November 6, 2025 • 17 mins
Find the full episode here >>> LivingOnPurposeInChrist/blog
When your coffee goes cold and the inbox won’t quit, how do you keep your heart warm to God? We open 1 Thessalonians like a window in a crowded room and let in fresh air: faith that endures pressure, hope that steadies attention, and love that redefines success. The Thessalonian church began in chaos, yet their quiet courage rang across the region. Their story gives us a simple, livable way to follow Jesus in a home office world.
We walk through the letter’s contours—Paul’s tender leadership, his refusal to flatter, and his picture of ministry as care, not control. We talk about holiness as love in action, why ordinary work matters to God, and how “live quietly” can become a daily rhythm of focus and peace. The future hope of Christ’s return isn’t fuel for fear; it’s an anchor for readiness. Along the way we build a compact rule of life that actually fits the day: rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, don’t quench the Spirit, test everything, hold on to what is good. These aren’t slogans; they’re habits that turn scattered moments into sacred ones.
If you’ve been juggling devotion with deadlines, you’ll find practical encouragement here. We share a heartfelt prayer for busy days, reflect on gentle leadership at home and online, and invite you into community resources designed to help you breathe, reset, and walk with God more consistently. Quiet work can echo eternity when a surrendered heart guides the hands. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs calm and courage today, and leave a review to help others find the show.
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Community Freebies >>> DevotionDrops.com
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Christian Resources >>> FaithBuildingClub.com
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Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Paula Behrens (00:00):
Have you ever found yourself trying to keep
your spiritual life on trackwhile juggling the endless work
from home to-do list?
Maybe your coffee's gone coldagain, the laundry's buzzing in
the background, emails arestacking up, and you're still
trying to carve out a few quietminutes with the Lord before
your next Zoom call.
You want to stay centered inChrist, but some days it feels
(00:23):
like you're chasing peaceinstead of resting in it.
If that sounds familiar, you'renot alone.
And the believers inThessalonica knew how that felt
as well.
Their lives were just as full,their world just as chaotic, and
their desire to walk with Jesuswas challenged at every turn.
The book of 1 Thessalonians is abeautiful letter written by the
(00:46):
Apostle Paul to a young churchlearning how to stay grounded in
faith while living in a busy,pressure-filled world.
And friend, that's exactly whatwe need today, a faith that's
not fragile, but anchored rightin the middle of our everyday
work.
So grab your coffee, maybe evendiffuse a little frankincense
or lavender at your desk, take adeep breath, and let's step
(01:09):
into the warmth of Paul's letterand see what it looks like to
live on purpose in Christ, evenwhen your home is your
workspace.
And stay tuned until the endbecause I've got a special
invitation in our privateFacebook group where you'll not
only find community with otherfaith-driven work from home
listeners, but also get accessto free monthly resources to
(01:33):
help you keep Christ at thecenter of it all.
But first, funny story.
When I first began my seminarywork while serving two church
congregations full-time,everyone assumed I had my daily
devotional time perfectlyorganized.
But truth be told, there weremornings I could barely find
five minutes to catch my breath,let alone dive into deep
(01:54):
reflection.
One day, as I rushed out thedoor with mismatched shoes, I
realized that even in my chaos,there was a lesson.
Embracing God's grace andself-forgiveness, I realized
that true success in mydevotional life requires
prioritizing my spiritualpractices.
Are you finding it challengingto maintain your spiritual
(02:17):
practices or yearning for a morepeaceful, God-aligned day?
I'm Paula, and I've been theretoo.
Balancing spiritual habits witha busy life can be difficult.
I longed for a deeperconnection with God but
struggled with consistency.
Then I found the perfectapproach.
If you seek simple ways todeepen your connection with God,
this podcast is for you.
(02:38):
Please take a moment to followthe show, leave a review, and
share with your friends who needa little biblical encouragement
today.
Hey friend, ever wondered howthe Aroma of Christ coaching
hour uses pure natural scents tobring calm and clarity into
your faith walk?
Let me give you a quickoverview.
Before our session, you'll geta free essential oil sampler in
(03:01):
the mail, carefully selectedaromas to use on our call
together, where we'll dive intothe peace reset.
First, I'll guide you throughusing these soothing aromas to
ease emotional stress, quietyour mind, and align your heart
with God's peace in justminutes.
