Ask God For: Paul loved the church in Thessalonica. The church was going through tough times but were remaining faithful to Christ. Paul wanted to encourage them to look to their future with Christ. Their duty was not only to love Christ but to love each other.

Good Evening Reader,

Yes, the storms in life come but our hope is in Christ. He is the Sunshine beyond the storm. He is our hope and we give glory to Him. Let us encourage each other and pray for each other. This always puts a smile on God's face.

May God blessed you and keep you.

All Glory to God.

Elvin

Living for Christ Today — Reigning With Christ Tomorrow

Christ is Our Hope for Tomorrow

The church in Thessalonica was young, growing, and under pressure. Many believers were confused and afraid about what would happen to them in the future—especially those who had died. Paul writes this letter to calm their fears and strengthen their faith. He reminds them that following Christ is not just about surviving today, but about preparing for a glorious future with Him.

Paul praises their faith and explains that God has already chosen them for salvation. “Knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God. For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 1:4–5).

Their suffering did not mean God had forgotten them. Instead, it proved their faith was real. Paul points them forward to the return of Jesus, who rescues believers from coming judgment. We “wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come” (1 Thessalonians 1:10). The wrath is the seven years of Tribulation.

For believers today, the same truth applies. We do not face an uncertain future. God has revealed what lies ahead so we can live with confidence and peace. Knowing Christ will return gives us strength to live faithfully now, even when life is hard.

A Faith That Works, a Love That Serves, and a Hope That Endures

Paul thanks God for three visible signs of true faith in the Thessalonian believers: faith, love, and hope. He writes, “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 1:3). Their faith was not just words—it showed in how they lived and how it moved them to serve others. Their hope gave them the strength to endure suffering.

This hope was not wishful thinking. It was based on Jesus’ promised return. Even though they faced persecution, they stood firm because they knew this world was not their final home. Paul says they became examples to other believers because they “wait for His Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead” (1 Thessalonians 1:9–10).

Believers today are called to live the same way. When we know our future is secure, we can live boldly. Hope in Christ helps us endure pain, love our neighbor, and keep trusting God no matter what comes.

Learning How to Live Holy Lives While We Wait for Christ

Paul teaches that knowing the future should change how we live today. He urges believers to live in a way that pleases God. “This is the will of God, your sanctification” (1 Thessalonians 4:3). Sanctification means growing to live more like Christ. Paul speaks clearly about purity, self-control, and loving one another.

Holiness is not about being perfect—it is about being set apart for God. Paul reminds them that God did not call them to live in sin, but to live in holiness (1 Thessalonians 4:7). Because Christ is coming back, believers should take their daily choices seriously.

Paul also encourages a quiet, responsible life—working faithfully and respecting others (1 Thessalonians 4:11–12). These instructions show that Christian hope is practical. When we know that one day we will reign with Christ, we are motivated to live as citizens of His coming Kingdom.

Comforted by the Promise of Christ’s Return and Our Future Reign

Many Thessalonian believers feared that those who had died would miss Christ’s return. Paul corrects this misunderstanding with great comfort. He explains that when Jesus returns, believers who have died will rise first. Then living believers will be caught up—raptured—to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17).

Paul says this will happen before the time of God’s wrath. “God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:9). This means the church will be with Christ in heaven during the Tribulation and after the Tribulation will return with Him to reign during the Millennium (Revelation 20:4–6).

This truth brings peace, not fear. Paul ends by saying, “Therefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:18). Believers do not face the future alone—we face it with Christ.

Encourage One Another — Our Best Days Are Still Ahead

Paul’s message to the Thessalonians is clear: live faithfully today because the future is certain. Christ will return. Believers will be gathered to Him. We will be spared from God’s wrath and one day reign with Christ. This hope changes our thinking about everything.

Paul encourages believers to stay alert, live in the light, and build each other up. “Comfort each other and edify one another” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). The future is not something to fear—it is something to look forward to.

For believers who are unsure about what lies ahead, 1 Thessalonians offers assurance. God has a plan. Christ is coming. And those who trust Him will live with Him forever. That hope gives us strength to live for Christ today—and joy as we look forward to reigning with Him tomorrow.

A Life Lived Well

Our goal as believers should be to live lives that inspire others to live for Christ. As Christians, we have the confidence that our future is secure and we will one day reign with Christ. We no longer have worries about the seven years of Tribulation and the wrath that will consume the earth.

As secure Christians, we have the mental freedom to place our thoughts on serving Christ by serving others. If we live our lives so that the people around us see Christ in us, we share in God’s glory. Fame and wealth will never match such an accomplishment.

This point was brought to my attention this week by an email written by the granddaughter of my very close friends. The wife died, and her young granddaughter wrote the following email as she and her husband traveled from out of state to the funeral. Her grandmother, Nana, fought cancer for six years.

To me, this email says so much about the grandmother but also speaks volumes about the granddaughter. Nana had a powerful influence on her, and her influence will stay with her granddaughter for a lifetime.

Praise God. Give the Glory to God.

Elvin

Ask God For

Christian faith

PS. Share your newfound knowledge with you friends.

Reader,

Hosea said his people were destroyed for lack of knowledge. Knowledge give believers and non-believers a choice. When a person does not know, they cannot choose.

Feel free to forward this lesson to your friends and family.

Grow in the knowledge of God.

Elvin

Send your comments to elvin@AskGodFor.com and let me know what you think of the lessons.

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