In the verses of The Acts of the Apostles that we read at the end of last week it was noted that the apostle “Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God” in Corinth (Acts 18:11 NIV). Biblical scholars believe that Paul wrote his first letter to the Christians in Thessalonica, and perhaps the second one as well, during his time in Corinth. During the next two weeks we will read 1 & 2 Thessalonians, and then briefly return to the book of Acts before turning to another one of Paul’s letters.

 

Below are some suggestions and questions to help you as you read scripture this week:

1. Approach scripture with humility. Seek to receive what the Bible reveals without trying to make it say what you want it to say.

2. Invite the Holy Spirit to speak a message to you through the verses you read.

3. What do these verses reveal about God?

4. What do these verses reveal about humanity?

5. What do these verses teach me about myself?

6. How do you see yourself in the story when reading biblical narratives?

Which of these characters would I be?

In what ways is their story similar to my story?

7. Read, study, and discuss scripture with a small group or another person.

8. Use a Study Bible. A Study Bible is a very helpful tool that includes information shared by scholars about historical and cultural realities during the time depicted or the era of the document, the author, when the book might have been written, the intended audience of the document, themes and messages within a book or letter, and more. The NIV, NRSV, ESV, and NLT Study Bibles are worth considering if you do not own one. There are a few available from the AUMC Library in the back of the chapel. You can also purchase a Study Bible from ChristianBook.com, Cokesbury.com, or Amazon.com.

 

*If you do not have a Bible, consider downloading the YouVersion Bible App for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play for your smartphone or tablet. You can also use www.BibleGateway.com to look up and read various translations of Bible verses online for free.

 

Sunday (6/25)

READ Psalm 89:14 to set your focus on our God:

 

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you. – Psalm 89:14 NIV

 

LISTEN to a hymn or worship song.

 

READ Galatians 5:14 as we focus on loving our neighbors today and throughout this week, because loving people is a summation of all that God commands.

 

PRAY praising the Lord, the source of righteousness, justice, forgiveness, mercy, grace, and love. Invite the Holy Spirit to help you and Christians throughout the world to see people as God sees them and to love them in the way God desires for us to love one another.

 

 

Monday (6/26)

READ Psalm 89:14 to begin your devotional time:

 

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you. – Psalm 89:14 NIV

 

WATCH the Bible Project video that summarizes 1 Thessalonians so that you can understand it more clearly or to be reminded of what you already know. The video is available on YouTube:

Book of 1 Thessalonians Summary by the Bible Project:

 

READ 1 Thessalonians 1, the first chapter. If you are using a Study Bible, you may find it helpful to read the introduction for this book of The Bible and the study notes.

 

PRAY in response to the verses you read letting the Holy Spirit guide your prayer.

 

 

Tuesday (6/27)

READ Psalm 89:14 to help you to center yourself in God.

 

PRESENCE – Be as fully present with God during this devotional time as you are able, setting aside distractions and things that compete for your attention. When you are with people today or talking to them over the phone, seek to be as fully present with them as you are able as an expression of loving others.

 

SOLITUDE and SILENCE. You are encouraged to spend a few minutes alone with God sitting, kneeling, laying down, or walking. Spend a few minutes seeking to simply be with the Lord.

 

READ 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16. Consider using the suggestions and questions from the Overview section of this devotional during your study time today.

 

PRAY letting the Holy Spirit guide you to respond to the verses you read.

 

 

Wednesday (6/28)

READ Psalm 89:14 to begin your devotional time.

 

SOLITUDE and SILENCE. You are encouraged to spend a few minutes alone with God sitting, kneeling, laying down, or walking. Let the words “I love the Lord” roll around in your mind. Knowing that God listens to you, spend a few minutes seeking to hear God’s message through the internal whisper of the Holy Spirit.

 

READ 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13. Which word, phrase, or verse is the Holy Spirit using from the verses to speak to you today?

 

PRAY through your day, including offering thanks for the Holy Spirit’s presence with you throughout the day, as well as praying for the people you will be with or have been with.

 

GIFTS – Use your material resources, including money, to bless others today or later this week as an expression of love.

