TAKE IT TO HEART!  (Write our key verse at the top of your weekly agenda.  Or maybe write it on a slip of paper for your pocket or on a bookmark.  The idea is to think about what this Bible verse means to you today.  Maybe you'll learn the verse by memory; maybe you'll take it to heart and it will become part of who YOU are.)

 

"For we know, brothers & sisters, beloved of God, that he has chosen you." 

          I Thessalonians 1:4

 

PUT IT IN CONTEXT: I Thessalonians, Chapter 1. :(For the next few weeks I'll be selecting our verses from Paul's letters to the church at Thessalonica.  Our heart verse is part of Paul's prayer, giving thanks because the Thessalonians received the gospel with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit and have become a good example to other believers.  That's what we want to do/be!)

 

"We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers.  We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.  For we know, brothers and sisters, beloved of God, that he has chosen you..."

     I Thessalonians 1:2-4.

 

Think about it; believe it; practice it:

 

We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers."  Let's remember to pray for one another:

            That we will learn, see, know, feel what it mean to be chosen by God.

           

 "We continually remember before our God and Father

• your work produced by faith,
• your labor prompted by love,
• and your endurance inspired by hope"

   Faith, love, hope           3 things last forever 

      (Read more in I Corinthians 13)

   Not just vague, warm fuzzy feelings

       Faith shows itself in action        

       Love motivates what we do

       Hope endures, perseveres,

              doesn't quit, stays firm like a rock

"in our Lord Jesus Christ."

     real faith, love, hope makes Jesus, LORD

            (the one in charge of my life today)

           

For (Because)  we know, brothers & sisters, beloved of God, that he has chosen you..."