Him.

{Would You Like to Know Where Your Mind is Taking You?}

What is the mark of a true believer? Do you ever ask yourself this question? If you ask yourself this question where do you go to find the answer? Today we will look at Romans 8:5-11 to answer the question, “what is the mark of a true believer?” Looking at Romans 8:5-11 also answers the third question, “where do I go to find out what a true believer looks like?” The answer, the Word of God. I also want to add the Word of God is the only reliable place we can get our information. God has graciously and with a warning gave us everything we need to know.  We are without excuse. Placed between Paul’s worship of Christ and His setting the believer  free from their condemnation of sin he briefly stops to give  a picture of a true believer and an unbeliever.

{Who is the Man in Romans 7:14-25?}

Have you ever heard someone who claims to be a believer say, “I do not sin.” Before I say anything about this statement lets go to the Bible and see what it has to say.

If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. if we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. 1 John 1:8-10

{Let’s Proclaim The Gospel to The World}

Paul opens the book of Romans proclaiming his privilege and his duty to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. After greeting the beloved of Rome, he immediately proclaims that he is not ashamed of the gospel, {Romans 1:16}

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also the Greek.

Today we are going to wrap up this weeks study in Lesson 19{Romans Chapter 6} like Paul unashamed to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. In Romans 6:16 Paul makes a distinction between a believer and an unbeliever. Also in Romans 8:5-8 he again describes an unbeliever and moves on into verse 9-11 describing the believer. Why does Paul write this way?