Then we'll spend a little timecultivating a simple rhythm that
fits seamlessly into your busylife, small steps that add up
(03:23):
without overwhelming your day.
By the end, you'll feelrefreshed, equipped, and ready
to embrace more balance andfaith as the mind connects the
power of a pure and naturalaroma with a deep sense of God's
peace.
Give yourself room to breathe.
Head on over now toPaulaBehrens.com /coaching to
book your spot.
That's Paula Behrens,B-E-H-R-E-N-S .com /coaching (no
(03:47):
spaces).
It's time to take that simplestep toward a calmer, more
connected you.
All right, let's get started.
Grab your coffee, open yourBible, take a deep breath, and
let's walk through thistogether, chapter by chapter,
heart to heart.
The church at Thessalonicawasn't born out of comfort.
Paul and Silas had come throughPhilippi, where they'd been
(04:10):
beaten and imprisoned forsharing the gospel.
When they arrived inThessalonica, they preached in
the synagogue.
The scripture tells us thatsome Jews, many God-fearing
Greeks, and several prominentwomen, were persuaded and
believed.
But not everyone was thrilled.
The opposition was fierce,riots broke out.
(04:32):
The believers were accused ofdefying Caesar because they
proclaimed Jesus as Lord.
Paul and Silas had to flee fortheir lives at night.
Can you imagine that kind ofstart to your church?
No fancy building, no smallgroup signups, no worship team
with microphones, just rawfaith, courage, and the Holy
(04:53):
Spirit's power.
The new believers were left ina city that opposed them,
surrounded by people who didn'tunderstand their new way of
life.
Yet they stood firm, they grewin love, they shared their
faith, and word spread.
When Paul could finally sendsomeone back to check on them,
(05:14):
Timothy returned with good news.
The Thessalonian believers werethriving.
Their faith hadn't fizzled atall, it had flourished.
That's what inspired Paul towrite this letter: a message of
encouragement, correction, andhope for people trying to live
faithfully in a world that oftendidn't care about their faith.
(05:34):
Paul begins by reminding themwho they are in Christ.
He writes, We always thank Godfor all of you and continually
mention you in our prayers.
You can almost feel theaffection in his words.
He wasn't writing as a distanttheologian, he was writing as a
spiritual father who missed hischildren.
(05:57):
He celebrates their work offaith, their labor of love, and
their steadfast hope in Christ.
Those three, faith, hope, andlove, are the heartbeat of a
believer's walk.
Notice that he doesn't saysuccess, progress, and
perfection.
He says faith, hope, and love.
So it's not about doingeverything right, it's about who
(06:21):
you're anchored in.
Paul points out that theirfaith had become known
everywhere.
They didn't just say theybelieved, their lives proved it.
Their example spread likewildfire.
People heard how they hadturned away from idols to serve
the living and true God.
Here's the takeaway for us.
(06:42):
When we live faithfully in thesmall things, how we respond to
stress, how we treat others, howwe manage our home and work,
our faith echoes beyond ourwalls.
You might feel like yourwitness is quiet, but to God it
rings out loud and clear.
In chapter two, Paul remindsthem how he ministered among
(07:04):
them.
He didn't come with flattery orhidden motives.
He didn't use God's message forpersonal gain.
Instead he served withgentleness and sincerity.
He says he cared for them, likea nursing mother cares for her
children.
What a tender picture that is.
You see, ministry isn't aboutcontrol, it's about care.
(07:26):
Whether you're leading a Biblestudy, guiding your children, or
mentoring a friend, Paul'sexample shows us that love and
integrity must lead the way.
He worked hard to not be aburden to anyone, setting an
example of diligence.
He encouraged them to walkworthy of God.
That phrase is so powerful.
(07:48):
It means to live in such a waythat your actions reflect who
you belong to.
In a world that applaudsself-promotion, Paul models
self-sacrifice.
He reminds us that ministry isnever about how we can shine,
but how we can reflect Jesus'light to others.
Paul admits that being apartfrom them was painful.
(08:11):
He says, When we could stand itno longer, we sent Timothy to
strengthen and encourage you inthe faith.
You can almost sense his pacingwith concern.
Would the believers staystrong?
Would persecution cause them togive up?
Timothy's report brought tearsof joy.
Their faith and love remainsteadfast, he said.
