– Today’s Community Scripture – 10/13/2025
God tested us thoroughly to make sure we were qualified to be trusted with this Message. Be assured that when we speak to you we’re not after crowd approval—only God approval. Since we’ve been put through that battery of tests, you’re guaranteed that both we and the Message are free of error, mixed motives, or hidden agendas. We never used words to butter you up. No one knows that better than you. And God knows we never used words as a smoke screen to take advantage of you. Even though we had some standing as Christ’s apostles, we never threw our weight around or tried to come across as important, with you or anyone else. We weren’t aloof with you. We took you just as you were. We were never patronizing, never condescending, but we cared for you the way a mother cares for her children. We loved you dearly. Not content to just pass on the Message, we wanted to give you our hearts. And we did. You remember us in those days, friends, working our fingers to the bone, up half the night, moonlighting so you wouldn’t have the burden of supporting us while we proclaimed God’s Message to you. You saw with your own eyes how discreet and courteous we were among you, with keen sensitivity to you as fellow believers. And God knows we weren’t freeloaders! You experienced it all firsthand. With each of you we were like a father with his child, holding your hand, whispering encouragement, showing you step-by-step how to live well before God, who called us into his own kingdom, into this delightful life. And now we look back on all this and thank God, an artesian well of thanks! When you got the Message of God we preached, you didn’t pass it off as just one more human opinion, but you took it to heart as God’s true word to you, which it is, God himself at work in you believers! Friends, do you realize that you followed in the exact footsteps of the churches of God in Judea, those who were the first to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ? You got the same bad treatment from your countrymen as they did from theirs, the Jews who killed the Master Jesus (to say nothing of the prophets) and followed it up by running us out of town. They make themselves offensive to God and everyone else by trying to keep us from telling people who’ve never heard of our God how to be saved. They’ve made a career of opposing God, and have gotten mighty good at it. But God is fed up, ready to put an end to it. Do you have any idea how very homesick we became for you, dear friends? Even though it hadn’t been that long and it was only our bodies that were separated from you, not our hearts, we tried our very best to get back to see you. You can’t imagine how much we missed you! I, Paul, tried over and over to get back, but Satan stymied us each time. Who do you think we’re going to be proud of when our Master Jesus appears if it’s not you? You’re our pride and joy! So when we couldn’t stand being separated from you any longer and could find no way to visit you ourselves, we stayed in Athens and sent Timothy to get you up and about, cheering you on so you wouldn’t be discouraged by these hard times. He’s a brother and companion in the faith, God’s man in spreading the Message, preaching Christ. Not that the troubles should come as any surprise to you. You’ve always known that we’re in for this kind of thing. It’s part of our calling. When we were with you, we made it quite clear that there was trouble ahead. And now that it’s happened, you know what it’s like. That’s why I couldn’t quit worrying; I had to know for myself how you were doing in the faith. I didn’t want the Tempter getting to you and tearing down everything we had built up together. But now that Timothy is back, bringing this terrific report on your faith and love, we feel a lot better. It’s especially gratifying to know that you continue to think well of us, and that you want to see us as much as we want to see you! In the middle of our trouble and hard times here, just knowing how you’re doing keeps us going. Knowing that your faith is alive keeps us alive. What would be an adequate thanksgiving to offer God for all the joy we experience before him because of you? We do what we can, praying away, night and day, asking for the bonus of seeing your faces again and doing what we can to help when your faith falters. May God our Father himself and our Master Jesus clear the road to you! And may the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you, just as it does from us to you. May you be infused with strength and purity, filled with confidence in the presence of God our Father when our Master Jesus arrives with all his followers.
1 Thessalonians 2:3–3:13 (MSG)
– Reflection:
Reading this passage reminds me of the importance of authenticity and humility in leadership and communication. Paul’s words show that true influence doesn’t come from seeking approval or using flattering words, but from serving with integrity and genuine care. I’m struck by how he balances strength and tenderness, working hard to avoid being a burden while nurturing others like a parent guiding a child. His deep concern for their faith, even in hardship, challenges me to think about how I invest in people beyond just sharing information. It’s about giving not only knowledge but also heart, building trust through transparency and love. This passage encourages me to examine my own motives and ask: Am I leading with sincerity, humility, and a genuine desire to see others thrive both spiritually and personally?
– Where do we go from here?
Moving forward, our journey with Christ calls us to embody the same authenticity, humility, and love that Paul demonstrated. It involves examining our motives daily—ensuring we serve not for recognition but to please God. We must engage deeply in relationships, sharing not just words but our hearts, and supporting one another through trials. This passage reminds us that faith strengthens when we stay connected, pray regularly, and allow God’s love to flow into every interaction. So the next step is simple yet profound: commit to living openly, loving deeply, and persevering faithfully, trusting that God is shaping us for His kingdom and preparing us for Christ’s return.
– Our Prayer for Today
Father, teach us to care for others deeply, not just with words but with our hearts, and to encourage those around us in faith. Strengthen us to persevere through trials, and let Your love overflow from our lives into every relationship. Keep our faith alive and growing, and prepare us for the day when we stand confidently in Your presence. We give You thanks for the work You are doing in us and through us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
– Subscribe
Hey family, if today’s message spoke to you, don’t let it stop there. I share reflections like this daily, and if you’d like them sent straight to your inbox, sign up. Head over to the homepage, take 30 seconds, and drop your email. That way, you won’t miss a word that could shift your day or speak to your situation.
⁃ Let’s grow together—one post, one prayer, one step at a time.
https://communityfocuseddevelopmentcom.azurewebsites.net/
Let Your Spirit guide our decisions, our conversations, and our actions. When challenges come, remind us that You are our strength. When we feel weak, remind us that steel is forged in fire—and You are shaping us for something greater. Let today be a day where we grow, serve, and reflect Your love in everything we do.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.