 

 

Thursday (6/29)

READ Psalm 89:14 to focus your heart and mind on the one who has made us in his likeness.

 

SOLITUDE and SILENCE. You are encouraged to spend a few minutes alone with God sitting, kneeling, laying down, or walking. Spend a few minutes seeking to simply be with the Lord.

 

READ 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12. Consider using the suggestions and questions from the Overview section of this devotional during your study time today.

 

SERVICE – Today, use your time, talents, effort, and Spiritual gifts to serve others as an expression of love.

 

PRAY in response to God using the ACTS acronym as a guide:

Adoration (praise the Lord)

Confession

Thanksgiving (thank God)

Supplication (share your needs & the needs of others)

 

 

Friday (6/30)

READ Psalm 89:14 to begin your time with God.

 

READ 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:28, the concluding verses of Paul’s letter. The phrase “fallen asleep” that Paul uses in verses 4:13-15 in the NIV translation of scripture is referring to those who have died. Which word, phrase, or verse is the Lord using to speak to you today from what you read?

 

WITNESS – 1 Thessalonians is a letter the apostle Paul, along with Silas and Timothy, wrote to Christians. Consider writing a message on social media, sending a card, or writing a letter to encourage others on their faith journey and to share the good news about Jesus as a witness of Christ.

 

PRAY that the Holy Spirit will continue to sanctify believers throughout the world, including you, so that we become more like Christ. Invite the Lord to help us to embody the message of Christ by living the virtues of Jesus, which include the AUMC virtues of: Humility, Compassion, Forgiveness, Love

 

 

Saturday (7/1)

How are you going to remember and observe the Sabbath this weekend? The Sabbath is a day each week that is set apart from the others to stop, rest, worship, and delight in the Lord and what he has given us. If your life and schedule are too busy to observe an entire Sabbath day, try incrementally observing the Sabbath by setting aside an increasing portion of a day each week beginning with an hour, then increasing it to multiple hours or part of a day, and eventually designating an entire day for remembering and observing the Sabbath.

 

LIGHT a candle and LISTEN to a worship song or hymn before reading the verses for today as a way to prepare your heart, mind, body, and soul for observing the Sabbath.

 

READ Psalm 46:10 and Psalm 37:7. These verses are a reminder to stop and “be still” in God’s presence. Our Sabbath theme for this weekend is “STOP.”

 

• How does stopping and “being still” help you to remember that God is in control?

 

• What are the things you need to stop worrying about today and during this season that you can offer to God in prayer?

 

• What work do you need to set aside for another day so that you can stop and focus on the Lord as you observe the Sabbath?

 

• How are you going to help others to stop working for at least a few hours this weekend?

 

SOLITUDE and SILENCE. You are encouraged to spend ten, twenty, or thirty minutes alone with God seeking to rest in the peace that can only be found in and from the Lord. If you struggle to stop and rest, consider laying down, kneeling, or sitting on a very comfortable chair or seat. If you need a nap, then sleep so that your mind and body receive the rest that you need.

 

PRAY in response to God’s work within your life this past week and in response to the messages from the Lord in the verses in the psalms that you read.

 

 

READ Genesis 1:1-2:3 during the afternoon or evening. Notice what God did on the seventh day of creation. God set an example for us and established a rhythm for life by working six days then stopping on the seventh day. If you are not finished with the work you have been doing during the past week perhaps the verses from Genesis are your reminded that you are not God. Your limitations are part of your humanity and reveal our dependency upon God.

 

• How are you going to set the Sabbath apart this weekend as you follow God’s example?

 

PRAY – If the weather cooperates and you are physically able, go for a prayer walk outside. You may find it helpful to go to a local park or nature preserve to observe God’s creation and spend time with our Creator.

 

• What does the created world, including the sun, moon, stars, bodies of water, sky, land, plants, animals, and people, reveal about God?

 

• Thank our Creator for the things you see and hear that were not created by human hands.

 

• Thank God for the people you know and come into contact with remembering that they were created in the Lord’s image. Invite the Holy Spirit to help you to see people as God sees them.