(08:34):
They missed Paul too, hereported.
That mutual longing revealssomething precious about the
Christian community.
Faith connects hearts evenacross miles.
Paul then prays for them, abeautiful prayer that's worth
praying over ourselves today,that their love would increase
(08:54):
and overflow for each other, andthat God would strengthen their
hearts to be blameless and holybefore Him.
If you've ever felt spirituallyalone, take comfort.
God sees the ache of separationand he sends encouragement when
you need it the most.
Sometimes that encouragementcomes through a friend's text or
(09:16):
a podcast or a verse that jumpsoff the page at you, or even a
fragrance that reminds you ofhis peace.
Paul's prayer reminds us thatlove isn't static, it grows.
Holiness isn't a one-timeachievement, it's a continual
shaping of the heart as we walkclosely with Christ.
(09:37):
Then Paul gets practical.
He reminds the Thessalonianshow they ought to live to please
God, not out of duty, but outof devotion.
You are doing it, he says, butdo so more and more.
That phrase more and more islike a gentle nudge from a
loving teacher.
It means there's always room togrow, no matter how mature you
(10:00):
think you are.
Paul talks about holiness andself-control, especially in a
culture that had very loosemorals.
He encourages them to live purelives because God's will is
their sanctification.
In other words, holiness isn'tabout legalism, it's about love.
We choose purity because welove the one who called us.
(10:24):
He also addresses how believersshould love each other and live
quietly, minding their ownbusiness and working with their
hands.
Isn't that interesting?
It's as if Paul is writingdirectly to today's work from
home believers, those who wantto serve God in their homes,
their businesses, and theironline spaces.
(10:45):
Paul reminds us that ordinaryfaithful work matters to God.
You don't need a pulpit to livepurposefully.
You just need a surrenderedheart.
Whether you're writing emails,folding laundry, or running a
small business, your work canhonor Christ.
Living quietly doesn't meanbeing invisible, though, it
(11:06):
means walking in peace, notstriving for attention and
letting your life speak foritself.
By the time Paul reaches thefifth chapter, he shifts the
focus toward the future, thereturn of Christ.
He tells them, You know verywell that the day of the Lord
will come like a thief in thenight.
(11:27):
That means it will beunexpected.
But for believers, it's notmeant to cause fear, it's meant
to inspire readiness.
He describes Christians aschildren of the light.
We don't live in darkness orconfusion about who we are or
where our hope lies.
We stay alert, we stay awake,and we stay self-controlled.
(11:49):
Paul paints a picture of acommunity that encourages one
another, builds each other up,and respects spiritual leaders.
He tells them to live in peacewith one another, warn the idle,
comfort the discouraged, helpthe weak, and be patient with
everyone.
What a timely message.
Can you imagine what the churchand the world would look like
(12:11):
if we all lived this way daily?
Paul then gives a series ofshort, powerful commands that
feels like a spiritual checklistfor a Christ-centered life.
He says, Rejoice always, praycontinually, give thanks in all
circumstances, don't quench theSpirit, don't despise
prophecies, but test everything,hold on to what is good and
(12:34):
reject every kind of evil.
It's a call to live fully awakein the Spirit, grounded in
gratitude and ready for Christ'sreturn, not with anxiety, but
with anticipation.
Paul ends with a blessing thatfeels like a deep breath of
peace, saying, May God Himself,the God of peace, sanctify you
(12:55):
through and through.
That's what it means to live onpurpose in Christ, to allow him
to shape every part of youinside and out.
So what does all of this meanfor you and me today?
Well, 1 Thessalonians isn'tabout waiting for Jesus' return.
It's about walking faithfullywhile we wait.
(13:16):
It's about living intentionallyin a distracted world.
It's about letting faith shapeour schedule, not just our
Sundays.
Paul's words remind us thatspiritual growth happens in the
ordinary.
The Thessalonians didn't haveperfect circumstances, but they
had a perfect Savior.
They didn't have peace aroundthem, but they had peace within
(13:38):
them.
Maybe today you're strugglingto find that same balance.
You want to stay centered inChrist, but the noise of life
keeps crowding him out.
Take heart.
The same God who strengthenedthe Thessalonians will
strengthen you.
You don't have to have it allfigured out.
You just have to stayconnected, to keep turning back
(13:59):
toward him.
