1 Thessalonians 1
Daily Devotional from 1 Thessalonians 1--
Verse 6
And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit.
Paul penned this letter perhaps as early as AD50. He had started the church in the summer of AD49 during his 2nd missionary journey. He was concerned about this new church because he was forced to leave the city due to riots stimulated by a hostile Jewish population. Thessalonica was the largest city in Asia Minor during Paul’s ministry and he was encouraged to learn that this new church was thriving and following Jesus. He knew that they had received the Word of the Lord in spite of much suffering and intense persecution. Not only that, they were filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit.
It is hard for me to imagine joy in persecution, yet that is the fruit of the Spirit that the Holy Spirit had given to this new congregation. As we continue to pursue the Holy Spirit, we may face opposition or persecution prophesied in the Bible, but remember, the Holy Spirit is with us, wanting to fill us with the Joy of the Lord, no matter what. Accept His gift of joy today.
Marci Ellis
Verse 6
And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit.
Paul penned this letter perhaps as early as AD50. He had started the church in the summer of AD49 during his 2nd missionary journey. He was concerned about this new church because he was forced to leave the city due to riots stimulated by a hostile Jewish population. Thessalonica was the largest city in Asia Minor during Paul’s ministry and he was encouraged to learn that this new church was thriving and following Jesus. He knew that they had received the Word of the Lord in spite of much suffering and intense persecution. Not only that, they were filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit.
It is hard for me to imagine joy in persecution, yet that is the fruit of the Spirit that the Holy Spirit had given to this new congregation. As we continue to pursue the Holy Spirit, we may face opposition or persecution prophesied in the Bible, but remember, the Holy Spirit is with us, wanting to fill us with the Joy of the Lord, no matter what. Accept His gift of joy today.
Marci Ellis
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