Even when the day feels rushedor your prayers feel scattered,
God delights in your desire todraw near to him.
Every act of obedience, everywhispered prayer, every moment
you pause to breathe in hispresence is noticed by him.
You're not overlooked, you'renot running behind, you're being
(14:22):
formed.
When Paul wrote to theThessalonians, he wasn't
offering lofty theology.
He was offering real hope.
He was saying, keep going, keeploving, keep shining.
Jesus is coming and it's allgoing to be worth it.
That's the message we stillneed today, to keep our lamps
burning bright, our heartsanchored, and our hands open to
(14:44):
serve wherever we are.
As you go about your day,whether you're working from your
kitchen table, running errands,or managing a dozen
responsibilities, remember thatyou're called to live with
purpose, not perfection.
The Thessalonians show us thateven a young, imperfect church
can change the world when itstays faithful, and you can too.
(15:07):
Let this be your prayer today.
Lord, help me live ready.
Help me to work quietly, lovedeeply, pray continually, and
rejoice always.
Shape me to reflect you righthere in the middle of my busy
day.
Let my faith ring out beyondwhat I see so that others may
find hope in you.
(15:27):
Hey friend, you're not justsurviving.
You're being sanctified.
You're not just waiting, you'rewitnessing.
One day when Christ returns,every moment of faithfulness
will shine like gold in hispresence.
Keep walking in faith, keeploving well, keep living on
purpose in Christ.
(15:48):
Before we close the show today,I want to personally invite you
to join our Facebook community,biblical encouragement and
devotional rhythms withessential oils.
It's a peaceful,Christ-centered space where
spirit-focused friends arelearning how to make time for
God in the middle of real life.
You'll find practicalencouragement, Bible-based
(16:09):
inspiration, and gentlereminders that you don't have to
do this faith walk alone.
Inside the group, you'll alsofind a free download each month
to help you stay spirituallyrefreshed and focused.
This month for November, we'refeaturing Awaken to Aromas, Sent
Scripture and Brain Health, abeautiful resource exploring how
(16:29):
fragrance and faith worktogether to renew your mind and
strengthen your walk with God.
Come join us and experience thecommunity, encouragement, and
grace that's waiting for you.
Visit DevotionDrops.com toconnect today.
That's Devotion DropsD-R-O-P-S .com (no spaces).
(16:50):
Let's keep growing in Christ,one fragrant, faith-filled
moment at a time.
Thank you for tuning in today.
And remember, just like settingbiblical boundaries, it's okay
to say no to things that don'tserve you well, like that third
piece of cake at the churchpotluck.
If you were blessed by thisepisode, be sure to share it
(17:13):
with a friend and leave a reviewso that we can reach even more
listeners like you.
Check the show notes for allthe links.
Join us next week as wecontinue to discover how to live
on purpose in Christ.
Until then,keep leaning into Him and walking in His wisdom.
See you next time.
Have you ever found yourself trying to keep
your spiritual life on trackwhile juggling the endless work
from home to-do list?
Maybe your coffee's gone coldagain, the laundry's buzzing in
the background, emails arestacking up, and you're still
trying to carve out a few quietminutes with the Lord before
your next Zoom call.
You want to stay centered inChrist, but some days it feels
(00:23):
like you're chasing peaceinstead of resting in it.
If that sounds familiar, you'renot alone.
And the believers inThessalonica knew how that felt
as well.
Their lives were just as full,their world just as chaotic, and
their desire to walk with Jesuswas challenged at every turn.
The book of 1 Thessalonians is abeautiful letter written by the
(00:46):
Apostle Paul to a young churchlearning how to stay grounded in
faith while living in a busy,pressure-filled world.
And friend, that's exactly whatwe need today, a faith that's
not fragile, but anchored rightin the middle of our everyday
work.
So grab your coffee, maybe evendiffuse a little frankincense
or lavender at your desk, take adeep breath, and let's step
(01:09):
into the warmth of Paul's letterand see what it looks like to
live on purpose in Christ, evenwhen your home is your
workspace.
And stay tuned until the endbecause I've got a special
invitation in our privateFacebook group where you'll not
only find community with otherfaith-driven work from home
listeners, but also get accessto free monthly resources to
(01:33):
help you keep Christ at thecenter of it all.
But first, funny story.
When I first began my seminarywork while serving two church
congregations full-time,everyone assumed I had my daily
devotional time perfectlyorganized.
But truth be told, there weremornings I could barely find
five minutes to catch my breath,let alone dive into deep
(01:54):
reflection.
One day, as I rushed out thedoor with mismatched shoes, I
realized that even in my chaos,there was a lesson.
Embracing God's grace andself-forgiveness, I realized
that true success in mydevotional life requires
prioritizing my spiritualpractices.
Are you finding it challengingto maintain your spiritual
(02:17):
practices or yearning for a morepeaceful, God-aligned day?
I'm Paula, and I've been theretoo.
Balancing spiritual habits witha busy life can be difficult.
I longed for a deeperconnection with God but
struggled with consistency.
Then I found the perfectapproach.
If you seek simple ways todeepen your connection with God,
this podcast is for you.
(02:38):
Please take a moment to followthe show, leave a review, and
share with your friends who needa little biblical encouragement
today.
Hey friend, ever wondered howthe Aroma of Christ coaching
hour uses pure natural scents tobring calm and clarity into
your faith walk?
Let me give you a quickoverview.
Before our session, you'll geta free essential oil sampler in
(03:01):
the mail, carefully selectedaromas to use on our call
together, where we'll dive intothe peace reset.
First, I'll guide you throughusing these soothing aromas to
ease emotional stress, quietyour mind, and align your heart
with God's peace in justminutes.
Then we'll spend a little timecultivating a simple rhythm that
fits seamlessly into your busylife, small steps that add up
(03:23):
without overwhelming your day.
By the end, you'll feelrefreshed, equipped, and ready
to embrace more balance andfaith as the mind connects the
power of a pure and naturalaroma with a deep sense of God's
peace.
Give yourself room to breathe.
Head on over now toPaulaBehrens.com /coaching to
book your spot.
That's Paula Behrens,B-E-H-R-E-N-S .com /coaching (no
(03:47):
spaces).
It's time to take that simplestep toward a calmer, more
connected you.
All right, let's get started.
Grab your coffee, open yourBible, take a deep breath, and
let's walk through thistogether, chapter by chapter,
heart to heart.
The church at Thessalonicawasn't born out of comfort.
Paul and Silas had come throughPhilippi, where they'd been
(04:10):
beaten and imprisoned forsharing the gospel.
When they arrived inThessalonica, they preached in
the synagogue.
The scripture tells us thatsome Jews, many God-fearing
Greeks, and several prominentwomen, were persuaded and
believed.
But not everyone was thrilled.
The opposition was fierce,riots broke out.
(04:32):
The believers were accused ofdefying Caesar because they
proclaimed Jesus as Lord.
Paul and Silas had to flee fortheir lives at night.
Can you imagine that kind ofstart to your church?
No fancy building, no smallgroup signups, no worship team
with microphones, just rawfaith, courage, and the Holy
(04:53):
Spirit's power.
The new believers were left ina city that opposed them,
surrounded by people who didn'tunderstand their new way of
life.
Yet they stood firm, they grewin love, they shared their
faith, and word spread.
When Paul could finally sendsomeone back to check on them,
(05:14):
Timothy returned with good news.
The Thessalonian believers werethriving.
Their faith hadn't fizzled atall, it had flourished.
That's what inspired Paul towrite this letter: a message of
encouragement, correction, andhope for people trying to live
faithfully in a world that oftendidn't care about their faith.
(05:34):
Paul begins by reminding themwho they are in Christ.
He writes, We always thank Godfor all of you and continually
mention you in our prayers.
You can almost feel theaffection in his words.
He wasn't writing as a distanttheologian, he was writing as a
spiritual father who missed hischildren.
(05:57):
He celebrates their work offaith, their labor of love, and
their steadfast hope in Christ.
Those three, faith, hope, andlove, are the heartbeat of a
believer's walk.
Notice that he doesn't saysuccess, progress, and
perfection.
He says faith, hope, and love.
So it's not about doingeverything right, it's about who
(06:21):
you're anchored in.
Paul points out that theirfaith had become known
everywhere.
They didn't just say theybelieved, their lives proved it.
Their example spread likewildfire.
People heard how they hadturned away from idols to serve
the living and true God.
Here's the takeaway for us.
(06:42):
When we live faithfully in thesmall things, how we respond to
stress, how we treat others, howwe manage our home and work,
our faith echoes beyond ourwalls.
You might feel like yourwitness is quiet, but to God it
rings out loud and clear.
In chapter two, Paul remindsthem how he ministered among
(07:04):
them.
He didn't come with flattery orhidden motives.
He didn't use God's message forpersonal gain.
Instead he served withgentleness and sincerity.
He says he cared for them, likea nursing mother cares for her
children.
What a tender picture that is.
You see, ministry isn't aboutcontrol, it's about care.
(07:26):
Whether you're leading a Biblestudy, guiding your children, or
mentoring a friend, Paul'sexample shows us that love and
integrity must lead the way.
He worked hard to not be aburden to anyone, setting an
example of diligence.
He encouraged them to walkworthy of God.
That phrase is so powerful.
(07:48):
It means to live in such a waythat your actions reflect who
you belong to.
In a world that applaudsself-promotion, Paul models
self-sacrifice.
He reminds us that ministry isnever about how we can shine,
but how we can reflect Jesus'light to others.
Paul admits that being apartfrom them was painful.
(08:11):
He says, When we could stand itno longer, we sent Timothy to
strengthen and encourage you inthe faith.
You can almost sense his pacingwith concern.
Would the believers staystrong?
Would persecution cause them togive up?
Timothy's report brought tearsof joy.
Their faith and love remainsteadfast, he said.
(08:34):
They missed Paul too, hereported.
That mutual longing revealssomething precious about the
Christian community.
Faith connects hearts evenacross miles.
Paul then prays for them, abeautiful prayer that's worth
praying over ourselves today,that their love would increase
(08:54):
and overflow for each other, andthat God would strengthen their
hearts to be blameless and holybefore Him.
If you've ever felt spirituallyalone, take comfort.
God sees the ache of separationand he sends encouragement when
you need it the most.
Sometimes that encouragementcomes through a friend's text or
(09:16):
a podcast or a verse that jumpsoff the page at you, or even a
fragrance that reminds you ofhis peace.
Paul's prayer reminds us thatlove isn't static, it grows.
Holiness isn't a one-timeachievement, it's a continual
shaping of the heart as we walkclosely with Christ.
(09:37):
Then Paul gets practical.
He reminds the Thessalonianshow they ought to live to please
God, not out of duty, but outof devotion.
You are doing it, he says, butdo so more and more.
That phrase more and more islike a gentle nudge from a
loving teacher.
It means there's always room togrow, no matter how mature you
(10:00):
think you are.
Paul talks about holiness andself-control, especially in a
culture that had very loosemorals.
He encourages them to live purelives because God's will is
their sanctification.
In other words, holiness isn'tabout legalism, it's about love.
We choose purity because welove the one who called us.
(10:24):
He also addresses how believersshould love each other and live
quietly, minding their ownbusiness and working with their
hands.
Isn't that interesting?
It's as if Paul is writingdirectly to today's work from
home believers, those who wantto serve God in their homes,
their businesses, and theironline spaces.
(10:45):
Paul reminds us that ordinaryfaithful work matters to God.
You don't need a pulpit to livepurposefully.
You just need a surrenderedheart.
Whether you're writing emails,folding laundry, or running a
small business, your work canhonor Christ.
Living quietly doesn't meanbeing invisible, though, it
(11:06):
means walking in peace, notstriving for attention and
letting your life speak foritself.
By the time Paul reaches thefifth chapter, he shifts the
focus toward the future, thereturn of Christ.
He tells them, You know verywell that the day of the Lord
will come like a thief in thenight.
(11:27):
That means it will beunexpected.
But for believers, it's notmeant to cause fear, it's meant
to inspire readiness.
He describes Christians aschildren of the light.
We don't live in darkness orconfusion about who we are or
where our hope lies.
We stay alert, we stay awake,and we stay self-controlled.
(11:49):
Paul paints a picture of acommunity that encourages one
another, builds each other up,and respects spiritual leaders.
He tells them to live in peacewith one another, warn the idle,
comfort the discouraged, helpthe weak, and be patient with
everyone.
What a timely message.
Can you imagine what the churchand the world would look like
(12:11):
if we all lived this way daily?
Paul then gives a series ofshort, powerful commands that
feels like a spiritual checklistfor a Christ-centered life.
He says, Rejoice always, praycontinually, give thanks in all
circumstances, don't quench theSpirit, don't despise
prophecies, but test everything,hold on to what is good and
(12:34):
reject every kind of evil.
It's a call to live fully awakein the Spirit, grounded in
gratitude and ready for Christ'sreturn, not with anxiety, but
with anticipation.
Paul ends with a blessing thatfeels like a deep breath of
peace, saying, May God Himself,the God of peace, sanctify you
(12:55):
through and through.
That's what it means to live onpurpose in Christ, to allow him
to shape every part of youinside and out.
So what does all of this meanfor you and me today?
Well, 1 Thessalonians isn'tabout waiting for Jesus' return.
It's about walking faithfullywhile we wait.
(13:16):
It's about living intentionallyin a distracted world.
It's about letting faith shapeour schedule, not just our
Sundays.
Paul's words remind us thatspiritual growth happens in the
ordinary.
The Thessalonians didn't haveperfect circumstances, but they
had a perfect Savior.
They didn't have peace aroundthem, but they had peace within
(13:38):
them.
Maybe today you're strugglingto find that same balance.
You want to stay centered inChrist, but the noise of life
keeps crowding him out.
Take heart.
The same God who strengthenedthe Thessalonians will
strengthen you.
You don't have to have it allfigured out.
You just have to stayconnected, to keep turning back
(13:59):
toward him.
Even when the day feels rushedor your prayers feel scattered,
God delights in your desire todraw near to him.
Every act of obedience, everywhispered prayer, every moment
you pause to breathe in hispresence is noticed by him.
You're not overlooked, you'renot running behind, you're being
(14:22):
formed.
When Paul wrote to theThessalonians, he wasn't
offering lofty theology.
He was offering real hope.
He was saying, keep going, keeploving, keep shining.
Jesus is coming and it's allgoing to be worth it.
That's the message we stillneed today, to keep our lamps
burning bright, our heartsanchored, and our hands open to
(14:44):
serve wherever we are.
As you go about your day,whether you're working from your
kitchen table, running errands,or managing a dozen
responsibilities, remember thatyou're called to live with
purpose, not perfection.
The Thessalonians show us thateven a young, imperfect church
can change the world when itstays faithful, and you can too.
(15:07):
Let this be your prayer today.
Lord, help me live ready.
Help me to work quietly, lovedeeply, pray continually, and
rejoice always.
Shape me to reflect you righthere in the middle of my busy
day.
Let my faith ring out beyondwhat I see so that others may
find hope in you.
(15:27):
Hey friend, you're not justsurviving.
You're being sanctified.
You're not just waiting, you'rewitnessing.
One day when Christ returns,every moment of faithfulness
will shine like gold in hispresence.
Keep walking in faith, keeploving well, keep living on
purpose in Christ.
(15:48):
Before we close the show today,I want to personally invite you
to join our Facebook community,biblical encouragement and
devotional rhythms withessential oils.
It's a peaceful,Christ-centered space where
spirit-focused friends arelearning how to make time for
God in the middle of real life.
You'll find practicalencouragement, Bible-based
(16:09):
inspiration, and gentlereminders that you don't have to
do this faith walk alone.
Inside the group, you'll alsofind a free download each month
to help you stay spirituallyrefreshed and focused.
This month for November, we'refeaturing Awaken to Aromas, Sent
Scripture and Brain Health, abeautiful resource exploring how
(16:29):
fragrance and faith worktogether to renew your mind and
strengthen your walk with God.
Come join us and experience thecommunity, encouragement, and
grace that's waiting for you.
Visit DevotionDrops.com toconnect today.
That's Devotion DropsD-R-O-P-S .com (no spaces).
(16:50):
Let's keep growing in Christ,one fragrant, faith-filled
moment at a time.
Thank you for tuning in today.
And remember, just like settingbiblical boundaries, it's okay
to say no to things that don'tserve you well, like that third
piece of cake at the churchpotluck.
If you were blessed by thisepisode, be sure to share it
(17:13):
with a friend and leave a reviewso that we can reach even more
listeners like you.
Check the show notes for allthe links.
Join us next week as wecontinue to discover how to live
on purpose in Christ.
Until then,keep leaning into Him and walking in His wisdom.
See you next time.
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